Killraven is a 2002 comic book limited series from Marvel Comics, a reboot for the titular Killraven, a science-fiction adventure comic which acts as a Distant Sequel to H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds (1898). The series is written and drawn by Alan Davis, with inks by Mark Farmer and color art by Gregory Wright.
Decades into the future, Earth is in ruins. Martians attacked and conquered the world, and humanity is enslaved and nearing extinction. Killraven, raised as a slave who was forced to fight and kill in the aliens' arenas, now leads a small band of escapees through a world they know very little about.
Initially, they're just seeking to survive and avoid capture, but they may become heroes along the way.
Killraven (2002) contains examples of the following tropes:
- Adaptational Villainy: The comic's version of Mint Julep is an antagonist who's working for the Martians. She's forced to work with Killraven's team at one point, but she's never actually an ally or a member of their band, unlike her counterpart in the original comics.
- Alternate Universe: The series is a reboot of the original Killraven (Amazing Adventures) saga, set in a slightly different version of the future. All of the previous Killraven stories remain canon.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: A subtle example, as Hawk was always the most disruptive and discontent of Killraven's band. When Grok uses Mind Control to steer Hawk into murderous betrayal, Killraven initially assumes it's just a Face–Heel Turn by someone who's been regularly challenging his leadership. He doesn't realise his ally wasn't acting of his own will until Hawk's already dead.
- Mind Control: Grok telepathically influences Hawk, feeding his doubts and turning him against Killraven. Killraven and the others don't realise what's happening until Killraven's been forced to kill Hawk.
- Required Secondary Powers: Volcana Ash has pyrokinetic powers, but she doesn't seem to be immune to fire. When Mint Julep's holding her prisoner, she's kept drenched in oil so that she can't use her powers without setting herself aflame.
- Sixth Ranger Traitor: Killraven's band welcome Grok, a voiceless creature with a monstrous form. They've met other Martian experiments, so they know that some humans keep their mind intact even when they're physically mutated into monsters. And Grok has helped them in their quest. What they don't realise is that he was never human - he's a modified Martian with Psychic Powers, and he has schemes of his own...
