Quasar | |
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Cover art for Annihilation: Nova #3 Art by Gabriele Dell'Otto |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | as Marvel Man: Captain America #217 (January, 1978) as Quasar: Incredible Hulk #234 |
Created by | Don Glut Roy Thomas John Buscema |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Wendell Elvis Vaughn |
Team affiliations | The Avengers Project: Pegasus S.H.I.E.L.D. Star Masters |
Notable aliases | Marvel Boy, Marvel Man |
Abilities | Energy manipulation. Teleportation. Solid light constructs. Flight |
Quasar (Wendell Elvis Vaughn) is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions. However, Quasar deviates from the archetype of the noble, dauntless alien set by such Silver Age cosmic heroes as the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock and Captain Mar-Vell in that he is an everyman. He starred in an eponymous monthly ongoing series written by Mark Gruenwald that ran for sixty issues beginning in 1989 and has served as a member of The Avengers.
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Publication history
The character first appeared as Marvel Man is Captain America #217 (January, 1978).
Quasar received his solo series in Quasar #1, October 1989, written by Mark Gruenwald and illustrated by Paul Ryan and Danny Bulanadi.
Later, the New Universe's Star Brand was introduced into the Marvel Universe. Its presence precipitated into the Starblast crossover, which was intended to stir up interest in Quasar's solo series or a prospective cosmic team series starring Quasar, but it failed to do so. Quasar was soon cancelled at issue #60, in which Quasar set out to leave Earth in order to spend more time in his job as Protector of the Universe. Stories in The Avengers, Fantastic Four and Marvel Team-Up have subsequently depicted Quasar on Earth.
Quasar appeared in the four-issue mini-series Annihilation: Nova (June-Sept. 2006) with a new costume and at the climax of which, he appeared to be killed. He later appeared as a "spirit" to Phyla-Vell, the second Quasar, who starred in the mini-series Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1-4 (Sept.-Dec. 2007), by writer Christos Gage and penciller Mike Lilly.
Quasar appeared for the first time since his future self (as seen in Annihilation: Conquest), in Nova #17, as the writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (known collectively as DnA) thought he was too useful a character to stay dead:
“ | the writers felt Vaughn’s unique powers, never say die attitude, and everyman perspective made him too good of a character to stay dead. "His return was always on the cards because of his power set," DnA told CBR News. "We were just waiting for the best opportunity to fit it in as an organic part of the story. The Secret Invasion tie-in, and the return of Project Pegasus in particular, gave us that opportunity."[1] | ” |
Fictional character biography
Origin & early career
Wendell Vaughn was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. When S.H.I.E.L.D. came into possession of the alien Quantum Bands that had been worn by the deceased superhero the Crusader, Wendell Vaughn had just graduated from S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. Although considered highly capable by his superiors, they nonetheless deemed him unfit for field work, sensing that Vaughn lacked the necessary "killer instinct"—the will to win at all costs.[2]
His first assignment was security detail for a research facility where a team of scientists were performing experiments on the Quantum Bands. A test pilot selected to wear the bands proved spectacularly successful at wielding them (a probable allusion to Hal Jordan), but he perished when the energy output reached a critical mass beyond his control. Vaughn witnessed this, yet despite the inherent danger he donned the bands when the criminal scientists AIM launched a full-scale assault on the facility. Using the bands' power to generate solid energy constructs, he repulsed the attack. Afterwards, the energy buildup began to overwhelm him, so Vaughn soared off into the upper atmosphere to ensure that the imminent explosion would endanger no one else. Resigning himself to annihilation, he decided to simply relax and "go with the flow". To his surprise, the buildup abruptly dissipated. Vaughn realized the key to wielding the bands was a flexible will, rather than an indomitable, uncompromising one. Ultimately, his lack of a killer instinct made all the difference.[3]
Wendell Vaughn became a superhero, using the codename Marvel Boy in his first appearance alongside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superhuman Super-Agents.[4] He later became Marvel Man and finally settled on the nom de guerre of Quasar.
Alongside Captain America, the Falcon, and the Hulk, he battled Moonstone and the Corporation.[5] Later, as security chief of Project: Pegasus, he battled the original Deathlok, Nuklo, the Grapplers, and the Nth Man when they attacked the facility.[6] Quasar later journeyed with the Thing into an alternate reality.[7] His mind was later temporarily taken over by the Serpent Crown.[8]
Protector of the Universe (the Quasar series)
Quasar journeyed to Uranus, the planet from which the original Marvel Boy had received the bands, and had the bands' true nature and origins revealed to him by the cosmic entity called Eon.[9] Eon revealed that the bands were intended to be worn by his agent, the Protector of the Universe, a role which had previously belonged to the late Captain Mar-Vell. Quasar was offered the role and accepted. As a result, his mind was opened to the true extent of the bands power, including how to use the bands to teleport via a dimension called the Quantum Zone. He also battled Deathurge.[10] After returning to Earth, he resumed his role as a superhero and assisted the Avengers in battle against Super-Nova.[11] He shortly thereafter was inducted into the Avengers.[12]
Soon thereafter, Quasar met Uatu the Watcher.[13] He encountered the Stranger, and solved the Watcher's "Oblivion Plague."[14]
After a falling-out with both his estranged father and Eon, he quit his role as Protector of the Universe. During this time Maelstrom, the "Cosmic Assassin," amputated Quasar's hands and killed both Quasar and Eon. However, Quasar was recreated in an energy form by the cosmic being Infinity and battled Maelstrom and Oblivion in the heart of a black hole. Quasar saved the universe from collapse, and restored his hands. Maelstrom was destroyed by the Quantum-bands and Quasar resurrected himself, complete with a new costume.[15] Quasar fought Thanos at Eon's funeral.[16] Eon was revealed to have reincarnated in the form of its newborn offspring, Epoch.[17]
Quasar played a vital role in Operation: Galactic Storm, trying to protect the Earth from various alien menaces. His attempt to stop the Nega-Bomb from passing through Earth space fails when the Skrull captain threatens to detonate it. Quasar is forced to let it go on through.[volume & issue needed] Soon after, he realizes the operation of the star-gates is seemingly causing anti-matter to build up in the sun. On top of all this, he has to deal with Her, a powerful cosmic being with an unhealthy fixation on Quasar.[volume & issue needed] Then along comes Binary who Her then attacks, because Quasar had asked Her to keep an eye on the star-gates.[volume & issue needed] Eventually, things calm down and Quasar and Binary eliminate the antimatter. Binary does a majority of the work as her powers are simply that much more applicable to the task, but Quasar, at great risk to himself, helps her escape the sun.[volume & issue needed]
During the Infinity War, which happened a few weeks after Galactic Storm, Quasar travels to the Dimension of Manifestations in order to gather intelligence. With the aid of the Contemplator, he discovers the cosmic being Eternity in a catatonic state.[volume & issue needed] He leaves the dimension, and the Contemplator, to travel with his fellow superheroes through a mystical portal. They battle the Infinity Watch. Quasar attempts and fails to harness the energy of Adam Warlock's Soul Gem, when it explodes in his face. The Contemplator, who had discovered information he felt Quasar needed, provides a further distraction with a telepathic call, allowing Warlock to land a finishing blow.[volume & issue needed]
Later, after things calm down, Quasar attempts to use the near-omnipotent Ultimate Nullifier against the godlike Magus. Magus uses the Infinity Gauntlet to turn the weapon against Quasar, wiping him from existence.[volume & issue needed] Quasar thus found himself in the realm of Oblivion, where he was apparently destroyed.[volume & issue needed] However, he was able to resurrect himself through means of the Star Brand, which he had acquired during a trip to the New Universe prior to the Infinity War.[volume & issue needed] This exile into space was enforced when the radioactive Soviet expatriate called the Presence threatens to kill his loved ones. Quasar fakes his death before leaving Earth.[18]
Avengers Deep-Space/Annihilation
Quasar helped defend the universe from aliens called Infinities and was next seen during "Maximum Security" where he absorbed the essence of Ego the Living Planet and again exiled himself into space, for fear of Ego expanding to planet-size.[volume & issue needed]
Quasar has helped to operate an Avengers deep-space sensing station with the help of Living Lightning.[volume & issue needed] He has assisted the Fantastic Four in a battle with Galactus.[volume & issue needed] He appeared with a new costume during the Annihilation event, in which he is killed by Annihilus, who drains the energy from the Quantum Bands.[19]
After Annihilus' defeat, the Quantum Bands came into the possession of Phyla-Vell, who commented that when given the option, the bands "chose" a good host rather than an evil one.[20]
Secret Invasion
Wendell was seemingly restored to life in a Quantum Energy form when the scientists of Project Pegasus extracted the Worldmind from Nova's brain to use the supercomputer to jump start a project they had in storage.[21] Since then, Wendell's consciousness has been controlling a solid light copy of his former human body. It's hinted that years of use of the Quantum Band somehow linked his soul and mind to them, granting his consciousness to survive the death of his physical body, and share an empathic link with the current users of his former Quantum Bands. Using that link, he feels Phyla's passing - and rebirth - at the hands of Maelstrom and the Dragon of the Moon, becoming able in the process to teleport instantaneously from Earth to open space, and reacquires the bands from Phyla, now reborn as Oblivion's Avatar.[22] He returns to Earth, where he lends the Quantum Bands to a terminally ill Richard Rider, convinced that making him the new Quasar would be enough to save his life and allow him to retake the mantle of Nova Prime.[23]
Realm of Kings
Wendell volunteered to scout out the space-time rip caused by Black Bolt's T-Bomb called the Fault, as his energy form would be able to survive. When he arrived on the other side, he was returned to physical form and found himself on a grotesque Earth, ruled by evil, magic versions of the Avengers. The people of this world are empowered by evil gods who seek to move their Earth to Quasar's as this universe had been thoroughly conquered. Quasar is set free by the Vision, who was inhabiting the Scarlet Witch's body. During his escape, he uses all of his energy to send a message back to his reality, warning them of the evils he found in the fault. Quasar appears to make it back to his universe but in the last scene his eyes are mysteriously glowing red just like those of the magic-powered alternate Earth Avengers.[24] The true Quasar, still in his organic body and being pursued by the evil "gods" of the dimension, encounters an Imperial Guard exploration ship within the Fault.[25] His evil counterpart is meanwhile exposed and defeated by Nova,[volume & issue needed] but not before he'd be able to injure Darkhawk rather seriously.[volume & issue needed]
Powers and abilities
Wendell Vaughn was an athletic man with no inherent superhuman powers. He received extensive training in hand-to-hand combat, and moderate experience in the same. He is an expert in all basic espionage skills, as a S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy graduate.
Quantum Bands
Quasar's powers are derived from the pair of Quantum Bands fused to his wrists (or more specifically, from the seven gems on each of the bands). Quasar's quantum-bands are permanently affixed to his wrists; while he can make light bend around them so they appear to be invisible, they are still tangible. They are linked to their wearer's nervous system and grant tremendous powers of energy manipulation. The Quantum Bands are composed of unknown materials and were originally created by Eon to be worn by his designated Protector of the Universe. They were discovered by the Uranian Eternals in a weapons depot left by the alien Kree and brought to Earth by the deluded Crusader that believed himself to be the 1950s Marvel Boy.
Foremost amongst these powers is the ability to tap into a limitless source of potential energy called the Quantum Zone. Quasar can project quantum energy in the form of devastating beams of force or heat, but more commonly employs them to fashion incredibly durable constructs of solid energy in any shape he can visualize, such as containment spheres, pincers or most commonly as a personal force field. Once they are formed he no longer has to concentrate on them to keep them intact.
The Quantum Bands can also exert control over many other types of energy that are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. He can siphon energy from virtually any power source. For example, Quasar once tapped into a sun and caused it to emit an enormous solar flare. He can also absorb and redirect the cosmic energy wielded by such powerful beings as the Silver Surfer, Jack of Hearts, Adam Warlock, Thanos, Phoenix and the Watchers, siphoning their power and using it to augment his quantum energy. Forms of energy the Quantum Bands cannot control include magic and the Darkforce.
Although he cannot overtly affect psionic energy, Quasar has programmed his bands to render him impervious to protect his mind from psionic attack or takeover. Even Moondragon and the Overmind proved unable to overcome this defense. This however does not protect him from magical forms of compulsion.
Quasar can create apertures into and out of the Quantum Zone, thus allowing passage through its infinite, featureless expanse. He mainly uses this ability to traverse interstellar distances in a manner similar to hyperspace travel. The effect is essentially a form of teleportation, which Quasar refers to as a Quantum Jump. A Quantum Jump has a destructive side effect on the local environment, violently upheaving gravity and tearing holes in the atmosphere (on Earth, it would damage the ozone layer), so Quasar initially refrained from using it except when in space or in dire circumstances. However, he eventually discovered that he could prevent this effect by surrounding himself with a barrier of solid energy before jumping. Quasar can also shunt other matter into the Quantum Zone provided that he's in physical contact with it.
The Quantum Bands enable their wearer to fly by manipulating gravitons, by harnessing anti-gravitons. The maximum flight speed he can attain is unknown, but he made a trip from Earth to Uranus in approximately four years flying non-stop (this was before he learned how to quantum jump). That would require a constant speed of roughly 50,000 miles per hour (80,000 km/h). This doesn't take into account the velocity he can achieve in a short burst of acceleration.
The quantum band gems possess some capability for analyzing and processing information as if they were extremely advanced computers. This allows Quasar to navigate the Quantum Zone and the depths of space. The gems are able to detect, analyze, and track energy emissions across vast distances. They can also "program" his Quantum energy to register and react to certain preset conditions. For instance, at one time Quasar had the Earth surrounded with an invisible lattice-work of energy that was designed to act as a global alert system against potential extraterrestrial threats. The energy field could detect any surges of exotic energy emanating from the planet's surface as well as if any object larger than a micrometeorite passed through it; in either case, the field would react by transmitting an alert signal to the Quantum Bands.
Quasar has a direct link to Epoch through his bands, which gives him ready access to her nascent omniscience.
Annihilus killed Quasar and gained the Quantum Bands, adding to his already considerable power,[26] though the bands subsequently came into the possession of Phyla Vell following Annihilus' apparent death. She has since discovered that the bands contain a finite amount of energy which will drain away if they are isolated from their power source (as yet unexplained) and that they also remain linked in some way to their former users. Quasar has since been sighted as a "spirit", and it has been indicated that his link to the bands enabled him to "pull himself together again" following his physical death.
He has since regained possession of the bands after having taken them from Maelstrom who had been able to take them from Phyla-Vell.[volume & issue needed]
Star Brand
While he possessed the power of the Star Brand, Quasar gained the abilities of flight, superhuman strength and resilience. He also was able to regenerate his entire body from minute remains and did not need to eat, drink or breathe. However, virtually all of the energy derived from the Star Brand was depleted not long after he gave it away. The Living Tribunal later stated that Quasar's body retains only an insignificant trace amount of energy.
Cosmic awareness
Quasar also briefly possessed the same powers of cosmic awareness that Eon granted to Kree soldier Mar-Vell (later known as the original Captain Marvel). By simply concentrating for a moment, he could gain complete knowledge about virtually anything in the universe. It's unclear why Eon didn't bestow cosmic awareness on Quasar permanently, but being nigh-omniscient himself, he likely determined that it would have been detrimental to Quasar's psyche (as it was to that of Genis-Vell). The fact that he received the awareness while his mind was inhabiting an energy construct, and he did not demonstrate it upon returning to his body, may also have something to do with it.
Standard Operating Procedure
While Quasar's powers are quite powerful and diverse, since he doesn't make it a habit of using all of his power to destroy his opponent, it is important to note his standard operating procedure:[27]
- Contain. Quasar encounters someone who looks menacing. Immediate reaction: whip up a containment vessel around him to prevent further danger.
- Drain. If it appears this menace has energy-based powers, Quasar taps those powers and drains them off. The length of time this takes depends on the extent of the menace's power. He cannot do this to persons whose energies are outside the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Attack. Clobber the guy with a quantum-construct, be it a personal weapon (Quasar prefers nunchakus) or something big like a giant hammer or anvil.
Other versions
Captain Universe Quasar
After a failed war with the Elder God Set and the deaths of every hero on Earth save The Silver Surfer, Quasar was merged with Captain Universe to form a super-being that was capable of capturing and defeating Set. Using the Eye of Agamotto, Quasar trapped himself and Set within its pocket dimension.[28]
Once, during a trip through alternate realities, the Earth-616 version of Quasar viewed his Captain Universe-enhanced counterpart and Set battling each other.[29]
Guardians of the Galaxy
Tricked by Eon's evil 'child' Era, Quasar jumps to a sentient nexus of energy and is killed. He ends up in the 'White Room', where all Quantum Band wielders go after death. Eon is entrapped with him, in the form of a centerpiece on the Room's table.[volume & issue needed]
Her, now called Kismet, teams up with the long-lost son she had with Quasar, Starhawk. They visit Quasar's grave and learn what Era has done. With the aid of the Hawk-God Starhawk worships, the two vow to stop Era.[volume & issue needed]
House of M Quasar
Wendell Vaughn briefly appeared for one panel as a scientist during the alternate time line of caused by Wanda Maximoff. There is no indication that he possesses the quantum bands in this universe.[30]
Last Avengers Story
Quasar briefly mentioned as having been driven insane in Last Avengers Story #1, but he does not appear.
Marvel Zombies
A zombified Quasar is featured in the 2009 limited series Marvel Zombies Return. He is part of a super-powered zombie force steadily consuming this dimension's Earth. His group destroys many of the somewhat heroic zombies featured in Marvel Zombies 2.[31]
Ultimate Quasar
Although Quasar has not appeared as a superhero in the Ultimate Marvel setting, S.H.I.E.L.D agent Wendell Vaughn is the head of security for the top secret Project Pegasus in Devil's Point, Wyoming. He first appears in Ultimate Power #1, when Project Pegasus is attacked by the Serpent Squad.
Notes
- ^ Quantum Leap: DnA Talk "Nova", Comic Book Resources, September 25th, 2008
- ^ Quasar #1
- ^ Quasar #1
- ^ Captain America #217
- ^ Captain America #229-230; Incredible Hulk #232-234
- ^ Marvel Two-in-One #53-58
- ^ Marvel Two-in-One #73
- ^ Marvel Team-Up Annual #5
- ^ Quasar #1
- ^ Quasar #2
- ^ Avengers #302-303
- ^ Avengers Annual #18
- ^ Quasar #6
- ^ Quasar #15-16
- ^ Quasar #19-25
- ^ Quasar #26
- ^ Quasar #27
- ^ Quasar #60
- ^ Annihilation: Nova #3-4, Aug-Sept 2006
- ^ Annihilation #6, March 2007
- ^ Nova (vol. 4) #17
- ^ Guardian of the Galaxy #12 (2009)
- ^ Nova #23 (vol. 4) (2009)
- ^ Realm of Kings one-shot
- ^ Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3
- ^ Annihilation: Nova #4 (Sept.2006)
- ^ Quantum Zone: Everything There Is To Know About Quasar's Quantum-Bands by Mark Gruenwald
- ^ What If (vol. 2) #25
- ^ Quasar #30
- ^ House of M[volume & issue needed]
- ^ Marvel Zombies: Return #1-5 (2009)
References
- Grand Comics Database
- Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
- Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) at the Comic Book DB
- Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) at Comics Vine
External links
- Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) at the Marvel Universe
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