Oblivion (comics)
Encyclopedia
Oblivion is a fictional character
, in the Marvel Comics
universe
. His first appearance was in Iceman
#3 and he was created by J. M. DeMatteis
and Alan Kupperberg
. Oblivion is a cosmic entity and another aspect of Death
, a personification of death
. Oblivion represents non-existence and is a counterforce to the expanding universe.
, Infinity
and Death
when the universe was created and these beings see each other as siblings. Another being, known as Galactus
was born later, from the ashes of the previous universe and is also seen as a sibling by these beings. Oblivion has a very close relationship with Death and the two may be different aspects of the same being, just as Infinity and Eternity are. Just like Eternity and Death have a strong rivalry, Oblivion has a strong rivalry with Infinity, a rivalry usually fought through avatars.
Oblivion usually resides inside a pocket dimension, known as the Outer Void.
Oblivion has a daughter, the being known as Mirage, who assumed the human form of Marge Smith.
As Marge Smith, Mirage tried to turn Robert Drake, the superhero Iceman
, against her father. In return, Oblivion used three aliens known as White Light, the Idiot and Kali to attack his daughter. He also tried to turn Iceman against Mirage, but in the end Iceman convinced the two to settle their differences peacefully.
In his rivalry with Infinity, Oblivion empowered Maelstrom
as his avatar and sent him his agent, Deathurge
to assist him. As Oblivion's agent, Maelstrom tried to destroy the whole universe, but he was stopped by Quasar
, the avatar of Infinity. Oblivion, Infinity, Death, and Eternity then came to a new agreement.
Maelstrom returned to life later and came into conflict with the Great Lakes Avengers
. During this conflict, Deathurge was sent repeatedly to collect the souls of Great Lakes Avengers who died. When he tried to claim the soul of Squirrel Girl
's sidekick Monkey Joe, Mr. Immortal
used the opportunity to grab Deathurge, now just the size and shape of a squirrel, and defeat him. The recently deceased Doorman
encountered Oblivion, who made him his new agent, telling him that Deathurge had failed him. At Christmas, Deathurge tried to regain his position, but failed the test Oblivion gave him.
When Drax
and Quasar
are temporarily 'killed' by Mentor
as a way to get Moondragon
back, the two end up in the realm of Oblivion. The events that ensue, which involve Drax and Phylla fighting Maelstrom and the Dragon of the Moon alongside Wendell Vaughn, have resulted in Phylla being transformed into the new "Avatar of Death" that Oblivion seems to be planning to use in the upcoming War of Kings
.
Originally Oblivion only had dominance over creatures who didn't die, but were wiped out from existence (due to a time paradox
or being hit by the Ultimate Nullifier
for example), while his counterpart Death was set over the actual dead. In his recent appearances though, Oblivion has used Deathurge and Doorman as "Angels of Death", sending them to bring him the souls of creatures who have actually died.
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...
, in the 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...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. His first appearance was in Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
#3 and he was created by J. M. DeMatteis
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis is an American writer of comic books.-Early career:Born in Brooklyn, DeMatteis graduated from Midwood High School and Empire State College. He worked as a music critic before getting his start in comic books at DC Comics in the late 1970s...
and Alan Kupperberg
Alan Kupperberg
Alan Kupperberg is an American comic artist known for working in both comic books and newspaper strips.-Career:Kupperberg began writing and drawing for Marvel Comics in 1974, mostly doing fill-ins and one-shots...
. Oblivion is a cosmic entity and another aspect of Death
Death (Marvel Comics)
Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional...
, a personification of death
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
. Oblivion represents non-existence and is a counterforce to the expanding universe.
Fictional character biography
Oblivion came into existence together with the cosmic entities EternityEternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
, Infinity
Infinity (Marvel Comics)
Infinity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Infinity first appears in Quasar #24 . The character was created by Mark Gruenwald and Greg Capullo.-Publication history:...
and Death
Death (Marvel Comics)
Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional...
when the universe was created and these beings see each other as siblings. Another being, known as 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...
was born later, from the ashes of the previous universe and is also seen as a sibling by these beings. Oblivion has a very close relationship with Death and the two may be different aspects of the same being, just as Infinity and Eternity are. Just like Eternity and Death have a strong rivalry, Oblivion has a strong rivalry with Infinity, a rivalry usually fought through avatars.
Oblivion usually resides inside a pocket dimension, known as the Outer Void.
Oblivion has a daughter, the being known as Mirage, who assumed the human form of Marge Smith.
As Marge Smith, Mirage tried to turn Robert Drake, the superhero Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
, against her father. In return, Oblivion used three aliens known as White Light, the Idiot and Kali to attack his daughter. He also tried to turn Iceman against Mirage, but in the end Iceman convinced the two to settle their differences peacefully.
In his rivalry with Infinity, Oblivion empowered Maelstrom
Maelstrom (comics)
Maelstrom is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Marvel Two-in-One #71 , and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald.-Fictional character biography:...
as his avatar and sent him his agent, Deathurge
Deathurge
Deathurge is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a wraith-like superhuman entity who served as the herald and agent of Oblivion. He first appeared in Marvel Two-In-One #71.-Fictional character biography:...
to assist him. As Oblivion's agent, Maelstrom tried to destroy the whole universe, but he was stopped by 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...
, the avatar of Infinity. Oblivion, Infinity, Death, and Eternity then came to a new agreement.
Maelstrom returned to life later and came into conflict with the Great Lakes Avengers
Great Lakes Avengers
The Great Lakes Initiative, originally known as The Great Lakes Avengers , are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were first introduced in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #46 , and were created by John Byrne.-Publication history:The team...
. During this conflict, Deathurge was sent repeatedly to collect the souls of Great Lakes Avengers who died. When he tried to claim the soul of Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
's sidekick Monkey Joe, Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal is a comic book character, a mutant superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the leader of the Great Lakes Avengers and first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Profile:Mr...
used the opportunity to grab Deathurge, now just the size and shape of a squirrel, and defeat him. The recently deceased Doorman
Doorman (comics)
Doorman is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe that first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Fictional character biography:...
encountered Oblivion, who made him his new agent, telling him that Deathurge had failed him. At Christmas, Deathurge tried to regain his position, but failed the test Oblivion gave him.
When Drax
Drax the Destroyer
Drax the Destroyer is a fictional character appearing in books published by the Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Drax first appeared in Iron Man #55 , and was created by Mike Friedrich and Jim Starlin. He had a recurring role in Captain Marvel vol 1 beginning with issue #23...
and Quasar
Phyla-Vell
Phyla-Vell is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. She has gone by the names Quasar, Captain Marvel and Martyr. She was created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta in Captain Marvel Phyla-Vell is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics...
are temporarily 'killed' by Mentor
A'lars
Mentor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, who first appeared in Iron Man vol. 1 #55, and was created by Jim Starlin.Mentor is the leader of the Titanian colony. His back-story was based on Greek mythology...
as a way to get Moondragon
Moondragon
Moondragon is a fictional character in Marvel Comics Universe. A vastly powerful telepath, master martial artist, minor telekinetic, and highly skilled geneticist, Moondragon's most notable characteristics are her shaved head, superiority complex, and gruelling elite excellence in virtually every...
back, the two end up in the realm of Oblivion. The events that ensue, which involve Drax and Phylla fighting Maelstrom and the Dragon of the Moon alongside Wendell Vaughn, have resulted in Phylla being transformed into the new "Avatar of Death" that Oblivion seems to be planning to use in the upcoming War of Kings
War of Kings
"War of Kings" is a comic book crossover storyline written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, published by Marvel Comics, and set in Marvel's main shared universe. The six issue limited series was published between March and August, 2009....
.
Powers and abilities
Oblivion possesses cosmic powers which he can use for various effects.Originally Oblivion only had dominance over creatures who didn't die, but were wiped out from existence (due to a time paradox
Grandfather paradox
The grandfather paradox is a proposed paradox of time travel first described by the science fiction writer René Barjavel in his 1943 book Le Voyageur Imprudent . The paradox is this: suppose a man traveled back in time and killed his biological grandfather before the latter met the traveler's...
or being hit by the Ultimate Nullifier
Ultimate Nullifier
The Ultimate Nullifier is a device of immense power in the Marvel Universe. The device made its first appearance in Fantastic Four volume 1, issue #50 , in which Johnny Storm retrieves it from the home of Galactus—as directed by Uatu the Watcher—for the Fantastic Four to employ against the threat...
for example), while his counterpart Death was set over the actual dead. In his recent appearances though, Oblivion has used Deathurge and Doorman as "Angels of Death", sending them to bring him the souls of creatures who have actually died.
External links
- http://marvel.com/universe/Oblivion