Algrim was a Dark Elf lieutenant under their leader, Malekith, loyally serving him during the Dark Elves' war against the Asgardians many thousands of years ago, and was among the few of his race to survive that conflict. Five millennia later, the Dark Elves reawakened and Algrim willingly sacrificed himself for their cause of regaining the Aether, becoming Kurse, the last of a line of Dark Elf super-soldiers. He was instrumental in the downfall of Asgard. Kurse later engaged, and was defeated by, the combined efforts of Thor and Loki.