Salamander K’Ruel first appeared in Jungle Action Vol. 2 #15 (1975), created by writer Don McGregor and artist Billy Graham. He was one of the Wakandan agents working for Erik Killmonger, the main antagonist of the “Panther’s Rage” storyline, which is considered to be one of the best Black Panther stories ever written. Salamander K’Ruel was an expert archer who used explosive arrows to attack his enemies. He was also loyal to Killmonger’s vision of a more aggressive and militaristic Wakanda, and he participated in several battles against T’Challa and his allies.

However, Salamander K’Ruel’s fate changed dramatically when he was exposed to the Resurrection Altar, a mystical device that could revive the dead but also mutate them into monstrous forms. The Altar transformed Salamander K’Ruel’s body into a mass of festering pustules that could inject razor-sharp pins coated with toxin. His appearance became so grotesque that even Killmonger was disgusted by him and ordered him to be killed. Salamander K’Ruel managed to escape and swore revenge on his former leader.

Salamander K’Ruel’s second and last appearance was in Black Panther Vol. 4 #35 (2008), written by Reginald Hudlin and illustrated by Francis Portela. He was part of a group of Killmonger’s former allies who joined forces with T’Challa to stop Killmonger from taking over Wakanda again. Salamander K’Ruel used his barbed body to fight against Killmonger’s soldiers, but he was ultimately killed by Sombre, another mutant who had been resurrected by the Altar.

Salamander K’Ruel has never appeared in any other media besides comics, but he was mentioned in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #10 (2009), where his real name, origin and family history were revealed. According to the handbook, Salamander K’Ruel’s real name was N’Jadaka II, and he was the son of N’Jadaka I, who was Erik Killmonger’s father. This means that Salamander K’Ruel was actually Killmonger’s half-brother, although neither of them knew about their relation. Salamander K’Ruel was born in N’Jadaka Village, a settlement that was loyal to Killmonger and opposed to T’Challa’s rule. He joined Killmonger’s army when he was young and adopted the codename Salamander K’Ruel, which means “fire lizard” in Wakandan.