Nebulon (comics)

Last updated
Nebulon
Defenders 34.jpg
Cover to Defenders #34
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Defenders #13 (May 1974)
Created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema
In-story information
Species Ul'lula'n
Team affiliationsFormer leader of the Celestial Mind Control Movement
Notable aliasesThe Celestial Man, Mr. Nebul, Dorma

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

Contents

Fictional character biography

Nebulon is an Ul'lula'n, a race of six-tentacled, finned, water-breathing extraterrestrials about 10 feet (3.0 m) in length. He was one of a number of Ul'lula'ns dispatched to locate and secure worlds with the mineral resources that they had depleted on their own home-world of Ul'ula in the Ul system, in the Milky Way galaxy. He took on a glistening, golden humanoid form in an attempt to blend with Earth's human population. Happening upon the evil Hyperion of the Squadron Sinister who was trapped in space, Nebulon rescued him. Hyperion led the alien back to Earth to let him have it. Nebulon helped Hyperion gather the other Squadron Sinister members to build a laser cannon that would melt the polar ice caps and flood the planet, making it perfectly suitable to the Ul'lula'ns. [1]

Nighthawk, a former Squadron Sinister member, had been coerced into helping with this plan. He contacted the Defenders, who traveled to the North Pole and fought the Squadron Sinister. During the course of the battle, Nebulon expended so much energy that he lost control of his humanoid form and reverted to his monstrous form; Nighthawk took advantage of the confusion this caused among Nebulon's allies and turned the laser cannon on Nebulon, causing him to seemingly implode. [2]

In reality, Nebulon retreated to another dimension called Zaar, inhabited by the Ludberdites. Nebulon adopted their philosophy of improving the lives of "lesser" beings, and returned to Earth to save its people from themselves. In the guise of "Mr. Nebul," he started a movement called Celestial Mind Control which promised to liberate the powers of the human mind, but actually robbed people of their free will. [3] Nebulon recruited the Porcupine, the original Eel, and a Plantman simulacrum as his agents. [4] The Defenders became aware of this movement and tried to stop him. However, he exiled the Defenders to another dimension. [5] At the same time as Nebulon's movement, the Headmen were attempting a similar movement. Nebulon engaged in battle with the Defenders and the Headmen. When the Defenders exposed the Headmen's political machinations, they managed to convince Nebulon of the futility of his goal, and Doctor Strange persuaded him to leave Earth. [6]

When the Ul'lula'n government learned of Nebulon's activities, it tried and convicted him for treason. Nebulon escaped into Earth's ocean and took the form of the deceased Lady Dorma. He convinced the Atlanteans that she had survived, and used her popularity to convince them to attack London. The Defenders uncovered his latest deception. Soon afterward, an Ul'lula'n ship appeared and took custody of Nebulon. [7] The authorities stripped much of his power from him, fixing him in his humanoid form, and exiling him on Earth. He was ordered to do the honorable thing and commit suicide, but refused. Nebulon's wife, Supernalia, learned of his dishonor and traveled to Earth to convince him to do the right thing. Nebulon was planning to use his technology to siphon power from the Avengers and restore his powers. Supernalia enlisted the aid of the Defenders, and the Defenders and Avengers were manipulated into fighting each other on the behalf of the two Ul'lula'ns. Supernalia realized that her own actions were a violation of her people's ethics, and threw herself into the energy-draining ray; Nebulon tried to save her but fell into the ray himself. As Nebulon died from the bombardment by the energy-draining Ennui-ray, he believed he was finally acting honorably. The Avengers and Defenders buried the two aliens where they died, in the snow of the Himalayan Mountains. [8]

Powers and abilities

Nebulon's powers are a result of biospheric energy and his alien physiology. He has superhuman strength, durability, and reflexes. Nebulon had the ability to manipulate energy for a variety of effects, including the creation of spheres, shields, or energy bolts, teleportation across the surface of a planet and between dimensions, and shape-shifting. Nebulon's powers were dependent on the biospheric energy of planets. If he were deprived of contact with a planetary biosphere long enough, his power level would be reduced to that of a normal human being. In his true form, Nebulon appears as a 10-foot (3.0 m) long gigantic six-tentacled cephalopod.

Nebulon possessed a gifted intellect and has extensive knowledge of existential philosophy.

Related Research Articles

Beyonder Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

The Beyonder is a fictional cosmic entity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Jim Shooter and artist Mike Zeck, the Beyonder first appeared in Secret Wars #1 as an unseen, self-proclaimed omnipotent being who kidnapped the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe and had them do battle on another planet called Battleworld.

Whizzer (comics)

Whizzer is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character debuted during the Golden Age in USA Comics #1, and was reintroduced in Giant-Size Avengers #1. A second villainous version debuts during the Silver Age in The Avengers #69, and a second heroic version debuting in The Avengers #85.

Squadron Supreme Group of fictional characters by Marvel Comics

The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, of which there are several notable alternate versions. The original team was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, and derived from the previously created supervillain team Squadron Sinister.

Hyperion (comics)

Hyperion is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, of which there are several notable versions. The original Hyperion made his debut in The Avengers #69, created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema. The alternate versions are each from a different dimension of the Marvel Multiverse, and consist of both heroes and villains. Thomas says that the character was intended as a pastiche of DC's iconic hero Superman.

Nighthawk (Marvel Comics) Fictional superhero

Nighthawk is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. There have been six versions of the character: a supervillain-turned-superhero from the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity, Kyle Richmond, who belonged to the team Squadron Sinister; and five from alternate universes, who belonged to various incarnations of the team Squadron Supreme, including Neal Richmond and Jackson "Jack" Norris.

Grandmaster (Marvel Comics) fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics

The Grandmaster is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Avengers #69. The Grandmaster is one of the ageless Elders of the Universe and has mastered most civilizations' games of skill and chance. Different media appearances depict him as the brother of the Collector.

Doctor Spectrum

Doctor Spectrum is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character to date—three supervillains from the mainstream Marvel Universe belonging to the team Squadron Sinister (Earth-616) and two heroes from different alternate universes. The two heroes each belong to a version of the team Squadron Supreme, the Squadron Supreme of Earth-712 and the Squadron Supreme of Earth-31916 respectively). Doctor Spectrum is a pastiche of DC's Green Lantern.

Zarda, commonly known as Power Princess, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. There are two notable versions of the character, each from alternate realities in Marvel's multiverse. The first version of the character is a pastiche of DC Comics' character Wonder Woman.

Plantman is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Speed Demon (comics)

Speed Demon is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema, the character made his first appearance in The Avengers #69 as a member of the Squadron Sinister known as the Whizzer.

Redstone (comics)

Redstone is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Squadron Sinister Fictional supervillain team

The Squadron Sinister is a fictional supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Sinister first appeared in the final panel of The Avengers #69, created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema. The team is a pastiche of DC's Justice League.

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

Orrgo

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

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on superhero films and other series starring various titular superheroes independently produced by Marvel Studios and based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters. Due to the galaxy-spanning nature of the franchise, multiple species have been introduced.

References

  1. The Defenders #13
  2. The Defenders #14
  3. The Defenders #33
  4. The Defenders #36-37
  5. The Defenders #38
  6. The Defenders Annual #1
  7. The Defenders #93
  8. The Avengers Annual #11 (1982)