Knowhere

Last updated
Knowhere
First appearance Nova (vol. 4) #8 (January 2008)
Created by Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
In-universe information
TypeSpace Station
Characters Cosmo
Guardians of the Galaxy
Nova
Knull
Black Order
Publisher Marvel Comics

Knowhere (pronounced "no where") is a fictional location appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and in related media. It is depicted as the enormous severed head of an ancient celestial being and serves as an interdimensional crossroads and scientific observatory.

Contents

Knowhere appears in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor: The Dark World (2013), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) [1] as well as the Disney+ animated series' What If...?' and the Disney XD Guardians of the Galaxy

Development

When asked about how they came up with the idea, authors Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning said:

Honestly, they just came to us. The severed Celestial head was, I think, something that popped out of Andy's mind one day. Similarly, one morning, I said "what about a talking Russian dog?" We run with these things and develop them together. It's hard to pin down where exactly they originate. [2]

Overview

Located within what appears to be a severed head of a Celestial floating along the Rip (the extreme outer edge of all spacetime with no specific physical location), Knowhere acts as a makeshift port of call and observatory of the End of the Universe for intergalactic travelers of all species and from all times. First appearing in Nova (vol. 4) #8 (see Annihilation: Conquest ), the station is administered by its chief of security, Cosmo, a telepathic and telekinetic Soviet space dog originally lost in Earth orbit in the 1960s. [3]

Knowhere maintains minor facilities for close observation of the end of the Universe, a main hall, a marketplace and other amenities including the bar, Starlin's. Cosmo assigns special "passport" bracelets allowing instantaneous transportation to and from anywhere in the Universe via the deceased Celestial's "Continuum Cortex", located within the brain-stem, from where sensors can also detect subtle disruptions in space-time occurring outside The Rip in the greater Universe. [3] Facilitated by Cosmo and Richard Rider, Knowhere comes to be used as the base of operations for the new Guardians of the Galaxy. [4]

The origins of Knowhere as well as who could conceivably decapitate the godlike alien and how it appeared at the end of the Universe were uncertain for a time. Abnett and Lanning have said that the origin is "A mystery that will have to wait for now, but it's a biggie!" [5] Eventually, an answer was given: the Symbiote God Knull, while recounting his origins to Eddie Brock, revealed that he was the one who originally beheaded the Celestial with the use of All-Black the Necrosword and used the detached head to create more symbiotes, then long after Knull abandoned it, it would become the location of Knowhere. [1] [6] [7]

Other versions

During the Secret Wars storyline, Knowhere is shown to be the moon that orbits Battleworld. According to God Emperor Doom, this Knowhere is the head of the Celestial who came to collect Battleworld but was slain in battle by the God Emperor himself and its head is still in orbit around Battleworld as a reminder of Doom's power. [8]

In other media

Television

Knowhere appears in Guardians of the Galaxy (2015).

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Knowhere as depicted in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy Knowhere, as depicted in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy.png
Knowhere as depicted in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy

Knowhere appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This version initially serves as the Collector's headquarters, [9] in which his Tivan Corporation mines cellular material to sell on the black market, before it is later sold to the Guardians of the Galaxy, who convert it into their headquarters. [1]

Video games

Reception

Russ Burlingame considered the rendering of Knowhere "one of the most striking and potentially bizarre images" from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie trailer. [3]

Silverman and Brode described Knowhere as a "criminal lair" at "the fringes of space". They considered the setting a modern incarnation of the frontier of classic Western films, "a place where outlaws and renegades skirt the trappings of society far from the dictates of civilization". [16]

Related Research Articles

<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">Drax the Destroyer</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Drax the Destroyer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55.

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

Mantis is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Don Heck, the character first appeared in The Avengers #112. Mantis has been depicted as a member of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, as the bride of Kang the Conqueror, and as the mother of Sequoia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star-Lord</span> Comic book superhero

Star-Lord is a fictional character and superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Englehart and Steve Gan, the character first appeared in Marvel Preview #4. The son of human Meredith Quill and Spartoi J'son, Peter Quill assumes the mantle of Star-Lord, an interplanetary policeman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)</span> Fictional superhero team appearing in Marvel Comics

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning formed the team from existing and previously unrelated characters created by a variety of writers and artists, with an initial roster of Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Phyla-Vell, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Warlock.

<i>The Thanos Imperative</i> 2010 comic book limited series

The Thanos Imperative is a six-issue comic book limited series published in 2010 by Marvel Comics. It was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and was bookended by two one-shot comics, Ignition and Devastation. The story focuses on the cosmic heroes of the Marvel Universe, who band together to combat the imminent threat of the Fault and the Cancerverse that lies beyond it.

<i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i> (TV series) American superhero animated television series

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is an American animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is produced by Marvel Animation. The series premiered on September 5, 2015 on Disney XD, as part of the Marvel Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmo the Spacedog</span> Marvel Comics character

Cosmo the Space-dog is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Cosmo, a telepathic Soviet space dog, is the security chief of the space station Knowhere and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The character was created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning as a reference to Laika and first appeared in Nova vol. 4 #8.

"Infinity Countdown" is a 2018 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. The storyline leads into the "Infinity Wars" storyline.

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional spacefaring superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Brian Michael Bendis and Valerio Schiti formed this new version of the team with an initial roster of Rocket Raccoon, Kitty Pryde, Thing, Drax the Destroyer, Agent Venom and Groot. However, Star-Lord and Gamora eventually re-joined the team, and so did Angela. This Guardians team first appeared in "Guardians of the Galaxy" Vol. 4 #1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Quill (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Peter Jason Quill, also known by his alias Star-Lord, is a fictional character portrayed primarily by Chris Pratt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Quill is initially depicted as a member of the mercenary group called the Ravagers who was abducted from Earth as a child by Yondu Udonta after his mother died. Quill becomes the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy after they assemble out of necessity to stop Ronan the Accuser from destroying Xandar. He discovers that he is a Celestial hybrid and that his father, Ego, created him as a means to terraform planets. Quill and the Guardians defeat Ego, and he develops a romantic relationship with Gamora. Quill participates in the conflict against Thanos, which results in Gamora's death and Quill becomes a victim of the Blip. He is resurrected by the Avengers and joins in the final battle against Thanos. Quill and the Guardians depart for space, eventually coming into conflict with and defeating the High Evolutionary. Quill leaves the Guardians to return to Earth, reuniting with his grandfather.

<i>The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special</i> Marvel Studios television special

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is an American television special written and directed by James Gunn for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy. It is the second Marvel Studios Special Presentation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films and television series of the franchise. The special is produced by Marvel Studios, and follows the Guardians of the Galaxy as they celebrate Christmas and search for a present for their leader Peter Quill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drax (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Drax the Destroyer, often referred to simply as Drax, is a fictional character portrayed by Dave Bautista in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Drax is depicted as a dimwitted warrior who seeks vengeance against the man who killed his family, Ronan the Accuser. Drax joins the Guardians of the Galaxy in their battle against Ronan. He participates in the conflict against Thanos, falling victim to the Blip before being resurrected by the Avengers. Drax and the Guardians depart for space and come into conflict with the High Evolutionary before Drax retires to watch over the children of the newly established colony on Knowhere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamora (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Gamora is a fictional character portrayed primarily by Zoe Saldaña in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Gamora is depicted as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, having escaped her previous life as an assassin after she was forcibly adopted by Thanos after he murdered half of her people, including her mother. For the next twenty years, she served Thanos as a cybernetically enhanced warrior until betraying him to join the Guardians. Over time she becomes romantically involved with Peter Quill, and develops a positive relationship with her adopted sister Nebula despite their rivalrous upbringing. She is eventually killed by Thanos when he sacrifices her to obtain the Soul Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groot (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Groot is the name of two fictional characters voiced by Vin Diesel and portrayed via motion capture by Diesel, Krystian Godlewski, Sean Gunn, James Gunn, and Terry Notary, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Both Groots are depicted as tree-like humanoids, with the original being Rocket's associate, and the second becoming his adoptive son. Groot I becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and sacrifices himself to save his allies during the battle against Ronan the Accuser. His son, Groot II, is raised by Rocket and the Guardians. He participates in the conflict against Ego and then Thanos, falling victim to the Blip. Groot II is resurrected by the Avengers and participates in the final battle against Thanos before departing for space with the Guardians. After the Guardians defeat the High Evolutionary, Groot II continues to serve on the team, now under the command of Rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantis (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Mantis is a fictional character portrayed by Pom Klementieff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. She is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy with empathic powers and is the paternal half-sister of its leader, Peter Quill. Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), she is an alien ward of Ego with the power to control the emotions of people by touch. She is commonly depicted as having a naive and innocent personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebula (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Nebula is a fictional character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, portrayed by Karen Gillan, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. She is depicted as a blue-skinned alien warrior who is both the adoptive daughter of Thanos, who killed her blood family before raising her, and the adoptive sister of Gamora, with whom she grew to share a bitter rivalry. Although she is first introduced as the secondary antagonist of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), subsequent films see her develop into an antihero and eventually a protagonist, who joins her sister as part of the Guardians of the Galaxy and becomes a member of the Avengers and then officially of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Aspects of this interpretation were later integrated into the comics version of the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rocket Raccoon, commonly referred to simply as Rocket, is a fictional character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise voiced by Bradley Cooper and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Rocket was based on movements from Sean Gunn and an actual raccoon named Oreo. Rocket is a hot-tempered mercenary and weapons expert who, along with his companion Groot, joins the Guardians of the Galaxy. They then come into conflict with Ronan the Accuser and Ego. Following the Blip, Rocket remains on Earth as a member of the Avengers. Five years later, Rocket and the Avengers quantum time travel to alternate universes to find the Infinity Stones. Following their success, Rocket joins the battle against an alternate Thanos, and rejoins the Guardians after their victory; departing for space. Later, he and the Guardians make their base on Knowhere before coming into conflict with Rocket's creator, the High Evolutionary. Rocket then assumes leadership of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

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.

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. Over the course of the films and related media, several teams and organizations have been formed, each with different aims and purposes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Akbas, Tristyn (November 25, 2022). "What is Knowhere in 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special?' The team's new HQ, explained".
  2. An Interview With Nova's Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning! Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine , Nova Prime
  3. 1 2 3 Russ Burlingame (27 May 2018), Guardians of the Galaxy: What's that Huge Head and Who are the Celestials?, Comicbook.com
  4. Inside Look: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Archived 2008-09-02 at the Wayback Machine by DnA, Broken Frontier, May 21, 2008
  5. Lost In Space: Nova #9, Marvel.com, November 21, 2007
  6. Donny Cates ( w ), Ryan Stegman  ( p ),JP Mayer ( i ),Frank Martin ( col ),VC's Clayton Cowles ( let ),Devin Lewis ( ed ).Venom,vol. 4,no. 4(25 July 2018).United States:Marvel Comics.
  7. Cates, Donny (26 July 2018). "Yep! The severed celestial head in VENOM #4 would someday erode and decay and become Knowhere! Good catch!". twitter.com. Twitter . Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  8. Guardians of Knowhere #1
  9. "'Guardians of the Galaxy' Official Character Descriptions (minor spoilers)". Stitch Kingdom. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  10. Various (2019), Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy: The Art Of The Movie, p. 236, ISBN   9781302500719
  11. Truitt, Brian (February 17, 2014). "'Guardians of the Galaxy' crew comes down to Earth". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  12. Meyer, Joshua (May 4, 2023). "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Ending Explained: The Rocket To Knowhere". /Film.
  13. pm, Daniel KrupaPosted: 23 Jul 2014 2:31 (23 July 2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Coming to Disney Infinity - IGN , retrieved 2021-11-06
  14. "SDCC17 Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite: Live Blog".
  15. "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Where to Find Star-Lord's 2014 Movie Costume". ScreenRant. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  16. Silverman, David S.; Brode, Douglas (2020). "The Western Didn't Die, It Just Went Off-World". In Brode, Douglas; Brode, Shea T. (eds.). The Twenty-First-Century Western: New Riders of the Cinematic Stage. Lexington Books. p. 261. ISBN   9781793615114.

Bibliography