History
Gronks are a timid life-form from the planet Blas in the Gallego system. Mutant bounty hunter (or 'Strontium Dog') Johnny Alpha first encountered and befriended a Gronk fairly early in his career, but the creature was killed shortly afterward; Alpha's partner, Wulf Sternhammer took the Gronk's pelt to wear, in deference to the traditions of the Gronk's home planet.
Shortly afterward, Alpha and Sternhammer met another Gronk (all Gronks are identical, and have no names) who recognized the pelt as having belonged to his brother. This Gronk insisted on joining Alpha and Sternhammer in their adventures as their medic, despite the perils of such an occupation and the tendency of Gronks to suffer heart failure at the slightest sign of excitement.
Eventually, when Johnny Alpha's father Nelson Bunker Kreelman took over the Strontium Dog's orbital HQ, the Doghouse, in order to seek revenge on his son, the Gronk suffered several near fatal heart attacks after discovering his plans. He did, however, manage to free Alpha from his father's torture machine. Following this, the Gronk ceased to accompany Alpha and Sternhammer on missions and, indeed, it was assumed by many that he had died.
According to one account which may or may not be true, following the destruction of the Doghouse and Johnny Alpha's apparent death, the Gronk suffered another heart attack which resulted in a hitherto unsuspected aggressive and fearless side to his nature coming to the fore, and he took up Johnny's badge and, alongside the mutant Feral Jackson, travelled to the homeworld of the Lyran sorcerers in order to release Johnny's soul. The Gronk seemingly killed his friend again in order to free him from unending torture before declaring of the Lyrans that "nobody gets out of here aliveses", and apparently destroying them all. This story may be apocryphal however, since new information concerning Alpha's fate has since come to light.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Some Gronks can re-start their hearts after hours of apparent death. Also, Gronks can eat metal, including locks. This comes in handy.
Weaknesses
Gronks have very weak hearts.
Notes
The Gronk's home planet of Blas in the Gallego system is named in honour of fantasy artist Blas Gallego.
Trivia
- Gronkses has a distinctive speeches patterns, and are frequently to be found lamenting "Oh, my poor heartses!" if startled.
- According to Chambers Dictionary (10th edition), sibilate (transitive and intransitive verb) means "to pronounce (words) with, or produce, a hissing sound."
Links and References
- Appearances of Gronk
- Minor Appearances of Gronk
- Media Gronk was Mentioned in
- Images featuring Gronk
- Quotations by or about Gronk
- Character Gallery: Gronk
Footnotes
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