In-Betweener
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| In-Betweener | |
 The In-Betweener battles Galactus in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #18. Art by Ron Lim. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Warlock #10 (Dec. 1975) |
| Created by | Jim Starlin |
| In story information | |
| Partnerships | Lord Chaos Master Order |
| Abilities | Immortality Reality altering Energy and matter manipulation Psionic abilities |
The In-Betweener is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Warlock #10 (Dec. 1974) and was created by Jim Starlin.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
By the In-Betweener's own admission, he represents the dualities of concepts such as good and evil; logic and emotion; reality and illusion and life and death. [1] The In-Betweener is also an agent of the concepts Lord Chaos and Master Order, although his loyalty is usually to himself rather than to them.[2] In addition to being an incarnation of balance and duality, the In-Betweener is possibly a metaphysical counterpart of Galactus. [3]
The In-Betweener's appearances in the Marvel Universe have been sporadic. The hero Adam Warlock is the first Terran meta-human to encounter the In-Betweener, and the entity reveals that it is destined to force Warlock to transform into his villainous future self the Magus. [4] Warlock, however, was able to escape this fate with help from the Titan Thanos.[5]
The In-Betweener then claims to be the power behind the group of sorcerers known as the Creators' plan to alter the fabric of reality, but secretly seeks to impose his own concept of balance upon the universe. After an encounter with the sorcerer Doctor Strange, the In-Betweener is imprisoned as punishment for rebelling against his masters. [6]
The In-Betweener later attempts to supplant Galactus's role in the universe and allies with the Elders of the Universe in their plan against Galactus. However, the In-Betweener betrays the Elders during a confrontation with the entity Death and compels Death to wipe three of the Elders from existence. [7] Soon after this the In-Betweener also battles Galactus and his robotic servant the Punisher, and is subsequently imprisoned by his masters once more. [8]
He is later freed by Thanos, who secretly desires the Soul Gem the In-Betweener wears, as it is one of the six Infinity Gems. Thanos then steals the gem and abandons the In-Betweener to face the wrath of Lord Order and Master Chaos, who discover he has escaped his prison. [9]
The In-Betweener most recently appeared as a pawn of the villain Scorpio, who is a member of the criminal organization Zodiac. Scorpio, however, was stopped by the superhero team the Avengers and the In-Betweener was subsequently freed. [10]
The In-Betweener also appeared in a story set in the alternate dimension of Earth-957.[11]
[edit] Powers and abilities
As the physical embodiment of the cosmic balance between Chaos and Order, the In-Betweener is able to manipulate cosmic energy to alter reality to achieve nearly any effect or ability, and to tap overwhelming powers within his influence as the synthesis of duality. [12] He is, however, under the absolute control of Lord Chaos and Master Order as his creators. The In-Betweener's other major (and unique) ability is to analyze a target and then direct energy in a "polar opposite" form at the target, which is instantly fatal.
[edit] References
- ^ Warlock #10 (Dec. 1974)
- ^ Thanos Quest #1 (1990)
- ^ Silver Surfer #18 (vol. 3, Dec. 1988)
- ^ Warlock #10 (1975)
- ^ Warlock #11 (Feb. 1975)
- ^ Doctor Strange #26-28 (vol. 2, Dec. - Apr 1974 - 1975 (bi-monthly)
- ^ Silver Surfer #17 (vol. 3, Nov. 1988)
- ^ Silver Surfer #18 (vol. 3, Dec. 1988)
- ^ Thanos Quest #1 (1990)
- ^ Avengers #58 - 60 (vol. 3, Jun. - Aug. 2002)
- ^ What If? vol. 2, #75 (vol. 2, Jul. 1995)
- ^ Silver Surfer #18 (vol. 3, Dec. 1988)
