Kurse

"Fetch our greatest warrior! Send out Kurse!"

- Dark Elves

Algrim, also known as Kurse, is a powerful Dark Elf warrior, and a servant of Malekith the Accursed.

War with Asgard
Algrim served his race as Malekith's loyal Lieutenant. When the Dark Elves attempted to unleash the Aether into the Nine Realms during the time of the Convergence, they were confronted by the Asgardians and their leader, Bor. After a lengthy war, Malekith realized the battle could not be won now and they escaped into their ship while the rest of their race was killed. Algrim joined Malekith and the Dark Elves in hibernation for 5000 years until the next Convergence would come about.

The Last of the Kursed
The time of the Convergence finally came and Jane Foster of Earth unintentionally discovered and absorbed the Ather, becoming a host body to it's power. The Dark Elves sensed the Aether and awoke from their slumber before returning to the wasteland of Svartalfheim. Discovering the Aether host was on Asgard, Malekith set his sights for revenge before turning to Algrim for his loyalty. Algrim made the ultimate sacrifice for the Dark Elves and volunteered to become the last of the Kursed, a type of Super Soldier created from pure darkness. Malekith stabbed Algrim in his stomach and inserted a glowing gem inside. Departing from the Dark Elves, Algrim disguised himself as a Marauder, hiding his face beneath a horned, beastial mask helmet. Falling into ranks with a group of Marauders, Algrim allowed himself to be captured by the Asgardians and taken to the palace dungeons. Inside the impenetrable prison, Algrim removed the gem from his stomach and crushed it with his fist. The gem began to melt into larva and absorb into Algrim's entire body, mutating his clothes and helmet into his skin, turning him into a giant beast before unleashing an explosion with the cell. Using a terrified Marauder, Algrim, now full of immense power, smashed his way out of the cell. Using his new found powers, Algrim let loose the rest of the imprisoned Marauders on the Asgardian guards. Before leaving the dungeons, Algrim decided to leave Loki Laufeyson inside his cell who went on to give Algrim directions.

Taking on Loki's advice, Algrim located Asgard's shield generator. Using his powers, Algrim burnt away all Asgardian Guards he crossed before destroying the generator, allowing the rest of the Dark Elves to invade Asgard. Algrim then went on to find Malekith in mid duel with Queen Frigga. Disarming her, Algrim watched on as Malekith attempted to take the Aether from Jane Foster who was then revealed to be an illusion created by Frigga. Knowing she would not reveal Jane's location, Algrim stabbed her in the back with her own sword, killing her. Thor, the Asgardian Prince rushed to the scene and threw a bolt of lightning at Malekith, burning his face. Algrim grabbed his master and ran for the balcony with Thor throwing his hammer at Algrim, only for it to knock the duo over the balcony and onto their ship. Escaping from Asgard, Algrim had Malekith put into hibernation to recover his strength. Returning to Svartalfheim, Malekith awoke from his sleep, ready to once again attack Asgard. However, Malekith sensed that the Aether was now on the planet. Algrim joined his master's side as they left their ship and sighted Thor, Loki and Jane standing on a hilltop. Out of the blue, Loki then betrayed Thor, stabbing him and kicking him down the hill and chopping off his hand. Grabbing Jane as his prisoner, Loki revealed that he originated from Jotunheim and wanted to see Asgard's demise. Algrim confirmed this to Malekith, stating that he was a prisoner in the Asgardian dungeons.

Malekith accepted Loki's aid and began to draw the Aether out of Jane's body. Loki, however, revealed his betrayal as a trick, returning Thor's hand who summoned his hammer and struck the Aether with lightning, shattering the Aether. Fortunately, Malekith revealed the Aether was too strong to be destroyed and absorbed it's full power. Leaving with his master for their ship, Algrim threw a Black Hole Grenade at Loki, only for Thor to save him. Staying behind as his ship left, Algrim challenged Thor, throwing him around with his superior strength. Proving himself stronger, Algrim even deflected Thor's hammer and began savagely beating him on the ground. Loki suddenly stabbed Algrim's chest with a sword, only for Algrim to grab him and force him against his body, pushing the blade straight threw him before throwing him to the ground. Getting the last laugh, Loki had used the opportunity to activate Algrim's Black Hole Grenades attached to his belt. Unable to remove them, Algrim was sucked into the Black Hole and ultimately killed.

Powers
Kurse is one of the physically most powerful beings within the Nine Realms that could match Thor, if not slighly more powerful.

Superhuman Strength: The level of Algrim's strength is unknown, but he is apparently the strongest of the Dark Elves as Thor is the strongest of the Asgardians. If anything, he could be considerably stronger than Thor.

Superhuman Speed: Kurse is possibly capable of running and moving at speeds much greater than those of even the finest human athlete.

Superhuman Stamina: Kurse's body produces almost no fatigue toxins during physical activity, granting him almost limitless physical stamina.

Superhuman Durability: Kurse's body is incredibly resistant to all forms of physical injury. He is capable of withstanding tremendous impact forces, falls from great heights, extreme temperatures and pressures, and powerful blows from Thor's hammer without sustaining injury. Kurse is even capable of surviving for days at a time without the need to breathe.

Extended Longevity: Although not immortal, Kurse does age at a pace much more slowly when compared to human beings. Kurse is also immune to all known Earthly diseases and infections.

Abilities
Kurse is a formidable hand to hand combatant, relying primarily on brawling techniques that allows him to make full use of his vast strength, enabling him to battle Thor to a standstill, even though Thor possesses one of the most powerful magical weapons in existence.

Behind the scenes

 * A different version of Kurse appears in the non-canon comic Captain America & Thor: Avengers!. When Thor, Volstagg, and Hogun broke int the Citadel of Spires, Kurse was summoned to fight against them.

Trivia

 * In the ABC television show, Lost, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who portrays Kurse, portrayed Mr. Eko. Adetokumboh M'Cormack, who portrays Machete in Captain America: The Winter Soilder, played Eko's younger brother, Yemi.