Shaper of Worlds
Encyclopedia
The Shaper of Worlds is a fictional character of the Marvel Comics
Universe.
and Herb Trimpe
, and first appeared in Incredible Hulk #155 (Sep 1972). Its origin was first revealed in Captain America Annual #7 (1983).
created by Skrull
scientists on an unnamed planet in Andromeda Galaxy that was part of the Skrull Empire. It was used by the Skrull Emperor to enforce his rule over the Empire as a god-king. The Cube subsequently developed sentience and, because its mind had been imprinted by the megalomania
cal personality of the emperor, it lashed out and devastated a significant portion of the Empire before it reached emotional maturity. It was after this that it started calling itself the "Shaper of Worlds" and chose the form that it uses to this day: an ivory male Skrull torso atop a metallic frustum
and tractor treads for apparent mobility.
On an unnamed extradimensional micro-world, the Shaper created a "world" based on the Nazi-dominated 1940s Earth from the mind of ex-Nazi scientist Otto Kronsteig. This "world" was destroyed by the intervention of the Hulk
. On Earth, the Shaper then created a "world" based on 1950s American popular culture from the mind of ex-henchman "Slugger" Johnson; this "world" was destroyed by the intervention of the Fantastic Four
. The Shaper took Thomas Gideon
as his apprentice before leaving Earth. The Shaper returns later, creating a "paradise world" of peace for the Hulk on an unnamed planetoid, based on his fondest dreams from the mind of the Hulk. This is because the Shaper feels guilty for harassing the Hulk earlier. The Shaper creates illusions of the Hulk's long-deceased friends, Jarella
and Crackajack Johnson. The peace is marred by the appearance of the Toad Men, who have invaded looking for slaves. In the next issue, the Toad Men kill the Shaper's friend, Glorian
. This causes the illusion to fall apart, which sends the Hulk on a rampage. The Toad Men are defeated and the Hulk rejects the Shaper's offer for a new illusionary reality, which destroyed the "paradise world".
Glorian was later revealed to be the transformed Thomas Gideon, and was not actually killed on the paradise world. The Shaper witnessed Glorian's attempt to create a "world" based on the dreams of the inhabitants from a small town ruined by the accidental intervention of the Hulk. The Shaper was sent by the Kree
Supreme Intelligence
to guide the evolution of Earth's Cosmic Cube into a sentient being; while there, the Shaper encountered Captain America
and the Aquarian
and revealed to them his origin as the Cosmic Cube created long ago by the Skrulls.
With Kubik (formerly the Earth Cosmic Cube), the Shaper encountered the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom
in the universe of the Beyonder
. The Shaper recounted the Beyonder's true origin as part of the same force that created the Molecule Man
, and witnessed the transformation of the Beyonder and Molecule Man into a new Cosmic Cube
. The Shaper later allowed Glorian to return to Earth to use his power to help the Hulk achieve nobility. The outing ultimately went badly for Glorian, and the Shaper rescued the Hulk and Glorian from the demonic attention of Satannish
(in the guise of Cloot).
The Shaper has massive power, but he cannot actually create new worlds - after destroying a significant portion of the Skrull Empire, he deliberately limited the scope of his powers. He only rearranges the structure of an existing world to fit the template that has been requested by another. The alien can only create worlds if it has the dreams of another living being to use as a blueprint. These factors are often considered to be the greatest drawbacks to its powers.
It is his curse that he has a strong desire to make dreams come true, but does not have any dreams himself. He seeks out other beings that he senses have wishes he can fulfill. Only in this way can he find a release for his strong desire to shape reality.
Glorian
and Kubik
are his protégés.
The Shaper of Worlds has fought the Hulk
and the Fantastic Four
. It was he who taught the Beyonder
and the Molecule Man
that they shared a common origin and merged them into the being known as Kosmos
.
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.
Publication history
The Shaper of Worlds was created by Archie GoodwinArchie Goodwin (comics)
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work...
and Herb Trimpe
Herb Trimpe
Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe Herbert W. "Herb" Trimpe (b. May 26, 1939, is an American comic book artist and occasional writer, best known for his work on The Incredible Hulk and as the first artist to draw for publication the character Wolverine, who later became a breakout...
, and first appeared in Incredible Hulk #155 (Sep 1972). Its origin was first revealed in Captain America Annual #7 (1983).
Fictional character biography
The Shaper of Worlds began existence thousands of years ago as a Cosmic CubeCosmic Cube
The Cosmic Cube, called the Tesseract in the film Captain America: The First Avenger, is the name of a fictional object that appears in the Marvel Universe. The concept was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Tales of Suspense #79 .-Publication history:The first Cosmic Cube...
created by 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....
scientists on an unnamed planet in Andromeda Galaxy that was part of the Skrull Empire. It was used by the Skrull Emperor to enforce his rule over the Empire as a god-king. The Cube subsequently developed sentience and, because its mind had been imprinted by the megalomania
Megalomania
Megalomania is a psycho-pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, relevance, or omnipotence. 'Megalomania is characterized by an inflated sense of self-esteem and overestimation by persons of their powers and beliefs'...
cal personality of the emperor, it lashed out and devastated a significant portion of the Empire before it reached emotional maturity. It was after this that it started calling itself the "Shaper of Worlds" and chose the form that it uses to this day: an ivory male Skrull torso atop a metallic frustum
Frustum
In geometry, a frustum is the portion of a solid that lies between two parallel planes cutting it....
and tractor treads for apparent mobility.
On an unnamed extradimensional micro-world, the Shaper created a "world" based on the Nazi-dominated 1940s Earth from the mind of ex-Nazi scientist Otto Kronsteig. This "world" was destroyed by the intervention of the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. On Earth, the Shaper then created a "world" based on 1950s American popular culture from the mind of ex-henchman "Slugger" Johnson; this "world" was destroyed by the intervention of the Fantastic Four
Fantastic 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...
. The Shaper took Thomas Gideon
Glorian
Glorian is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #135 .-Fictional character biography:...
as his apprentice before leaving Earth. The Shaper returns later, creating a "paradise world" of peace for the Hulk on an unnamed planetoid, based on his fondest dreams from the mind of the Hulk. This is because the Shaper feels guilty for harassing the Hulk earlier. The Shaper creates illusions of the Hulk's long-deceased friends, Jarella
Jarella
Jarella is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. Along with Betty Ross Banner and Caiera, she was one of the Hulk's great loves. The character was introduced in The Incredible Hulk #140...
and Crackajack Johnson. The peace is marred by the appearance of the Toad Men, who have invaded looking for slaves. In the next issue, the Toad Men kill the Shaper's friend, Glorian
Glorian
Glorian is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #135 .-Fictional character biography:...
. This causes the illusion to fall apart, which sends the Hulk on a rampage. The Toad Men are defeated and the Hulk rejects the Shaper's offer for a new illusionary reality, which destroyed the "paradise world".
Glorian was later revealed to be the transformed Thomas Gideon, and was not actually killed on the paradise world. The Shaper witnessed Glorian's attempt to create a "world" based on the dreams of the inhabitants from a small town ruined by the accidental intervention of the Hulk. The Shaper was sent by 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...
to guide the evolution of Earth's Cosmic Cube into a sentient being; while there, the Shaper encountered 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...
and the Aquarian
Wundarr the Aquarian
Wundarr the Aquarian is a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in Adventure into Fear #17. His first appearance is thought of as a parody of the origin of Superman.-Publication history:...
and revealed to them his origin as the Cosmic Cube created long ago by the Skrulls.
With Kubik (formerly the Earth Cosmic Cube), the Shaper encountered the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
in the universe of 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...
. The Shaper recounted the Beyonder's true origin as part of the same force that created the Molecule Man
Molecule Man
Molecule Man is a fictional character, a supervillain or reluctant hero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #20.-1960s:...
, and witnessed the transformation of the Beyonder and Molecule Man into a new Cosmic Cube
Kosmos (Marvel Comics)
Kosmos is a character in the Marvel Comics universe, a fusion of the Beyonder and Molecule Man, who are apparently parts of a Cosmic Cube, and cared for by Kubik....
. The Shaper later allowed Glorian to return to Earth to use his power to help the Hulk achieve nobility. The outing ultimately went badly for Glorian, and the Shaper rescued the Hulk and Glorian from the demonic attention of Satannish
Satannish
Satannish is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Satannish is a very powerful extra-dimensional demon who has clashed with Doctor Strange. Satannish is known for granting mortals mystical power in exchange for their souls...
(in the guise of Cloot).
Powers and abilities
The Shaper of Worlds is an alien matter-energy construct with unknown, and potentially incalculable physical power. He has the ability to restructure finite pockets of reality and to alter the molecular configuration of persons and objects. He is also capable of intergalactic and interdimensional teleportation, and empathic perception. The Shaper's intelligence is immeasurable, but lacking a creative imagination, the Shaper must use the mind of another sentient being as a template for his transformations of worlds.The Shaper has massive power, but he cannot actually create new worlds - after destroying a significant portion of the Skrull Empire, he deliberately limited the scope of his powers. He only rearranges the structure of an existing world to fit the template that has been requested by another. The alien can only create worlds if it has the dreams of another living being to use as a blueprint. These factors are often considered to be the greatest drawbacks to its powers.
It is his curse that he has a strong desire to make dreams come true, but does not have any dreams himself. He seeks out other beings that he senses have wishes he can fulfill. Only in this way can he find a release for his strong desire to shape reality.
Glorian
Glorian
Glorian is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #135 .-Fictional character biography:...
and Kubik
Kubik
Kubik is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears as a Cosmic Cube in Tales of Suspense #79 , and as Kubik in Avengers #289...
are his protégés.
The Shaper of Worlds has fought the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
and the Fantastic Four
Fantastic 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...
. It was he who taught 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...
and the Molecule Man
Molecule Man
Molecule Man is a fictional character, a supervillain or reluctant hero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #20.-1960s:...
that they shared a common origin and merged them into the being known as Kosmos
Kosmos (Marvel Comics)
Kosmos is a character in the Marvel Comics universe, a fusion of the Beyonder and Molecule Man, who are apparently parts of a Cosmic Cube, and cared for by Kubik....
.
External links
- http://www.marvel.com/universe/Shaper_of_Worlds