Friday, April 19, 2013

Q: Quasar!



is for Quasar.

Wendell Vaughn was just your ordinary, run of the mill, 'everyman'...who just happened to graduate from the S.H.I.E.L.D academy. Recognized as a good man, Vaughn never made field agent due to his lack of that 'killer instinct'. Relegated to security details, one of his first jobs was at a facility where scientists were running tests on a pair of "Quantum Bands"...weapons used by the now deceased hero, The Crusader. 

The test pilot wearing the bands was able to use them quite well but, after a while, the quantum energy reached critical mass and fried him to death. Still studying them, the facility was attacked by the scientific terrorist group, A.I.M (Advanced Idea Mechanics) in a bid to steal the weapons. With little choice, Vaughn puts on the Quantum Bands and was quite successful in defeating the A.I.M. goons. As the power began to rise, ready to fry him, he decided to relax and 'go with the flow'. He had figured out that having a more flexible mind was the key to using the bands, not the rigid thinking that people with 'killer instincts' had.

Of course, with such powerful weapons, Wendell decides to become a superhero. Calling himself "Marvel Boy", then "Marvel Man", then settling on "Quasar". 


Debuting back in Captain America #217 (January 1978) as Marvel Man, the character then went on to guest star in quite a few issues of Captain America, The Hulk, The Avengers, and Marvel Two-in-One.


Wendell Vaughn has no inborn powers, but has been trained in many forms of hand to hand combat as well as basic espionage skills. 

His power stem from the Quantum Bands that are, now, affixed permanently to his wrists. The bands tap energy from the 'Quantum Zone' for various effects:

  • Energy blasts
  • Energy constructs
  • Bending light to make things invisible
  • Siphon, absorb, and redirect various types of energy
  • Traveling through the Quantum Zone as a form of teleportation


Quasar has always been the 'go to' hero when it came to stories involving space spanning, cosmic, themes in the Marvel Universe.  

Tune in tomorrow for one of Marvel Comics.....odder...heroes...


36 comments:

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Nice that he found a way to be a hero despite the obstacles. Good for him.

S.P. Bowers said...

I like the name Quasar, and it's nice he was able to find something that matched his talents.

Lisa said...

I love his name, and he was good looking as comic heroes go! I remember him, one of the only blond ones I liked.

DEZMOND said...

ooh, he has some great powers!

mshatch said...

I'm amazed at how many superheroes I've never heard of.

Unknown said...

I love Quasar's name and his story, but his face in the first pic is odd. He looks more like a villain than a superhero. It's freaking me out! lol

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wonder if he'll show up in an Avengers movie?

Suze said...

'Recognized as a good man, Vaughn never made field agent due to his lack of that 'killer instinct'.'

This makes me identify with him.

John Wiswell said...

I always enjoyed Quasar! A cheesy cosmic hero to the very end. I think he's still kicking around in Marvel's recent streak of cosmic tragedies.

John at The Bathroom Monologues

Jeremy [Retro] said...

i love quasar... i think i have the the thing issue... he was a interesting qcat.

J.L. Campbell said...

Another character I'm not familiar with. :)

Jolie du Pre said...

I'm not as familiar with your topic as I could be, but Quasar *is* familiar!

Michael Di Gesu said...

GREAT NAME...

Like the fact that he is a nice guy and because of his gentle nature, he WASN"T fried by supernatural bands...

Cool.

Jack said...

I recognize all these phrases 8-D SHIELD and AIM. I haven't heard of this hero though, though now I kind of hope he makes an appearance in one of the movies. He reminds me a little of Captain America, the more quiet type hero.

cleemckenzie said...

You amaze me, Mark. Did you read every single comic that ever came out with superheroes?

PK HREZO said...

I could use some of those quantum bands to get me out of work today and into a much better dimension.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Quasar was a much better name.

Sherry Ellis said...

I think I need a pair of Quantum bands!

Sherry Ellis said...

I think I need a pair of Quantum bands!

Robin said...

That was quick thinking to put on those bands and save the day... He was definitely a hero!!!

Mina Burrows said...

Yeah, I bet you were just waiting for Q today. Quasar...that's a good one. :)

Julie Flanders said...

Quasar is definitely a much cooler name than Marvel Boy. Love how colorful the top mag is!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I love that he found a way to be a hero without the "killer instinct."
Cool post!

Al Diaz said...

I definitively like this quazar guy.

Christine Rains said...

I was trying to think who you might use for Q. I've never heard of this guy, but those are some cool powers. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I need some of those bands! The artwork is simply superb!

Unknown said...

Another new comic for me. I love the name Quasar. I wonder if he was named after the electronics company.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Never heard of this guy but he sounds pretty awesome.

Regina said...

He kind of resembles my uncle. I love his eyebrows!

Chancelet said...

So I shouldn't feel bad when I can't think of a name for my character or it takes a couple of tries before the right title comes along!

Has he gotten into the killing thing, or does it just depends on where the flow takes him? Writer’s Mark

Shell Flower said...

Quasar is cool. So awesome that he was able to use the power because he could go with the flow! There is something for everyone out there, even superpowers.

Whole Foods Living said...

Haha! Love his 80s hair! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

walk2write said...

I remember Quasar as a brand of TV. At least I think it was. My brain has been zapped too many times, probably caught in the crossfire between superheroes:)

Do rubber bands have anything to do with your unconventional hero tomorrow?

Nagzilla said...

Omigosh, I am totally geeking out over your theme! Awesome work, man!

Hi from Nagzilla bloghopping A to Z

Samantha May said...

Yeah I don't think I would have those killer instincts either. I think this just means I am meant to be the female Quasar :D

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Quasar was the better name choice...glad he kept trying!

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