Origin

The Chitauri are a shapeshifting race of Skrull-like aliens. It is hinted that the Chitauri, or the 616 counterparts, are not related to Skrulls, but a more focused, Jihad-based defector group that believes in pure violence and complete destruction of perceived enemies. It is because of this extreme anarchist behavior that most Skrulls refuse to acknowledge the existence of this newer group, seeing them as cult-like extremists.

Creation

The Chitauri were created by Mark Miller and Bryan Hitch and first appeared in the alternate reality known as the "Ultimate Universe." They made their comic debut in The Ultimates issue 8 (2002). This version of the Chitauri were only a variant of the Skrulls found in the Ultimate universe

After being used as a generic alien army in the film, The Avengers, The Chitauri made their debut in the 616 continuity in Nova Volume 5 issue 3. They resembled their movie counterparts and were definitely a different race then the Skrulls.

Major Story Arcs

Nova

Although not much is known about the Chitauri race in the 616 Universe, the young new Nova named Sam Alexander was the first human to contact this new violant race.

Guardians of the Galaxy

More recently, the Guardians of the Galaxy encountered the Chitauri when they attacked Star-Lord's home-planet, Spartax.

Powers

The Chitauri are similar to their Skrull relatives in that they are adept at infiltration using enhanced shape-shifting abilities. They are also very strong -- stronger than a modern human, very fast and increasingly agile. However, unlike the technology-based shape shifting ability of the Skrulls, the Chitauri transform by ingesting the organs and body of their victims, "becoming" them mentally as well as physically.

Other Versions

Earth-1610

The Chitauri are a shapeshifting race of Skrull-like aliens whom had been infiltrating the human race for centuries. Their leader used the name Herr Kleiser. Their first big outburst was during World War II, where they tried to destroy the humans by allying with and infiltrating the Nazis. During that time, they were stopped by Captain America. Nothing was heard from the aliens in quite some time from that moment on.

Years later, in present time and near the end of the second arc of Ultimates, it is revealed that the Chitauri had already infiltrated most countries as some of their highest ranking officers, and were still attempting to take control of the human race. Their plans changed, however, when the U.S. government team known as the Ultimates became aware of the alien invasion. Threatened by the Ultimates, the Chitauri attempted to destroy planet Earth. This last attempt was stopped by the Ultimates team with some aid from the Hulk. Most of the Chitauri where killed during this final battle. They have not been seen since.

Other Media

Film

Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2

The Chitauri appear as the main antagonists of Ultimate Avengers. They are portrayed as massive reptilian creatures with the power to change their shape. They are defeated, but return in Ultimate Avengers 2, where they attack Wakanda in order to steal the country's deposit of vibranium. The Chitauri are destroyed once and for all when the Avengers team up with the Black Panther to stop them.

The Avengers (2012)

In the film The Avengers, the Chitauri are an invader race under the control of the mad Asgardian trickster God Loki. The Other, a mysterious hooded figure, authorizes the Chitauri to follow Loki's orders, in exchange for the trickster finding and delivering to them the Tesserect, a cosmic cube of untold energy and cosmic power. While it appears The Other is the one the Chitauri answer to, it is in fact the vicious galactic villain Thanos that commandeers the Chitauri. The Chitauri in the film are very different that what is seen in the comics, being six digit invaders rather than reptilian infiltrators. However, while they do not seem to have (or at least show) their ability to transform into humans, they are highly adept at technology, using flying assault vehicles and piloting monstrous bio-mechanical space whales which they use to transport massive numbers of troops, much like an armored tank or Trojan horse.

The Chitauri in the film, despite being bigger and more durable than a human, are relatively vulnerable due to their lack of full body armor, only holding on to weapons and wearing masks to communicate (and possibly breathe). When Iron Man managed to destroy the main Chitauri war ship, all of the Chitauri fighting in New York immediately died, showing a vital connection between army and machines. They also, unlike the reptilian looking beasts in comics, appear more to resemble skeleton or mummies, or even mutated Korbinites, due to their distinct horse-like face.

It is unrevealed if the entire Chitauri race was extinguished in the invasion of New York, or if it was just one advancing fleet that was wiped out at the end of the film.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

In Guardians of the Galaxy, a Chitauri soldier can be seen as a prisoner in the Collector's museum. He is still alive, suggesting that the Chitauri did not completely perish after Iron Man destroyed their main ship.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

In the sequel to the first Avengers movie, the Chitauri are seen in flashbacks and when Tony Stark enters a Hydra base, where he finds numerous Chitauri weapons as well as one of the dead transport war ships.

Television

Ultimate Spider-Man

The Chitauri appear in the episode "Guardians of the Galaxy", acting as an army for Korvac.

Avengers Assemble

The Chitauri appear in the episode "Avengers Impossible", where Impossible Man summons them to fight the Avengers.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Chitauri are referenced several times in the series, which takes place after the events of the live-action Avengers movie. The episode "F.Z.Z.T." revolves around a salvaged Chitauri helmet that unleashes a deadly virus. The episode "The Magical Place" reveals that salvaged Chitauri metal was used for Hydra's Project Centipede.

Guardians of the Galaxy

The Chitauri are featured in the episode "The Backstabbers", as well as part of Nebula's pirate crew.

Jessica Jones

The Chitauri are referenced in the episode "A.K.A. It's Called Whiskey", where the main villain is a woman whose mother was killed during the invasion of New York.

Luke Cage

During the latter half of Season 1, the villain Diamondback utilizes Judas Bullets, special bullets that were created from leftover Chitauri metal that was found after the invasion of New York. The Judas Bullets are powerful enough to pierce Luke's nearly-unbreakable skin.

Video Games

• The Chitauri appear in Lego Marvel's Avengers.
• The Chitauri appear in Marvel Avengers Academy.

Merchandise

• Hasbro released a number of Chitauri figures.
• The Chitauri were featured in Lego's line of Avengers kits.
• Hot Toys released a Chitauri figure.
• Diamond released a figure of a Chitauri soldier as part of the Marvel Select line.