Captain Universe

Captain Universe

Cover to Marvel Spotlight #9 (November 1980) featuring Captain Universe, art by Steve Ditko
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Micronauts #8
Created by Bill Mantlo (writer)
Michael Golden (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego Various hosts
Team affiliations Kree
Micronauts
Badoon
Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers
Notable aliases Guardian of Eternity, The Avenging Angel, The Hero That Could Be You, The Goddess
Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, power enhancement and senses
Energy blasts
Flight
Telekinesis
Time Travel

Captain Universe is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is the guardian and protector of Eternity. Rather than a character with a single identity, Captain Universe is a persona that has merged with several hosts during its publication history.

Publication history

Captain Universe first appeared in Micronauts #8 and was created by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden.

Captain Universe hosts have appeared in either special one-shots or short stories throughout the years, initially in the first series of the Micronauts in 1979.

Appearing sporadically in the 1980s in lesser titles such as Marvel Spotlight and Marvel Fanfare, the Uni-Power/Captain Universes appeared infrequently in other titles, even appearing in the first Contest of Champions series.

Their appearances became even scarcer in the 1990s, appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, What If?, Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Comics Presents and Cosmic Powers Unlimited.

In 1994 Captain Universe finally gained its first one-shot, coinciding with a promotion, with the claim that readers could have a comic about themselves made for a fee. The comics were generally stock stories, with minor details (such as skin or hair color, key names or phrases, etc.) altered based on information provided by the purchaser. Veterinary student Jeff Christiansen, who would later become the force behind the resurgence of the Official Handbooks of the Marvel Universe in the mid-2000s was made the official Captain Universe of the comic so that it could be considered an in-continuity comic. The one-shot was titled X-Men/Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants.

In 2005, after a four-year break from comic appearances, Captain Universe returned in the second series of Amazing Fantasy.[1] Also in 2005, a series of one-shot specials linked together by the Uni-Power/Captain Universe were released featuring different characters from the Marvel Universe as the Uni-Power each imbues them with power of Captain Universe. These titles were Captain Universe/Hulk, Captain Universe/Daredevil, Captain Universe/X-23, Captain Universe/Invisible Woman and Captain Universe/Silver Surfer. The Uni-Power made a brief appearance in Nextwave, he also made a "cameo" as Cosmic Spider-Man for the variant cover of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3 and played an important part in the Death's Head 3.0 saga chronicled in Amazing Fantasy.

Captain Universe made his return in Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord and then in Annihilation Conquest #3. Captain Universe later returns to stop the Juggernaut, in an attempt to fulfill his destiny, as seen in Amazing Spider-Man #627–629.

Fictional character biography

The Uni-Power is an extra-dimensional force that possesses an individual (or on one occasion, twins) in a time of crisis, transforming that person into Captain Universe. As Captain Universe, the transformed person typically retains his or her original personality and appearance, though with Captain Universe's costume and heroic traits superimposed over the original. The Uni-Power itself emanates from the Enigma Force, the exact nature of which, naturally, remains an enigma. It is believed, however, to be connected to the Microverse, home of the Micronauts. Although the Uni-Power typically empowers normal, non-super-powered humans, it has in the past empowered Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Commander Arcturus Rann of the Micronauts, a toddler, and a dog, among others. Its counterparts in various alternate timelines have also possessed Mar-Vell, Mr. Fantastic, a member of the alien Badoon race, a Doombot and Quasar. Because of its never-ending supply of energy it has been the target of many individuals, terrorist groups and peacekeeping agencies such as AIM, the Psycho-Man, Doctor Doom and even S.H.I.E.L.D.

The first human Captain Universe was an astronaut named Captain Ray Coffin. He battled Baron Karza and sealed the Prometheus Pit between the Microverse and Earth.[2] Years later, the Uni-Power would possess his son Steve Coffin to battle Mister E and his shadow slaves.[3] It next possessed identical twins Ann Stafford and Clare Dodgson to capture Nemesis,[3] and then possessed small-time cat burglar Monty Walsh to stop mafia don Guido Carboni.[4] It then possessed Doctor Strange and Commander Arcturus Rann to reinforce the space-wall between the Microverse and the Macroverse.[5] It then possessed Bruce Banner for the first time, to defuse a nuclear missile, and wound up battling Banner's own alter ego, the Hulk.[6] Captain Universe was then next among the heroes summoned by the Grandmaster for the Contest of Champions.[7] The Captain Universe power next possessed Delayne Masters to defeat schoolyard bullies.[8] It then possessed Evan Swann to stop the Quantum Mechanic from destroying the Earth.[9]

When the Captain Universe power next appeared, it possessed Spider-Man in order to stop the Tri-Sentinel (although the power was initially weaker than usual, causing Spider-Man to assume that his own powers had merely increased). The latently cosmic-powered Spider-Man battled the Trapster, Titania, Magneto, Brothers Grimm, Goliath, Hulk, TESS-One, Dragon Man, and the Tri-Sentinel itself.[10] It next possessed a toddler called Eddie Price to battle Gart and Rath.[11]

When the Guardians of the Galaxy traveled to the 20th century on a mission to destroy the Badoon, the Uni-Power possessed a Badoon worker named L'Matto in order to prevent the planned genocide. L'Matto's newfound knowledge was able to keep the Guardians from attacking but the Brother Royal then used the Badoon Captain Universe as his champion in a gladiatorial challenge which he had coerced the Guardians into accepting. L'Matto easily overpowered Charlie-27 and was about to kill him when Vance Astro and Dr. Strange arrived and joined in the battle, with Nikki and Talon pitching in as well. Despite this, it was not until Aleta (who had become the new Starhawk) arrived and attacked alongside Dr. Strange that L'Matto was finally defeated, enabling Strange to exorcise the Uni-Power which L'Matto had abused and return it to Earth.[12]

Captain Universe later returned, and the Uni-Power possesses various heroes (the Hulk; X-23; Daredevil, who regained his sight while possessed; the Invisible Woman; Gladiator; and the Silver Surfer); all in a mission to restore its power which has been severely weakened from a mysterious force emanating from the darkest corners of the Microverse. Using the copied powers of each hero, it took paraplegic war veteran Gabriel Vargas as its host to face the one responsible for its weakening.

At some unknown point Captain Universe (Gabriel Vargas) is arrested by the Kree Government for accidentally attacking a group of Kree who were killing people who he thought were innocents but were actually sympathetic to the genocidal actions of the Annihilation Wave. For months he was studied by the Kree who, despite their highly advanced technology, could not learn much about the Uni-Power other than that the suit given to all users is actually a molecular shell and not spandex as was previously believed. Eventually Gabriel is released from prison and put into a highly aggressive session of training by the Kree Military as he and several other prisoners prepare for a mission that will halt the Phalanx's technophage virus from spreading further.[13] Gabriel lost the Uni-Power after finding a cure for a Phalanx airborne virus, and joined Starlord in battling the Phalanx.[14] He was subsequently killed by the Phalanx select Blastaar during an attack on the Phalanx Babel Spire.[15]

During The Gauntlet storyline, a new Captain Universe makes himself known when he arrives on Earth with plans to kill Juggernaut.[16] Spider-Man learns that Captain Universe is a man named William Nguyen who wants revenge on Juggernaut for ruining his life during one of his rampages.[17] When he insists on trying to kill Juggernaut instead of fixing the tectonic plates beneath New York City, the Uni-Power leaves Nguyen and enters the Juggernaut. The Juggernaut, as Captain Universe, repairs the damage to the tectonic plates that was caused by him during the same rampage that ruined Nguyen's life. After the 'healing' of the tectonic plates, the Uni-Power subsequently leaves the Juggernaut and is not further seen.[18]

Three former hosts of the Uni-Power—Susan Storm-Richards, Spider-Man and X-23—are all contacted by the Enigma Force once again when the Whirldemon King, a powerful entity once defeated by the time-traveling Prince Wayfinder of Ithaca and creator of the Enigma Force itself, escapes imprisonment. When X-23 sacrifices herself to save Valeria Richards from possession by the King the Uni-Power bonds with her a second time. While trapped in the Whirldemons' prison dimension, a connection is explicitly made between a starry apparition that enabled Laura to throw off the influence of a demon attempting to coerce her into serving it,[19] when the star-shaped mark left on Laura's palm after that encounter is recognized by the Whirldemon King as associated with the Enigma Force. Laura then uses the Uni-Power to wound the Whirldemon King and seal him back in his prison dimension, before returning her to earth. During these events the Enigma Force tells Laura that she has been designated the future heir to its power.[20]

An African-American woman acting as the newest Captain Universe joins the Avengers[21] in the fight against Ex Nihilo, his sister Abyss, and the Builder named Aleph on Mars. Captain Universe vaporizes Aleph when he does not agree to stop transforming or destroying planets.[22] She is revealed to be Tamara Devoux, a woman who remained in a coma for ten years after a car crash. During a talk with Nightmask, she translates his language and announces that not only is the universe dying, but the White Event is coming.[23]

Powers and abilities

Captain Universe generally possesses superhuman strength, flight, Uni-Vision (microscopic vision, X-ray vision, and telescopic vision), telekinesis, enhanced senses, and a psychic awareness of imminent danger; when a person already possessing one or more of these abilities was transformed into Captain Universe, those abilities were amplified by vast amounts. Some manifestations of the Uni-Power have demonstrated other, less common abilities as well as failing to exhibit some of the more 'usual' powers, which vary in intensity with each wielder according to the strength and imagination of each. Captain Universe usually possesses the ability of molecular rearrangement of organic and inorganic matter, transmutation of elements, the ability to fire bursts of energy and concussive force, and hypnosis (using the Uni-Vision energy). Possessing its own sentience, the Uni-Power can and will abandon a host if necessary, or if said host uses or intends to use the granted abilities in a detrimental or criminal fashion.

As with the Infinity Gems, the only depicted weakness of the power of the Enigma Force is that it is tied to the dimension of its origin, with the wielders losing their powers if they travel to other realities.[24]

Enemies

Over the years the various incarnations of Captain Universe have faced many enemies from across the Marvel Universe. The most formidable of them have proven to be Baron Karza, Dr. Doom, Magneto, the Gray Hulk, Terminus, the Tri-Sentinel, Division U, S.H.I.E.L.D., and A.I.M.

Hosts

Character Real Name Possessed in Notes
Ray Coffin Raymond Coffin Micronauts #8 (1979) A retired astronaut who was the first Captain Universe.
Steve Coffin Steven Coffin Marvel Spotlight #9 (1980) Son of Ray Coffin.
Claire Dodgson Claire Dodgson Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #10 (1981) A private investigator. Shared possession with twin sister Ann Stanford.
Ann Stanford Ann Dodgson-Stanford Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #10 (1981) A homemaker and the mother of Jenny and Johnny Dodgson. Shared possession with twin sister Claire Dodgson.
Monty Walsh Montgomery Walsh Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #11 (1981) A cat burglar. He became Captain Universe after he was shot when trying to rob the house of a former Maggia boss named Guido Carboni. After Montgomery defeated Guido Carboni, the Enigma Power left him as Montgomery dies and the police find Guido raving that the dead man was Captain Universe.
Commander Arcturus Rann Arcturus Rann Micronauts #35 (1981) Leader of the Micronauts. Merged with Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Micronauts #35 (1981) The Sorcerer Supreme. Merged with Commander Arcturus Rann.
Hulk Robert Bruce Banner Incredible Hulk Annual #10 (1981)
Captain Universe/Hulk #1 (2005)		 First Human to become Captain Universe twice. Bruce Banner was able to communicate with the Hulk and the Hulk could communicate with Bruce Banner. When possessed by the Uni-Power, Hulk's skin turns blue.
Unnamed Female Host ?? Marvel Super-Heroes Contest of Champions #1 (1982)
Delayne Masters Delayne Masters Marvel Fanfare #25 (1986) A young student.
Evan Swann Evan Swann Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 (1989) A scientist.
Spider-Man Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man #158 (1989) Possessed by them during the Acts of Vengeance storyline.
Little Eddie Edward Price Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 (1990) A toddler who became possessed by the Enigma Power in order to protect his parents from two demons named Gart and Rath that were summoned by Jane and Roger Price.
L'Matto Guardians of the Galaxy #30 (1990) A Badoon who wielded the Enigma Power to prevent the Guardians of the Galaxy from exterminating the Badoons.
Jeff Christiansen Jeffrey Steven Christiansen Quasar #20 (1991) (mentioned)
X-Men/Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants #1 (1994) (seen)		 A veterinary physician and freelance writer.
Elijah Jackson Elijah Jackson Marvel Comics Presents #148 (1994) A former baseball player who contracted a disease that left him a complete vegetable, incapable of even the smallest movements. He became possessed by the Enigma Power to protect his daughter Simone from a street gang.
Roland Taylor Roland Taylor Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5 (1996) A freelancing writer.
Ted Simmons Theodore Simmons Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #13 (2005) A police officer that works for the Chicago Police Department.
Dr. Gilbert Wiles Gilbert Wiles Captain Universe/Hulk #1 (2005) A scientist who was revealed to have been possessed circa 1983.
Daredevil Matthew Murdock Captain Universe/Daredevil #1 (2005) He was once possessed by the Enigma Power.
X-23 Laura Kinney Captain Universe/X-23 #1 (2005)
X-23 #16 (2011)		 Both first Mutant and first clone to become Captain Universe. Told by the Enigma Force she is the future heir to its power.
Invisible Woman Susan Storm-Richards Captain Universe/Invisible Woman #1 (2005)
Gladiator Kallark Captain Universe/Invisible Woman #1 (2005) First Shi'ar to become Captain Universe.
Krosakis Krosakis Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) Krosakis is an alien with the power to absorb the life energy of other creatures and even absorbed the Enigma Power at some point.
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) Silver Surfer became possessed by the Enigma Power to defeat Krosakis.
Gabriel Vargas Gabriel Vargas Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) A discharged Marine of the United States Marine Corps that was wounded in action and was honorably discharged. First Captain Universe to get arrested by the Kree after he stopped a group from killing Kree Civilians (Annihilation Wave Sympathizers). He was then assigned to Peter Quill's Special Ops group. During his mission he accidentally killed teammate Deathcry who was attempting to kill him after he 'stole' one of her kills. The Uni-Power leaves Gabriel after he cures the airborne Phalanx virus. Gabriel is killed by Phalanx Select Blastaar sometime after the Uni-Power leaves him.
The Phalanx Phalanx Drone Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #4 (2007) First Techno-Organic organism to hold the Uni-Power.
William Nguyen William Nguyen Amazing Spider-Man #627 (2010) A man who was possessed by the Uni-Power and planned revenge on Juggernaut for ruining his life.
Juggernaut Cain Marko Amazing Spider-Man #629 (2010) Juggernaut became possessed by the Uni-Power in order to repair the tectonic plates when William Nguyen was unable to do the job.
Tamara Devoux Tamara Devoux Avengers Vol. 5 #1 An African-American woman who was hurt in a car crash. At the time of the crash, her little girl Ella was in the car. Tamara had been in a coma for 10 years. The Uni-Power (Enigma Force) sought out Tamara because she was dying as it was dying as well.[23]
Deadpool Wade Winston Wilson Deadpool vs Thanos #4 (October 2015) Deadpool became possessed by the Uni-Power during a fight with Thanos towards the end of the issue. He uses the Uni-Power to defeat Thanos, thus saving the universe and its embodiment "Eternity." Whilst possessed by the Uni-Power Deadpool suggests that he should be called "Captain Uni-Pool'" "Captain Deadverse," or "Pool Captain."

Other realities

Character Real Name Possessed in Notes
Aunt May May Reilly Parker Fantastic Four Roast #1 (1982) Oldest Human ever to become Captain Universe.
Spider-Ham Peter Porker Marvel Tales #236 (1990) Becomes Captain Zooniverse, a pig-like variation of Captain Universe.
Quasar Wendell Elvis Vaughn What If? #25 (1991) Became possessed by the Enigma Power in the story that tells what happened if Father Set had come to Earth.
Casey the Dog What If? Vol. 2 #31 (1991) A dog who was the first known animal Captain Universe.
Doctor Doom Doombot What If? #31 (1991) Proof that robots can't wield the Uni-Power.
Captain Marvel Mar-Vell Earth X #X (2000)
Unnamed Male Host ?? Universe X #0 (2000) Fought Thanos during the Infinity Gauntlet Saga, 1991.
Unnamed Male Host ?? Fantastic Four Annual 2001 (2001)
Mister Fantastic Reed Richards Paradise X #X (2003)
Death's Head 3.0 Death's Head 3.0 Amazing Fantasy #16 (2005) Uses the Alias-Power, a clone of the Uni-Power, as a power source.
The Captain The Captain Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #10 (2006) Dream induced by Forbush Man.

Other versions

Captain Universe/Death's Head 3.0

In one possible future of the Marvel Universe, Advanced Idea Mechanics has examined the Uni-Power and attempted to duplicate it. The duplicate, referred to as the 'Alias-Power' or 'Uni-Alias', has the ability to animate the Death's Head 3.0 robot. While resident in Death's Head, it took the form of a conscience. On one occasion, when asked to rescue an evil scientist from a jail, it instead rescued a human rights activist. When the robot killed a UN researcher, the power brought him back to life. The researcher then confronted the robot, forcing it to acknowledge the conscience. Afterwards, Death's Head began working for the UN as an anti-terrorist hit-man.[25]

The Captain Universe-Quasar composite entity of Earth-Set

After finally freeing himself of a circular orbit in an imploding dimension the superhero known as Quasar returned to the site of a major battle between himself, Doctor Strange, The Thing, Thor and the evil Elder God Set. Shocked to find his comrades dead, Quasar screamed into the Heavens as a glowing red light consumed him. It changed him and infused him with the powers of Captain Universe. After merging the Uni-Power with his own Quantum Bands; Quasar took Doctor Strange's Eye of Agamotto and left the imploding dimension.

When he arrived most of the remaining heroes had been murdered by either Set's fearsome power or at the hands of his seven mind controlled brides. Quasar found The Silver Surfer attempting to keep the creature at bay. Filled with an immeasurable amount of rage the Quasar/Captain Universe entity summoned the Eye of Agamotto and pulled himself and Set into the Eye's pocket dimension where they would do battle for all Eternity. Later on Quasar of Earth-616 viewed his counterpart facing Set.

Spider-Ham becomes Captain Zooniverse

In the Larval Zooniverse, Peter Porker (who was secretly the superhero Spider-Ham) was working on an experiment that went awry and bestowed upon him the cosmic power of Captain Zooniverse. With this new power he defeated all of his enemies and trapped them in orbit around Earth. He returned home a bit later and began a new villain-free life with his girlfriend Mary Jane Waterbuffalo.[26]

What If?

An issue of What If? asks the question "What If Spider-Man Had Kept His Cosmic Powers?" Spider-Man becomes corrupted by power when the Captain Universe energies decide to stay with him. He ends up battling his Avengers friends when they don't agree with his methods. A confrontation with a rogue Doombot leaves an innocent hostage dead. Peter manages to give up the entirety of his powers, including his spider-ones. Later, Peter's child manifests a combination of Captain Universe and Spider-Man powers.

Captain Universe of the Law Enforcement squad

During the Abraxas Saga,[27][28] a team of Avengers-esque super heroes called the Law Enforcement Squad appeared in Earth-616. They were headed by an intelligent version of the Hulk who was not Bruce Banner. Joining this strange version of the behemoth were the World War II-era heroes Red Raven, Bucky Barnes, Namora and The Whizzer (Bob Frank). Other members included a heroic version of the Spider-Man villain The Rose, Doctor Druid, Living Lightning, the Shroud and a male Captain Universe. (The membership of the Law Enforcement Squad paralleled the membership of DC Comics' Justice Society of America. Captain Universe was the equivalent of DC's Starman.)

The true identity of this Captain Universe was never revealed but the host had more than likely had the Uni-Power for several years. During the battle that ensued between the Law Enforcement Squad and the Fantastic Four; Captain Universe and Dr. Druid ganged up on Reed Richards in order to destabilize the Fantastic Four's cohesion as a team. With only seconds to spare, Reed convinces Captain Universe that something is out of place and that the Fantastic Four are not his enemies. Captain Universe reveals to Druid that Reed is telling the truth, but before he can convince the others to stop fighting, he is struck down by Nova.

Reed and Druid travel into a portal left by Captain Universe's "death" only to find him alive and well within the body of Earth-616's Eternity. Captain Universe explains to the two superheroes of the creation of the Multi-Eternity that ensures a boundless multiverse. Afterwards Captain Universe vanishes without a trace while Reed and Druid return to their respective realities after a confrontation with Abraxas, the antithesis of Eternity and Galactus.

Captain Universe of Earth X

Captain Universe's history in the Earth X series was relatively the same as it had been on Earth-616 up until the Infinity Gauntlet Saga, where an unknown Captain Universe fought alongside Kismet, the Silver Surfer, Comet Man, Carol Danvers, Nova and Star-Lord. Years later Arcturus Rann died in a battle against the Psycho Man and took the Enigma Force with him to the afterlife. Captain Universe was transferred into the Kree superhero Mar-Vell and eventually became part of a completed Cosmic Conscience which revived the Perfect Knowledge of the Perfect Universe which had been destroyed countless millennia ago by The Celestials. Captain Universe later joined with Reed Richards to form the new Eternity. They were last seen preparing to save Franklin from The Celestials and The Elders of the Universe.

Spider-Verse

In the Spider-Verse storyline, when multiple Spider-Men are being hunted across parallel universes, they find a safe haven in Earth-13, a world where Peter Parker still possesses the Enigma Force. Although this power cannot be used in other universes as it is tied to the dimension of its origin, this Spider-Man reasoned that he would be able to protect the other Spiders from the Inheritors if they attacked his home universe.[24] This strategy proves to be flawed when the Inheritors' father Solus, attacks his world, proclaiming that the Enigma-Force is pure life force, and while it may prove to be too much for any of his children to handle, his own greater power is able to consume it, allowing him to devour this Spider-Man.[29]

In other media

Video games

Merchandise

References

  1. ↑ "Amazing Fantasy". v2 (#13).
  2. ↑ Micronauts #8
  3. 1 2 Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #10
  4. ↑ Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #11
  5. ↑ Micronauts #35
  6. ↑ Incredible Hulk #10
  7. ↑ Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions #1
  8. ↑ Marvel Fanfare #25
  9. ↑ Web of Spider-Man Annual #5
  10. ↑ Spectacular Spider-Man #158–160; Web of Spider-Man #59–61; Amazing Spider-Man #327–329; Quasar #7
  11. ↑ Web of Spider-Man Annual #6
  12. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy #30–33
  13. ↑ Annihilation: Conquest – Starlord #1 (w) Keith Giffen (2007)
  14. ↑ Annihilation: Conquest – Starlord #4 (w) Keith Giffen (2007)
  15. ↑ Annihilation: Conquest #3
  16. ↑ Amazing Spider-Man #627
  17. ↑ Amazing Spider-Man #628
  18. ↑ Amazing Spider-Man #629
  19. ↑ X-23 #1–3
  20. ↑ X-23 #13–16
  21. ↑ Avengers Vol. 5 #1 (December 2012)
  22. ↑ Avengers Vol. 5 #3
  23. 1 2 Avengers Vol. 5 #6
  24. 1 2 Amazing Spider-Man vol.3 #9
  25. ↑ Amazing Fantasy #16–20
  26. ↑ Marvel Tales #236, April 1990
  27. ↑ Fantastic Four Annual 2001
  28. ↑ Fantastic Four vol. 3 #49
  29. ↑ Amazing Spider-Man vol.3 #11
  30. ↑ In-house ads in Marvel comics published in 1994

External links

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