In-Betweener
Encyclopedia
The In-Betweener is a fictional character
that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. The character first appeared in Warlock #10 (Dec. 1974) and was created by Jim Starlin
.
itself, specifically in respect to concepts such as good and evil; reason and emotion; truth and illusion; and life and death. The In-Betweener is also an agent of the concepts Lord Chaos and Master Order
, although his loyalty is usually to himself rather than to them. In addition to being an incarnation of balance and duality, the In-Betweener is possibly a metaphysical counterpart of Galactus
.
The hero Adam Warlock
is the first Terran meta-human to encounter the In-Betweener, and the entity reveals that it is destined to force Warlock to transform into his villainous future self the Magus
. Warlock, however, was able to escape this fate with help from the Titan Thanos
.
The In-Betweener then claims to be the power behind the plan to alter the fabric of reality orchestrated by the group of sorcerers known as the Creators
, but secretly seeks to impose his own concept of balance upon the universe. After an encounter with the sorcerer Doctor Strange
, the In-Betweener is imprisoned as punishment for rebelling against his masters.
The In-Betweener later attempts to supplant Galactus' role in the universe and allies with the Elders of the Universe
in their plan against Galactus. However, the In-Betweener betrays the Elders during a confrontation with the entity Death
and compels Death to wipe three of the Elders from existence. Soon after this the In-Betweener also battles Galactus and his robotic servant the Punisher
, but the stalemated battle is interrupted by his masters, who subsequently imprison him.
He is later freed by Thanos, who secretly desires the Soul Gem the In-Betweener wears, as it is one of the six Infinity Gems
. Thanos then steals the gem and abandons the In-Betweener to face the wrath of Lord Order and Master Chaos, who discover he has escaped his prison.
The In-Betweener most recently appeared as a pawn of the villain Scorpio
, who is a member of the criminal organization Zodiac
. Scorpio, however, was stopped by the superhero team the Avengers
and the In-Betweener was subsequently freed.
The In-Betweener also appeared in an alternate dimension of Earth-957.
Alternatively, if he cannot 'personally' synthesize the "opposite energy" necessary to eliminate an opponent, he can directly summon that enemy's opposite being, and eliminate them that way; using the power granted to him in his station as a cosmic force, he once even summoned and forced Death itself to destroy the Elders of the Universe
, even though it had, at an earlier point, refused to ever let them die again as a punishment. The In-Betweener finds that he is unable to use either of his special abilities on Galactus, however, and he believes that this is because he is Galactus's metaphysical counterpart and opposite.
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 character first appeared in Warlock #10 (Dec. 1974) and was created by Jim Starlin
Jim Starlin
James P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters...
.
Publication history
By the In-Betweener's own admission, he represents dualityDualism
Dualism denotes a state of two parts. The term 'dualism' was originally coined to denote co-eternal binary opposition, a meaning that is preserved in metaphysical and philosophical duality discourse but has been diluted in general or common usages. Dualism can refer to moral dualism, Dualism (from...
itself, specifically in respect to concepts such as good and evil; reason and emotion; truth and illusion; and life and death. The In-Betweener is also an agent of the concepts Lord Chaos and Master Order
Master Order
Master Order is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 , and was created by Jim Starlin.- Publication history :...
, although his loyalty is usually to himself rather than to them. In addition to being an incarnation of balance and duality, the In-Betweener is possibly a metaphysical counterpart 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...
.
The hero 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...
is the first Terran meta-human to encounter the In-Betweener, and the entity reveals that it is destined to force Warlock to transform into his villainous future self 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...
. Warlock, however, was able to escape this fate with help from 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....
.
The In-Betweener then claims to be the power behind the plan to alter the fabric of reality orchestrated by the group of sorcerers known as the Creators
Creators (comics)
-Publication history:The Creators first appeared in Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts #19-20 , and was created by Marv Wolfman and Alfredo Alcala....
, but secretly seeks to impose his own concept of balance upon the universe. After an encounter with the sorcerer Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, the In-Betweener is imprisoned as punishment for rebelling against his masters.
The In-Betweener later attempts to supplant Galactus' role in the universe and allies with 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 their plan against Galactus. However, the In-Betweener betrays the Elders during a confrontation with the entity 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...
and compels Death to wipe three of the Elders from existence. Soon after this the In-Betweener also battles Galactus and his robotic servant the Punisher
Punisher (Galactus)
The Punisher is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #49 , and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby....
, but the stalemated battle is interrupted by his masters, who subsequently imprison him.
He is later freed by Thanos, who secretly desires the Soul Gem the In-Betweener wears, as it is one of the six Infinity Gems
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...
. Thanos then steals the gem and abandons the In-Betweener to face the wrath of Lord Order and Master Chaos, who discover he has escaped his prison.
The In-Betweener most recently appeared as a pawn of the villain Scorpio
Scorpio (comics)
Scorpio is the name of several fictional characters in the Marvel Comics universe. Most of the men to use the Scorpio identity have been supervillains who have been affiliated with the Zodiac criminal cartel, and in this context were enemies of the Avengers and other superheroes.-Publication...
, who is a member of the criminal organization Zodiac
Zodiac (comics)
Zodiac is the name of four groups of fictional characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The first version appears in Avengers #72 and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema. The second version first appear in Defenders #49 and were created by David Kraft and Keith Giffen...
. Scorpio, however, was stopped by the superhero team the 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...
and the In-Betweener was subsequently freed.
The In-Betweener also appeared in an alternate dimension of Earth-957.
Powers and abilities
As the physical embodiment of the cosmic balance between Chaos and Order, the In-Betweener is able to manipulate cosmic energy to alter reality to achieve nearly any effect or ability within his influence as the synthesis of duality. He is, however, under the absolute control of Lord Chaos and Master Order as his creators. The In-Betweener's other major (and unique) ability is to analyze a target and then direct energy towards it in a "polar opposite" form, which is instantly fatal.Alternatively, if he cannot 'personally' synthesize the "opposite energy" necessary to eliminate an opponent, he can directly summon that enemy's opposite being, and eliminate them that way; using the power granted to him in his station as a cosmic force, he once even summoned and forced Death itself to destroy 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...
, even though it had, at an earlier point, refused to ever let them die again as a punishment. The In-Betweener finds that he is unable to use either of his special abilities on Galactus, however, and he believes that this is because he is Galactus's metaphysical counterpart and opposite.