cosmic_complex-stranger-main COSMIC COMPLEX

Classification: Extraterrestrial planetoid

Location: Deep space (see comments)

Creator: The Stranger

Possessors: The Stranger

First Appearance: Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 (1980)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Cosmic Complex is an artificial planetoid spinning in deep space, its pocked surface made unnaturally forbidding by fainting reflecting the dying days of a distant star. 

    The Complex possesses a number of technological structures, at least on one hemisphere, including the main observatory. 

    The Complex's buildings were packed with computers that gathered information on the universe from various probes sent out by the Stranger.

    The Complex could beam gamma and/or cosmic rays to a specific location (targeting specific individuals) on a planet in another galaxy. 

    Similarly, its instruments could transform the Stranger into energy and then beam him across intergalactic space to a specific location on Earth.

History:
(Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - The Stranger created the Cosmic Complex, one of his many space-born habitations, apparently from a planetoid pocked from meteor-strikes. 

(Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - From his Cosmic Complex, the Stranger discovered Pluto's plot to threaten the entire universe with a rapidly growing black hole. Seeking allies with high levels of raw power, savagery, and innate courage, the Stranger chose the Hulk and the Thing.

(Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 - BTS) - The Stranger caused a gamma ray blast to strike the Fantastic Four in the Fantasticar, leading the Thing to seek out Bruce Banner for aid in treating the incapacitated Human Torch, Invisible Woman, and Mr. Fantastic. At roughly the same time, he caused a cosmic ray blast to strike Betty and General Thaddeus Ross, leading Bruce Banner to seek out Reed Richards.

(Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5) - From his Cosmic Complex's main observatory, the Stranger's equipment reported that the cycle was accelerating. Transforming himself into a bolt of energy, the Stranger pulsed Earthward.

 (Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 - BTS) -  Aided by the Hulk and Thing, the Stranger thwarted Pluto's plot. The Stranger subsequently departed, apparently curing his irradiated victims in the process.

Comments: Created by Alan Kupperburg and Pablo Marcos.

    Deep space refers to space outside the Earth's atmosphere and especially that lying beyond the Earth-moon complex. However, that's an Earth-centric definition, and I don't think that fits what they were going for with the Cosmic Complex. From the Complex, the Stranger was transformed into a galaxy-spanning bolt of energy, so presumably it is outside the Milky Way galaxy. Based on the stars around it, I would think it was within A galaxy, anyway, as opposed to being in intergalactic space. 

    As far as I know, this is the only appearance of the Stranger's Cosmic Complex. It would be great use of continuity for it to show up again...

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Stranger's Cosmic Complex should be distinguished from:


main observatory computer banks and consoles

cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p10-pan1cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p10-pan2cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p10-pan4cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p10-pan3.

.


     There's only 9 images of the Cosmic Complex (unless you count the main image as two), so here are the batch of the main observatory's computers, etc.)


 --Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5


main observatory transport mechanisms

cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p11-pan1cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p11-pan2cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p11-pan4cosmic_complex-stranger-interior-p11-pan3




     Here are the images of the transport mechanism (and nearby area).

--Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5


images: (without ads):
 Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5, pg. 9 (main image - it's a little interesting, but I think the white arc/line represents a panel break, with the lower image showing the Stranger walking on the Cosmic Complex's surface, but it still shows the view of the Cosmic Complex from-orbit view in that image as well);
        pg. 10, panel 1, 2, 4 (consoles);
        pg. 11, panel 1-4 (transportation technology)

Appearances:
 Marvel Two-In-One Annual#5 (1980) - Alan Kupperburg (writer/penciler), Pablo Marcos (inker), Jim Salicrup (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

First posted: 02/05/2022
Last updated: 02/05/2022

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