Let Evil Assemble!

We Have the Galaxy’s Mightiest Heroes!

GALAXY’S MIGHTIEST HEROES

The Assemblers of Evil have intruded upon the Marvel Universe. Evil versions of an earth’s former heroes have arrived to transform our Universe into a grotesque version of life. Giant-Man, Thor, Ms. Marvel, Iron Man, Captain America, Quasar, Lord Mar-Vell and more have been summoned by some as-yet unseen force from the Cancerverse, a universe where life has won and death has lost.

Having fulfilled their mission in their place of origin, the malignant adaptations now seek out other planes of existence not as animated as themselves. Their goal: to eradicate death and give others what they now have — “a new way of understanding the cosmos.”  There “literally is no end” to the experience they want others to “embrace.”

A foreign organism has invaded our space and the Universe’s most powerful have come together acting as cosmic leukocytes to put a stop to the infection.  Galactus, the planet devourer. Ageis and Tenebrous, the two Proemial gods. The Celestials, the self-appointed judges of creation. It must be said the more abstract beings have taken notice as well with Mistress Death letting her champion, Thanos of Titan, loose once more. The Watchers are most likely doing what they do best — watching. Perhaps, as in times past, if the stakes get too high their cosmic omniscience might intervene.

While the greater beings of the Universe have entered the battle, a team of Cosmic Heroes have assembled! “The Galaxy’s Mightiest Heroes,” as they are called — the Silver Surfer, Nova, Quasar, Gladiator, Ronan and Beta Ray Bill — have formed to protect our Universe!

Since the days of Annihilation, we have seen our heroes battle amongst the stars. Whether it be an invasion from the Negative Zone led by Annihilus, or the threat imposed by Lord Ultron, they have overcome; not without personal loss and great sacrifice as friends and family have been lost in war.

The former Star Masters – the Surfer, Quasar and Beta Ray Bill — are no strangers to cosmic chaos, having saved the Earth, the Galaxy and the Universe many times over. The Nova Prime, Richard Rider, set the record straight gutting the leader of the swarm from the Negative Zone, saving billions.  Ronan recently encountered his own people’s genocide and married into the Inhumans to guarantee the survival of his race. The Strontian known as Kallark, or better yet Gladiator, witnessed the defeat of his proud people and assassination of his Empress.

These heroes are no strangers to war, having countless times answered the call of battle! Time and again they have fought off the threats to existence and succeeded!

As the “Galactus Engine” roars into our existence, you can bet the Galaxy’s Mightiest will be there!

Thanos Imperative #3 explodes onto the scene August 11!

The Cosmic Revengers – Over Protectors Of The Universe

THANOS IMPERATIVE #1 PREVIEW

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard came and went with Quasar getting a blip of attention. To be honest, that’s pretty much what I expected from the Cosmic Avenger from this series. We did get that one scene when Quasar returned back to the 616 Universe which was pretty awesome. See the pencils a couple posts below by artist Kev Walker – who has gone on to do Thunderbolts! (And Tbolts #144 was damn good. Go read my review which was sent to writer Jeff Parker and also Kev Walker if I do say so myself! And I do!)

While our Quasar has been busy informing the Inhumans, Kree and Shi’ar about what he experienced on the other side of the Fault, the Cosmic Pretender, Darth Quasar, was off infecting Project Pegasus and looking for something in particular using the Horrorscope. Hmmm…speaking of looking for things at Project Pegasus, wasn’t that just mentioned in Secret Avengers? Wonder if it’s all connected? Anyway, the real Wendell Vaughn tips off both Nova and Darkhawk, who just defeated the Sphinx in some magical wacked out version of Egypt, and they head for Project Pegasus where they at first play dumb when encountering the evil version of Q. Of course that doesn’t last long, a battle ensues with Evil Q flying off to tell his “Undying Master” the discovery – with Nova in hot pursuit! Go Nova!

This leads to The Thanos Imperative: Ignition one shot which was frickn’ awesome! Guardians of the Galaxy artist Brad Walker gave us some of his best work with this issue. The page with Magus and Dark Quasar taking on Rich and then Wendell coming in to make the save (again!) was great! However, Magus kinda seemed to shrug good ol’ Quasar off later on which I wasn’t a fan of. Chalk it up to setting up the end of the issue, I suppose.

Speaking of the ending, wow! Gotta smack myself in the forehead for missing all the “Cancerverse” references by Dna. I didn’t expect Mar-vell to show up. I’ll be honest, after the abysmal Secret Invasion tie-in, I thought the great Mar-vell was laid to rest for good! Not so with DnA! Awesome!

The Magus and Evil Quasar bow before Mar-vell! Darth Quasar has done his job and found the perfect location; The Magus, however, has failed in destroying the Avatar of Death! While succeeding in killing off fake-Phyla, the REAL DEAL has risen – Thanos of Titan! Lord Mar-vell is none to happy and rewards The Magus’ failure with a blessing of his own – apparently incinerating the Magus! As Mar-vell places his hand on Evil Quasar’s shoulder and orders the Revengers to Assemble(!), the Nega-Bands glow with power!! And mind you, a Lord Mar-vell with “normal” features – specifically the eyes!

Who is this Mar-vell? The Fault version or 616?

Who is responsible for this Universe where “Life has won?”

You don’t have to wait long to find out as the next issue explodes on to the scene with The Thanos Imperative #1 on sale June 3rd! Go check out the preview!

RETURN OF QUASAR
NOVA #17

So who is excited about Quasar’s role in The Thanos Imperative: Ignition?

Side by side once again with Richard Rider (a.k.a. Nova), kicking some bad guy tail, I for one hope Wendell goes all out and shows us what he really is capable of. This would be the time, seeing as how what he encountered in the Cancer-verse is now invading our universe. Sometimes in order to protect, one must be called upon to defend.

As you may or may not know, Quasar returned in the pages of Annihilation: Nova, written by DnA. Sporting an awesome new costume designed by artist Gabrielle Dell’Otto, Quasar came to the aid of Nova to take on the Annihilation forces and Annihilus himself. Annihilus, with the power of the cosmic control rod and being from the Negative Zone, reacted differently than what Quasar expected. As Annihilus’ power began to overwhelm the Cosmic Avenger, Wendell Vaughn attempted to quantum-jump to safety, but something went horribly wrong. Quasar’s physical body was totally disintegrated with his “essence” trapped in the quantum-bands — now wielded by the nefarious bug.

One thing you could always say about Quasar is that he is persistent. Never giving up, Quasar returned in the pages of the Phyla Conquest mini-series (issue #4). His essence contacted Phyla-Vell who, after Nova defeated him, acquired the quantum-bands from Annihilus. Former wielders of the quantum-bands seem to share a link with the instruments of protection; this includes Annihilus, who somehow tainted them with his very essence and in turn began to corrupt the cloned daughter of Mar-Vell. Quasar managed to expel Annihilus from the bands; he escaped back to the Negative Zone with Wendell Vaughn chasing after.

Our hero’s next appearance would be in the amazing Nova Annual #1. Richard Rider was infected by the Phalanx during Annihilation: Conquest and the virus began to tap his memories and overcome his will. This caused Rich to remember not only his past, but a possible future where the Phalanx were victorious. Here, Wendell Vaughn was shown to be a being composed of pure energy — an omen for things to come.

Fast forward to Secret Invasion, where Rider returned to Earth and discovered that his brother, Robert, who now worked at Project Pegasus under Project Director Gruenwald, was in danger from the Skrulls that were after the weapons and tech stored there. Rich arrives and with the help of Darkhawk attempts to fight off the Skrulls, but they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of invaders. Gruenwald informs them that one weapon might still be of use, but they need a super-computer to open it. It is a quantum-flask containing some kind of energy the Project discovered in the Negative Zone. The only problem was that Rich, after battling the Silver Surfer and Galactus, had lost the Worldmind, the quantum super-computer that resides within Nova and controls the Nova Force. Robert uses some of the Project equipment to take a look inside his brother and uses the Worldmind to unlock the flask. Energy is seen flying throughout the room, and that energy turns out to be Wendell Vaughn — Quasar!

Quasar would assist Nova and Darkhawk in eradicating the Skrulls from the Project, actually forming his now fully composed energy body into a yellow version of the Incredible Hulk, perhaps in homage to his first “Quasar” appearance in Incredible Hulk #234.

Meanwhile, in Guardians of the Galaxy, the current quantum-band wielder, Phyla-Vell, had gone after her deceased lover, Moondragon, in Death’s Realm with Heather’s father Drax. This turned out to be a ruse by Quasar’s one-time arch-nemesis, Maelstrom, now the Avatar of Oblivion, who killed Phyla and donned the bands once again!

Back on Earth, Richard Rider was explaining to Quasar that the Worldmind had removed the Nova Force from him, causing his cell structure to become unstable. At that moment, Quasar senses something and disappears.

Wendell comes to the aid of Phyla and battles Maelstrom. However, Wendell, being composed of quantum-energy, is nothing more than a rag doll in the hands of the Avatar of Oblivion who is now wielding the quantum-bands and reveling in the fact he has them. Maelstrom’s indulgence is literally cut short by Drax who amputates the limbs from the villain, releasing the quantum-bands. Phyla-Vell acknowledges that Wendell Vaughn is the rightful owner of the bands and true Protector of the Universe and returns them to Quasar.

This possession of the bands would be short-lived as Quasar would lend them to Richard Rider to stabilize his molecular structure and would go on to assist his friend against the being responsible for removing the Nova Force, Ego the Living Planet (now under the control of a corrupt Worldmind). Rich. side by side with Quasar and wielding the power of the quantum-bands, would overcome the celestial body and return the bands to Quasar once again.

This brings us to our current state of affairs with Realm of Kings where Wendell volunteered to investigate the rip in time and space known as the Fault. As Quasar crosses universes, somehow his physical body is reinstated. There he encounters a universe like none other where it is said life has won (perhaps the reason for Wendell’s corporeal form) and death has lost. He is then introduced to an evil version of the Avengers!

The assemblers of affliction capture and interrogate our Quasar. They learn he is from another universe, one they intend to consume as well.  Hope would come in the form of a vision – the Vision! Quasar is freed by the android and takes on the Evil Avengers, narrowly escaping from the servants of the Many-Angled Ones, rulers of the Cancer-verse. However, his doppelganger arrives back at Project Pegasus, red eyes a blazin’!

With Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, and Vulcan, Emperor of the Shi’ar, causing the Fault, each race has sent their own team to examine the great fissure. The Shi’ar expedition in the form of the Imperial Guard, under orders from Gladiator, encounter our Quasar, battle-worn after his daring escape. They then meet up with all kinds of dastardly creatures who only want our heroes and universe destroyed — or remade?  Within the Fault, Quasar and the Guardsman Oracle attempt to contact our side for help — and do, utilizing the mysterious M’Krann Crystal. Emperor Kallark arrives just in time!

Quasar’s journey continues in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 on sale March 17 and from there in Nova #36 this April.

REALM OF KINGS: IMPERIAL GUARD #3 PREVIEW

We see that the Quasar from Imperial Guard #3 is not the Evil Quasar, after all.

Meaning we have TWO Cosmic Avengers. Heck, I only wanted one back. Thanks, Marvel!

This is further supported in the solicit for Nova #36 where Nova, Quasar and Darkhawk head back to earth to warn them about The Fault and whatever is coming their way (presumably). Magus? Thanos? Shuma-Gorath? Something else?

Hmmm…We know Marvel is entering the “Heroic Age.” The Avengers are going to need a big baddie to go up against. It just so happens that the Infinity Gems have found a nice warm and cozy home on Earth. Wonder if any of the above mentioned have had anything to do with those jewels? Wonder if ANYONE else is interested in them?

Curiously, Bendis has tweeted about a Cosmic Level threat this year for the Avengers….

Back to Quasar.

What could be happening at Project Pegasus? I’m thinking that Anti-Quasar (didn’t feel like using Darth Quasar) is pretending to be the Protector of the Universe. Otherwise, he would be wreckin’ major havoc and would be -or at least should be- noticed by the rest of Marvel U. Unless, right now that havoc is currently confined to Project Pegasus that is. Speaking of which, is PP being mentioned in any other Marvel book(s)? I know it was mentioned in a book that has recently come out in the past couple weeks or so. Mighty Avengers? A Hulk title? FF?

Speaking of the Fantastic Four, Annihilus makes his return in April’s issue, #578. Last time we saw him buggin’ anyone was in the pages of War of Kings: Ascension. Well, maybe buggin’ his mom, I suppose. Do bugs have “moms?” The question does arise, is this the same Annihilus from the pages of Annihilation? If so, how is the FF going to deal with his power upgrade? If they have Annihilus job to the FF that will totally look ridiculous, imo. Of course, this “reborn” Annihilus could have different powers etc. Man, I hate when they do that. However, Hickman’s current FF stuff to date has been very good so we’ll see.

From the preview for Imperial Guard #4 that comes out this week, we see Quasar and Oracle are attempting to send a message out from The Fault. I’m assuming it gets through and Quasar makes his way out (dang, that Nova #36 solicit was heavy on spoilers, eh?).

Looks like good stuff coming up for Quasar!

Note: This was originally published on Monday, January 4, 2010

REALM OF KINGS: IMPERIAL GUARDS #3
Pencils By Kev Walker

It’s been a while since I last updated the Quasar blog, but in my defense I did put out the excellent Why Wendell piece not too long ago (if I do say so, hehe). With the latest addition to Cosmic Book News being the Realm of Kings Blog, I figure now is a good time.

Right in time with the release of the Realm of Kings One Shot, Why Wendell is an in-depth look at the Cosmic Avenger’s early days, focusing on Quasar issues #1-25 with some commentary through issue fifty as well. Maybe, I’ll continue from there and take a look at the closing of the series – and beyond!

So what did everyone think of the Realm of Kings One Shot? It seemed to have been a hit amongst fans. I thought it was dang good with my only gripe being the “Whoa is me Wendell” they portrayed in the beginning. Which I’m sick of writers doing all the time with him and I thought was gone and done with the Nova: Annihilation mini. That showed Quasar to be pretty damn confident. Hey, DnA you wrote that one as well! Remember?!

I kid. Well, not really.

I figured they weren’t going to really delve into how he got his body back. Just when we think we got him back, Marvel does it again! We don’t know which Quasar returned to our Marvel Universe, but by the looks of it we know it wasn’t our Wendell. It’s either the Wendell from the Cancerverse, our Wendell infected or a combination of both.

Regardless, it’s still pretty awesome I think. I know how Quasar has always been Mr. Good Guy and all, but it would be great if one time he kicked some ass – Quantum Style! After the beating he took in Quasar #50 by the Surfer I have been waiting for the day when he says f’ it and lets loose. Yeah, that’s not our Wendell – but this ain’t either! It will be interesting what DnA does with him. We know he is showing up next in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3 and for our Nova buddy and reviewer, Timelord, I hope Wendell throws Gladiator into a red sun!

Note: This was originally published on Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Project Pegasus

Marvel Two-In-One #53
The Thing & Quasar

Gruenwald/Macchio Story
Byrne/Sinnot Art

Recap:

Coming over from the pages of the Fantastic Four is the ever lovin’ blue eyed Thing!

He has agreed to lend a hand to the Project Pegasus security team once again and after going through a battery of tests comes face to face with The Crusader!

No, that is not the young Bob Grayson but Wendell Vaughn, Quasar!

Quasar has acquired the bands after Grayson overloaded them in Fantastic Four # 164 and 165 (NOTE: not getting into AoA right now!)

However, Ben Grimm is not taking any chances and goes after the young Security Chief. Here Quasar puts on a nice display of his powers as he deflects one of the Thing’s punches and forms a construct to contain the big guy. Quasar assures Ben that he is not the Crusader and offers to show him around the Project.

Enter Dr. Lightner, who the Thing remembers from his previous visit and we learn creeps him out for some reason … the reason probably being that Lightner is a villain and working with someone as he is shown talking into a communicator. Lightner informs the mysterious individual about the Thing’s presence to which Lightner is told he will be dealt with and to continue with the operation.

Next, Thundra!

Outside, on the streets of the Lower East side of Manhattan, there is some commotion in an ally between two men. Thundra, hears this and intervenes. She easily handles the big brute and is offered a wrestling job by the promoter who was being hounded.

Back at the Project, Quasar is showing Ben around. They are studying humans with energy based powers. One in particular, Wundarr, seems to be
in some kind of coma and whenever anyone gets too close their “super powers” are cancelled.

Lightner uses some sort of device and incapacitates a couple guards in order to temporarily deactivate the perimeter – - to let someone in. This intruder makes his way to the Project and into the Upper Level Shafts.

The Thing is in his living quarters and gets a little restless. He decides to go looking around, wondering if there is a poker game somewhere.

Up above, someone looks down at him, and as the Thing thinks he has heard something, we are shown the identity of the intruder, Deathlok!

Ben continues on, and around the corner stands Deathlok, who sets his weapon to kill!

Next: Blood and Bionics!

Background:

We have six main characters: The Thing, Quasar, Dr. Lightner, Thundra, Wundarr, and Deathlok.

• The return of Project Pegasus from Marvel Two-In-One #42 and 43. Interesting to note that writer Ralph Macchoio thought of the Project but Mark Gruenwald came up with what the acronym P.E.G.A.S.U.S. stood for: “Potential Energy Group –/ Alternate Sources/United States.” So we learn that the Project studies alternative energy (which comes into play in current issues of Nova).

• The Thing is the “star” of the books that the lesser known Marvel hero is teamed up with.

• From issues of Captain America and Incredible Hulk we get Quasar, once a Super Agent of Shield now Project Security Chief.

• Dr. Lighter, as we learn from Ben was also in past issues of Marvel Two-In-One.

• Thundra, originally from Femizonia, an alternate future reality where women rule.

• Wundarr, who was last seen in Marvel Two-In-One #42 using his energy absorbing abilities to tap into the cosmic cube and shows up in Quasar #4.

• And Deathlok, a cyborg killing machine.

Thoughts:

Great set up for the first issue and what a cliff hanger! We are introduced to the good guys and a couple bad guys as well, but are also shown that someone else is pulling the strings. What does both Wundarr and Thundra have to do with the story? Guess, we gotta read more to find out!

What a display the rookie Quasar puts on. He is able to take a blow from the FF4 member and capture him as well. Also worth mentioning is the continued respect Quasar shows Ben – -even after the Thing attacked first. This noble characteristic continues throughout Wendell’s quantum journeys.

The Thundra part does seems a little … forced? A tall super strong female just so happens to break up a fight between a wrestling promoter and in turn gets hired? Doesn’t seem to fit with the Project Pegasus parts of the book.

We also get Deathlok, and this isn’t the one most of us are probably most familiar with. Next issue its Deathlok vs. The Thing and having this ending makes one want to read the next iss right away! Also, who is really behind what is going on – and just what is going on?

Definitely leaves the reader desiring for more!

Note: This was originally published on Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I am going to stray from the path … again and comment on the recent issue of Guardians of the Galaxy, issue #11.

I knew from the preview that the bands came off of Phyla and also, that there was someone with a strong resemblance to Maelstrom.

Turns out it was indeed Maelstrom! The avatar of Oblivion!

Just in case you haven’t read the issue or want to read a recap you can read it, ((Spoilers)) here in the forum.

I really enjoyed this issue.

Obviously, Phyla losing the bands was a plus for any Quasar fan, but also the appearance of Quasar’s numero uno villain from “Cosmos In Collision” and what happened at the end was really great and a nod to the original series.

There was a lot of what seemed discussion in this issue, but it’s subject has been something that really has not been touched upon in any of the recent cosmic titles.

The Cosmic Abstracts.

These big guys had major roles in the Infinity Gauntlet titles as well in Gru’s Quasar. Annihilation, I think, took on more of a sci-fi feel. So a few years later we get mention of them. I’m fine with that.

Regarding Maelstrom and the quantum-bands, interesting to note that the first time around, Wendell, was also in an energy state as the Avatar of Infinity in “Cosmos in Collision.” We also know from past interviews that Wendell is eventually supposed to show up in GoTG, could we get “Cosmos In Collision” Two –
Malestrom Strikes Back?

Question – Why didn’t Maelstrom quantum-jump his way free? Could be wherever they are would not “let” him (different dimension) or the bands were not in contact with the q-zone (and Mael used whatever energy was still in them to capture Phy and Drax).

I did like how Mael used the bands, we haven’t seen Phyla do much with them, and Mael being experienced with them knew how powerful they were. Nice!

So, where is all this going?

Are we going to see something of a repeat with Wendell showing up, taking on and defeating Maelstrom, getting his bands back and in turn getting his body back?

I’ll take it.

Wanted to give a quick shout out to fans of Captain Marvel and Genis as the cover was a major major tease!
Send them a cake guys!

Note: This was originally published on Sunday, March 8, 2009

Hulk 232 Feb 1979

Here Marvel Man continues to act out and Captain has to bark orders to get him to listen.

Hulk 233 Mar 1979

Marvel Man asks for permission from another Shield Agent to investigate a disturbance, which is the Incredible Hulk. He mentions to the agent that his control over his “uranian wrist bands has increased” and flies off.

Marvel Man finds the Hulk and demands that he come with him and let Shield handle things. Hulk says he doesn’t have to listen to “crazy flying man” and turns to walk away he just wants to — [be left alone].

Marvel Man fires a warning shot and the Hulk and says he doesn’t care how strong the Hulk is, he has the, “power of stars … of quasars!”

Too bad for Marvel Man, as anytime the Hulk says he just wants to be left alone – he never is, and we all know what happens next. The Hulk smashes Marvel Man!

Marvel Man crash lands outside an ice cream shop where a young boy questions him on being a super hero. He tells the boy his name to which the boy replies, “Marvel Man?! Boy, what a dopey name!”

Marvel Man’s reply, ”I – It is?”

Hulk #234 Apr 1979

Marvel Man is at the New Mexico based gamma research facility talking with Senator Hawk. He mentions to the Senator that with the Shield Super-Agents have been disbanded his next assigment is on the east coast – Project Pegasus. The Senator thanks Marvel Man and wished him luck on his next assignment.

Marvel Man thanks the Senator and tells him, “…but if we meet again … call me by my new code-name. Call me Quasar!”

Well, that’s it for Marvel Man and Marvel Boy. Now it is Quasar. After this, Quasar appears in the Marvel Two-In-One issues known as “The Project Pegasus Saga.”

So far we are getting a rather over confident and very young Wendell Vaughn who acts out without thinking and has to be repeatedely yelled at. Where is that self-doubt that we saw in the beginning issues of Quasar and where is the logical thinker we are used to?

Next: The Inner War!

Comic Issues Reviewed:

Hulk 232 Feb 1979
Hulk 233 Mar 1979
Hulk #234 Apr 1979

Note: This was originally published on Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Didn’t have a lot of time today with War of Kings#1 coming out and all so courtesy of the Quantum Zone here is “Quantum Genesis”:

Quantum Genesis

Seeing as how we’ve yet to receive mail on the first issue of QUASAR, we thought we’d give our Cosmic Avenger’s long-winded writer this space to say a few words about how this series came to be. Take it away, Mark . . .

I’ve been waiting to do this book for ten years, ever since I co-scripted Wendell Vaughn’s first appearance as QUASAR (he was called “Marvel Man” before that) in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE back in 1979. I’ve always liked cosmic heroes – the Silver Surfer, Captain Mar-Vell, Adam Warlock – and I felt that QUASAR, despite his humble origins, might bring something new to that field. After all SS, CM, and AW were all non-human, and Marvel had yet to showcase a cosmic hero with a totally human perspective. So for the past ten years ideas for QUASAR have been percolating on the back burners of my mind, and I’ve managed to resist the temptation to cannibalize them for other projects I happened to be writing.

So why did it take so long for me to get this book off the ground? Well, the main reason is Marvel doesn’t publish just anything its freelancers or editors get a hankering to do. Before I could convince anybody that I merited the opportunity to have a new book added to the schedule just because I thought it might be fun, I had to establish a track record for myself as being dependable, viable writer. That took about six years.

I first submitted a proposal for a QUASAR book in 1984, and even plotted the first issue with a story that bears an uncanny resemblance to the story in this, the second issue. But then an editor I know wanted someone to write a SQUADRON SUPREME limited series so I put QUASAR on hold to go do that (I always wanted to write a team book). When that was done, an editor in chief I knew was putting together a New Universe and I thought it might be advantageous to get in on that. Well, that lasted 32 issues – almost three years of a little thing I like to call D.P.7. But when the decision was made to pull the plug on the New U and we were looking for new books to replace them on the schedule, I dusted off my old QUASAR proposal, fine-tuned it with the benefit of four more years of writing experience under my belt, and submitted it to the greatest editor in chief in the history of four-color literature, Tom He-Paid-Me-To-Say-That DeFalco. Tom said “Let’s humor him,” so here it is at long last, a book that absolutely nobody but me has been clamoring for!

If QUASAR has a somewhat familiar look to you, it may be because the exact same creative team worked together on D.P.7 – every last one of us: writer penciler, inker, letterer, colorist, editor, assistant ed, and ed in chief! When in the course of comic events you come across a team that really meshes well and enjoys and complements one another’s work, you don’t let a little thing like a book’s cancellation let it end. You hire the whole zany crew to do a new book. And for those among you familiar with D.P.7, you know that when Peerless Paul Ryan and myself commit to a project, we’re on for a long haul. The Gruenwald-Ryan team not only cops the record for being the only writer and penciler to remain on a New Universe title for its entire run, but with 32 issues under their belts, Gru-Ry stand as Marvels’ longest lasting creative collaboration currently working together. (Okay, so we have a way to go to top Lee and Kirby’s 102 issue run on FANTASTIC FOUR – give us time!) Since D.P.7 has given your entire crew plenty of time to iron out all creative bugs and glitches, you can just bet that we’re hitting the ground running on this title.

My fondest hope in doing QUASAR is that I can not only provide whopping good yarns for you to read month in and month out, but I can also break new ground not yet trodden by previous cosmic heroes. Since Marvel has presented the most cosmic heroes in the history of the medium, I realize what a challenge this will be. But he, if QUASAR and I wanted things easy, we would have never left Wisconsin!

- Mark Gruenwald

As a public service to the completists among you, here are QUASAR‘s complete appearances to date, in chronological order, no less!

QUASAR #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA #217
DEFENDERS #62-64
INCREDIBLE HULK #232
CAPTAIN AMERICA #231
INCREDIBLE HULK #233-234
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #53-58, #67, #73, #74
DAZZLER #9
MARVEL TEAM-UP #113
MARVEL TEAM-UP ANNUAL #5
QUASAR #2-3
AVENGERS #302-303
AVENGERS ANNUAL #18

The complete appearances of Quasar’s predecessor, Marvel Boy, are:

ASTONISHING TALES #1-5 (1951)

FANTASTIC FOUR #164-165
WHAT IF #9

The story of the founding of the Uranian colony is told in the “Untold Tales of the Marvel Universe” featured in WHAT IF, Vol. 1, #23-28.
Deathurge has appeared before in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #71-72 and AVENGERS #249-250. Eon has appeared in CAPTAIN MARVEL #28 and #29
Data about Uranus was culled from “Voyager: Discovery at Uranus” by Richard Berry in the May 1986 issue of ASTRONOMY.

Note: This was originally published on Tuesday, March 3, 2009

For those familiar with the Wendell lore obviously today’s blog is about when Quasar was called Marvel Boy and very soon after, Marvel Man. Yep, to go along with all those different costumes, Quasar had a couple different “code names.”

Wendell first appeared as the new Marvel Boy in issue Captain America #217.

Cap and Falcon enter Shield and are immediately attacked. Fury had to make sure they are the real deal. They have a captive who has been
brainwashed and via Tony Stark tech are able to “see” his thoughts, which showed that this double agent had been talking to both of them. Turns
out he hasn’t and the two are indeed who they say they are. The bad guys – The Corporation have a bunch of super powered goons so Fury wants to
have a team of his own and “introduces” them to Cap and Fal — via a display of their powers. First we get Blue Streak, The Vamp and the Texas Twister followed by Marvel Boy.

Taking a closer look at exactly what Marvel Boys says is pretty interesting:

“Perhaps you recognize me — or at least the 1950s super — Shield patterned me after …MARVEL BOY! And the powers I received courtesy of Anthony Stark’s crew — are as good as those the original Marvel Boy acquired on the planet Uranus.”

Almost sounds like they are a facsimile, huh?

Next, Fury wants Cap to lead these “Super Agents of Shield” and Cap is really against that. So much so that he provokes the four into attacking. Right away, he mentions how powerful Marvel Boy is as Marvel Boy deflects his shield. Long story short, Cap makes them all look like fools as they need a lot of training to be considered a team and recommends Falcon to lead. He accepts and few panels later yells at the team to get training when Marvel Boy says this (WOW):

“Say, I didn’t know Nick Fury was black.”

Marvel Boy is in the next issue albeit only briefly as he is shown training with the other recruits, however he is now called Marvel Man, and then appears in three issues of The Defenders, #62 through 64.

Check out who is to the left and behind him – that’s right, Nova! Their first official team up! And the next time Marvel Man is shown is with, that’s right – Nova! Again and again to the end of the issue Marvel Man is with Nova! Granted they aren’t fighting a cosmic menace, just trying to ride a horse but this does show there is history between the two. And the following issue they are shown teaming up as well. Nice.

Another brief appearance in Captain America #228.

Cover!

Captain America #229 Marvel Man appears with a really nice cover by Keith Pollard. This is a really great issue and you can tell that Marvel Man has a lot of respect for Cap, while some of the other Super Agents, not as much …

The next issue starts off pretty funny with Cap and Marvel Man conversing out of costume. Marvel Man still has his headband on – obviously to differentiate between the two blond super heroes! With them is Vamp, as she and Marvel Man are the only two S-Agents remaining, and she calls Marvel Man, “Boy Scout.” With these few appearances we are definitely seeing the Marvel Man character develop to the Wendell Vaughn we all know.

We also see a very young hero acting out and acting irresponsibly and Cap even remarks about him being overconfident! About Wendell?!

Turns out that both Vamp and the Blue Streak were traitors with the Texas Twister leaving in disgust earlier on. They found the Falcon and Bruce Banner captured in Alcatraz by the Coporation but instead of being the would-be rescuers, they have also become victims!

These early issues definitely show where the rookie Wendell from the Quasar series comes from. They show the respect that both Quasar and Cap have for one another and the development the Quasar series
will eventually show regarding Wendell in the early Quasar compared to post Cosmos in Collision. Somone obviously knew the character very well and did their homework!

Next: From Marvel Man to QUASAR! HULK!

Comic Issues Reviewed:

Captain America #217, Jan 1978
Captain America #218, Feb 1978
The Defenders #62, Aug 1978
The Defenders #63, Sept 1978
The Defenders #64, Oct 1978
Captain America #228, Dec 1978
Captain America #229, Jan 1979
Captain America #230, Feb 1979