Gorkels
The Grinch, who was more a free-thinker, moved out.
The Gorkels are a race of green-skinned humanoids native to the planet Gorkel. They live simple lives, eschewing technology and making decisions based on an ancient book of prophecies adjudicated by the Wise One. Their reigning monarch is Princess (shudder) Ugly, though they must contend with usurpation attempts by her malfeasant uncle Vermin the Vile, one of a pink-skinned people the Gorkels share their planet with.
Fiction
The Gorkels lived on Gorkel and feared advanced technology. The Secret of the Space Warp They lived according to what was "written in the book!", though when its predictions were inconsistent with reality, it was deemed "close enough!" The Saga of Princess Ugly Vermin the Vile thought the Gorkels' belief in the book was laughable superstition that couldn't stack up against machinery like the Mayhem Maker. Too Close (Enough) for Comfort
The Gorkels were ruled by Princess (shudder) Ugly, despite her appearance being hideous beyond belief. The Gorkels were distraught when Princess Ugly was placed under a sleeping spell and usurped by her uncle, Vermin the Vile, who kept her captive in the Domed City so he could rule in her place. Nonetheless, they remained hopeful about the book's prophecy that alien creatures would arrive to break the spell and return their beloved princess.
When Planet Terry's ship crashed on Gorkel, several Gorkels crept out of their homes to look. One Gorkel reported the alien space craft to the Wise One, who was expecting it, but he called the Gorkel ignorant for believing the ship was landed like that on purpose by a wealthy being that could afford a replacement. As the Wise One and the "ignorant one" descended the hill, he revealed a number of predictions about their new visitors: that their ship was caught in an astro-cyclone, that it carried a crew of two, and that one of its pilots would be searching for a lost puppy, as "it is written in the book!" The "ignorant one" corrected each prediction – it was caught in an astro tornado, it had a crew of three, and it contained Planet Terry, who was looking for his parents – all of which the Wise One considered "close enough!"
The Wise One had the Gorkels throw a banquet for their alien guests, where he explained about Princess (shudder) Ugly's kidnap and the prophecy concerning her rescue. As the Gorkels looked at him expectantly, Terry realised they were referred to him and his friends, Robota and Omnus. The Wise One offered to repair their ship in exchange, and Terry accepted the deal. After the Wise One insisted it to be a straightforward, painless job – "it is written in the book!" – another Gorkel reminded him of the myriad dangers between their settlement and the Domed City, listing off the impenetrable forest, the Mayhem Maker, the terror vines, the volcano, and the whirlpool as evidence of its danger. Terry and his friends nevertheless marched forward with a determined war cry of "close enough!" The Saga of Princess Ugly The Gorkels gave Terry a vibro-compass to guide them to the Domed City. Too Close (Enough) for Comfort
When Terry and friends returned with Princess Ugly, the Gorkels cheered – though the Wise One had been assured of their success thanks to the book. But when Terry announced he had to rejoin the search for his parents and their ship, the Space Warp, the Gorkels were astonished – the wreck of the Space Warp was nearby on Gorkel! The Doom of the Domed City
Notes
- The "ignorant" Gorkel from "The Saga of Princess Ugly" goes on to appear in the 2009-2010 miniseries X-Babies,
most prominently being tossed about by Storm in the second issue.
