Quasar (Wendell Vaughn)
Quasar | |
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Marvel Boy Marvel Man | |
Abilities |
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Publication history
The character first appeared as Marvel Boy in
Quasar received an eponymous series in October 1989, written by Mark Gruenwald and illustrated by
Later, the
He would appear sporadically over the next several years. The character appeared in the 1996 Star Masters miniseries (as well as Cosmic Powers Unlimited & Silver Surfer vol 3 #123) as part of a team of cosmic heroes with the Silver Surfer and
Quasar appeared and died in the four-issue mini-series Annihilation: Nova (June-Sept. 2006). He appeared as a spirit in Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1-4 (Sept.-Dec. 2007), by writer Christos Gage and penciller Mike Lilly. An astral form of Quasar had a recurring role in Nova vol 4 beginning with issue #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.[3]
The character regained a physical form in the Realm of Kings one-shot (2009) and played a role in The Thanos Imperative (2010). Quasar assumed the leadership role of the titular team in Annihilators #1-4 (2011) and Annihilators: Earthfall (2011).
Fictional character biography
Origin and early career
Wendell Vaughn was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He graduated from S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. Although considered highly capable by his superiors, they nonetheless deem him unfit for field work, sensing that Vaughn lacked the necessary "killer instinct"—the will to win at all costs.[4]
His first assignment is security detail for a research facility where a team of scientists were performing experiments on the Quantum Bands taken from the deceased Crusader. A test pilot selected to wear the bands proves spectacularly successful at wielding them, but he perishes when the energy output reaches a critical mass beyond his control. Vaughn dons the bands when the criminal scientists A.I.M. launch a full-scale assault on the facility. Using the bands' power to generate solid energy constructs, he repulses the attack. When the energy buildup begins to overwhelm him, he decides to simply relax and "go with the flow". To his surprise, the buildup abruptly dissipates. Vaughn realizes the key to wielding the bands is a flexible will, rather than an indomitable, uncompromising one. Ultimately, his lack of a killer instinct makes him a more suitable wielder of the bands.[4]
Wendell Vaughn becomes a superhero, using the codename Marvel Boy in his first appearance alongside S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superhuman Super-Agents.[5][6] He later becomes Marvel Man,[7] and finally settles on Quasar.[8][6]
Alongside
Protector of the Universe
Quasar journeys to
Quasar meets
After a falling-out with both his estranged father and Eon, he quits his role as Protector of the Universe. During this time
When a stargate being used by the Shi'ar during the Kree-Shi'ar War threatens to destroy Earth's sun, Quasar is able to undo the damage with the help of Binary.[21]
During the 1992 storyline "
He is briefly replaced by a supervillain who claims his Quantum Bands for himself but Quasar is able to resurrect himself through means of the
Avengers Deep-Space/Annihilation
Quasar helps defend the universe from aliens called Infinites.[26] When Earth is threatened by Ego the Living Planet, Quasar absorbs Ego's essence and exiles himself into space, for fear of Ego expanding to planet-size.[27]
Quasar helps to operate an Avengers deep-space sensing station with the support of Living Lightning and Monica Rambeau,[28] and then becomes involved in Kang's War.[29] He later assists the Fantastic Four in a battle with Galactus.[30] When the Annihilation Wave strikes, Quasar and Nova try to stop it. Quasar is killed by Annihilus.[31]
Wendell is restored to life in a Quantum Energy form thanks to the scientists of Project Pegasus.[32]
Realm of Kings
Wendell volunteers to scout the rip in spacetime that occurs during the 2009 "War of Kings" storyline. During the trip, he regains physical form and discovers an alternate universe planning to invade his universe.[33] Trying to return to his reality, Quasar encounters an Imperial Guard exploration ship.[34] Quasar joins Nova's team to resist the invasion.[35]
In an effort to prevent further galactic catastrophes, Quasar joins the
Pleasant Hill
During the
Powers and abilities
Wendell Vaughn is 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.[4]
Quantum Bands
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.[41]
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.[citation needed]
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:[42]
- 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.
Reception
- In 2012, Quasar was ranked 36th in IGN's list of "The Top 50 Avengers".[43]
- In 2018, CBR.com ranked Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) 7th in their "25 Fastest Characters In The Marvel Universe" list.[44]
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 is merged with Captain Universe to form a super-being capable of capturing and defeating Set. Using the Eye of Agamotto, Quasar traps himself and Set within its pocket dimension.[45]
Once, during a trip through alternate realities, the Earth-616 version of Quasar viewed his Captain Universe-enhanced counterpart and Set battling each other.[46]
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.[47]
Her, now called
House of M Quasar
Wendell Vaughn briefly appears as a scientist in the alternate timeline. There is no indication that he possesses the quantum bands in this universe.[49]
Last Avengers Story
Quasar is briefly mentioned as having gone insane in Last Avengers Story #1, but does not appear.
Marvel Zombies
In Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1, Quasar is one of the heroes attending the briefing given by Nick Fury about defending their world from the zombie plague.[50] A zombified Quasar is featured in the 2009 limited series Marvel Zombies Return, part of a super-powered zombie force including the Super-Skrull, Namor, Moon Knight, and Thundra. The group destroys many of the somewhat heroic zombies featured in Marvel Zombies 2. Quasar murders his reality's human Kitty Pryde, holding her underwater until she is forced to turn solid, upon which it is implied that Namor eats her. Quasar and his zombie cohorts are killed at the end of the series.[51]
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, 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 until stopped by the Fantastic Four.[52]
Collected editions
Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Quasar Classic Volume 1 | Quasar #1-9, material from Avengers Annual #18, Marvel Comics Presents #29 | March 2012 | 978-0785163596 |
Quasar: Cosmos In Collision | Quasar #10-25 | October 2018 | 978-1302913724 |
Avengers: Galactic Storm Volume 1 | Quasar #32-33 and Captain America #398-399, Avengers West Coast #80-81, Wonder Man #7-8, Avengers #345-346, Iron Man #278, Thor #445 | February 2006 | 978-0785120445 |
Avengers: Galactic Storm Volume 2 | Quasar #34-35 and Iron Man #279, Thor #446, Captain America #400-401, Avengers West Coast #82, Wonder Man #9, Avengers #347, What If? #55-56 | December 2006 | 978-0785120452 |
Infinity War Aftermath | Quasar #41-43 and Warlock & The Infinity Watch #11-17, Silver Surfer/Warlock: Resurrection #1-4, material from Marvel Comics Presents #112, Marvel Holiday Special #2, Marvel Swimsuit Special #2 | October 2015 | 978-0785198147 |
In other media
Quasar appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers.[53]
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ Buttery, Jarrod (February 2014). "Hulk Smash!: The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s". Back Issue! (#70). TwoMorrows Publishing: 16.
- ^ Quantum Leap: DnA Talk "Nova", Comic Book Resources, September 25th, 2008
- ^ a b c d Quasar #1 (1989)
- ^ Captain America #217
- ^ ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ Captain America #218 (Feb. 1978)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #234 (April 1979)
- ^ Captain America #229-230; The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #232-234
- ^ Marvel Two-in-One #53-58
- ^ Marvel Two-in-One #73
- ^ Marvel Team-Up Annual #5
- ^ Quasar #2
- ^ The Avengers #302-303
- ^ The Avengers Annual #18
- ^ Quasar #6
- ^ Quasar #15-16
- ^ Quasar #19-25
- ^ Quasar #26
- ^ Quasar #27
- ^ Quasar #33-35 (March–May 1992)
- ^ Quasar #36 (June 1992). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Quasar #40 (Oct. 1992). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Quasar #31 (Feb. 1992). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Quasar #60. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Infinity #1-4 (2000)
- ^ Maximum Security #1-3 (Jan. 2001)
- ^ The Avengers vol. 3 #38
- ^ The Avengers vol. 3 #46-55
- ^ Fantastic Four #520-524 (2006)
- ^ Annihilation: Nova #3-4 Aug.-Sept. 2006
- ^ Nova vol. 4 #17
- ^ Realm of Kings #1, Marvel Comics, 2009
- ^ Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3, Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Thanos Imperative #1-6 (July-Dec. 2010), Marvel Comics.
- ^ The Thanos Imperative: Devastation (Jan 2011), Marvel Comics.
- ^ Annihilators #1-4 (2011)
- ^ Annihilators: Earthfall (Sept.-Dec. 2011), Marvel Comics.
- ^ Thanos: The Infinity Revelation, Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers: Assault on Pleasant Hill Omega #1
- ^ Quasar #58
- ^ Quantum Zone: Everything There Is To Know About Quasar's Quantum-Bands by Mark Gruenwald
- ^ "The Top 50 Avengers". IGN. April 30, 2012. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ C. B. R. Staff (2018-05-27). "The 25 Fastest Characters In The Marvel Universe, Officially Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- ^ What If vol. 2 #25
- ^ Quasar #30
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #61
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #62
- ^ New Thunderbolts #11
- ^ Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1
- ^ Marvel Zombies: Return #1-5 (2009)
- ^ Ultimate Power #1-2
- ^ "Quasar Comes to Lego Marvel Avengers". 22 January 2016.
External links
- Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) at the Marvel Universe