Erg is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman, the character first appeared in Power Pack #12 (July 1985). Erg is a mutantâÂÂa subspecies of humans born with superhuman abilitiesâÂÂwho can absorb various forms of energy and project them as blasts. Over the course of his publication history, he has been a member of several teams, including the 198 and the Morlocks.
Since his original introduction in comics, Erg has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including animated television series. The character made his live-action debut in The Gifted (2017), portrayed by Michael Luwoye.
Erg debuted in Power Pack #12 (July 1985), created by Louise Simonson and June Brigman. He subsequently appeared in several Marvel series, including Uncanny X-Men (1981), X-Factor (1986), Decimation: House of M - The Day After (2005), ' (2006), X-Men: Divided We Stand (2008), X-Men: Legacy (2008), Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia (2009), and X-Men Legends (2021).
Furthermore, Erg appeared as part of the "Morlocks" entry in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #9 (1986).
Erg is a member of the Morlocks and was a member of the faction called the "Drain Dwellers" that encountered Power Pack, and tried to force them to be adopted by Annalee, whose children had died. Erg helped the Morlocks make one more unsuccessful attempt to get Power Pack to become the children of Annalee. Annalee sent Erg to make peace with the Power Pack children. During the Mutant Massacre, Erg helped Beautiful Dreamer escape from the Marauders. He was one of the few to survive the Marauders' attack during the 'Mutant Massacre'. Erg and the surviving Drain Dwellers are taken to X-Factor headquarters for their own safety. There, he encounters the rival Morlock faction the Tunnelers, and tries living there with the team. Ultimately he and the other Morlocks decided to leave and return to the Alley.
He is among the first mutants to seek a safe haven at the Xavier Institute following M-Day, when most mutants lost their powers. Erg, Mammomax, and Peepers are pursued by the Sapien League, who capture them just before they can reach the Institute. The League members attempt to burn the three at the stake, but are saved by Wolverine.
Erg remains at the Xavier Institute with many other mutants, some unwillingly, becoming something of a ringleader for the non-X-Men members of the 198. It is Erg's idea to raise a "198" flag, the number representing what was originally thought to be the number of mutants left in the world after the Decimation. He is among the mutants who attack Sentinel Squad O*N*E (Office of National Emergency) because they want to leave the Xavier estate.
Erg is among the mutants who accept having an electronic tag inserted to be allowed to go out on a supervised group trip to Salem Center. Valerie Cooper tells the mutants that the tags are harmless tracking devices, but Erg later discovers that they are designed to generate disabling electronic pulses. After learning this, Mister M destroys the chips.
During "The Extremists" arc, Erg reappears alongside some of his fellow Morlocks under the leadership of Masque. Besides Erg, this group consists of Bliss, Litterbug, Skids, and Leech.
In "Dark Reign", Erg is captured by Norman Osborn after the riots in San Francisco. He later takes refuge on Utopia and helps battle the Nimrods.
Erg possesses the ability to absorb various forms of ambient and directed energy, which are focused into powerful electrical blasts discharged from his eyes. Erg is skilled in the use of bladed weapons and typically carries a large knife. Despite apparently having only one fully functional eye, his depth perception is largely unimpaired.
An alternate version of Erg appears in X-Men <nowiki/>'92: House of XCII. After the X-Men establish the mutant nation of Krakoa, Erg is invited to reside on the island alongside other mutants. He is later seen observing Glowworm's duel with Silver Samurai in the Quarry.