Runner (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Runner is fictional character that appeared in publications from Marvel Comics
. He is one of the Elders of the Universe
.
when she first left Titan
, years ago.
The Runner was among the Elders
who conspired against Galactus
and battled the Silver Surfer
in an attempt to gain power in a new, re-created universe. He battled Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and was converted to energy for consumption by Galactus. However, along with the other Elders that had been consumed by Galactus, the Runner caused Galactus "cosmic indigestion" from within, and he escaped from Galactus with the Space Gem, one of the Infinity Gems
. The Runner was ultimately teleported to parts unknown by Galactus.
Later, the Runner visited Earth as part of a galaxy-wide project to find the fastest being in the galaxy. Over a long-running story arc in that series the Eternal Makkari
sought a means to achieve a speed to surpass the Runner. Eventually, the Runner sponsored a race between Earth-dwelling possessors of superhuman speed, including Makkari, Quicksilver
, Whizzer, Speed Demon, Captain Marvel
, Super-Sabre
, and Black Racer. Makkari outran the Runner during the race; however, this came at the cost of being stuck permanently in super-speed, where Makkari could only communicate with other super-fast beings such as the Runner himself. The Runner had known of this super-speed technique but of course, had not utilized it himself. Ultimately, the Runner declared the extra-dimensional "Buried Alien" the winner, and took him to a "galactic marathon." (The issue ended by paying homage to the DC Universe's most famous Flash, Barry Allen
, who started the race later than all the other speedsters, but still won against all the other contestants with ease).
Later, the Runner battled Thanos
, who sought to collect all of the Infinity Gems. Through the Infinity Gems, Thanos bypassed the Elders' immunity to aging. Thanos changed the Runner to an old man and then reverted him to infancy. Thanos used the infant Runner as a pawn in his conflict with the Collector
; Thanos gave the Runner to the Collector in exchange for the Reality Gem. When Thanos left, he restored the Runner back to adulthood; the Collector and the Runner then fought each other.
that still remain in the universe. The Runner possesses a cosmic-enhanced life force which grants him a variety of superhuman traits, including augmentation of his physical attributes and senses, a virtually immortal body, immunity to aging and disease, and imperviousness to conventional injury through regeneration of any injury. Also, the Runner can utilize his cosmic life force for a variety of effects, including the projection of powerful energy blasts from his head, the transformation and rearrangement of matter on a planetary scale. The Runner's body has developed to survive unaided in space with no need for food, air or water. He is virtually indestructible and his durability rivals that of the Silver Surfer. He has the ability to stimulate the pleasure centers of beings around him, allowing him to influence the emotions of others and causing them to "feel good" in his presence even if he has wronged or betrayed them; this attribute may not be under his conscious control.
He appears virtually immortal and immune to aging, disease, poison, and conventional injury. Due to his machinations against Death
, he was unable to die.
The Runner's primary ability is his speed. He can literally "run" several times faster-than-light speed under his own power by using only his legs.
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...
. 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...
.
Fictional character biography
The Runner is a traveler and explorer who has lived for billions of years. He seeks complete freedom and to see all there is to see. As such, he has spent his long life traveling across and experiencing the universe. He is regarded as one of the more pacifistic Elders. He once encountered MoondragonMoondragon
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...
when she first left Titan
Titan (Marvel Comics)
In the Marvel Universe, Saturn's moon Titan is the fictional home of the Titanian Eternals. It first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich...
, years ago.
The Runner was among the Elders
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...
who conspired against 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 battled 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"....
in an attempt to gain power in a new, re-created universe. He battled Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and was converted to energy for consumption by Galactus. However, along with the other Elders that had been consumed by Galactus, the Runner caused Galactus "cosmic indigestion" from within, and he escaped from Galactus with the Space Gem, one of the 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...
. The Runner was ultimately teleported to parts unknown by Galactus.
Later, the Runner visited Earth as part of a galaxy-wide project to find the fastest being in the galaxy. Over a long-running story arc in that series the Eternal Makkari
Makkari (comics)
Makkari, formerly known as Hurricane and Mercury, is a member of the Eternals, a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics universe...
sought a means to achieve a speed to surpass the Runner. Eventually, the Runner sponsored a race between Earth-dwelling possessors of superhuman speed, including Makkari, Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, Whizzer, Speed Demon, Captain Marvel
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
, Super-Sabre
Super Sabre (comics)
Super Sabre is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Uncanny X-Men #215.-Fictional character biography:...
, and Black Racer. Makkari outran the Runner during the race; however, this came at the cost of being stuck permanently in super-speed, where Makkari could only communicate with other super-fast beings such as the Runner himself. The Runner had known of this super-speed technique but of course, had not utilized it himself. Ultimately, the Runner declared the extra-dimensional "Buried Alien" the winner, and took him to a "galactic marathon." (The issue ended by paying homage to the DC Universe's most famous Flash, Barry Allen
Barry Allen
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is the second character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 , created by writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome and penciler Carmine Infantino. His name combines talk show hosts Barry Gray...
, who started the race later than all the other speedsters, but still won against all the other contestants with ease).
Later, the Runner battled 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....
, who sought to collect all of the Infinity Gems. Through the Infinity Gems, Thanos bypassed the Elders' immunity to aging. Thanos changed the Runner to an old man and then reverted him to infancy. Thanos used the infant Runner as a pawn in his conflict with 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...
; Thanos gave the Runner to the Collector in exchange for the Reality Gem. When Thanos left, he restored the Runner back to adulthood; the Collector and the Runner then fought each other.
Powers and abilities
The Runner possesses the Power Primordial, which consists of cosmic energies leftover from the Big BangBig Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
that still remain in the universe. The Runner possesses a cosmic-enhanced life force which grants him a variety of superhuman traits, including augmentation of his physical attributes and senses, a virtually immortal body, immunity to aging and disease, and imperviousness to conventional injury through regeneration of any injury. Also, the Runner can utilize his cosmic life force for a variety of effects, including the projection of powerful energy blasts from his head, the transformation and rearrangement of matter on a planetary scale. The Runner's body has developed to survive unaided in space with no need for food, air or water. He is virtually indestructible and his durability rivals that of the Silver Surfer. He has the ability to stimulate the pleasure centers of beings around him, allowing him to influence the emotions of others and causing them to "feel good" in his presence even if he has wronged or betrayed them; this attribute may not be under his conscious control.
He appears virtually immortal and immune to aging, disease, poison, and conventional injury. Due to his machinations against 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...
, he was unable to die.
The Runner's primary ability is his speed. He can literally "run" several times faster-than-light speed under his own power by using only his legs.
External links
- http://www.marvel.com/universe/Runner
- Runner at Norse-Man.net