Bagorah
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The Air Force has been referring to it as Bagorah, after the scientists who first spotted it.
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Bagorah (バゴラ Bagora) is an alien bat monster who first appeared in the 3rd issue of Dark Horse's Godzilla comic series.
Lured to Earth by Godzilla's roars, Bagorah quickly discovered the King of the Monsters incapacitated upon its arrival and instead set its sights on the only active threat in the area - Cybersaur, the machine responsible for taking Godzilla down. After toppling the mech, Bagorah moved on and attempted to feast upon Godzilla's body when the latter finally regained consciousness. The two behemoths promptly began fighting across Vancouver, with Godzilla eventually triumphing after a lengthy battle.
Name
In-universe, Bagorah's name is a portmanteau of "Battuma" and "Gorhanski", the names of the scientists who first discovered its approach. The Dianii reveal that the monster's original name was "the Korghan Beast" or simply Korghan.
Design
Bagorah resembles a giant red bat monster with large, black wings. Bagorah possesses rough, wrinkled skin with thin quills or spikes on the back of its neck. Its eyes and tongue are green while its ears are pink.
Origins
Bagorah is a powerful space monster, described by the Dianii as "the fiercest beast known to our galaxy". The Dianii had been hunting the beast for some time to no avail when it was lured to Earth by Godzilla's cries during his battle with Cybersaur.
History
- Godzilla #3-6, 12 (1995-1996) [only mentioned in #5-6]
- A Decade of Dark Horse #4 (1996) [monitor]
Godzilla
"Long Live the King!"
As the clash between Godzilla and Cybersaur reached its conclusion only a few miles from Vancouver, Godzilla released a powerful roar never heard by human ears before. The sound reached the depths of space and was heard by the monster Bagorah, who traveled to Earth in search of prey.
After an impromptu research facility was constructed around the comatose Godzilla, a nearby observatory noticed an object approaching his location. Within a few hours, the air force met the object in the sky. The object was revealed to be Bagorah, who cautiously approaches Cybersaur. The pilot Kino fired a warning blast at the monster, which let out a deafening screech. The sun rose, causing the bat monster to take refuge in the nearby ocean.
Bagorah returned at midnight, and once again confronted Cybersaur, now armed with Sonic Disrupters. The weapons disoriented the bat monster, sending it crashing into the nearby city. This effect was temporary, as Bagorah quickly returned to the air and knocked over the mech with a headbutt, then ravaged it with its fangs and talons.
After failing to find a meal in the defeated Cybersaur, Bagorah noticed the body of Godzilla, who had just been given the antidote to the toxin keeping him comatose. When Bagorah moved in to feast on the King of the Monsters, Godzilla woke up at the last moment and grabbed the alien by the neck.
"Godzilla vs. Bagorah"
Bagorah ascended and tried to use his auditory blast on Godzilla, who attempted to retaliate with his own atomic breath. Fortunately for Bagorah, while Godzilla had been given the antidote, the toxin had weakened him enough for the atomic ray to be unusable. The alien attacked Godzilla again, then pursued nearby jets, expecting them to be an easier meal. Unbeknownst to it, the territorial Godzilla had not recognized the fight as being over.
However, after chomping down on a plane, the alien discovered his prey was mostly made of cold and tasteless metal. His passion for pursuit killed, Bagorah decided to feast on the inhabitants of Vancouver. Godzilla's roar got his attention.
Deciding to make another attempt at eating Godzilla, Bagorah knocked Godzilla over and bit the back of his neck, drawing blood. The glowing of Godzilla's dorsal spines distracted the bat enough for him to reposition himself, but Godzilla still could not use his atomic breath. Instead, he shoved a bus into his opponent's mouth. The battle continued until Godzilla's spines glowed again. Undeterred this time, Bagorah lunged for the King of the Monsters, but was greeted with atomic fire. A second blast sent the extraterrestrial falling into the sea.
"Target: Godzilla! Part One"
Above Jupiter's orbit, a Dianii ship emerged from hyperspace. Hunting Bagorah, the fiercest beast known to their galaxy, they were surprised to discover that he had been injured. The hunters approached Earth to observe the monster responsible.
"Target: Godzilla! Part Two"
After encountering Godzilla, the Dianii were disappointed to learn that the King of the Monsters had been weakened by repeated back-to-back battles and considered resuming the search for the injured Bagorah beneath the waves, but ultimately felt that Godzilla was worthy of their attention after all.
"We Have Seen the Future, and it Has Been Destroyed by Godzilla"
The mad scientist Professor Elmer Mason contemplated bringing Bagorah and other monsters from the past into the pacifist future of 2299 to dominate the planet, although he was devoured by Godzilla before he could realize his plans.
A Decade of Dark Horse #4
Bagorah was seen on a monitor in G-Force's Artic base while Dr. Kazushi Kagaku contacted Dr. Yamazaki.
Abilities
Hearing
Bagorah possesses unfathomably accurate hearing. Not only did it hear Godzilla's roar on Earth from the depths of space, but also followed it to the point of origin near Vancouver.
Flight
Bagorah can fly at remarkable speeds and is able to travel to Earth from deep space in a rather short period of time as well as keep up with modern fighter jets with no apparent difficulty.
Sound waves
Bagorah naturally emits high-frequency sound waves, most likely to serve as a form of echolocation. However, these same waves have destructive capabilities, being able to damage hearing, shatter glass, and in one case reduce a modern city building to rubble.
Sound blasts
Bagorah is able to unleash powerful concentrated sound blasts at his prey while using his echolocation abilities, which cause a good amount of damage even to creatures such as Godzilla himself.
Physical abilities
Bagorah’s teeth and talons are sharp enough to do damage to even Cybersaur's hull and pose a threat to Godzilla's tough hide.
Amphibiousness
Bagorah was able to submerge itself underwater for prolonged periods of time.
Weaknessess
As the beast hunts using sound waves, it proved susceptible to Cybersaur's Sonic Disrupters, which disoriented Bagorah.
Gallery
Concept art
Bagorah concept art by Arthur Adams
Scans
Professor Elmer Mason envisioning Bagorah and other monsters attacking Harmony Cluster Nine
Trivia
- Bagorah's ultimate fate was never revealed, as the creature was last seen plummeting into the ocean after being struck by Godzilla's atomic ray. Given its lack of subsequent appearances, it is likely that the beast succumbed to its injuries.
- The Dianii ship bears a striking resemblance to Bagorah in both color and its ridged pattern; it is possible that they modeled the vessel after their target.
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