Ego the Living Planet
Encyclopedia
Ego the Living Planet is a fictional character
, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Thor
#132 (Oct. 1966) and was created by writer Stan Lee
and artist Jack Kirby
.
Kree
and The Colonizers
immediately followed the creation of Galactus
and helped establish Marvel Comics' own "space age
mythology
".
Ego the Living Planet was initially introduced in the title Thor
issue #132 (Sept. 1966), and was created by writer Stan Lee
and artist Jack Kirby
. As Kirby recalled in 1969, shortly after the character's debut, Ego's genesis came about when
Ego returned as a protagonist in Thor #160-161 (Jan.-Feb. 1969), and made a guest appearance in #201. His origin is explored in Thor #228.
Following appearances in Fantastic Four #234-235 (Sept.-Oct. 1981) and Rom
#69 (Aug. 1985), Ego had a recurring role in Silver Surfer vol, 3 #4-22 (1987-1989). The character returned in the 1991 Thor annual and issues #448-450 (June-Aug 1992).
Ego played a prominent role in the company-wide crossover storyline "Maximum Security", appearing in Avengers
#35 (Dec. 2000); Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet (Oct. 2000); Iron Man
#34-35 (Nov.-Dec. 2000); X-Men Unlimited
#29 (Dec. 2000); Gambit
#23 (Dec. 2000) and Maximum Security #1-3 (Dec. 2000 - Jan. 2001).
The character returned in Nova vol 4 #20-30 and Astonishing Thor #1-5 (Nov 2010-July 2011)
Ego the Living Planet also appeared in the Oni Press
Color Special.
Ego began absorbing space vessels and even other worlds to survive, planning interstellar conquest. This behavior attracts the attention of the Rigellian
Colonizers, who fear that the nearby Ego will consume their home-world. They recruit the Thunder God Thor
to defeat Ego. Accompanied by a Rigellian Recorder
, Thor encounters Ego, who vows to never leave the Black Galaxy and renounced its plans of conquest, feeling humiliated by his defeat. Several months later, a weakened Galactus
invades Ego's space and seeks to replenish his energy by consuming Ego. Thor aids Ego in battling Galactus, and drives Galactus off. In gratitude Ego allows its surface to become the new home of the Wanderers, a race whose planet had been the very first to be devoured by Galactus billions of years ago.
took a sample of Ego's form, in the hope that this could be used to fertilize sterile worlds being considered for habitation. This act drives Ego insane, and it soon gives in to its primordial urges and absorbs the Wanderers, which causes Thor to side with a returning Galactus. Assisted by ally Hercules
and Galactus' herald, Firelord, Thor holds Ego off until Galactus attaches a massive starship engine to Ego's south pole, which drives the planet constantly through space and thereby prevents it from being a threat to other planets and populated sections of the universe.
. Horrified by the devastation, an unknown reality-altering mutant known as L.R "Skip" Collins
undoes the damage caused by Ego as well as all memory of it, excepting the memories of the Fantastic Four as they were off-planet at the time fighting Ego. The superpowered quartet attempted to defeat Ego by removing the power cell from one of the attached propulsion engines, which the Thing
attempts to throw into Ego's "brain". In response, an angered Ego activates the engine but, with one engine now deactivated, the other propelled the out-of-control planet into the Sun, the gravitational pull from which broke apart Ego's substance.
Ego, however, slowly reforms from a few surviving particles and repairs the propulsion unit. Ego then digested a number of Dire Wraith
s to replenish its energy reserves, and battles the Spaceknight Rom.
Ego later joins the Elders of the Universe
in a plan to destroy Galactus. Ego was sidelined before the confrontation when defeated by the Silver Surfer
. Ego later captured the Silver Surfer, and attempts to consume his energies.
. Ego reveals to Bill that Galactus' propulsion unit is driving Ego mad, and the fleet subsequently destroy the propulsion unit. A sentient bio-verse, initially described as "Super-Ego", then begins to consume Ego, but Ego eventually escapes.
, Ego battles Professor X
and Cadre K. Ego is subsequently captured and sent to Earth as an "infant" in spore form. As Ego grows, it begins to consume the Earth. Quasar absorbs it to prevent this.
When Quasar dies during the Annihilation war, Ego was released back into the Universe, only to be approached by the Worldmind to join the new Nova Corps.
Ego supplants Worldmind and brainwashes the Corps. Nova
manages to defeat Ego and free Worldmind by lobotomizing the Living Planet. When Ego resurfaces his personality on his body, Nova attacks again and forces the Living Planet to stargate away.
for a science experiment, and that his brother Alter-Ego has been held in captivity by the Collector
since his birth. Stranger has arranged for Alter-Ego to hate Ego, intending to learn through their battle if freedom or captivity breeds a stronger will. Alter-Ego is wounded and loses mass, but Thor intervenes before Ego can strike a killing blow. Alter-Ego becomes a moon of Ego, and the two begin to travel together as a family.
versions of Ego have appeared in a number of titles. Oa the Living Planet, an amalgamation version of Ego and DC's Planet Oa, was featured under the Amalgam Comics
imprint, in Iron Lantern #1, where he is the source of the power for the Green Lantern Corps. Another version of Ego in the Amalgam universe appeared in Thorion of the New Asgods as Ego-Mass, an amalgamation of Ego and the Source Wall. Ego has also appeared in alternate versions of the Marvel Universe, in Exiles
#53 (December 2004) and Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #12 (June 2007), for younger readers. In Marvel Zombies 2
he is one of the last few survivors of a reality-spanning zombie rampage. However, he is found and eaten.
that people were contemplating in the 1960s, when he was initially conceived.
A 2007 issue of Marvel Adventures: The Avengers featuring Ego entitled "Ego the Loving Planet" met with critical praise for its simultaneous inventiveness and logical sense.
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...
, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared 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....
#132 (Oct. 1966) and was created by writer 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 artist 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....
.
Publication history
Ego was created by Jack Kirby during a phase in which he was fascinated with the universe. Ego, the alienExtraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
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...
and The Colonizers
Rigellians (Marvel Comics)
The Rigellians, also known as the Colonizers of Rigel, are a scientifically and technologically advanced alien race in the fictional Marvel Comics Universe, devoted towards amassing an empire via colonization. They are native to Rigel-3 the third planet orbiting the star Rigel in the Milky Way Galaxy...
immediately followed the creation of 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...
and helped establish Marvel Comics' own "space age
Space Age
The Space Age is a time period encompassing the activities related to the Space Race, space exploration, space technology, and the cultural developments influenced by these events. The Space Age is generally considered to have begun with Sputnik...
mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
".
Ego the Living Planet was initially introduced in the title 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....
issue #132 (Sept. 1966), and was created by writer 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 artist 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....
. As Kirby recalled in 1969, shortly after the character's debut, Ego's genesis came about when
Ego returned as a protagonist in Thor #160-161 (Jan.-Feb. 1969), and made a guest appearance in #201. His origin is explored in Thor #228.
Following appearances in Fantastic Four #234-235 (Sept.-Oct. 1981) and Rom
Rom the Spaceknight
Rom is a fictional character, a cosmic superhero in the . He first appears in Rom, Spaceknight #1 and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.-Toy:...
#69 (Aug. 1985), Ego had a recurring role in Silver Surfer vol, 3 #4-22 (1987-1989). The character returned in the 1991 Thor annual and issues #448-450 (June-Aug 1992).
Ego played a prominent role in the company-wide crossover storyline "Maximum Security", appearing in 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...
#35 (Dec. 2000); Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet (Oct. 2000); Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
#34-35 (Nov.-Dec. 2000); X-Men Unlimited
X-Men Unlimited
-Volume 1:The purpose of this title was to run stories that fit between the main X-Men comics. The stories included all characters from the X-titles, and the issues were collections of short stories...
#29 (Dec. 2000); Gambit
Gambit (comics)
Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
#23 (Dec. 2000) and Maximum Security #1-3 (Dec. 2000 - Jan. 2001).
The character returned in Nova vol 4 #20-30 and Astonishing Thor #1-5 (Nov 2010-July 2011)
Ego the Living Planet also appeared in the Oni Press
Oni Press
Oni Press is an American independent comic book publisher based in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1997 by Bob Schreck and Joe Nozemack with the goal of publishing the kinds of comics and graphic novels they themselves would want to read...
Color Special.
1960s
Ego once told Thor that he was the result of a scientist merging with a planet when that planet's sun went nova.Ego began absorbing space vessels and even other worlds to survive, planning interstellar conquest. This behavior attracts the attention of the Rigellian
Rigellians (Marvel Comics)
The Rigellians, also known as the Colonizers of Rigel, are a scientifically and technologically advanced alien race in the fictional Marvel Comics Universe, devoted towards amassing an empire via colonization. They are native to Rigel-3 the third planet orbiting the star Rigel in the Milky Way Galaxy...
Colonizers, who fear that the nearby Ego will consume their home-world. They recruit the Thunder God 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....
to defeat Ego. Accompanied by a Rigellian Recorder
Analyzer (comics)
Analyzer is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.The Analyzer began its existence as one of the Rigellian Recorders, specifically Recorder #211, property of the Colonizers of Rigel...
, Thor encounters Ego, who vows to never leave the Black Galaxy and renounced its plans of conquest, feeling humiliated by his defeat. Several months later, a weakened 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...
invades Ego's space and seeks to replenish his energy by consuming Ego. Thor aids Ego in battling Galactus, and drives Galactus off. In gratitude Ego allows its surface to become the new home of the Wanderers, a race whose planet had been the very first to be devoured by Galactus billions of years ago.
1970s
The Rigellian Tana NileTana Nile
Tana Nile is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Tana Nile, of the planet Rigel-3, was a leading female member of the Colonizers of Rigel. In her attempt to colonize the planet Earth, Tana Nile took a human form as Jane Foster's roommate. Tana took control of...
took a sample of Ego's form, in the hope that this could be used to fertilize sterile worlds being considered for habitation. This act drives Ego insane, and it soon gives in to its primordial urges and absorbs the Wanderers, which causes Thor to side with a returning Galactus. Assisted by ally Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
and Galactus' herald, Firelord, Thor holds Ego off until Galactus attaches a massive starship engine to Ego's south pole, which drives the planet constantly through space and thereby prevents it from being a threat to other planets and populated sections of the universe.
1980s
Years later, Ego gains control of the engine and tracks Galactus to Earth seeking vengeance, but is unable to locate him. Ego began attacking Earth. He causes massive destruction until finally stopped by the Fantastic FourFantastic 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...
. Horrified by the devastation, an unknown reality-altering mutant known as L.R "Skip" Collins
The Man with the Power
The Man with the Power was the alias given to a fictional character from the Fantastic Four comics series. He appeared only once, in Fantastic Four #234 and was created by John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:L. R...
undoes the damage caused by Ego as well as all memory of it, excepting the memories of the Fantastic Four as they were off-planet at the time fighting Ego. The superpowered quartet attempted to defeat Ego by removing the power cell from one of the attached propulsion engines, which 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...
attempts to throw into Ego's "brain". In response, an angered Ego activates the engine but, with one engine now deactivated, the other propelled the out-of-control planet into the Sun, the gravitational pull from which broke apart Ego's substance.
Ego, however, slowly reforms from a few surviving particles and repairs the propulsion unit. Ego then digested a number of Dire Wraith
Dire Wraith
The Dire Wraiths are a fictional extraterrestrial species published by Marvel Comics. The Dire Wraiths first appeared in Rom #1 , and were created by Bill Mantlo and Al Milgrom. The Dire Wraiths are the main opponents of Rom the Spaceknight....
s to replenish its energy reserves, and battles the Spaceknight Rom.
Ego later joins 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...
in a plan to destroy Galactus. Ego was sidelined before the confrontation when defeated 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"....
. Ego later captured the Silver Surfer, and attempts to consume his energies.
1990s
Ego later attacks a Korbinite fleet and fights the hero Beta Ray BillBeta Ray Bill
Beta 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....
. Ego reveals to Bill that Galactus' propulsion unit is driving Ego mad, and the fleet subsequently destroy the propulsion unit. A sentient bio-verse, initially described as "Super-Ego", then begins to consume Ego, but Ego eventually escapes.
2000s
Driven mad by the Supreme IntelligenceSupreme 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...
, Ego battles 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....
and Cadre K. Ego is subsequently captured and sent to Earth as an "infant" in spore form. As Ego grows, it begins to consume the Earth. Quasar absorbs it to prevent this.
When Quasar dies during the Annihilation war, Ego was released back into the Universe, only to be approached by the Worldmind to join the new Nova Corps.
Ego supplants Worldmind and brainwashes the Corps. Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
manages to defeat Ego and free Worldmind by lobotomizing the Living Planet. When Ego resurfaces his personality on his body, Nova attacks again and forces the Living Planet to stargate away.
2010s
The Stranger reveals his true nature to Ego, that he was one of two sentient bodies created by the StrangerStranger (comics)
The Stranger is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The Stranger first appeared in X-Men #11 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
for a science experiment, and that his brother Alter-Ego has been held in captivity by the Collector
Collector (comics)
The Collector is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Taneleer Tivan is one of the Elders of the Universe and is close to his fellow Elder En Dwi Gast . He apparently came to self-awareness billions of years ago, on the planet Cygnus X-1...
since his birth. Stranger has arranged for Alter-Ego to hate Ego, intending to learn through their battle if freedom or captivity breeds a stronger will. Alter-Ego is wounded and loses mass, but Thor intervenes before Ego can strike a killing blow. Alter-Ego becomes a moon of Ego, and the two begin to travel together as a family.
Powers and abilities
Ego is exceptionally intelligent, although as its name suggests, it harbors an extreme superiority complex and can be emotional if thwarted. Ego is propelled through space via the engine Galactus implanted on it and can travel at faster than light speeds (for unknown reasons, Ego is unable to remove the powerful propulsion unit placed at its south pole). Ego has total control over its entire mass down to the molecular level; it often shapes its surface into the appearance of a gigantic face to address powerful beings, and can also shape its terrain to suit the circumstances. It is able to use its own substance to extrude tentacles, organic sensors, plant-like growth, and to create humanoid vessels for its consciousness. It can shape its surface to appear as a dead inhospitable world, or into an idyllic, lush green paradise to lure unaware space travelers to its surface, which it promptly consumes. Ego possesses various internal features analogous to a living organism, such as gigantic tunnels that have been compared to arteries, and a gigantic brain-like organ deep below its surface. It can heat up its internal temperature to destroy beings inside it. Ego possesses both digestive organs, which it uses when absorbing living beings, and an immune system with which to create powerful antibodies to destroy beings which resist absorption. It also possesses vast psionic abilities, and can project blasts powerful enough to destroy other worlds. He was able to read Thor's mind during his first appearance and scan their biological structure.Other versions
AlternateParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
versions of Ego have appeared in a number of titles. Oa the Living Planet, an amalgamation version of Ego and DC's Planet Oa, was featured under the Amalgam Comics
Amalgam Comics
Amalgam Comics was a publishing imprint shared by DC Comics and Marvel Comics, in which the two comic book publishers merged their characters into new ones . These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, between issues 3 and 4 of the Marvel vs...
imprint, in Iron Lantern #1, where he is the source of the power for the Green Lantern Corps. Another version of Ego in the Amalgam universe appeared in Thorion of the New Asgods as Ego-Mass, an amalgamation of Ego and the Source Wall. Ego has also appeared in alternate versions of the Marvel Universe, in Exiles
Exiles (Marvel Comics)
The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
#53 (December 2004) and Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #12 (June 2007), for younger readers. In Marvel Zombies 2
Marvel Zombies 2
Marvel Zombies 2 is a five-issue limited series published from October 2007 - February 2008 by comics publisher Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and Arthur Suydam...
he is one of the last few survivors of a reality-spanning zombie rampage. However, he is found and eaten.
Television
- Ego appears in the Fantastic FourFantastic Four (1994 TV series)Fantastic Four is the third animated television series based on Marvel's comic book series of the same name. Airing began on September 24, 1994, until ending on February 24, 1996...
episode "To Battle the Living Planet" voiced by Kay E. KuterKay E. KuterKay Edwin Emmert Kuter was an American actor who starred on television and in film. Kay was born in Los Angeles, California....
. - Ego appears in the Silver SurferSilver Surfer (TV series)Silver Surfer, also known as Silver Surfer: The Animated Series, is an animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero which aired on the Fox Kids Network in 1998.-Overview:...
TV series voiced by Roy Lewis. - Ego makes a cameo 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 "World War Witch."
Music
- Monster MagnetMonster MagnetMonster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
recorded a song called "Ego, the living planet" on the album "Dopes to Infinity". Singer Wyndorf has been known to be a fan of Jack KirbyJack KirbyJack 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....
.
Reception and impact
Roger Lewis argues that Ego the Living Planet reflected risks to civilization, humans and planet EarthRisks to civilization, humans and planet Earth
Various existential risks could threaten humankind as a whole, have adverse consequences for the course of human civilization, or even cause the end of planet Earth.-Types of risks:...
that people were contemplating in the 1960s, when he was initially conceived.
A 2007 issue of Marvel Adventures: The Avengers featuring Ego entitled "Ego the Loving Planet" met with critical praise for its simultaneous inventiveness and logical sense.
External links
- Ego the Living Planet at Marvel.com
- Ego the Living Planet at the Marvel Comics Database Project