- Space Phantom
comicbookspecies
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species=Space Phantoms
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Avengers" vol. 1 #2 (Nov 1963)
creators=Stan Lee (writer)Jack Kirby (artist)
homeworld=Limbo
notable members=
powers=shapeshifting
subcat=Marvel Comics
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sortkey=PAGENAME|Space Phantom is a name given to a number of
fictional character s in theMarvel Comics universe. The first appearance of such a being was in "Avengers" vol. 1 #2 (Nov 1963), they were created byStan Lee andJack Kirby .Fictional character biography
The Space Phantoms are the servants of
Immortus , the Master of Time. For many years it was assumed that there was only one Space Phantom, but in the course of the Destiny War the Avengers discovered that there was more than one. During a journey back in time to 1873, a trio of Space Phantoms was caught impersonating theGunhawks and the Black Rider.Immortus traps individuals who become lost in Limbo, and due to the nature of that plane, they begin to forget their former lives and change into misshapen beings. Immortus conditions these into servants who can perpetuate his schemes and manipulations of historical events. The Phantoms can assimilate anyone, even to the point of torture and escaping notice of even mind-readers.The first Space Phantom first appeared in "Avengers" vol. 1, #2, copying Giant-Man,
Iron Man , and Hulk. During his battle with the Avengers, he attempted to copy Thor and was banished back to Limbo because his powers couldn't affect Asgardians. The Space Phantom was the cause of misunderstandings between the other Avengers and Hulk which led Hulk to quit the team (over comments and actions taken against him by the others).The original Space Phantom is revealed to be disguised as
Spider-Man in the "Beyond! " series.Kurt Busiek used Space Phantoms and Immortus inAvengers Forever to explain a number of inconsistencies, such asThe Crossing .Powers and abilities
A Space Phantom can assume the form of objects or living creatures, temporarily shunting them into limbo until he resumes his natural form or that of another object or creature. Assuming the form of certain powerful creatures (notably when he attempted to turn into Thor in "Avengers" (vol. 1) #2) can result in the Space Phantom being forced back into limbo instead. While in the form of another creature, the Space Phantom gains all the abilities of that creature.
Other media
Television
* Space Phantom appears in the Hulk/Avengers segment of "
The Marvel Superheroes ".
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