Ex Nihilo (comics)

Last updated
Ex Nihilo
Ex Nihilo.jpg
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Avengers vol. 5 #1 (December 2012)
Created by Jonathan Hickman
Jerome Opeña
In-story information
Alter egoEx Nihilo
SpeciesGardeners
Team affiliationsBuilders
Gardeners
Avengers
Abilities Chlorokinesis
Organic transformation
Energy blasts
Pyrokinesis
Advanced longevity

Ex Nihilo is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Contents

Publication history

Ex Nihilo first appeared in Avengers vol. 5 #1 (December 2012) and was created by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opeña. [1]

Fictional character biography

Ex Nihilo was one of the Gardeners carried along with his sister Abyss as an egg by an Aleph (a species of robotic creatures created by the Builders). In accordance with their mission as creations of the Builders, Aleph taught them to transform into perfect creatures any species they encountered. [2] Ex Nihilo, Abyss, and their Aleph arrived on Mars where they terraformed it to contain a breathable atmosphere and vegetation. After Ex Nihilo shot an Origin Bomb at Earth to accelerate the evolution of mankind, which affected almost two million people, the Avengers scrambled a response team. Not interested in fighting, Ex Nihilo tried to accelerate Iron Man's evolution so that he no longer needed an exoskeleton. When Black Widow and Hawkeye retaliated, Ex Nihilo became angry and attacked them. During the brawl, Ex Nihilo, Abyss, and the Aleph defeated the Avengers and imprisoned them. A helpless Captain America was sent back to Earth as a message. [3] [4] [5] Awakening three days later, Captain America implemented the Avengers initiative called "Wake The World" which initiated the team's most massive assemblage to date. Ex Nihilo's intervention started being "world-razing" for the Aleph which would force him to destroy the Earth if Ex Nihilo failed to polish this planet. [2] Captain America and those that are part of the "Wake the World" initiative arrived as soon as Ex Nihilo's first human was fully developed. He and his allies fought the Avengers until they noticed the presence of the latest Captain Universe. Ex Nihilo and his allies recognized her as a power beyond them they must obey. Captain Universe ordered Ex Nihilo and Abyss to stop their crossing to transform and/or destroy "imperfect" worlds. However, the Aleph resisted and was finally destroyed by the heroine. Before returning to Earth, the Avengers established that Ex Nihilo could reform Mars as he pleased as long as he did not interfere with Earth. [6]

Ex Nihilo creates Nightmask, an artificial human, on the terraformed surface of the planet Mars. [7] After a fierce battle with the Avengers, Nightmask is taken to Earth and given residence in Avengers Tower. [6]

Nightmask and Star Brand later head to Mars to confront Ex Nihilo. [8]

Omega Flight is sent in by Department H to investigate one of the Origin Bomb sites left by Ex Nihilo in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Validator is changed by the Origin Bomb site while the rest of the Omega Flight members are killed in action. [9]

Some children of the Zebra People in the Savage Land have gotten exposed to the Origin Site placed by Ex Nihilo and had been evolved by it. [10]

Ex Nihilo reveals that in the case of Earth, he did not just transform the life inhabiting it but attempted to rouse the consciousness of the planet itself.[ volume & issue needed ]

In a prelude to the Infinity storyline, Ex Nihilo, Abyss, Nightmask, and Star Brand join the Avengers. [11] After the fight against the Builders and Thanos, Ex Nihilo joins his brethren who endeavor to recreate life on worlds ravaged by the war of the Builders. [12]

During the Time Runs Out storyline, Ex Nihilo and his fellow Gardeners attempted to fix the decaying universe that was the result of the contraction of the Multiverse. [13] Once on Earth, Ex Nihilo and the Gardeners were able to see its whole system and find that Earth has scars. They were offered by Sunspot a one-way trip to help his branch of the Avengers investigate the origin of this decay by using A.I.M. technology and travel across the Multiverse. [14] Sunspot's Avengers branch traveled across numerous universes navigating the map left by the Mapmakers. After one last jump across universes that cost Nightmask's life, Sunspot's Avengers branch found themselves face to face with a fissure in time and space. From it, two Beyonders emerged and demanded the heroes to fall back. Upon denying their request, Sunspot's Avengers faced the Beyonders. In an attempt to reprogram one of the Beyonders, Ex Nihilo, Abyss, and rest of the Gardeners sacrificed themselves. [15]

Powers and abilities

Ex Nihilo has the power to create new life and modify existing life forms on a planetary scale like control the movement and growth of the plants and transform organic life. Ex Nihilo can also fire energy blasts, exhale fire from his mouth, and has advanced longevity.

Other versions

In "What If...Thanos had joined the Avengers", Ex Nihilo appears with the Avengers fighting the Builders. [16]

In other media

Merchandise

Hasbro released an Ex Nihilo action figure as part of Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel Legends line.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Warlock</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Adam Warlock is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #66–67 created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, originally named Him. The character would later be significantly developed by Roy Thomas and Jim Starlin. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character has appeared over several decades of Marvel publications, and starred in the titles Marvel Premiere and Strange Tales as well as five eponymous volumes and several related limited series.

<i>The Infinity Gauntlet</i> 1991 American comic book storyline

The Infinity Gauntlet is an American comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. In addition to an eponymous, six-issue limited series written by Jim Starlin and pencilled by George Pérez and Ron Lim, crossover chapters appeared in related comic books. Since its initial serialization from July to December 1991, the series has been reprinted in various formats and editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infinity Gems</span> Fictional cosmic items with the power to grant a user an ability/abilities

The Infinity Gems are six fictional gems appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, named after and embodying various aspects of existence. The gems can grant whoever wields them various powers in accordance to the aspect of existence they represent, and have the potential of turning the wielder into a god-like being when the main six are held together. Thus, they are among the most powerful and sought-after items in the Marvel Universe; playing important roles in several storylines, in which they were wielded by characters such as Thanos and Adam Warlock. Some of these stories depict additional Infinity Gems or similar objects. Although, the Infinity Gems altogether give its user nigh-omnipotence, the Gems only function on the universe they belong to and not on alternate realities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inhumans</span> Fictional superpowered humans

The Inhumans are a superhuman race of super beings appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The comic book series has usually focused more specifically on the adventures of the Inhuman Royal Family, and many people associate the name "Inhumans" with this particular team of superpowered characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanos</span> Supervillain appearing in Marvel Comics publications and related media

Thanos is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55. An Eternal–Deviant warlord from the moon Titan, Thanos is regarded as one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. He has clashed with many heroes including the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Fantastic Four, the Eternals, and the X-Men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamora</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Gamora is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/artist Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in Strange Tales #180. Gamora is the adopted daughter of Thanos, and the last of her species. Her powers include superhuman strength and agility and an accelerated healing factor. She also is an elite combatant, being able to beat most of the opponents in the galaxy. She is a member of the superhero group known as the Infinity Watch. The character played a role in the 2007 crossover storyline "Annihilation: Conquest", becoming a member of the titular team in its spin-off comic, Guardians of the Galaxy, before becoming the supervillain Requiem in the 2018 crossover storylines "Infinity Countdown" and "Infinity Wars".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Avengers (comics)</span> Group of Marvel Comics

The New Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The title has been used for four American comic book series. The first two were written by Brian Michael Bendis and depicted a version of Marvel's premiere superhero team, the Avengers. The third was written by Jonathan Hickman and depicted a group of characters called the Illuminati. The fourth is written by Al Ewing and depicts the former scientific terrorist group A.I.M., reformed as "Avengers Idea Mechanics", whose field team has appropriated the name "New Avengers" for itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smasher (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

Smasher is the name of multiple different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmic Cube</span> Marvel Comics fictional object

The Cosmic Cube is a fictional object appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. There are multiple Cubes in the Marvel Universe, all of which are depicted as containment devices that can empower whoever wields them. Although the first version, introduced in Tales of Suspense #79 and created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, originated on Earth as a weapon built by Advanced Idea Mechanics, most are of alien origins.

<i>Star Brand</i> Comic book

The Star Brand is the name of a number of similar objects of power in the world of the Marvel Comics. The name "Star Brand" is also often adopted by the wielders of these objects. Three of these Star Brands have been prominently featured in series published by Marvel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightmask</span> Name used by several fictional characters in Marvel Comics

Nightmask is a name and identity used by several fictional characters who appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character to bear the name, Keith Remsen, was created by writer Archie Goodwin, and first appeared in Nightmask #1, a series which was published under Marvel's New Universe imprint. Subsequent characters bearing the name were introduced in the 2006 series newuniversal, and as part of Marvel's 2012 rebranding, Marvel NOW!

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starfox (comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Starfox (Eros) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55, created by Jim Starlin. He is depicted as a member of a human offshoot race known as the Eternals. He was born on Titan where he is the son of Mentor and the nephew of Zuras. Where Eros serves as the superhero Starfox, he is opposed by his mad brother Thanos, much like the rest of the universe. He has the power to psychically control other people's emotions. He was a member of the Avengers and Dark Guardians.

Black Swan is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Jerome Opeña is a Filipino comic book artist best known for his numerous collaborations with writer Rick Remender.

<i>Infinity</i> (comic book) 2013 Marvel Comics storyline

"Infinity" is a 2013 comic book crossover storyline that was published by Marvel Comics. Written by Jonathan Hickman with artwork by a rotating team of artists including Jim Cheung, Jerome Opeña, and Dustin Weaver, the series debuted in August 2013 and ran through November 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proxima Midnight</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Proxima Midnight is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Jonathan Hickman, she first appeared in New Avengers #8. She is a prominent member of the Black Order working for Thanos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corvus Glaive</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Corvus Glaive is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a prominent member of the Black Order, a team of aliens who work for Thanos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Wars (2015 comic book)</span> Storyline by Marvel Comics

"Secret Wars" is a 2015–16 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It recalls the 1984–1985 miniseries of the same name. Released on May 6, 2015, the storyline includes a core Secret Wars miniseries, written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Esad Ribić, which picks up from where the "Time Runs Out" storyline running in The Avengers and New Avengers ended. The event also served as a conclusion to the Fantastic Four after Marvel decided to cancel the title due to a film rights dispute with 20th Century Fox and declining sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebony Maw</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Ebony Maw is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a prominent member of the Black Order, a team of aliens who work for Thanos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supergiant (comics)</span> Comic book supervillain

Supergiant is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opeña, Supergiant first appeared in Infinity.

References

  1. DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 126. ISBN   978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. 1 2 Avengers vol. 5 #2
  3. Hickman, Jonathan  ( w ), Opeña, Jerome  ( a )."Avengers World"The Avengers,vol. 5,no. 1(February 2013).
  4. Hickman, Jonathan ( w ),Opeña, Jerome ( a )."We Were Avengers"Avengers,vol. 5,no. 2(February 2013).
  5. Hickman, Jonathan ( w ),Opeña, Jerome ( a )."The Garden"Avengers,vol. 5,no. 3(March 2013).
  6. 1 2 Avengers vol. 5 #3
  7. Avengers vol. 5 #1
  8. Avengers vol 5 #8
  9. Avengers vol. 5 #10 (June 2013)
  10. Avengers vol. 5 #12
  11. Avengers vol. 5 #17
  12. Infinity #6
  13. Avengers vol. 5 #35
  14. Avengers vol. 5 #36
  15. New Avengers vol. 3 #32
  16. What If? Infinity - Thanos #1. Marvel Comics