Stranger (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Stranger is a fictional character
that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics
.
The Stranger first appeared in X-Men
#11 (May 1965), and was created by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
.
and surveyor
of worlds, first visiting Earth out of curiosity
. After an encounter with the X-Men and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, who first think he is a powerful mutant, the entity departs, taking the supervillain Magneto
and his servant Toad
off-world for further study. The same title depicts Magneto's escape and return to Earth
using a spaceship he repairs when the Stranger leaves the planet and leaving the Toad behind, although the Stranger recaptures the villain after Professor X
telepathically alerts the Stranger.
The Stranger reappears in the title Tales To Astonish
, becoming convinced that mankind is dangerous and sets out to destroy the Earth using the creature known as the Hulk
. The character is dissuaded from this course of action by the Hulk's alter-ego, Bruce Banner
. In the title the Silver Surfer
, the Stranger again attempts to destroy the Earth, on this occasion using a powerful "Null-Life" bomb
. After a battle with the Silver Surfer and learning that a human scientist sacrificed himself to defuse the bomb, the Stranger retreats.
In the title Fantastic Four
the Stranger aids the superhero team against the entity the Overmind
, and in Thor
watches as the Thunder God battles the character's servant of the time, the Abomination
. The title Avengers
features a story in which the Toad impersonates the Stranger and battles the superhero team the Avengers. The true Stranger encounters the Kree
warrior Captain Marvel
in the title of the same name, and in Marvel Team-Up
encounteers the hero Spider-Man
when trying to obtain the Soul Gem
from Adam Warlock
.
The Stranger also appears in the self-titled Champions
and aids the group to contain the reactivated Null-Life bomb left on Earth and in a Marvel Two-In-One
Annual enlists the aid of the Thing
and the Hulk
to fight against the threat of the Olympian god Pluto.
The character reappears in the third volume of the Silver Surfer, with the entity the Living Tribunal
stating that the Stranger has a higher purpose, and was once a part of itself which it discarded to be able to interact with/not be disconnected from reality.
The Stranger also joins the Avengers in battle against the space pirate Nebula
, who has acquired the "Infinity Union", a device that allows the user to absorb all forms of ambient energy, and who seeks to acquire more by repeatedly destroying and recreating the universe.
In the title Quasar
, cosmic beings known as the Watchers
approach the Stranger for aid in halting a lethal information virus
, with the hero Quasar taking advantage of the distraction to free many of the specimens on the Stranger's "Labworld".
In the limited series "Infinity Gauntlet" the Stranger appears among the gathering of cosmic entities opposing the Titan Thanos
, and attacks the latter teamed with Epoch
and Galactus
.
In the limited series Starblast the Stranger is instrumental in merging the New Universe
into the Marvel Universe. He next appears in a retold flashback
story in Professor Xavier and the X-Men; and outside of continuity
in Marvel Adventures.
In the limited series X-Men Forever
the character is revealed to have subtly manipulated and accelerated the evolution of human mutants
for a long time, in a plot to harness their potential to gain control of all higher cosmic entities.
He next appears in Marvel Universe: The End, again amongst the beings opposing Thanos.
The Stranger prominently features in the limited series Beyond!
, posing as the entity the Beyonder
, wherein he captures several heroes and villains and forces them into battle for the purpose of study.
. The entity also possesses a "laboratory" world, where items are stored, and beings of interest, referred to as specimen
s, are kept prisoner for study.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
.
The Stranger first appeared in X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
#11 (May 1965), and was created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
Fictional character biography
The character is a cosmic entity and principally a scientistScientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
of worlds, first visiting Earth out of curiosity
Curiosity
Curiosity is an emotion related to natural inquisitive behavior such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident by observation in human and many animal species. The term can also be used to denote the behavior itself being caused by the emotion of curiosity...
. After an encounter with the X-Men and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, who first think he is a powerful mutant, the entity departs, taking the supervillain Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
and his servant Toad
Toad (comics)
Toad is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #4 ....
off-world for further study. The same title depicts Magneto's escape and return to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
using a spaceship he repairs when the Stranger leaves the planet and leaving the Toad behind, although the Stranger recaptures the villain after Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
telepathically alerts the Stranger.
The Stranger reappears in the title Tales To Astonish
Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish is the name of two American comic book series and a one-shot comic published by Marvel Comics.The primary title bearing that name was published from 1959-1968...
, becoming convinced that mankind is dangerous and sets out to destroy the Earth using the creature known as the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. The character is dissuaded from this course of action by the Hulk's alter-ego, Bruce Banner
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. In the title the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
, the Stranger again attempts to destroy the Earth, on this occasion using a powerful "Null-Life" bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
. After a battle with the Silver Surfer and learning that a human scientist sacrificed himself to defuse the bomb, the Stranger retreats.
In the title Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
the Stranger aids the superhero team against the entity the Overmind
Overmind (comics)
-Fictional character biography:The Overmind is an alien belonging to the Eternals of Eyung, and was born uncounted millennia ago on the planet Eyung . Grom acted as one of their warlords, leading massacres of entire species. He was also the reigning champion in their gladiatorial arenas...
, and in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
watches as the Thunder God battles the character's servant of the time, the Abomination
Abomination (comics)
The Abomination is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
. The title Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
features a story in which the Toad impersonates the Stranger and battles the superhero team the Avengers. The true Stranger encounters the Kree
Kree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
warrior Captain Marvel
Mar-Vell
Captain Marvel is a fictional character owned by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and designed by artist Gene Colan and first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) is a fictional character owned by Marvel Comics. The character was created...
in the title of the same name, and in Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
encounteers the hero Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
when trying to obtain the Soul Gem
Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
from Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock, originally known as Him, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #66 and #67 Adam Warlock, originally known as Him, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel...
.
The Stranger also appears in the self-titled Champions
Champions (comics)
The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a...
and aids the group to contain the reactivated Null-Life bomb left on Earth and in a Marvel Two-In-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
Annual enlists the aid of the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
and the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
to fight against the threat of the Olympian god Pluto.
The character reappears in the third volume of the Silver Surfer, with the entity the Living Tribunal
Living Tribunal
The Living Tribunal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #157 June 1967 and was created by Stan Lee, Marie Severin and Herb Trimpe.-Publication history:The Living Tribunal debuted in a storyline called "The...
stating that the Stranger has a higher purpose, and was once a part of itself which it discarded to be able to interact with/not be disconnected from reality.
The Stranger also joins the Avengers in battle against the space pirate Nebula
Nebula (comics)
Nebula is a fictional character, an alien supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:A brutal space pirate and mercenary, Nebula seized control of Sanctuary III, a massive spaceship previously under the command of Thanos. Thanos was believed to be dead at...
, who has acquired the "Infinity Union", a device that allows the user to absorb all forms of ambient energy, and who seeks to acquire more by repeatedly destroying and recreating the universe.
In the title Quasar
Quasar (comics)
Quasar is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the . He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions...
, cosmic beings known as the Watchers
Watcher (comics)
The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 .-Fictional history:...
approach the Stranger for aid in halting a lethal information virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
, with the hero Quasar taking advantage of the distraction to free many of the specimens on the Stranger's "Labworld".
In the limited series "Infinity Gauntlet" the Stranger appears among the gathering of cosmic entities opposing the Titan Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
, and attacks the latter teamed with Epoch
Epoch (Marvel Comics)
Epoch is a fictional cosmic entity in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Epoch is the "daughter" of Eon and "granddaughter" of Eternity....
and Galactus
Galactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
.
In the limited series Starblast the Stranger is instrumental in merging the New Universe
New Universe
The New Universe is a comic book imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986 to 1989. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco and edited by Michael Higgins.In 1986, in honor of Marvel Comics'...
into the Marvel Universe. He next appears in a retold flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
story in Professor Xavier and the X-Men; and outside of continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
in Marvel Adventures.
In the limited series X-Men Forever
X-Men Forever
X-Men Forever is the name of three comic book series published by Marvel Comics based on the mutant superhero group The X-Men. The first is a 2001 miniseries, unrelated to the others. The second and third are the work of writer Chris Claremont....
the character is revealed to have subtly manipulated and accelerated the evolution of human mutants
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
for a long time, in a plot to harness their potential to gain control of all higher cosmic entities.
He next appears in Marvel Universe: The End, again amongst the beings opposing Thanos.
The Stranger prominently features in the limited series Beyond!
Beyond!
Beyond! was a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Dwayne McDuffie and illustrated by Scott Kolins. The first issue of the series was released on July 6, 2006 and the final issue on December 6, 2006...
, posing as the entity the Beyonder
Beyonder
The Beyonder is a fictional character in . Created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, the immensely powerful Beyonder first appeared in Secret Wars vol. 1 #1 as an unseen force. He reappears in Secret Wars II #1 , which was created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom.-Publication history:The Beyonder was a...
, wherein he captures several heroes and villains and forces them into battle for the purpose of study.
Powers and abilities
The Stranger has the ability to channel and manipulate the power cosmic for virtually any use, with feats including levitation; force field creation; size shifting and molecular manipulation of matter; light speed space travel; intangibility and energy projection and assembling a planet from segments of inhabited worlds from across the universeUniverse
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
. The entity also possesses a "laboratory" world, where items are stored, and beings of interest, referred to as specimen
Specimen
A specimen is a portion/quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study.BiologyA laboratory specimen is an individual animal, part of an animal, a plant, part of a plant, or a microorganism, used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species or...
s, are kept prisoner for study.
Television
- Stranger will appear in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "The Saga of Beta Ray Bill!", voiced by John BarrowmanJohn BarrowmanJohn Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
. Here, it is revealed that the Stranger was able to take control of the Korbinites and make them his own personal army, but Beta Ray BillBeta Ray BillBeta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
escaped. Ever since, the Stranger has been on the hunt for the renegade Korbinite, until finally tracking him to a space station. There, he confronted both Bill and Thor, and was defeated with the combined force of Mjolnir and cleaning appliances.
External links
- Stranger at Marvel.com