Maelstrom (comics)
Encyclopedia
Maelstrom is a fictional character
that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. The character first appears in Marvel Two-in-One #71 (Jan. 1981), and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald
.
, an Inhuman
scientist banished from their city of Attilan
for attempting cloning
to increase Inhuman population numbers. Phaeder then lives among the Deviants
, and bred with a Deviant female named Morga who gave birth to Maelstrom. With his father's tutoring, Maelstrom became a brilliant geneticist. After his father is incapacitated in an experiment, Maelstrom swears revenge on the Inhuman race and becomes a would-be conqueror.
Maelstrom has first contact with Earth's metahumans when he sends his superpowered minions - Phobius, Gronk and Helio - to the scientific island facility Hydro-Base
to steal an Anti-Terrigen mist compound. This substance can undo the effects of the Terrigen Mist
and deprive the Inhumans of their abilities. Maelstrom's Minions
, however, are defeated by the heroes the Thing
and Stingray
. They are assisted by two Inhumans
, Gorgon and Karnak
. This leads to an encounter with another of Maelstrom's minions - Deathurge
- who kills the defeated trio. Mister Fantastic
and the Inhuman Triton
deduce that their opponent may have originated from the old site of Attilan, which was an undersea location.
The Thing, Gorgon and Karnak travel via submarine to the old location, and discover a base where they are subsequently captured. The heroes later escape and together with the Inhuman king Black Bolt
battle Maelstrom. The heroes hold off Maelstrom while Black Bolt intercepts and defuses a missile carrying the anti-Terrigen mist compound that is programmed to destroy Attilan. The Thing weakens Maelstrom by using the compound on the villain, and the heroes escape as the base self-detonates. Maelstrom's last act is to order Deathurge to kill him.
Maelstrom and his minions, however, are later revealed to be alive, as courtesy of advanced science their minds were transferred into new, cloned bodies. Maelstrom then attempts to siphon the energies of the Eternals, but is thwarted by the superhero team the Avengers
, and after commanding Deathurge to kill him yet again, transfers his consciousness to a new clone body. Maelstrom then attempts to stop the Earth's rotation and absorb the kinetic energy, but is drawn into conflict with the Avengers once more. The android Vision
discovers a way to overload Maelstrom's power source and his body becomes discorporate and floats free from Earth.
Maelstrom later encounters the Titanian Eternal Kronos
, and learns of the existence of the entity Oblivion
. Becoming Oblivion's avatar
, Maelstrom then becomes determined to achieve Oblivion's goal of non-existence on a universal scale. Maelstrom assumes the powers of the entity Anomaly, becoming the embodiment of the abstract principle of anomaly. This brings Maelstrom into conflict with the agent of the entity Eon
, the cosmic hero Quasar in the Outer Void (realm of Oblivion). After several battles Quasar finally defeats Maelstrom when caught off-guard, and the power of Quasar's quantum bands consumes him. Maelstrom is later revived by his minions, but learns he had a son Ransak
that would have been wiped from existence had he succeeded. An ashamed Maelstrom shrinks himself out of sight, but eventually returns to battle the Great Lakes Avengers
, who are powerless to stop him. Maelstrom is finally tricked and beaten by the quirky hero Mr. Immortal
.
Maelstrom was later encountered by Drax the Destroyer
and Quasar
when they were killed and sent to the realm of Oblivion. He came into possession of Phyla's Quantum Bands and used them to feed her to the Dragon of the Moon
. He was eventually defeated by Drax and Wendell Vaughn and Phyla was able to escape from the Dragon - killing it in the process. However, it turns out that this was simply a ruse so that Oblivion would be able to gain a new Avatar of Death - Phyla-Vell.
Maelstrom also gained "cosmic awareness" after stealing the secret from the entity Eon
. Maelstrom is also a genius in the scientific disciplines of biology and genetics.
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 appears in Marvel Two-in-One #71 (Jan. 1981), and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...
.
Fictional character biography
Maelstrom is the son of PhaederPhaeder
Phaeder is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is the father of Maelstrom.Phaeder, with or without Maelstrom, has been attributed as providing secrets of human genetics to Magneto, the High Evolutionary, Arnim Zola, the Jackal, the Enclave , and Doctor Hydro .-Fictional...
, an Inhuman
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
scientist banished from their city of Attilan
Attilan
Attilan is a fictional city in the that houses the Inhumans. It first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 . It has also been known as the Great Refuge and New Attilan.-Fictional history:...
for attempting cloning
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
to increase Inhuman population numbers. Phaeder then lives among the Deviants
Deviant (comics)
The Deviants are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics' universe. They are an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth instigated by the alien Celestials, and wage war against their counterparts, the Eternals...
, and bred with a Deviant female named Morga who gave birth to Maelstrom. With his father's tutoring, Maelstrom became a brilliant geneticist. After his father is incapacitated in an experiment, Maelstrom swears revenge on the Inhuman race and becomes a would-be conqueror.
Maelstrom has first contact with Earth's metahumans when he sends his superpowered minions - Phobius, Gronk and Helio - to the scientific island facility Hydro-Base
Hydro-Base
Hydro-Base is a fictional base in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared in Sub-Mariner #61, created by Steve Gerber, Bill Everett, and Win Mortimer .-Fictional history:...
to steal an Anti-Terrigen mist compound. This substance can undo the effects of the Terrigen Mist
Terrigen Mist
The Terrigen Mist is a fictional substance from the Marvel Comics universe. It plays a prominent role in the stories of the Inhumans, a fictional race of super-humans...
and deprive the Inhumans of their abilities. Maelstrom's Minions
Maelstrom's Minions
Maelstrom's Minions are a trio of supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe that work for Maelstrom. They are Gronk, Helio, and Phobius.- Publication history :...
, however, are defeated by the heroes 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 Stingray
Stingray (comics)
Stingray is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The character first appears as Walter Newell in Tales to Astonish #95 and as Stingray in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #19 Stingray (Walter Newell) is a fictional character that appears...
. They are assisted by two Inhumans
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
, Gorgon and Karnak
Karnak (comics)
Karnak is a fictional martial artist published by Marvel Comics. He first appears in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #45, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
. This leads to an encounter with another of Maelstrom's minions - 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:...
- who kills the defeated trio. Mister Fantastic
Mister Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
and the Inhuman Triton
Triton (comics)
Triton is a fictional merman published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
deduce that their opponent may have originated from the old site of Attilan, which was an undersea location.
The Thing, Gorgon and Karnak travel via submarine to the old location, and discover a base where they are subsequently captured. The heroes later escape and together with the Inhuman king Black Bolt
Black Bolt
Black Bolt is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 Black...
battle Maelstrom. The heroes hold off Maelstrom while Black Bolt intercepts and defuses a missile carrying the anti-Terrigen mist compound that is programmed to destroy Attilan. The Thing weakens Maelstrom by using the compound on the villain, and the heroes escape as the base self-detonates. Maelstrom's last act is to order Deathurge to kill him.
Maelstrom and his minions, however, are later revealed to be alive, as courtesy of advanced science their minds were transferred into new, cloned bodies. Maelstrom then attempts to siphon the energies of the Eternals, but is thwarted 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 after commanding Deathurge to kill him yet again, transfers his consciousness to a new clone body. Maelstrom then attempts to stop the Earth's rotation and absorb the kinetic energy, but is drawn into conflict with the Avengers once more. The android Vision
Vision (Marvel Comics)
The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that...
discovers a way to overload Maelstrom's power source and his body becomes discorporate and floats free from Earth.
Maelstrom later encounters the Titanian Eternal Kronos
Kronos (comics)
Kronos is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Iron Man #55 and was created by Jim Starlin.-Publication history:...
, and learns of the existence of the entity Oblivion
Oblivion (comics)
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...
. Becoming Oblivion's avatar
Incarnation
Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
, Maelstrom then becomes determined to achieve Oblivion's goal of non-existence on a universal scale. Maelstrom assumes the powers of the entity Anomaly, becoming the embodiment of the abstract principle of anomaly. This brings Maelstrom into conflict with the agent of the entity Eon
Eon (comics)
Eon is one of the fictional cosmic entities in Marvel Comics' universe.-Publication history:Eon was created by Jim Starlin, and first appeared in Captain Marvel #29 to proclaim Mar-Vell as the Protector of the Universe...
, the cosmic hero Quasar in the Outer Void (realm of Oblivion). After several battles Quasar finally defeats Maelstrom when caught off-guard, and the power of Quasar's quantum bands consumes him. Maelstrom is later revived by his minions, but learns he had a son Ransak
Ransak the Reject
Ransak the Reject is a fictional superhuman from the Marvel Comics universe. He is a member of the race known as the Deviants. Ransak was created by writer/artist Jack Kirby in 1977. He first appeared in Eternals #8.-Fictional character biography:...
that would have been wiped from existence had he succeeded. An ashamed Maelstrom shrinks himself out of sight, but eventually returns to battle 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...
, who are powerless to stop him. Maelstrom is finally tricked and beaten by the quirky hero 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...
.
Maelstrom was later encountered by Drax the Destroyer
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...
when they were killed and sent to the realm of Oblivion. He came into possession of Phyla's Quantum Bands and used them to feed her to the Dragon of the Moon
Dragon of the Moon
The Dragon of the Moon is a fictional character, a malevolent entity appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. It has been a foe of both the Defenders and the Eternals.-Publication history:...
. He was eventually defeated by Drax and Wendell Vaughn and Phyla was able to escape from the Dragon - killing it in the process. However, it turns out that this was simply a ruse so that Oblivion would be able to gain a new Avatar of Death - Phyla-Vell.
Powers and abilities
Maelstrom can manipulate kinetic energy, and can absorb literally any attack and use the energy for his own purposes, such as strength enhancement, energy projection, force field creation and size shifting. For a short period Maelstrom also possessed Quasar's quantum bands, which enabled him to draw on virtually unlimited energy from the other-dimensional "quantum zone."Maelstrom also gained "cosmic awareness" after stealing the secret from the entity Eon
Eon (comics)
Eon is one of the fictional cosmic entities in Marvel Comics' universe.-Publication history:Eon was created by Jim Starlin, and first appeared in Captain Marvel #29 to proclaim Mar-Vell as the Protector of the Universe...
. Maelstrom is also a genius in the scientific disciplines of biology and genetics.