Captain Universe
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Captain Universe is a disembodied superhero in Marvel Comics' universe who was created by Bill Mantlo, and first appeared in Micronauts vol. 1 #8.
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[edit] Publication history
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, Marvel Fanfare, the Uni-Power/Captain Universes appeared infrequently in other titles, even appearing in the first Contest of Champions. Their appearances became even more scarce in the 1990s appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, What If?, Marvel Comics Presents and Cosmic Powers Unlimited.
Though 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 reader. The winner was 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. The one-shot was titled X-Men/Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants
However in 2005, after an appearance in the second series of Amazing Fantasy, a set of one-shots linked together by the Uni-Power/Captain Universe were released featuring different characters from the Marvel Universe as the Uni-Power each embues 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 and played an important part in the Death's Head 3.0 Saga featured in Amazing Fantasy.
Captain Universe (with possibly Gabriel Vargas as his host) will make his return alongside Star-Lord, Bug from the Micronauts, Mantis, Groot, Rocket Racoon and Deathcry in Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord.
[edit] 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. Captain Universe generally possesses superhuman strength, flight, X-ray 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 manifesters of the Uni-Power have demonstrated other, less common abilities as well as failing to exhibit some of the more 'usual' powers. Possessing its own sentience, the Uni-Power can and will abandon a host if necessary, or if said host uses the granted abilities in a detrimental or criminal fashion.
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. The first Human Captain Universe was an astronaut, Captain Ray Coffin. 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 member of the alien Badoon race, a toddler, and a dog, among others. Its counterparts in various alternate timelines have also possessed Mar-Vell, 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. In 2005, after a four year break from comic appearances, Captain Universe returned, and a series of Captain Universe specials were published, in which the Uni-Power possesses various Marvel 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.
Recently the hero known as The Captain experienced a Forbush Man-induced vision where he had been forced to accept the burden of being Captain Universe which in the end ruined his life.
[edit] Alternate versions
[edit] Captain Universe/Death's Head 3.0
In one possible future of the Marvel Universe, AIM has examined the Uni-Power and attempted to duplicate it. The duplicate, referred to as the 'Alias-Power', 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 Alias-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 hitman.
[edit] Captain Universe 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 Strange's Eye of Agamotto and left the imploding dimension.
When he arrived most of the remaining human heroes had been murdered by either Set's fearsome power or the hands of his seven mind controlled brides. Quasar found The Silver Surfer attempting to keep the creature at bay but was knocked out in the process. Filled with an immeasurable amount of rage Quasar/Captain Universe summoned the Eye and pulled himself and Set into another dimension where they would do battle for all Eternity. Later on Quasar of Earth-616 viewed his counterpart facing Set.
[edit] Captain Universe of Earth-What If Spider-Man had kept his Cosmic Powers?
In one Alternate Universe; Peter Parker remained bounded to the Uni-Power after his battle with the Tri-Sentinel. After a series of "domino-effect" type events involving Doctor Doom, The Avengers and others; Captain Universe sacrificed itself to unify the world in perfect harmony. Nine Months Later, Captain Universe was reborn as this Earth's May Parker.
[edit] Captain Universe of Earth-Law Enforcement Squad
During the Abraxas Saga,[1][2] a team of Avengers-esque super heroes called the Law Enforcement Squad appeared in Earth 616. They were headed by a smart version of the Hulk who was not Bruce Banner. Joining this strange version of the behemoth were the WWII-era heroes Red Raven, Bucky Barnes, Namora and The Whizzer (Bob Frank). Other members included a good version of the Spider-Man villain The Rose, Doctor Druid, Living Lightning, the Shroud and surprisingly a Captain Universe.
The details of this Captain Universe's identity were never revealed. It is possible that The Uni-Power had reanimated a dead body to use for itself or had created its own so that it did not have to employ the services of others anymore. During the battle that ensues between the L.E.S. and the Fantastic Four, Captain Universe and Dr. Druid gang up on Reed Richards, trying to defeat him quickly since he is the leader and the smartest. With only seconds to spare, Reed convinces Captain Universe that something is out of place. Captain Universe reveals to Druid that Reed is telling the truth, but before he can finish his sentence, Captain Universe is struck down by Nova.
Reed and Druid travel into a portal left by Captain Universe's "death" only to reveal that he is alive and well in the strange "in-between" that the two have entered. Captain Universe takes the two heroes on a tour through the creation of the Multi-Eternity that ensures a boundless multiverse. Captain Universe and the others enter 616's Eternity where they find themselves transported away. It was after this point that we never saw this version of Captain Universe ever again.
[edit] Captain Universe of Earth X
Captain Universe's history 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 millenia 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.
[edit] In other media
- Captain Universe appeared as an extra costume for Spider-Man in the games Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the PS1.
- During Marvel and DC's crossover "Amalgam Comics", Captain Universe and Ultra Boy were merged to form the Amalgam character Universe Boy, who was a member of the Legion of Galactic Guardians 2099.
- An FAO Schwarz exclusive toy set was released that featured Captain Universe Spider-Man and Symbiotic Spider-Man. A larger, stand-alone version of the Captain Universe Spider-Man was released sometime afterward.
[edit] Bibliography
- Micronauts vol. 1 #8, 35
- Marvel Spotlight (vol. 2) #9-11 (Nov 1980-Jan 1981)
- Incredible Hulk Annual #10
- Marvel Fanfare #25
- What If...? vol. 2 #25, 31
- Web of Spider-Man Annual #5-6
- Guardians of the Galaxy #31-33
- Marvel Comics Presents #148
- Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5
- Fantastic Four Annual 2001
The above stories, not including the two issues of Micronauts and the two issues of What If?, are reprinted in Captain Universe: Power Unimaginable, Marvel 2005, ISBN 0-7851-1891-8
- Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #13-14, 18
- Captain Universe/Hulk
- Captain Universe/Daredevil
- Captain Universe/X-23
- Captain Universe/Invisible Woman
- Captain Universe/Silver Surfer
- Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #10
- Captain Universe (Delayed)
- Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #1-4 (starting in July 2007)
[edit] Hosts
| Character | Real Name | Possessed in | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Coffin | Raymond Coffin | Micronauts #8 (1979) | Father of Steve Coffin | |
| Steve Coffin | Steven Coffin | Marvel Spotlight #9 (1980) | Son of Ray Coffin | |
| Claire Dodgson | Claire Dodgson | Marvel Spotlight #10 (1981) | Twin sister of Ann Stanford | |
| Ann Stanford | Ann Dodgson-Stanford | Marvel Spotlight #10 (1981) | Twin sister of Claire Dodgson | |
| Monty Walsh | Montgomery Walsh | Marvel Spotlight #11 (1981) | was a cat burglar | |
| Commander Arcturus Rann | Arcturus Rann | Micronauts #35 (1981) | was merged with Doctor Stephen Strange. | |
| Doctor Strange | Stephen Strange | Micronauts #35 (1981) | was 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. | |
| Unnamed Female Host | ?? | Marvel Super-Heroes Contest of Champions #1 (1982) | ||
| Delayne Masters | Delayne Masters | Marvel Fanfare #25 (1986) | ||
| Evan Swann | Evan Swann | Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 (1989) | ||
| Spider-Man | Peter Parker | Spectacular Spider-Man #158 (1989) | ||
| Little Eddie | Edward Price | Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 (1990) | ||
| L'Matto | Guardians of the Galaxy #30 (1990) | |||
| Casey the Dog | What If? Vol. 2 #31 (1991) | First known animal Captain Universe. | ||
| Jeff Christiansen | Jeffrey Steven Christiansen | Quasar #20 (1991) (mentioned) X-Men/Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants #1 (1994) (seen) |
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| Elijah Jackson | Elijah Jackson | Marvel Comics Presents #148 (1994) | ||
| Roland Taylor | Roland Taylor | Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5 (1996) | ||
| Ted Simmons | Theodore Simmons | Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #13 (2005) | ||
| Dr. Gilbert Wiles | Gilbert Wiles | Captain Universe/Hulk #1 (2005) | Revealed to have been possessed circa 1983. | |
| Daredevil | Matthew Murdock | Captain Universe/Daredevil #1 (2005) | ||
| X-23 | Laura Kinney | Captain Universe/X-23 #1 (2005) | First Mutant to become Captain Universe. | |
| 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 | Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) | |||
| Silver Surfer | Norrin Radd | Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) | ||
| Gabriel Vargas | Gabriel Vargas | Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005) | ||
| The Captain (comics) | The Captain | Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #10 (2006) | Possibly just a dream induced by Forbush Man. |
[edit] Other Realities/Non-Canon
- Aunt May (Fantastic Four Roast)
- Quasar (WHAT IF?)
- Doombot (WHAT IF?)
- Mar-Vell (Earth X)
- Reed Richards (Earth X)
- Captain Universe of Earth-Law Enforcement Squad (Fantastic Four Annual 2001)
- Death's Head 3.0 (uses a copied version of the Uni-Power as a power source)
