Captain Universe

Captain Universe
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Micronauts (vol. 1) #8
Created by	Bill Mantlo Michael Golden
In-story information
Alter ego	Various hosts
Team affiliations	Kree Micronauts Badoon Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers
Notable aliases	Guardian of Eternity, The Avenging Angel, The Hero That Could Be You
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, power enhancement 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 Michael Golden, and first appeared in Micronauts vol. 1 #8. It is the guardian and protector of Eternity. Rather than a character with a single identity, Captain Universe is a persona that has merged with several hosts during its publication history.

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 and Marvel Fanfare, the Uni-Power/Captain Universes appeared infrequently in other titles, even appearing in the first Contest of Champions series.

Their appearances became even scarcer in the 1990s, appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, What If?, Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Comics Presents and Cosmic Powers Unlimited.

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 purchaser. 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

In 2005, after a four year break from comic appearances, Captain Universe returned in the second series of Amazing Fantasy. Also in 2005, a series of one-shot specials 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 in Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord and then in Annihilation Conquest #3. Captain Universe later returns to stop the Juggernaut, in an attempt to fulfill his destiny, as seen in Amazing Spider-Man #627-629.

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. 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. 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.

The first human Captain Universe was an astronaut, Captain Ray Coffin. He battled Baron Karza and sealed the Prometheus Pit between the Microverse and Earth. Years later, the Uni-Power would possess his son Steve Coffin to battle Mister E and his shadow slaves. It next possessed identical twins Ann Stafford and Clare Dodgson to capture Nemesis, and then possessed small-time cat burglar Monty Walsh to stop mafia don Guido Carboni. It then possessed Doctor Strange and Commander Arcturus Rann to reinforce the space-wall between the Microverse and the Macroverse. It then possessed Bruce Banner for the first time, to defuse a nuclear missile, and wound up battling Banner's own alter ego, the Hulk. Captain Universe was then next among the heroes summoned by the Grandmaster for the Contest of Champions. The Captain Universe power next possessed Delayne Masters to defeat schoolyard bullies. It then possessed Evan Swann to stop the Quantum Mechanic from destroying the Earth.

When the Captain Universe power next appeared, it possessed Spider-Man in order to stop the Tri-Sentinel (although the power was initially weaker than usual, causing Spider-Man to assume that his own powers had merely increased). The latently cosmic-powered Spider-Man battled the Trapster, Titania, Magneto, Brothers Grimm, Goliath, Hulk, TESS-One, Dragon Man, and the Tri-Sentinel itself. It next possessed a toddler called Eddie Price to battle Gart and Rath.

Captain Universe later returned, and the Uni-Power possesses various 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.

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. Gabriel lost the Uni-Power after finding a cure for a Phalanx airborne virus, and joined Starlord in battling the Phalanx. He was subsequently killed by the Phalanx select Blastaar during an attack on the Phalanx Babel Spire.

During The Gauntlet storyline, a new Captain Universe makes himself known when he arrives on Earth with plans to kill Juggernaut. Spider-Man learns that Captain Universe is a man named William Nguyen who wants revenge on Juggernaut for ruining his life during one of his rampages. When he insists on trying to kill Juggernaut instead of fixing the tectonic plates beneath New York City, the Uni-Power leaves Nguyen and enters the Juggernaut. The Juggernaut, as Captain Universe, repairs the damage to the tectonic plates that was caused by him during the same rampage that ruined Nguyen's life. After the 'healing' of the tectonic plates, the Uni-Power subsequently leaves the Juggernaut and is not further seen.

During the Marvel NOW! relaunch, an as-yet-unnamed African American woman acting as the current Captain Universe joins the Avengers. Captain Universe joined in the fight against Ex Nihilo, his sister Abyss, and the Builder named Aleph on Mars. When Ex Nihilo recognized the presence of Captain Universe, and he and Abyss agreed to stop transforming or destroying planets. Aleph didn't agree with this and Captain Universe vaporized Aleph.

Powers and abilities

Captain Universe generally possesses superhuman strength, flight, Uni-Vision (microscopic vision, X-ray vision, and telescopic 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, which vary in intensity with each wielder according to the strength and imagination of each. Captain Universe usually possesses the ability of molecular rearrangement of organic and inorganic matter, transmutation of elements, the ability to fire bursts of energy and concussive force, and hypnosis (using the Uni-Vision energy). Possessing its own sentience, the Uni-Power can and will abandon a host if necessary, or if said host uses or intends to use the granted abilities in a detrimental or criminal fashion.

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, Dr. Doom, Magneto, the Gray Hulk, Terminus, the Tri-Sentinel, Division U, S.H.I.E.L.D. and A.I.M.

Hosts

Character	Real Name	Possessed in	Notes
Ray Coffin	Raymond Coffin	Micronauts #8 (1979)	A retired astronaut who was the first Captain Universe.
Steve Coffin	Steven Coffin	Marvel Spotlight #9 (1980)	Son of Ray Coffin.
Claire Dodgson	Claire Dodgson	Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #10 (1981)	A private investigator. Shared possession with twin sister Ann Stanford.
Ann Stanford	Ann Dodgson-Stanford	Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #10 (1981)	A homemaker and the mother of Jenny and Johnny Dodgson. Shared possession with twin sister Claire Dodgson.
Monty Walsh	Montgomery Walsh	Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #11 (1981)	A cat burglar. He became Captain Universe after he was shot when trying to rob the house of a former Maggia boss named Guido Carboni. After Montgomery defeated Guido Carboni, the Enigma Power left him as Montgomery dies and the police find Guido raving that the dead man was Captain Universe.
Commander Arcturus Rann	Arcturus Rann	Micronauts #35 (1981)	Leader of the Micronauts. Merged with Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange	Stephen Strange	Micronauts #35 (1981)	The Sorcerer Supreme. 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. Bruce Banner was able to communicate with the Hulk, and the Hulk could communicate with Bruce Banner.
Unnamed Female Host	??	Marvel Super-Heroes Contest of Champions #1 (1982)
Delayne Masters	Delayne Masters	Marvel Fanfare #25 (1986)	A young student.
Evan Swann	Evan Swann	Web of Spider-Man Annual #5 (1989)	A scientist.
Spider-Man	Peter Parker	Spectacular Spider-Man #158 (1989)	Possessed by them during the Acts of Vengeance.
Little Eddie	Edward Price	Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 (1990)	A toddler who became possessed by the Enigma Power in order to protect his parents from two demons named Gart and Rath that were summoned by Jane and Roger Price.
L'Matto		Guardians of the Galaxy #30 (1990)	A Badoon who wielded the Enigma Power to prevent the Guardians of the Galaxy from exterminating the Badoons.
Jeff Christiansen	Jeffrey Steven Christiansen	Quasar #20 (1991) (mentioned) X-Men/Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants #1 (1994) (seen)	A veterinary physician and freelance writer.
Elijah Jackson	Elijah Jackson	Marvel Comics Presents #148 (1994)	A former baseball player who contracted a disease that left him a complete vegetable, incapable of even the smallest movements. He became possessed by the Enigma Power to protect his daughter Simone from a street gang.
Roland Taylor	Roland Taylor	Cosmic Powers Unlimited #5 (1996)	A freelancing writer.
Ted Simmons	Theodore Simmons	Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #13 (2005)	A police officer that works for the Chicago Police Department.
Dr. Gilbert Wiles	Gilbert Wiles	Captain Universe/Hulk #1 (2005)	A scientist who was revealed to have been possessed circa 1983.
Daredevil	Matthew Murdock	Captain Universe/Daredevil #1 (2005)	He was once possessed by the Enigma Power.
X-23	Laura Kinney	Captain Universe/X-23 #1 (2005) X-23 #16 (2011)	Both first Mutant and first clone 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)	Krosakis is an alien with the power to absorb the life energy of other creatures and even absorbed the Enigma Power at some point.
Silver Surfer	Norrin Radd	Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005)	Silver Surfer became possessed by the Enigma Power to defeat Krosakis.
Gabriel Vargas	Gabriel Vargas	Captain Universe/Silver Surfer #1 (2005)	A discharged Marine of the United States Marine Corps that was wounded in action and was honorably discharged. First Captain Universe to get arrested by the Kree after he stopped a group from killing Kree Civilians (Annihilation Wave Sympathizers). He was then assigned to Peter Quill's Special Ops group. During his mission he accidentally killed teammate Deathcry who was attempting to kill him after he 'stole' one of her kills. The Uni-Power leaves Gabriel after he cures for the airborne Phalanx virus. Gabriel is killed by Phalanx Select Blastaar sometime after the Uni-Power leaves him.
The Phalanx	Phalanx Drone	Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #4 (2007)	First Techno-Organic organism to hold the Uni-Power.
William Nguyen	William Nguyen	Amazing Spider-Man #627 (2010)	A man who was possessed by the Uni-Power and planned revenge on Juggernaut for ruining his life.
Juggernaut	Cain Marko	Amazing Spider-Man #629 (2010)	Juggernaut became possessed by the Uni-Power in order to repair the tectonic plates when William Nguyen was unable to do the job.
Unnamed African-American Woman	???	Avengers Vol. 5 #1

Other realities

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	Wendell Elvis Vaughn	What If? #25 (1991)	Became possessed by the Enigma Power in the story that tells what happened if Father Set had come to Earth.
Casey the Dog		What If? Vol. 2 #31 (1991)	First known animal Captain Universe.
Doctor Doom	Doombot	What If? #31 (1991)	Proof that robots can't wield the Uni-Power.
Captain Marvel	Mar-Vell	Earth X #X (2000)
Unnamed Male Host	??	Universe X #0 (2000)	Fought Thanos during the Infinity Gauntlet Saga, 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	The Captain	Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #10 (2006)	Dream induced by Forbush Man.

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 hit-man.

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-Ham becomes Captain Zooniverse

In the Larval Zooniverse, Peter Porker (who was secretly the superhero Spider-Ham) was working on an experiment that went awry and bestowed upon him the cosmic power of Captain Zooniverse. 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 Waterbuffalo.

What If?

An issue of What If? asks the question "What If Spider-Man Had Kept His Cosmic Powers?" Spider-Man becomes corrupted by power when the Captain Universe energies decide to stay with him. He ends up battling his Avengers friends when they don't agree with his methods. A confrontation with a rogue Doombot leaves an innocent hostage dead. Peter manages to give up the entirety of his powers, including his spider-ones. Later, Peter's child manifests a combination of Captain Universe and Spider-Man powers.

Captain Universe of the Law Enforcement Squad

During the Abraxas Saga, 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 World War II-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. (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.

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 antithesis of Eternity and Galactus.

Captain Universe of Earth X

Captain Universe's history in the Earth X series 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 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

Video games

• Peter Parker's Captain Universe outfit 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. In the former game, equipping the Captain Universe costume made the player invulnerable and gave them unlimited webbing.
• Captain Universe is an extra costume in the Nintendo Wii version of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.
• The Captain Universe variant costumes for 4 versions of Spider-Man were available as a pre-order bonus for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Xbox 360 / PS3). After the game's launch, they became available as downloadable content, which may be purchased through the consoles' online stores.
• Captain Universe appears in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds as an extra costume for X-23.

Toys

• 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 2008, Art Asylum/Diamond Select Toys released their 24th set of Marvel Minimates figures which included Captain Universe/Cosmic Spider-Man. The figure came bundled in a two-pack with a Venom figure. It featured a removable mask and the face of a very determined-looking and angry Peter Parker with a non-removable reused hairpiece from Set 18's "Black Unmasked Spidey" figure.
• In 2010, NECA/WizKids released a HeroClix set entitled "Web of Spider-Man", the final "Super-Rare" piece in the set was Captain Universe/Cosmic Spider-Man. It is currently the most expensive (point-wise) "single-based" miniature HeroClix piece ever released.

Print media

• 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 Bagley 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.

External links

• Captain Universe at Marvel.com
• Marvel Directory: Captain Universe
• The Marvel Superheroes Cartoon Show
• Captain Universe at Marvel Wiki
• Captain Universe (Ray Coffin) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Steve Coffin) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Ann Standord) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Clare Dodgson) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Monty Walsh) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (unnamed female) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Delayne Masters) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Eddie Price) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Jeff Christiansen) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Elijah Jackson) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe (Roland Taylor) at Marvel Appendix
• Captain Universe at Comic Vine
• Captain Universe at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. * Archived from the original on April 9, 2012.