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Space Phantom is the name of several characters who belong to a fictional species appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, Space Phantom First appearance in The Avengers vol. 1 #2 (November 1963). A Space Phantom is a being who was transformed by staying in the Limbo dimension too long. They started as adversaries of the superhero team the Avengers.
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 Hank Pym, 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 (November 1963)
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 Mar-Vell. The Avengers #106–108 (December 1972 - February 1973) A Space Phantom was compelled by Immortus to impersonate Mantis to deceive Kang. Giant-Size Avengers #4 (June 1975) 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. A Space Phantom once encountered Rom the Space Knight in Limbo. Rom #19 (June 1981) A Space Phantom later encountered the Avengers in Limbo. The Avengers #268 (June 1986) 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 (September - November 1990)
The original Space Phantom is revealed to be disguised as Spider-Man in Beyond!. Beyond! #3 (November 2006)
Kurt Busiek used Space Phantoms and Immortus in Avengers Forever to explain a number of inconsistencies such as the Avengers crossover titled The Crossing.
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.
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