Planet Viltrum

Lore & Background

The Viltrum Empire is the political and military body governing the Viltrumites, exercising authority over their homeworld and its population, which once numbered over three billion. Its ruler, bearing the title of Emperor, held supreme authority; among them was Argall, who ruled until his death. Following Argall's assassination by Thaedus, the empire fell into internal conflict, culminating in the Great Purge. After the purge, the surviving Viltrumites, under leaders like Thragg, consolidated power and pursued galactic conquest for centuries. Their dominance was eventually weakened by the Scourge Virus, a bioweapon created by Thaedus and the Coalition of Planets. The virus, based on Thaedus’s own genetic material, killed approximately 99.9% of Viltrumites, leaving fewer than fifty adults alive. In response to near-extinction, the Viltrumites initiated a program to test cross-species reproduction. Nolan Grayson was sent to Earth to determine whether humans could produce viable Viltrumite offspring, where he met Debbie Grayson, resulting in the birth of Mark Grayson, the future Emperor of the empire.

In Their Own Story

The Viltrum Empire was first mentioned in Invincible #2, published in February 2003, and appeared when Omni-Man (Nolan Grayson) reveals to his son, Mark Grayson (Invincible), his origins. He initially describes the Viltrumites as a powerful and peacemaking alien race intent on improving the universe, including Earth. This was later revealed to be a lie, as the Viltrumites were in actuality violent warmongers. After Argall’s death, Thragg was appointed Grand Regent and charged with maintaining the empire’s stability, concealing the true extent of their decline, and identifying a suitable heir. Thragg became opposed to the rest of the remaining Viltrumites on learning Argall's heirs to be Nolan and Mark Grayson. After Mark becomes Emperor, he puts an end to all other planetary governments, going to war with the Coalition of Planets.

Reader's Guide

Viltrumite society once adhered to a strict Darwinian philosophy, purging the weak to strengthen the race, a principle set by their former ruler Argall and later upheld by Thragg, the strongest Viltrumite. Their abilities stem from a centuries-long eugenics program and advanced genetic manipulation, often called a 'global transhumanism,' granting them near-invulnerability, flight, and lifespans of millennia. The empire grew through conquest, with Viltrumites infiltrating and dominating other civilizations to integrate them into their rule. Their strategy blended diplomatic control, offering technology and stability, with military force against resistance. The Scourge Virus critically weakened the empire, leading to a cross-species reproduction program. Earth became central to the survival of the Viltrumite species due to the birth of Mark Grayson.

Did You Know?

• The Viltrum Empire was first mentioned in Invincible #2, published in February 2003.
• The Great Purge killed about half the Viltrumite population to eliminate the weak.
• The Scourge Virus, created by Thaedus, killed approximately 99.9% of Viltrumites, leaving fewer than fifty adults alive.
• Thragg was appointed Grand Regent after Emperor Argall's death and tasked with identifying a suitable heir.
• Mark Grayson, the son of Nolan and Debbie Grayson, becomes Emperor of the Viltrum Empire.