- This article is about the cult appearing in God of War (Dark Horse Comics). You may be looking for the optional bosses in God of War Ragnarök.
Kratos encountering a group of Berserkers.
Berserkers are classified as "Beast-Men" who are able to transform into bears by using a magical totem. A cult of berserkers appear in God of War (Dark Horse Comics) as the main antagonists.
Quick Answers
What is the origin of the term 'Berserker'?
How do the Berserkers in God of War transform into bears?
What role do Berserkers play in God of War?
What is the meaning of 'berserkr' in Old Norse?
What does the modern English word 'berserk' mean in relation to the Berserkers?
Norse History[]
Berserkers are Norse warriors that are said to have fought while in a state of rage, which gave rise to the modern English word berserk, which means "Furiously violent" and "Out of Control". The Old Norse form of the word was berserkr (plural berserkir). It likely means "bear-shirt" (compare the Middle English word 'serk, meaning 'shirt'), "someone who wears a coat made out of a bear's skin". According to authors in early writings, the berserker tradition originated from hunting magic, in which they partake in 3 animal cults. The animals associated with those cults are the bear, the wolf, and the boar.
Berserkers are said to draw power from those animals while also said to have worn their fur along with their heads instead of metal armor. While the bear and wolf warriors are said to have been savage and animalistic in nature, boar warriors are believe to have the ability to transform into actual boars in order to gain strength, bravery, and protection. In the sagas of Hrólf Kraki, the King is said to have had twelve berserkers as bodyguards, similar to Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins. Their names were Hrómundr harði, Hrólfr skjóthendi, Svipdagr, Beigaðr, Hvítserkr inn hvati, Haklangr, Harðrefill, Haki inn frækni, Vöttr inn mikilaflaði, Starólfr, Hjalti inn hugprúði and Bödvar Bjarki.
Biography[]
Issue 1[]
While Kratos was out testing himself and his rage, he came across a giant bear mauling an old man. With his rage set off, Kratos ferociously wrestled with the bear before brutally killing it by ripping off its lower jaw. However, the Spartan was unaware that the bear he had killed was a berserker in his bear form. As soon as Kratos turned to leave, three other berserkers, who had seen the whole thing from afar, immediately followed him. After seeing him going through a rock wall, which turns out to be part of a magical barrier that his wife Laufey created, one of the berserkers alerts his other brothers that Kratos is hiding within and another berserker immediately declared that they will have their revenge. Stepping through the barrier, they confront the Spartan at his home over the killing of their brother. Still unaware that the bear he had killed was one of the berserkers, he tries to assure that he didn't kill one of their kin but rather a "mindless beast", but the other berserkers were too angry to listen. When Kratos challenged them to a fight, two of the berserkers immediately used their magic to transform into monstrous bears with long, sharp talon claws. On the orders of their leader, they immediately move in attack.
Issue 2[]
The two transformed berserkers viciously attacked Kratos with the intention of avenging their fallen brother. As Kratos fought the blue-eyed beast-man, he orders his son Atreus to run to safety, but the boy doesn't know on where to go and Kratos, after killing the beast-man moved in to protect his son from the other beast man, who attempt to kill Atreus, even though the boy wasn't involve in his brother's death.The green-eyed beast man managed to gain the upper-hand over the Spartan and managed to pin him to the ground. However, after the latter notices an axe that Atreus was supposed to use chop wood while he is away, he immediately grabs it before driving it into the beast-man's skull, killing him. Now having lost two more of his brothers, the grey-skinned berserker leader swore vengeance and declared that he will return with the rest of his clan before fleeing. Not wanting this to happen, Kratos, accompanied by Atreus, began following the berserker's trail but unfortunately lost it, much to his the former's fury. However, Atreus knows of an old vala (seer) who might be able to help them and so they sought her out. When they reached and entered her hut, the seer revealed her knowledge of the secrets of the berserkers, which left Kratos in shock.
Gallery[]
