King Cadaver

King Cadaver is a villain from the 'Panther's Rage' storyline in Marvel's Jungle Action, serving as one of Erik Killmonger's lieutenants opposing Black Panther in Wakanda. His macabre name and appearance reflect the sinister roster of enemies assembled against T'Challa.

Emerging from the Bronze Age Marvel universe in 1974, King Cadaver is one of the memorably macabre creations that Don McGregor and Billy Graham conjured during their celebrated Jungle Action run — a series now recognized as one of the most ambitious and socially charged comics of its era. With only seven catalogued appearances, this is a rare figure whose scarcity makes each issue feel like a genuine find, sharing pages with heavy hitters like Black Panther, Erik Killmonger, and Monica Lynne in stories that still resonate with collectors today. The character's unsettling name alone signals the kind of gothic, pulpy atmosphere McGregor and Graham brought to their work, and spotting King Cadaver in a back-issue bin is a quiet thrill for anyone who appreciates the deeper, stranger corners of 1970s Marvel storytelling.