Nightmask
Nightmask | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Nightmask #1 (November 1986) |
Created by | Archie Goodwin |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Keith Remsen |
Species | Paranormal Human |
Abilities | Dream manipulation |
Nightmask is a
Publication history
The original Nightmask, Keith Remsen, was created by
In 2006, Warren Ellis and Salvador Larroca introduced a different version of the Nightmask character when they revived the New Universe concepts in a new series, newuniversal. Izanami Randall, who first appears in newuniversal #1 (Feb 2007), is a young Japanese-American woman living in San Francisco. After the White Event, Izanami discovers that she has been appointed as the Nightmask and has gained the power to manipulate the "superflow", a "transuniversal space" through which dreams, ideas and telepathy interact with the physical world.
Fictional character biography
Keith Remsen
Keith Remsen is an eighteen-year-old whose parents send him to study with Doctor Horst Kleinmann, an expert on dreams. Kleinmann has perfected a way of entering dreams cybernetically, and is worried that Remsen's parents are trying to steal his research. Kleinmann plants a bomb which kills Remsen's parents, paralyzes his little sister Theodora ("Teddy"), and leaves Keith himself in a coma, where he remains until he is awakened by the
After awaking, he gradually discovers that he has the power to enter people's dreams telepathically, which he uses to assist in psychotherapy. His sister Teddy is able to communicate with him while he is in the dream state and serves as his anchor to reality. He also fights Kleinmann in the dreamscape.[2]
After the
Remsen enters Teddy's dreams in order to release her from her coma. Though initially his Nightmask persona torments Teddy in the same way it had all the dreamers he treated since the Black Event, Keith's love for his sister overcomes the Nightmask persona, freeing Teddy from her coma and restoring the stability of his powers.[4] Remsen stalks Mook in his dreams, baiting Mook to seek him out personally. Remsen kills Mook with a single gunshot.[5]
Powers and abilities
Nightmask has the ability to enter and manipulate dreams of others. He can project illusions into another person's mind, as well as travel between
Other versions
Exiles
An alternate version of Keith Remsen attempts to defeat the mutant Proteus within his dreams. The attempt fails and Proteus strikes back - Remsen appears to suffer a heart attack, but is unclear whether or not he survived.
newuniversal
The re-imagined New Universe called newuniversal presents two different versions of Nightmask:
- Izanami Randall is as a Japanese-American girl living in White Event. Izanami is pulled from the world into a transdimensional space called the superflow by an alien communication station just after receiving the glyph.[7] The station informs her that she is one of the heralds of the paradigm shiftwhich is in progress, sparked by the White Event; specifically, she is this age's Nightmask. It is the purpose of the Nightmask to help smooth the transition period of the paradigm shift due to the inevitable initial chaotic effects.
- Trull is the first Nightmask of the newuniversal imprint, and is introduced in the newuniversal: conqueror one-shot, set in the year 2,689 Starbrand. It is revealed that Trull, who might have once been good, is a wholly evil man who plots Starr’s death and desires to become king. Trull hunts down other superhumans and drains them of their minds and powers, a process that causes them to be monstrously mutated.[8] The character Trull is named after the wizard who appeared as an enemy of the original Starr the Slayer, in Marvel's Chamber of Darkness series.[9]
Earth-616
A new Nightmask appears on
Nightmask reveals his true name upon Tamara Devoux (the current Captain Universe) deciphering its language, and reveals that the universe is dying, and that the White Event is coming. Afterwards, some strange lightning hits Earth.[12] Nightmask accompanies Captain Universe and the Avengers to the ruins of a college where they encounter a college student that was transformed into Star Brand.[13] Nightmask and Star Brand head to Mars to confront Ex Nihilo.[14] The Avengers fight against Nightmask and Star Brand which results in Nightmask and Star Brand destroying the living consciousness of Earth. Iron Man imprisons them in the Sol's Hammer weapon.[15]
Alongside Ex Nihilo,
Nightmask next appeared in the six-issue Starbrand & Nightmask comic by Greg Weisman and Domo Stanton.
Writers
- Archie Goodwin - Nightmask #1-2, 4, 8 (November 1986-December 1986, February 1987, June 1987)
- Cary Bates - Nightmask #3, 5 (January 1987, March 1987)
- Dann Thomas - Nightmask #6-7, 10-12 (April 1987-May 1987, August 1987-October 1987)
- Roy Thomas - Nightmask #6-7, 10-12 (April 1987-May 1987, August 1987-October 1987)
- Sandy Plunkett - Nightmask #9 (July 1987)
- David Wohl - "The Real Me" in Justice #25 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Mark Gruenwald - "Night of the Mask" in D.P. 7 #25 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Gregory Wright - "Madman" in The Star Brand #16 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Fabian Nicieza - "Teddy Bare!" in The Star Brand #17 (January 1989) [back-up story]
Artists
- Tony Salmons - Nightmask #1 (November 1986)
- Ernie Colón - Nightmask #2 (December 1986)
- Alex Saviuk - Nightmask #3 (January 1987)
- Ron Wagner - Nightmask #4 (February 1987)
- Arvell Jones - Nightmask #5 (March 1987)
- Javier Saltares - Nightmask #6 (April 1987); "Night of the Mask" in D.P. 7 #25 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Michael Bair - Nightmask #7 (May 1987)
- Keith Giffen - Nightmask #8 (June 1987)
- Mark Bagley - Nightmask #9, 10, 12 (July 1987, August 1987, October 1987)
- Kyle Baker - Nightmask #11 (September 1987)
- Tom Morgan - "The Real Me" in Justice #25 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Kieron Dwyer - "Madman" in The Star Brand #16 (November 1988) [back-up story]
- Ron Lim - "Teddy Bare!" in The Star Brand #17 (January 1989) [back-up story]
Collected issues
- Nightmask: New Universe (trade paperback), collecting NIGHTMASK #1-12, STAR BRAND #9, JUSTICE (1986) #15, UNTOLD TALES OF THE NEW UNIVERSE: NIGHTMASK; MATERIAL FROM DP7 #25, JUSTICE (1986) #25, STAR BRAND #16-18; first printing: July 2018. ISBN 9781302912574
Notes
- ^ Nightmask #1 erroneously credits Tony Salmons as co-creator. Later publications, such as The Draft and The War, list Goodwin as Nightmask's sole creator.
References
- ^ Johnson, Dan (June 2009). "Sparks in a Bottle: The Saga of the New Universe". Back Issue! (34). TwoMorrows Publishing: 25.
- ^ a b Nightmask #1 (November 1986)
- ^ The Draft (November 1988)
- ^ The Star Brand #17. Marvel Comics
- ^ The War #1-3. Marvel Comics
- ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z, Vol. 1, #8 (June 2009)
- ^ Warren Ellis (w), Salvador Larroca (a). "Trauma" newuniversal, no. 3 (2007). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Simon Spurrier (w), Eric Nguyen (a). newuniversal: conqueror, no. 1 (October 2008). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Roy Thomas (w), Barry Windsor-Smith (a). Chamber of Darkness, no. 4 (April 1970). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #1. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #3. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #6. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #7. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #8. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #9. Marvel Comics
- ^ Avengers vol. 5 #17. Marvel Comics
External links
- Nightmask at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe