Space Phantom

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The Space Phantoms debuted in The Avengers vol. 1 #2 (November 1963), and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Spencer |date=April 17, 2022 |title=Iron Man's Original Weakness Took His Name Way Too Literally |url=https://screenrant.com/iron-man-weakness-water-comics-origin/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} They appeared in the 1966 Thor series,{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=February 11, 2024 |title=The Hidden Reason Behind Thor Losing His Hammer's Time-Traveling Ability |url=https://www.cbr.com/thor-time-travel-mjolnir-mark-gruenwald/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} and in the 1998 Avengers Forever series.{{Cite web |last=Dodge |first=John |date=June 13, 2021 |title=Loki's Time-Keepers Tried to Stop the Avengers from Forming |url=https://www.cbr.com/loki-time-keepers-spance-phantom-immortus/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}

The Space Phantoms were originally various beings who became trapped in Limbo, were transformed into monsters and rendered amnesiac by its effects, and were conditioned to become servants of Immortus.{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=March 13, 2023 |title=10 Ways Immortus Changed The Marvel Timeline |url=https://www.cbr.com/immortus-changed-the-marvel-timeline-kang/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} 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 were multiple. During a journey back in time to 1873, a trio of Space Phantoms was caught impersonating the Gunhawks and the Black Rider.Avengers Forever #5. Marvel Comics. The Space Phantoms were previously said to have originated on the planet Phantus in the Phalbo system in the Milky Way Galaxy.Thor #281. Marvel Comics.Phantom's entry in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (vol. 2) #15. Marvel Comics.

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 The Avengers #2, copying Giant-Man, Iron Man, and Hulk. During his battle with the Avengers, he first copied the Hulk, and battled Iron Man. He took the shape of a flying insect to escape, but Iron Man continued to battle the Hulk. The Space Phantom attacked the Wasp in his insect form, and then became Giant-Man. After fighting Iron Man, he took Iron Man's form. He finally attempted to copy Thor and was returned to Limbo because his powers could not affect Asgardians.The Avengers #2. Marvel Comics.

Since all Space Phantoms appear identical and can appear as any other creature, it can be difficult to determine which Space Phantom did what; the following activities have previously been attributed to the Space Phantom who first encountered the Avengers, but these may not have been the same Space Phantom. A Space Phantom allied with the Grim Reaper and impersonated Madame Hydra, and commanded a division of HYDRA in that identity. The Space Phantom battled the Avengers, but was shunted back into Limbo when he attempted to mimic Rick Jones, who was then linked to Captain Mar-Vell.The Avengers #106–108. Marvel Comics. A Space Phantom was compelled by Immortus to impersonate Mantis to deceive Kang.Giant-Size Avengers #4. Marvel Comics. A Space Phantom attempted to trick Thor into freeing the planet Phantus from Limbo, and allied with Thor to save Phantus, which led to Thor losing Mjolnir's power over time.Thor #281–282. Marvel Comics. A Space Phantom once encountered Rom the Space Knight in Limbo.Rom #19. Marvel Comics. A Space Phantom later encountered the Avengers in Limbo.The Avengers #268. Marvel Comics. A Space Phantom was used as a pawn by the Young God Calculus in a scheme pitting Spider-Man against the Avengers.The Spectacular Spider-Man #168–170. Marvel Comics.

The original Space Phantom is revealed to be disguised as Spider-Man in Beyond!.Beyond! #3. Marvel Comics.

Kurt Busiek used Space Phantoms and Immortus in Avengers Forever to explain a number of inconsistencies such as the Avengers crossover titled The Crossing.

A Space Phantom can assume the form of virtually any single object or living creature at a time, trapping the real entity in Limbo until they switch forms.{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Spencer |date=November 14, 2023 |title=First 10 Villains the Avengers Faced in Marvel Comics Continuity |url=https://screenrant.com/first-10-avengers-villains-marvel-comics/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Brenton |date=January 14, 2022 |title=How a Deadly but Forgotten Avengers Villain Would Decimate Marvel's MCU |url=https://www.cbr.com/how-a-deadly-but-forgotten-avengers-villain-would-decimate-marvels-mcu/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} They have no difficulty imitating a number of people in rapid succession, nor does there appear to be a time limit on the period in which he can imitate someone. A Space Phantom appears to be unable to duplicate certain powerful beings who possess magical enchantments; when he attempts to duplicate such a being he is shunted into Limbo instead. While in the form of another creature, the Space Phantom gains all the abilities of that creature. It can even become an object that travels faster than light.

Additionally, a Space Phantom has knowledge of sophisticated alien technology far in advance of present-day Earth and advanced knowledge of time and time travel.

• A Space Phantom appears in The Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Gillie Fenwick.
• The Space Phantoms appear in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Revenge of the Baby Sat!", voiced by Tom Kenny.
• The Space Phantoms appear in the Avengers Assemble episode "Ghost of a Chance", voiced by David Kaye, with duplicate forms voiced by Troy Baker, Travis Willingham, Roger Craig Smith, Laura Bailey, and Adrian Pasdar.{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=July 7, 2013 |title=Marvel's Avengers Assemble: "Ghost of a Chance" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/07/marvels-avengers-assemble-ghost-of-a-chance-review |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Space Phantom Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Space-Phantom/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}} This version of the species possess a black, gaseous appearance.
• A Space Phantom appears in Rocket & Groot, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.

{{reflist}}

• Space Phantoms at Marvel Wiki
• Space Phantom at Marvel Wiki
• [http://www.comicvine.com/space-phantom/4005-7243/ Space Phantom] at Comic Vine

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Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby

Category:Characters created by Stan Lee

Category:Comics characters introduced in 1963

Category:Fictional shapeshifters

Category:Hydra (comics) agents

Category:Marvel Comics aliens

Category:Marvel Comics supervillains