Information about Captain Universe

Captain Universe
Advert for Captain Universe, art by Steve Ditko
Marvel Comics First appearance Micronauts vol. 1 #8 Bill Mantlo Michael Golden
Characteristics Alter ego Various (currently Gabriel Vargas) Team affiliations Badoon Fantastic Four Guardians of the Galaxy Kree Micronauts (comic book) X-Men Notable aliases Guardian of Eternity, The Avenging Angel, The Hero That Could Be You Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, and senses, Energy blasts, Flight, Telekinesis, Time Travel

Captain Universe is a disembodied superhero in Marvel Comics' universe who was created by Bill Mantlo, and first appeared in Micronauts vol. 1 #8.

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?, Amazing Spider-Man, 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. 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

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 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 alongside Star-Lord, Bug from the Micronauts, Mantis, Groot, Rocket Raccoon and Deathcry in Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord. In the series, he accidentally killed Deathcry when she attempted to kill him after he stole her kill.

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 manifestations 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 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. 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 was drawn into a dark vision created by the Forbush Man. In this vision he had become Captain Universe but was catapulted to the other side of the Universe where another Earth existed. He learned that on this Earth everything that had ever gone right on our Earth had gone wrong here creating a world of chaos, anarchy, destruction and despair. The Heroes who lived here had become cold, cynical and hateful of Captain Universe because he was the only one who remembered what it was like to smile. Of course during his time on this Earth he became desperate to get home but found that getting from this Earth to his own would be impossible due to the sheer distance separating the two.

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. It is not known if Gabriel and the Uni-Power ever determined the source of the Uni-Power's memory and power loss.

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, Magneto, the Gray Hulk, Terminus, the Tri-Sentinel, Division U, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Advanced Idea Mechanics.

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 hitman.^[1]

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-Man becomes Captain Universe

Note: This is a real comic story not a prank and did actually happen in Marvel Tales #236. In the Larval Zooniverse, Peter Parker (who was secretly the superhero Spider-Man was working on an experiment that went awry and bestowed upon him the cosmic power of Captain Universe. 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 Watson.

What If Spider-Man had kept his Cosmic Powers?

After his epic confrontation with the Tri-Sentinel; Peter Parker found that the Uni-Power had decided to remain with him. Essentially he had been chosen to become the permanent Captain Universe. After three hours of trying to figure out his situation he returned home to a startled Mary Jane who, after a lengthy explanation, came to terms with her husband having the power of a god. Days later he singlehandedly thwarted Nebula's attempt to take hold of a near-infinite power source when he teamed up with The Avengers. But nevertheless they still had their concerns as to whether or not the power of Captain Universe was corrupting his mind. Later on the Hobgoblin attempted an assassination on Joe Robertson however he was confronted by Spider-Man who had found that his face had been given a demonic makeover.

Deciding to fix the Hobgoblin's face, Spider-Man accidentally altered his face to that of his own, however thanks to a spell secretly unleashed onto the Hobgoblin by Doctor Strange he saw only the face of a demon. Horrified, the Hobgoblin ran off exclaiming that he would one day get revenge. After a party in Joe's honor Mary Jane warned Peter that the power of Captain Universe might be consuming him but Peter reassured her that Captain Universe was nothing like the Venom Symbiote, who had attempted to take hold of his body not too long ago. Days later Venom issued a challenge to Spider-Man in Central Park. After flying around for a while Venom sneaked up on the cosmic-superhero and attempted to suffocate him under the symbiote's tendrils.

However Spider-Man was easily able to bring Venom up into space where unless he stopped his attack he would end up suffocating in orbit. Venom agreed and they returned to the park where Venom exclaimed that the symbiote upon feeling the mind of Captain Universe knew that Peter was no longer what he used to be and that only a trace of the man it once knew remained. Nevertheless Spider-Man decided to give Venom the chance to reform and take Spider-Man's place. Venom accepted and weeks later engaged the Hobgoblin in combat. During this time Spider-Man went on a "world tour" by cleaning up spilt oil from a Roxxon Tanker, saving a woman and her child from an earthquake, tossed nuclear waste into the Sun all the while Mary Jane felt neglected by her husband.

After his world tour ended he and Mary Jane visited Aunt May, however, Spider-Man sensed trouble within the Persian Gulf and descended upon the Middle East where he halted a massive war and disposed of a Middle Eastern tyrant. However because of his quick transformation into Captain Universe he caused Aunt May to collapse in utter shock. Mary Jane of course was furious with him for what he'd done but with his mind now one with Captain Universe he no longer cared for the well-being of either Aunt May or Mary Jane. Knowing it was over, Mary Jane left for her sisters all the while Spider-Man journeyed to the Avengers Headquarters.

Upon a short misunderstanding battle with Captain America and Thor; Spider-Man was able to convince Thor to come with him to Africa where they would re-enrich the land with nutrients and rain. Thor blatantly refused stating that Gods were not supposed to interfere with the daily affairs of humanity. Spider-Man became enraged and knocked Thor into space where shortly after another battle ensued. The two went at it for minutes until Spider-Man finally gained an upper hand on Thor and began to subdue him until an energy beam from another source knocked Thor out cold.

Wondering who fired that shot Spider-Man turned to see Doctor Doom holding a hostage who happened to be Captain Ray Coffin, the original Captain Universe. Doom announced that he would spare Coffin's life if Spider-Man rescinded the powers of Captain Universe to him. Spider-Man refused and attempted to stop Doom but the villain was able to fire his energy absorbing weapon and kill Coffin at the same time. Within seconds Spider-Man and Captain Universe split and appeared in the form of astral projections in Peter's mind where they had an ethical debate concerning Ray Coffin, Aunt May and Mary Jane. Captain Universe justified his means of sacrifice by announcing that The Needs of the Universe outweighed the Needs of the Few. Spider-Man rebutted with Uncle Ben's famous quote "That with Great Power comes Great Responsibility" but Captain Universe then bit back with "With Absolute Power one must take Absolute Responsibility for the World." Angered by this Spider-Man compared Captain Universe's cold, dispassionate view of the world with that of Dr. Doom's.

In that instant while still vulnerable Captain Universe was captured by Dr. Doom and was transformed into what he had always hoped of being, a god. However he could not retain the power and it returned to Spider-Man who quickly realized that this Doom was an impostor, a Doombot. Making quick disposal of the robot Spider-Man realized that he could not be the only one to retain the powers of Captain Universe. Taking the weapon he poured its energy unto himself and almost immediately afterwards the whole world was unified by Captain Universe. Spider-Man awoke later powerless.

Months later, Peter and Mary Jane repaired their relationship and had a daughter who possessed both the powers of Spider-Man and Captain Universe.

Captain Universe of the Law Enforcement Squad

During the Abraxas Saga,^[2][3] 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 WWII-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. (It should be noted that 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 (Frankie Raye.)

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 anthesis of Eternity and Galactus.

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 (Marvel Comics), 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.

Captain Universe of the 26th Century

When The Guardians of the Galaxy traveled to the 26th century in order to stop the Badoon they had a large falling out. Vance Astro left the team and traveled to the 20th century where he trained with Captain America. Meanwhile Charlie-27, Nikki and Talon were forced to deal with The Badoon Emperor who challenged them to a "fair" fight. Nikki attempted to beam down and face the champion chosen by the Emperor but she was stopped by Charlie who took it upon himself to face the Badoon. However he was not prepared for the villain he was to face. Earlier on a Badoon worker named L'Matto was infused with the powers of the 26th Century counterpart to Captain Universe.

With his immense power the villainous Captain Universe was able to overpower Charlie much to the dismay of his teammates. However the Badoon's winning streak was quickly circumvented by Vance, Dr. Strange (who had arrived from the 20th century) and Aleta who had become the new Starhawk. With L'Matto defeated by Aleta and Dr. Strange, Captain Universe was easily exorcised by the Doctor. To avoid returning to his time through the Dark Dimension of Dormammu, Dr. Strange used a modicum of Captain Universe's extra-dimensional abilities to travel through a series of ripples created by the Infinity War.

In other media

• Captain Universe appeared as an extra costume for Spider-Man in the games Spider-Man, 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.
• In videogames, the secret characters from Marvel Comics such as Onslaught-possesed Hulk,Venom and War Machine has another pallete colour that is white and bluish colour. This is probably a pun to the Marvel's concepts of What If in irony - What If..those character were posessed by Captain Universe ?
• An FAO Schwarz exclusive toy set was released that featured Captain Universe/Cosmic Spider-Man and Symbiotic Spider-Man. A larger, stand-alone version of the Captain Universe/Cosmic Spider-Man was released sometime afterward.
• In the Sonic the Hedgehog comics a parody concept of the Enigma Force, called the Chaos Force, was mentioned by Sally when she became a vessel of the Sword of Acorns. A parody concept of the Power Cosmic was also mentioned.
• There are several trading cards depicting either Captain Universe himself or Spider-Man as Captain Universe, these trading card sets include Marvel VS., Marvel Overpower, the Fleer Mark Bagely Spider-Man Card Set and Fleer Ultra 1994. There was also a special Captain Universe trading card included with the personalized X-Men/Captain Universe comic depicting the comic book owner's personal stats as Captain Universe.
• Captain Universe appears on both Alex Ross's Marvel Universe: The 70's and Michael Golden's Marvel Universe: The Golden Years lithographs.

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
• Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 1 #158, 159, 160
• Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 #327, 328, 329
• Web of Spider-Man #59, 60, 61
• Web of Spider-Man Annual #5-6
• Guardians of the Galaxy #31-33
• X-Men and Captain Universe #1
• Marvel Comics Presents #148
• Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5
• Fantastic Four Annual 2001

The above stories, not including the two issues of Micronauts, the two issues of What If?, the Cosmic Spider-Man Saga, the X-Men Crossover and the Fantastic Four Annual, 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
• Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #1-4 (starting in July 2007)
• Captain Universe (Delayed)

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)
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	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)	First Captain Universe to get arrested.

Other realities/non-canon

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 (comics)	Wendell Elvis Vaughn	What If? #25 (1991)
Doctor Doom	Doombot	What If? #31 (1991)	Proof that robots can't hold in the Uni-Power.
Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)	Mar-Vell	Earth X #X (2000)
Unnamed Male Host	??	Universe X #0 (2000)	Fought against Thanos during the Infinity Gauntlet Saga back in 1991.
Unnamed Male Host	??	Fantastic Four Annual 2001 (2001)
Mr. 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 (comics)	The Captain	Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #10 (2006)	Dream induced by Forbush Man.

References