Publication History
The Great Beasts were created by John Byrne and served as antagonists throughout the first 24 issues of his run on Alpha Flight.
Tanaraq first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 as the superhero Sasquatch. His true origins weren't revealed until Alpha Flight #23.
Tundra, The Land Beast first appeared in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #1 (August 1983). The same issue also stated that Tundra had been responsible for the defeat and imprisonment of Snowbird's mother, the goddess Nelvanna. The character subsequently appears in Alpha Flight #24 (July 1985), #38 (September 1986), #55 (February 1988), #64 (November 1988), X-Man #39-40 (July 1998), and Wolverine #172 (March 2002).
Kolomaq, The Beast of the Snows first appeared in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #6 (January 1984). The character subsequently appears in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #38 (September 1986), and X-Man #39 (July 1998).
Ranaq, The Devourer first appeared in Alpha Flight #18-19 (January–February 1985). The character subsequently appears in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #38 (September 1986).
Somon, The Great Artificer first appeared in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #24 (July 1985). The character subsequently appears in Alpha Flight #38 (September 1986), #55 (February 1988), #64 (November 1988), X-Man #39 (July 1998), and Wolverine #172 (March 2002).
Kariooq, The Corruptor first appeared in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #24 (July 1985). The character subsequently appears in Wolverine (vol. 2) #172 (March 2002).
Tolomaq, The Fire Beast first appeared in Alpha Flight (vol. 1) #24 (July 1985). The character subsequently appears in Wolverine (vol. 2) #172 (March 2002).
Neooqtoq, The Ravager is referenced in Incredible Hercules #119 (September 2008). Neooqtoq is described as the "deadliest" of the Great Beasts. Although the beast itself does not appear, Snowbird assumes its form to battle the slave gods of the Skrulls.
The Great Beasts received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #3.
During the Chaos War storyline, Sasquatch gives Tundra, Kariooq, Somon, Kolomaq, and Tolomaq access to Earth so they can kill Amatusu-Mikaboshi. After Snowbird freezes them, the Great Beasts are impaled by Mikaboshi's tendrils and presumably killed.
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