Contemplator
Encyclopedia
The Contemplator is a fictional character
appearing in the Marvel Comics
universe
. He is one of the Elders of the Universe
, and first appeared in Marvel Treasury Special #1 (1976).
, meditation
, and developing his mind
and spirit
to plumb the mysteries of the universe. At some point, he was contacted to join the Elders of the Universe
, a group consisting of some of the oldest beings in the universe, each member devoted to a specific pursuit or ideal.
Tath Ki first appeared in modern times under the alias "Mister Buda" and took Captain America
on a trip through time to witness important events in America's past and future to teach him about America and himself. The Contemplator then caused a divergence of an alternate Earth ruled by the android Adam II
. The Contemplator sent the first four Captain Americas (Steve Rogers, William Naslund, Jeffrey Mace
, and the 1950s Captain America
) there so that the dying Mace, also known as the World War II hero, the Patriot, could have a second chance at being Captain America and defeating Adam II from assassinating Senator John F. Kennedy
.
Later, a Skrull
(who was at the time locked in the form of the Contemplator) became involved in the Elders' plot to kill Galactus
in order to cause a new Big Bang event. The Elders intended to destroy the current universe and usher in a new one where they would all be recreated as individual beings of great power like Galactus. The fake "Contemplator" met with the Kree
Supreme Intelligence
in an attempt to obtain his Infinity Gem
. With the other Elders, he tried to kill Galactus with the Infinity Gems, but was thwarted by the Silver Surfer
. When this plot failed, the Skrull impersonating the Contemplator contacted the alien pirate, Captain Reptyl
in a plot against the Surfer. Reptyl sheltered him from Galactus' vengeance. Quickly infuriated by him however, Captain Reptyl devoured the faux Tath Ki and left his severed head floating in space as a warning to the pursuing Silver Surfer and Nova.
However, the fake remained alive despite the damage, and in disguise proposed to Clumsy Foulup that he betray Reptyl and make a pact with the Kree
against the Skrulls. The "Contemplator" revealed himself to Clumsy Foulup and revealed that he sought to destroy Reptyl and the Skrulls and to conquer the Kree Empire. He arrived on the Kree throne-world in astral form, and used his powers to cause the pink Kree to support Clumsy Foulup. He took control of the Supreme Intelligence. He was physically attacked by the Cotati
, a race of telepathic plants, who defeated in psychic combat and caused him to go mad.
The cosmic Avenger
Quasar
later encountered the true Contemplator who claimed someone was impersonating him. The Contemplator aided Quasar in accessing a higher dimension called 'The Dimension Of Manifestations' to make contact with the abstract beings of the universe. This enabled Quasar to gain vital information during the Infinity War
. The Contemplator stayed in this dimension after Quasar left. Quasar was concerned about the Contemplator being able to leave again, as it had taken a large output of power for both of them to get to the dimension in the first place. Quasar gave the Contemplator an energy bubble, which would allow him to be tracked if need be. The Contemplator put it in his belly button.
While exploring the dimension, the Contemplator happened upon a large assembly of cosmic beings in conference with the entity called the Beyonder
. At the rear of the assemblage was the Contemplator's fellow Elder, the Gardener
.
Soon after, he finds the area where the Magus
, the foe of the Infinity War, is creating his evil doubles of all the superheroes. It turns out the Manifestor has other clients also, as such the Magus does not have an unlimited supply. Contemplator uses the energy bubble in his belly button to contact Quasar to convey this information. This distracts Quasar enough for Adam Warlock
to temporarily subdue him.
Quasar eventually finds another group of Elders including the Skrull impersonating the Contemplator. The false Contemplator attempts to steal the quantum-bands and was revealed to everyone as a shape-shifting Skrull. The Skrull Contemplator is last seen being taken into the custody of the Judicator (a true Elder of the Universe dedicated to justice) to face the judgment of the real Contemplator.
that enhances his telepathy. He also has other mental powers such as psychokinesis, mental domination of others, precognition, telekinesis, self-levitation, and astral projection. He can achieve a meditative state that enables him to become one with the universe, granting him cosmic awareness. This allows him to know everything about anything in the dimension he is in. It has been suggested he possesses other vast mental powers, but due to limited appearances and his passive nature these are largely unknown. He can teleport across galactic distances through the power of his mind and sometimes other dimensions but this ability is limited in scope. He also has the ability to channel cosmic energies to increase his physical abilities to superhuman levels.
Like all Elders the Contemplator has been rendered completely immortal due to the Grandmaster's pact with Death, even more so than before. He is immune to aging, poisons, death, disease. He can survive in space unaided and does not need food, air, or drink. If his body were to be destroyed it would either reform or he would survive as an astral spirit.
He has spent millions of years teaching himself through his studies of the universe, and thus possesses a vast knowledge and comprehension of the fundamental forces of the universe.
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...
appearing 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...
. He is one of the Elders of the Universe
Elders of the Universe
The Elders of the Universe are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Collector was the first Elder to appear, and featured in Avengers #28...
, and first appeared in Marvel Treasury Special #1 (1976).
Fictional character biography
Billions of years ago, the extraterrestrial Tath Ki was born in the Coal Sack Nebula. Eons ago, he chose to dedicate himself to philosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, and developing his mind
Mind
The concept of mind is understood in many different ways by many different traditions, ranging from panpsychism and animism to traditional and organized religious views, as well as secular and materialist philosophies. Most agree that minds are constituted by conscious experience and intelligent...
and spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
to plumb the mysteries of the universe. At some point, he was contacted to join the Elders of the Universe
Elders of the Universe
The Elders of the Universe are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Collector was the first Elder to appear, and featured in Avengers #28...
, a group consisting of some of the oldest beings in the universe, each member devoted to a specific pursuit or ideal.
Tath Ki first appeared in modern times under the alias "Mister Buda" and took Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
on a trip through time to witness important events in America's past and future to teach him about America and himself. The Contemplator then caused a divergence of an alternate Earth ruled by the android Adam II
Adam II
Adam II is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe, a supervillain and most known as an enemy of the All-Winners Squad. He is an android created to duplicate another android success, the Human Torch...
. The Contemplator sent the first four Captain Americas (Steve Rogers, William Naslund, Jeffrey Mace
Jeffrey Mace
Jeffrey Solomon "Jeff" Mace, also known as the Patriot and Captain America, is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, created during the 1940s period which fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books...
, and the 1950s Captain America
Grand Director
The Grand Director , also known as the Captain America of the 1950s is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe...
) there so that the dying Mace, also known as the World War II hero, the Patriot, could have a second chance at being Captain America and defeating Adam II from assassinating Senator John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.
Later, a Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
(who was at the time locked in the form of the Contemplator) became involved in the Elders' plot to kill 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 order to cause a new Big Bang event. The Elders intended to destroy the current universe and usher in a new one where they would all be recreated as individual beings of great power like Galactus. The fake "Contemplator" met with 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...
Supreme Intelligence
Supreme Intelligence
The Supreme Intelligence is a fictional organic computer featured in several Marvel Comics stories.-Fictional character biography:The Supreme Intelligence, also known by the honorific title Supremor, was created more than a million years ago on the planet Kree-Lar by the extraterrestrial race known...
in an attempt to obtain his Infinity 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...
. With the other Elders, he tried to kill Galactus with the Infinity Gems, but was thwarted by 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"....
. When this plot failed, the Skrull impersonating the Contemplator contacted the alien pirate, Captain Reptyl
Reptyl
Reptyl is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Cap'n Reptyl was born on an unnamed alien planet in the Coal Sack Nebula. He later became the leader of a band of space pirates. He sheltered a Skrull posing as the Contemplator from Galactus's vengeance. Reptyl...
in a plot against the Surfer. Reptyl sheltered him from Galactus' vengeance. Quickly infuriated by him however, Captain Reptyl devoured the faux Tath Ki and left his severed head floating in space as a warning to the pursuing Silver Surfer and Nova.
However, the fake remained alive despite the damage, and in disguise proposed to Clumsy Foulup that he betray Reptyl and make a pact with 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...
against the Skrulls. The "Contemplator" revealed himself to Clumsy Foulup and revealed that he sought to destroy Reptyl and the Skrulls and to conquer the Kree Empire. He arrived on the Kree throne-world in astral form, and used his powers to cause the pink Kree to support Clumsy Foulup. He took control of the Supreme Intelligence. He was physically attacked by the Cotati
Cotati (comics)
The Cotati are a fictional alien race in the Marvel Universe. They are a highly intelligent species of telepathic plants. Long ago, the Cotait were humanoid in form, with branches which served as rudimentary limbs which allowed them to slowly travel, and a torso topped by a distinct head with a...
, a race of telepathic plants, who defeated in psychic combat and caused him to go mad.
The cosmic Avenger
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...
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...
later encountered the true Contemplator who claimed someone was impersonating him. The Contemplator aided Quasar in accessing a higher dimension called 'The Dimension Of Manifestations' to make contact with the abstract beings of the universe. This enabled Quasar to gain vital information during the Infinity War
Infinity War
The Infinity War is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 1992. The series was written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom, Jack Morelli and Christie Scheele....
. The Contemplator stayed in this dimension after Quasar left. Quasar was concerned about the Contemplator being able to leave again, as it had taken a large output of power for both of them to get to the dimension in the first place. Quasar gave the Contemplator an energy bubble, which would allow him to be tracked if need be. The Contemplator put it in his belly button.
While exploring the dimension, the Contemplator happened upon a large assembly of cosmic beings in conference with the entity called 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...
. At the rear of the assemblage was the Contemplator's fellow Elder, the Gardener
Gardener (comics)
The Gardener is a fictional character, one of the known Elders of the Universe in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Soon after, he finds the area where the Magus
Magus (comics)
The Magus is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain. He is an evil version of the hero Adam Warlock.-Publication history:The Magus was created by Jim Starlin, and appears as an image in Strange Tales vol...
, the foe of the Infinity War, is creating his evil doubles of all the superheroes. It turns out the Manifestor has other clients also, as such the Magus does not have an unlimited supply. Contemplator uses the energy bubble in his belly button to contact Quasar to convey this information. This distracts Quasar enough for 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...
to temporarily subdue him.
Quasar eventually finds another group of Elders including the Skrull impersonating the Contemplator. The false Contemplator attempts to steal the quantum-bands and was revealed to everyone as a shape-shifting Skrull. The Skrull Contemplator is last seen being taken into the custody of the Judicator (a true Elder of the Universe dedicated to justice) to face the judgment of the real Contemplator.
Powers and abilities
The Contemplator has spent billions of years channeling the cosmic energy of the Power Primordial to develop his mind. He is one of the most powerful telepaths known. He can contact other minds across vast interstellar distances and in different dimensions. Currently he carries an aspect of power from QuasarQuasar (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...
that enhances his telepathy. He also has other mental powers such as psychokinesis, mental domination of others, precognition, telekinesis, self-levitation, and astral projection. He can achieve a meditative state that enables him to become one with the universe, granting him cosmic awareness. This allows him to know everything about anything in the dimension he is in. It has been suggested he possesses other vast mental powers, but due to limited appearances and his passive nature these are largely unknown. He can teleport across galactic distances through the power of his mind and sometimes other dimensions but this ability is limited in scope. He also has the ability to channel cosmic energies to increase his physical abilities to superhuman levels.
Like all Elders the Contemplator has been rendered completely immortal due to the Grandmaster's pact with Death, even more so than before. He is immune to aging, poisons, death, disease. He can survive in space unaided and does not need food, air, or drink. If his body were to be destroyed it would either reform or he would survive as an astral spirit.
He has spent millions of years teaching himself through his studies of the universe, and thus possesses a vast knowledge and comprehension of the fundamental forces of the universe.