PLASMAGEN race

Classification: Plasma-based extraterrestrial race 

Location/Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
    only a small group aboard a starship were seen

Known Members: Primo, Secco

Affiliations: None known

Enemies: Reptyl, Thanos

First Appearance: Avengers: Celestial Quest#4 (February, 2002)

Powers/Abilities: Plasmagens are apparently composed of something akin to plasma -- a super-heated state of matter consisting of a partially-ionized gas, containing ions, electrons and neutral atoms -- of which stars are composed.

    They are able to project a similar material (plasma or otherwise) that transmits large amounts of heat, as well as some light. Such flames can instantly consume most living beings and many forms of matter, although beings of sufficient power may resist such heat.

    They may or may not have been able to fly or alter their forms.

    They traveled through space in some form of starship, and it is unrevealed whether they could survive in the vacuum of space; if so, perhaps just for short intervals.

    Primo's powers were markedly enhanced by Thanos, which involved adding the life force of Secco to Primo's.

    Their starship could obviously traverse interstellar space, presumably protect those aboard from the frigid vacuum of space, and fire blasts able to disable torpedoes

Traits: They appeared to be somewhat isolationist/reclusive, as they were surprised find that Thanos knew about them, and one of them appeared to be remarking that they should never have (left their homeworld? ventured so far into open space? who knows?).
    However, they were aware of Thanos and instantly recognized one of his Sanctuary-like ships as his.

    Confident in their power, they assumed that no being of flesh could withstand the heat/fire they generated.

Type:  Bilaterally symmetric bipeds composed of a plasma-like substance.
Eyes: Two (on head; yellow or red colors seen)
Fingers: Apparently Four (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Unrevealed
Surface color: The flames surrounding them were yellow and orange; they were not shown when not aflame (if they even existed in that state)
Average height: Approximately 5'10"?

History:

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#4) - Primo, Secco and a crew of an unidentified number of Plasmagens were in a starship when they were surprised by the apparently sudden appearance of a ship, which one of them (presumably Secco) recognized as belonging to the mad Titan known as Thanos. Secco exclaimed that Thanos knew about the Plasmagen and that "we shoud never--"

    Primo cut off Secco, telling him to forget why Thanos was there, and he instead ordered everyone to battle stations and to keep a sharp lookout for any sign of attack. They spotted and destroyed an approaching torpedo, but they failed to appreciate that Reptyl, who had been empowered to god-like status by Thanos and was wearing a cloak of invisibility had landed atop their ship.

    Reptyl subsequently blasted a hole through their hull, and Primo noted the breach to Secco and ordered repairs. When Reptyl entered their ship, Primo appreciated that he was not Thanos and asked his identity. Regardless, Primo warned him that no man of flesh could withstand his heat; however, Reptyl advised Primo that he was a god, as he not only withstood his heat but advanced on him. Primo then pulled the air out of the room, but the unphased Reptyl then pummeled him unconscious.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#4 (fb) - BTS) - Reptyl brought Primo before Thanos.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#4) - After Primo recovered, Thanos asked him if he wanted to become a god like Reptyl.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#4 (fb) - BTS) - Primo agreed to this.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#4) - As part of Primo's empowerment, Thanos transferred Secco's life force into Primo's form.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#5) - Thanos sent Primo and Reptyl to capture Quoi, child of the Celestial Madonna Mantis, and Raptra, Quoi's pirate ally, and bring them both back alive.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#6) - Primo and Reptyl battled and eventually captured Raptra and Quoi.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#7) - Primo and Reptyl battled the arriving Avengers until their ship was surrounded by the Rot.

(Avengers: Celestial Quest#8) - The Rot broke through Mantis' shields, with a projection extending into the ship and annihilating Primo upon contact.

Comments: Created by Steve Englehart and Jorge Santamaria.

    It was never specified in-story, but it would seem that Thanos had specifically sought out the Plasmagen to make another god after Reptyl. It would seem most likely that Reptyl slew the rest of the crew, but perhaps he just took Primo and Secco and left the others behind.

    With names like Primo and Secco, one might speculate that other crewmen may have been Tertio (or Trio), Quarto, Quinto, Sexo (or Hexo), etc.

    As noted by our late friend and former Appendix and OHotMU writer Kyle Sims, the Shi'ar Imperial Guardsman Starbolt could be of the Plasmogen race, as could one of the Protectors of the Universe pictured in Quasar I#2.

    This profile was completed 09/08/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25^th anniversary 's celebratory event to represent Steve Englehart's stories and characters.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Plasmagen should be distinguished from:

• HODINN -  race consisting of living solar plasma within the Shi'ar Galaxy; identified members G-Type of the Imperial Guard; the Hodinn of the Praetorians--New X-Men I#124
• PLASMA (Leila O'Toole) - Cult of the Living Pharaoh, maternal niece of Living Pharaoh/Monolith, befriended Havok in order to siphon his power--Marvel Comics Presents I#24
• PLASMA of Counter-Earth (Franklin) - Herald of Galactus--Fantastic Four II#10
  
• PLASMA WRAITHS - temporal agents of Mojo at the Big Crunch--Wolverine II#52
• PLASMACABRE - time-traveler on list accessed by Nancy Whitehead--Unbeatable Squirrel Girl II#2
  
• PLASMER (Oonagh Mullarkey) - created when Mullarkey split off her positive aspects into a separate being. Morph into any form she desires, including Plasmonster and Plastrooper--Plasmer#1
  
• PLASMMAGE - see BUEL--Sensational Spider-Man I#21
• other "Plasma" characters, groups, items, events, races or places...or other fiery races...
  
• A list of beings existing at high temperatures is listed here, courtesy of the Marvel Database
  

The Plasmagen traveled through space in some form of starship, and it is unrevealed whether they could survive in the vacuum of space; if so, perhaps just for short intervals. (Avengers: Celestial Quest#4) - Primo, Secco and a crew of an unidentified number of Plasmagens were in a starship when they were surprised by the apparently sudden appearance of a ship, which one of them (presumably Secco) recognized as belonging to the mad Titan known as Thanos. Secco exclaimed that Thanos knew about the Plasmagen and that "we should never--"     Primo cut off Secco, telling him to forget why Thanos was there, and he instead ordered everyone to battle stations and to keep a sharp lookout for any sign of attack. They spotted and destroyed an approaching torpedo, but they failed to appreciate that Reptyl, who had been empowered to god-like status by Thanos and was wearing a cloak of invisibility had landed atop their ship.     Reptyl subsequently blasted a hole through their hull, and Primo noted the breach to Secco and ordered repairs. When Reptyl entered their ship, Primo appreciated that he was not Thanos and asked his identity. Regardless, Primo warned him that no man of flesh could withstand his heat; however, Reptyl advised Primo that he was a god, as he not only withstood his heat but advanced on him. Primo then pulled the air out of the room, but the unphased Reptyl then pummeled him unconscious. --Avengers: Celestial Quest#4

images: (without ads)
Avengers: Celestial Quest#4, pg. 3, panel 4 (starship, exterior);
          panel 5 (Primo (central), Secco to the viewer's left, and other Plasmagen);
       pg. 4, panel 1 (Reptyl on ship's hull);
          panel 4 (Plasmagen during hull breach);
       pg. 15, panel 4 (Thanos empowering Primo with Secco's life force);
Quasar I#2, pg. 18, panel 3 (Protectors of the Universe)

Appearances:
Avengers: Celestial Quest#4-8 (February-June, 2002) - Steve Englehart (writer), Jorge Santamaria (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)

First posted: 09/23/2026
Last updated: 09/08/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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