History ComicBook / Quasar

Quasar is a Creator/MarvelComics series created by Don Glut, Creator/RoyThomas, and John Buscema. Making his debut in ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica #217'' (January, 1978).

As Quasar, Vaughn learned the true origins of the Quantum Bands from the CosmicEntity Eon. The Bands were to be used by the Eon's champion, the Protector of the Universe, a title once held by ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}. The Protector's role was to keep Eon alive, as assassins would attempt to kill him to attain Cosmic Awareness. Accepting the title, Vaughn leaves Earth for a time until a rift develops between himself and Eon. Discovering that his father has been dead for some time, Quasar quits his job as Protector after learning that Eon had been impersonating Dr. Vaughn out of self-preservation. Eon believed that a Cosmic Assassin killed the doctor to weaken Vaughn's mental stability enough to make a move. The assassin, Maelstrom, reveals himself to Vaughn on Earth. Vaughn's powers could not touch Maelstrom, so the assassin cut off Quasar's forearms and took the Quantum Bands for himself. Dying, Vaughn encounters the spirits of Captain Mar-Vell and his father, who convince Quasar not to give up. Vaughn dies, stabbed through the heart by his own personal death avatar, Kid Reaper. Reappearing as an energy being in the Eonverse, Quasar kills Eon to prevent Maelstrom from acquiring the Cosmic Awareness, and in a cosmic battle for the fate of the universe, manages to trick Maelstrom, causing his death.

Quasar later joined the Comicbook/TheAvengers after helping them in the battle against [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} Super-Nova]].

!!Quasar provides examples of:

%%* ArchEnemy / BigBad: Maelstrom

* BarrierWarrior: At his most powerful moments, Quasar can create "Q-Fields" strong enough to withstand the combined strength of the [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]], [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]], [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], ComicBook/SheHulk, the ComicBook/FantasticFour, half a dozen ComicBook/XMen, and even Comicbook/WonderWoman.
%%* ChestInsignia
%%* ClingyMacGuffin: The Quantum Bands.

* {{Flight}}: His peak speed is somewhere around the speed-of-light. That's not even taking into account the fact that he can effectively teleport across astronomical distances.

%%* HardLight
%%* HyperAwareness: The Cosmic Awareness

* ImaginationBasedSuperpower: Quasar similarly uses the Quantum Bands as the former TropeNamer Green Lantern Ring, though some Green Lantern abilities are beyond their reach.

%%* NighInvulnerable

%%* SuperheroesWearCapes

* GreenLanternRing: Quasar similarly uses the Quantum Bands as the TropeNamer, though some Green Lantern abilities are beyond their reach.

When GalacticConqueror Annihilus threatens the galaxy in the ''Annihilation'' miniseries, Quasar is among the heroes assembled to stop him. Overpowering the heroes, Annihilus kills Quasar, taking the Quantum Bands and Vaughn's energy for himself. Later, Phyla-Vell would join the fight against Annihilus, leading to his defeat by forcing the Quantum Bands to abandon the villain at a key moment.

Vaughn would later be resurrected as a being made of quantum energy for a brief period within [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} the pages of Nova]] before he was restored to flesh and blood on a journey to another universe. After the events of ComicBook/TheThanosImperative, he would go on to join a short-lived group of other cosmic heroes called the 'ComicBook/{{Annihilators}}'.

Phyla-Vell later acquired the Quantum Bands at the end of ComicBook/{{Annihilation}} and became the new Quasar in ''Annihilation: Conquest Prologue'' #1 (August, 2007).

Now in possession of the Quantum Bands, Phyla-Vell uses her new powers to help the people who survived the 'Annihilation Wave'. Later, Phyla hones her skill with the Quantum Bands during ''Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar'' series, eventually defeating the evil android [[AllYourPowersCombined Super-Adaptoid]] and taking up Quasar's mantle for the first time. After ''Conquest'', Quasar joins the new Comicbook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy.

Phyla-Vell's time as Quasar is short-lived, coming to an end after losing the Quantum Bands to the resurrected Maelstrom. Forced to make a deal to save Moondragon, her lover, Phyla agrees to become the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification new avatar of Oblivion]], afterward adopting the name Martyr; meanwhile, Wendell came back from the dead and reclaimed the Bands from Maelstrom, by cutting them off ''his'' hands in a very familiar manner. Phyla was later killed during the resurrection of ComicBook/{{Thanos}}.

While working at Pleasant Hill, a gated community holding super villains brainwashed by Kobik, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Avril Kincaid encountered a retired Wendell Vaughn. As part of a contingency plan for if Pleasant Hill ever lost control of Kobik, Vaughn gave the Quantum Bands to Kincaid. In the aftermath of the events that transpired at Pleasant Hill, Kincaid becomes the new Quasar with Vaughn acting as her mentor.

Kincaid was later seen trying to prevent an attack by the Chitauri but was apparently killed in action. Her apparent death leads the United States government to give Captain America control of the military and law enforcement, as Steve Rogers also assumes control of Hydra. It is later revealed that Kincaid is in a comatose state.[5] When she awakens, she destroys the planetary shield that the Hydra Steve Rogers has been using to keep some of Earth's most powerful heroes off-planet. However, this act seemingly costs Avril her life, with Captain Marvel stating that Avril died after bringing down the shield.

After Avril's apparent demise, Wendell Vaughn re-assumes the Quasar mantle. However, after becoming trapped in a black hole, Vaughn catches a glimpse of Avril, who is still alive, but lost somewhere in space.

When Vaughn, Beta Ray Bill, and the Silver Surfer, among others, found themselves trapped in a black hole, Vaughn used another set of Quantum Bands to assist the Surfer in escaping. In doing so, their combined powers, and the gravity of the black hole, revealed the presence of Kincaid, who had survived her sacrifice but was trapped in the black void of outer space.

After months of trying to work it out, Wendell and Avril found that by striking the Bands against each other they could exchange places, similarly to Rick Jones and Mar-Vell years before. With this new possibility on the table, the Guardians of the Galaxy could now count on both Quasars, using whichever was better for the mission at hand.

* BarrierWarrior: At his most powerful moments, Quasar can create "Q-Fields" strong enough to withstand the combined strength of the [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]], [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], ComicBook/SheHulk, the ComicBook/FantasticFour, half a dozen ComicBook/XMen, and even Comicbook/WonderWoman.

Vaughn would later be resurrected as a being made of quantum energy for a brief period within [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} the pages of Nova]] before he was restored to flesh and blood on a journey to another universe. After the events of ComicBook/TheThanosImperative, he would go on to join a short-lived group of other cosmic heroes called 'Annihilators'.

Quasar is a Creator/MarvelComics series created by Don Glut, Roy Thomas, and John Buscema. Making his debut in ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica #217'' (January, 1978).

* BiggerBad: Oblivion is Maelstrom's backer and, one way or another, is involved with most of the major villains the Quasars have found themselves fighting; but Wendell has only fought him once, briefly, and Phyla never.

Quasar is a Creator/MarvelComics series created by Don Glut, Roy Thomas and John Buscema. Making his debut in ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica #217'' (January, 1978).

Declared unfit for field work, for not having a "killer instinct", after graduating from [[ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} S.H.I.E.L.D.]] Academy, Wendell Vaughn was offered a job at a [[ComicBook/IronMan Stark International]] research facility where his father, Dr. Gilbert Vaughn, was experimenting with the Quantum Bands, two alien wristbands of great power left behind after the death of Crusader, the original Marvel Boy's evil duplicate. After an attack by A.I.M. forces Vaughn to use the Bands in self defense, the second Marvel Boy is born. Now a charter member of the newly-created S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agents, Vaughn later changes his name to Quasar after his father speculates that the Quantum Bands get their power from actual quasars: Quasi-Stellar objects.

As Quasar, Vaughn learned the true origins of the Quantum Bands from the CosmicEntity Eon. The Bands were to be used by the Eon's champion, the Protector of the Universe, a title once held by ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}. The Protector's role was to keep Eon alive, as assassins would attempt to kill him to attain Cosmic Awareness. Accepting the title, Vaughn leaves Earth for a time until a rift develops between himself and Eon. Discovering that his father has been dead for some time, Quasar quits his job as Protector after learning that Eon had been impersonating Dr. Vaughn out of self-preservation. Eon believed that a Cosmic Assassin killed the doctor to weaken Vaughn's mental stability enough to make a move. The assassin, Maelstrom, reveals himself to Vaughn on Earth. Vaughn's powers could not touch Maelstrom, so the assassin cut off Quasar's forearms and took the Quantum Bands for himself. Dying, Vaughn encounters the spirits of Captain Mar-Vell and his father, who convince Quasar not to give up. Vaughn dies, stabbed through the heart by his own personal death avatar, Kid Reaper. Reappearing as an energy being in the Eonverse, Quasar kills Eon to prevent Maelstrom from acquiring the Cosmic Awareness, and in a cosmic battle for the fate of the universe, is able to trick Maelstrom, causing his death.

Quasar later joined the Comicbook/TheAvengers after helping them in battle against [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} Super-Nova]].

Vaughn would later be resurrected as a quantum energy being for a brief period of time within [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} the pages of Nova]] before he was restored to flesh and blood on a journey to another universe. After the events of ComicBook/TheThanosImperative, he would go on to join a short-lived group of other cosmic heroes call 'Annihilators'.

Phyla-Vell later acquired the Quantum Bands at the end of ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}, and became the new Quasar in ''Annihilation: Conquest Prologue'' #1 (August, 2007).

Phyla-Vell's time as Quasar is short lived, coming to an end after losing the Quantum Bands to the resurrected Maelstrom. Forced to make a deal to save Moondragon, her lover, Phyla agrees to become the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification new avatar of Oblivion]], afterwords adopting the name Martyr; meanwhile, Wendell came back from the dead and reclaimed the Bands from Maelstrom, by cutting them off ''his'' hands in a very familiar manner. Phyla was later killed during the resurrection of ComicBook/{{Thanos}}.

Kincaid was later seen trying to prevent an attack by the Chitauri, but was apparently killed in action. Her apparent death leads the United States government to give Captain America control of the military and law enforcement, as Steve Rogers also assumes control of Hydra. It is later revealed that Kincaid is in a comatose state.[5] When she awakens, she destroys the planetary shield that the Hydra Steve Rogers has been using to keep some of Earth's most powerful heroes off-planet. However, this act seemingly costs Avril her life, with Captain Marvel stating that Avril died after bringing down the shield.

When Vaughn, Beta Ray Bill, and the Silver Surfer, among others, found themselves trapped a black hole, Vaughn used another set of Quantum Bands to assist the Surfer in escaping. In doing so, their combined powers, and the gravity of the black hole, revealed the presence of Kincaid, who had survived her sacrifice, but was trapped in the black void of outer space.

* GreenLanternRing: Quasar uses the Quantum Bands in a similar manner as the TropeNamer, though some Green Lantern abilities are beyond their reach.

** Of course, most magic users are helpless against the Quantum-Bands as shown when Phoenix teamed-up with Modred against Quasar and Excalibur in ''Quasar #11''. So it evens out.
* LegacyCharacter: Wendell started his career as the second Marvel Boy. Phyla takes up Quasar's mantle after the events of ''Annihilation''. In the past, Phyla was the fourth ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}. [[ComicBook/{{Nova}} Richard Rider]] also briefly served as the third Quasar after being stripped of the Nova Force.

* BarrierWarrior: At his most powerful moments, Quasar can create "Q-Fields" strong enough to withstand the combined strength of the [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]], [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], ComicBook/SheHulk, the ComicBook/FantasticFour, and half a dozen ComicBook/XMen.

Declared unfit for field work, for not having a "killer instinct", after graduating from [[ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} S.H.I.E.L.D.]] Academy, Vaughn was offered a job at a [[ComicBook/IronMan Stark International]] research facility where his father, Dr. Gilbert Vaughn, was experimenting with the Quantum Bands, two alien wristbands of great power left behind after the death of Crusader, the original Marvel Boy's evil duplicate. After an attack by A.I.M. forces Vaughn to use the Bands in self defense, the second Marvel Boy is born. Now a charter member of the newly-created S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agents, Vaughn later changes his name to Quasar after his father speculates that the Quantum Bands get their power from actual quasars: Quasi-Stellar objects.

* LegacyCharacter: Wendell started his career as the second Marvel Boy. Phyla takes up Quasar's mantle after the events of ''Annihilation''. In the past, Phyla was the fourth ComicBook/CaptainMarVell. [[ComicBook/{{Nova}} Richard Rider]] also briefly served as the third Quasar after being stripped of the Nova Force.

As Quasar, Vaughn learned the true origins of the Quantum Bands from the CosmicEntity Eon. The Bands were to be used by the Eon's champion, the Protector of the Universe, a title once held by ComicBook/CaptainMarVell. The Protector's role was to keep Eon alive, as assassins would attempt to kill him to attain Cosmic Awareness. Accepting the title, Vaughn leaves Earth for a time until a rift develops between himself and Eon. Discovering that his father has been dead for some time, Quasar quits his job as Protector after learning that Eon had been impersonating Dr. Vaughn out of self-preservation. Eon believed that a Cosmic Assassin killed the doctor to weaken Vaughn's mental stability enough to make a move. The assassin, Maelstrom, reveals himself to Vaughn on Earth. Vaughn's powers could not touch Maelstrom, so the assassin cut off Quasar's forearms and took the Quantum Bands for himself. Dying, Vaughn encounters the spirits of Captain Mar-Vell and his father, who convince Quasar not to give up. Vaughn dies, stabbed through the heart by his own personal death avatar, Kid Reaper. Reappearing as an energy being in the Eonverse, Quasar kills Eon to prevent Maelstrom from acquiring the Cosmic Awareness, and in a cosmic battle for the fate of the universe, is able to trick Maelstrom, causing his death.

* ArchEnemy / BigBad: Maelstrom

* BaldWomen: Moondragon, Phyla's lover. Moondragon also showed interest in Vaughn while he was Protector of the Universe.

* ChestInsignia
* ClingyMacGuffin: The Quantum Bands.

* HardLight
* HyperAwareness: The Cosmic Awareness

* NighInvulnerable

* SuperheroesWearCapes
* SuperheroesWearTights

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsQuasar]]

[[quoteright:312:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/quasar32_1600.gif]]

Quasar is a Creator/MarvelComics superhero created by Don Glut, Roy Thomas and John Buscema. Making his debut in ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica #217'' (January, 1978), Wendell Elvis Vaughn wields the Quantum Bands: powerful wristbands that tap into the unlimited power of the [[AnotherDimension Quantum Zone]]. Originally naming himself Marvel Boy after UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}} hero who owned a similar pair of wristbands, Quasar gradually carves out his own identity as one of Marvel's most powerful cosmic heroes.

Declared unfit for field work, for not having a "killer instinct", after graduating from [[ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} S.H.I.E.L.D.]] Academy, Vaughn was offered a job at a [[ComicBook/IronMan Stark International]] research facility where his father, Dr. Gilbert Vaughn, was experimenting with the Quantum Bands, two alien wristbands of great power left behind after the death of Crusader, the original Marvel Boy's evil duplicate. After an attack by A.I.M. forces Vaughn to use the Bands in self defense, the second Marvel Boy is born. Now a charter member of the newly-created S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agents, Vaughn later changes his name to Quasar after his father speculates that the Quantum Bands get their power from actual quasars: Quasi-Stellar objects.

As Quasar, Vaughn learned the true origins of the Quantum Bands from the CosmicEntity Eon. The Bands were to be used by the Eon's champion, the Protector of the Universe, a title once held by ComicBook/CaptainMarVell. The Protector's role was to keep Eon alive, as assassins would attempt to kill him to attain Cosmic Awareness. Accepting the title, Vaughn leaves Earth for a time until a rift develops between himself and Eon. Discovering that his father has been dead for some time, Quasar quits his job as Protector after learning that Eon had been impersonating Dr. Vaughn out of self-preservation. Eon believed that a Cosmic Assassin killed the doctor to weaken Vaughn's mental stability enough to make a move. The assassin, Maelstrom, reveals himself to Vaughn on Earth. Vaughn's powers could not touch Maelstrom, so the assassin cut off Quasar's forearms and took the Quantum Bands for himself. Dying, Vaughn encounters the spirits of Captain Mar-Vell and his father, who convince Quasar not to give up. Vaughn dies, stabbed through the heart by his own personal death avatar, Kid Reaper. Reappearing as an energy being in the Eonverse, Quasar kills Eon to prevent Maelstrom from acquiring the Cosmic Awareness, and in a cosmic battle for the fate of the universe, is able to trick Maelstrom, causing his death.

Quasar joins the Comicbook/TheAvengers after helping them in battle against [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} Super-Nova]].

When GalacticConqueror Annihilus threatens the galaxy in the ''Annihilation'' miniseries, Quasar is among the heroes assembled to stop him. Overpowering the heroes, Annihilus kills Quasar, taking the Quantum Bands and Vaughn's energy for himself. Later, Phyla-Vell would join the fight against Annihilus, leading to his defeat by forcing the Quantum Bands to abandon the villain at a key moment.

Vaughn would later be resurrected as a quantum energy being for a brief period of time within [[{{Comicbook/Nova}} the pages of Nova]] before he was restored to flesh and blood on a journey to another universe. After the events of ComicBook/TheThanosImperative, he would go on to join a short-lived group of other cosmic heroes call 'Annihilators'.

'''Phyla-Vell'''

Phyla-Vell first appeared in ''Captain Marvel'' vol. 6 #16 (December, 2003), created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta. Formerly Captain Mar-Vell, she is a daughter of ComicBook/CaptainMarVell and Elysius and the sister of the late Genis-Vell. She acquired the Quantum Bands at the end of ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}, and became the new Quasar in ''Annihilation: Conquest Prologue'' #1 (August, 2007).

Now in possession of the Quantum Bands, Phyla-Vell uses her new powers to help the people who survived the 'Annihilation Wave'. Later, Phyla hones her skill with the Quantum Bands during ''Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar'' series, eventually defeating the evil android [[AllYourPowersCombined Super-Adaptoid]] and taking up Quasar's mantle for the first time. After ''Conquest'', Quasar joins the new Comicbook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy.

Phyla-Vell's time as Quasar is short lived, coming to an end after losing the Quantum Bands to the resurrected Maelstrom. Forced to make a deal to save Moondragon, her lover, Phyla agrees to become the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification new avatar of Oblivion]], afterwords adopting the name Martyr; meanwhile, Wendell came back from the dead and reclaimed the Bands from Maelstrom, by cutting them off ''his'' hands in a very familiar manner. Phyla was later killed during the resurrection of ComicBook/{{Thanos}}.

Phyla also was among the cast of ''ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' to appear in a episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' and while under her Quasar title along with the Quantum Bands.

'''Avril Kincaid'''

[[index]]

[[AC:{{Comics}}]]
* ''Quasar''

'''Storylines'''
* ''ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet''
* ''ComicBook/TheInfinityWar''
* ''ComicBook/OperationGalacticStorm''
* ''Maximum Security''
* ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers''
* ''ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}''
* ''Annihilation: Conquest''
* ''ComicBook/SecretInvasion''

[[/index]]

----
!Tropes seen in these series include:

* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: Quasar is Marvel's version of DC's ComicBook/GreenLantern (though this was a retcon- the original Marvel Boy was based on UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}} ComicBook/{{Superboy}} and Wendell had the same powers at first.)
** This is made even more obvious in the 2000's cosmic storylines where he becomes a very close ally of the Nova Corps, Marvel's other major Green Lantern equivalent.
* ArchEnemy / BigBad: Maelstrom
* BackFromTheDead: Depending on how exactly you define "death," Wendell has returned from it either two or three times. Phyla also returned from the dead as Martyr as part of her deal to save Moondragon.
* BaldWomen: Moondragon, Phyla's lover. Moondragon also showed interest in Vaughn while he was Protector of the Universe.
* BarrierWarrior: At his most powerful moments, Quasar can create "Q-Fields" strong enough to withstand the combined strength of the [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]], [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]], [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], ComicBook/SheHulk, the ComicBook/FantasticFour, and half a dozen ComicBook/XMen.
* BiggerBad: Oblivion is Maelstrom's backer and, one way or another, is involved with most of the major villains the Quasars have found themselves fighting; but Wendell has only fought him once, briefly, and Phyla never.
* ChestInsignia
* ClingyMacGuffin: The Quantum Bands.
* EmpathicWeapon: The Quantum Bands. The Bands willingly choose Phyla over Annihilus during ''Annihilation''. Later, the Bands would return to Wendell after Maelstrom is defeated.
* EnergyAbsorption: Like his predecessor, Marvel Boy, Quasar could only absorb light, and, later, the entire electromagnetic spectrum. After his encounter with Eon, Quasar learned that the Quantum Bands could absorb almost all forms of energy, including the ComicBook/SilverSurfer's Power Cosmic. Only magic and Darkforce energy cannot be manipulated by the Quantum Bands.
* {{Flight}}: His peak speed is somewhere around the speed-of-light. That's not even taking into account the fact that he can effectively teleport across astronomical distances.
* GreenLanternRing: Quasar uses the Quantum Bands in a similar manner as the TropeNamer, though some Green Lantern abilities are beyond their reach.
* HandBlast: Quasar can project energy beams from the Quantum Bands with incredible power. In ''Quasar #26'', Quasar blasted ComicBook/{{Thanos}} with the equivalent of 100 megatons.
* HardLight
* HyperAwareness: The Cosmic Awareness
* {{Hyperspace}}: Quasar uses Quantum Jumps to travel interstellar distances.
* KryptoniteFactor: The Quantum Bands are ineffective against magic.
** Of course, most magic users are helpless against the Quantum-Bands as shown when Phoenix teamed-up with Modred against Quasar and Excalibur in ''Quasar #11''. So it evens out.
* LegacyCharacter: Wendell started his career as the second Marvel Boy. Phyla takes up Quasar's mantle after the events of ''Annihilation''. In the past, Phyla was the fourth ComicBook/CaptainMarVell. [[ComicBook/{{Nova}} Richard Rider]] also briefly served as the third Quasar after being stripped of the Nova Force.
* NighInvulnerable
* ShapingYourAttacks: Both Quasars can create quantum constructs of yellow energy. Vaughn prefers nunchaku for close encounters, while Phyla is rarely seen without her Quantum Sword.
* SuperheroesWearCapes
* SuperheroesWearTights
* SupernaturalFearInducer: Phobius, one of Maelstrom's minions, also has psychic fear powers.

!!Quasar I (Wendell Vaughn):
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3885635_740232_quasar_print_by_brentpeeples_d5dre03.jpg]]
* ButtMonkey: If he appears in a story written by Jim Starlin, he's gonna be humiliated.
* ChekhovsGunman: Mark Gruenwald created Maelstrom in 1980 for the specific purpose of eventually becoming Quasar's ArchEnemy when he got his own series...which didn't happen until 1989.
* ChickMagnet / EvenTheGuysWantHim
* DomedHometown: Vaughn finds the ruins of a domed city on Uranus, revealed to be the same city where the original Marvel Boy grew up.
* EnergyBeings: During ''Secret Invasion'', Vaughn returns from the dead as an energy being similar to the constructs created by the Quantum Bands.
* TheEveryman
* FlatEarthAtheist: Possibly an AuthorAvatar as well. Eventually became more agnostic/Deist.
--> ''"Maybe I'm not the atheist I thought I was. Maybe I just haven't found the God that's right for me."''
* FlyingFirepower: Possesses the Quantum Bands, which allow him to fly at lightspeeds and fire quantum energy.
* HumanPopsicle: Vaughn entered a form of suspended animation for his trip from Earth to Uranus.
* InstantExpert: Averted. Vaughn doesn't become truly proficient with the Quantum Bands until his encounter with Eon.
** Played straight with his new moveset when he was made of quantum energy.
* LookWhatICanDoNow: After taking a four year journey to Uranus, where Eon opened his mind to the full potential of the Quantum Bands, Quasar uses a Quantum Jump to return to Earth. Total return time: 15 seconds.
* MeaningfulName: Wendell means 'Wanderer' and given to the fact that at the end of his solo series, his name fits as he was on a forced exile to Space from Earth.
* TheMentor: Serves as this to [[ComicBook/{{Nova}} Richard Rider]] when he became the third Quasar.
* MistakenIdentity: Meeting for the first time at the Project: PEGASUS facility, the Thing attacks Quasar after mistaking him for Crusader, Marvel Boy's evil duplicate. Eventually the two become good friends.
* NamedAfterSomebodyFamous: Wendell '''Elvis''' Vaughn
* NiceGuy: Vaughn is the kind of guy who calls everyone "sir" or "ma'am", even his enemies on occasion.
* NoSell: Mental attacks won't work on Wendell, period. His mind can be ''read'', but not ''affected.''
* OnlyMostlyDead: How he survived his most recent demise. He tried to teleport away, and only some of him made it out.
* OnlySaneMan: Wendell ''hates'' the seemingly obligatory hero-vs.-hero fights, and if caught in or near one will do everything in his power to defuse it; talk his way out of it, put up a barrier between the fighting parties...
* PrettyBoy: Depending on the artist, the most prominent example is when Greg Capullo draws him in several issues of the solo series. In one issue, he was even called 'Pretty Boy' by a villain.
* ShoutOut / TakeThat: Possibly at Franchise/GreenLantern with William Wesley, a cocky test pilot with HeroicWillpower who explodes after an experiment with the Quantum Bands goes wrong.
* TechnicalPacifist: Because he wields great power, Vaughn follows a standard operation procedure to avoid [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] his enemies. He '''contains''' the threat with a Q-Field, '''drains''' him or her of energy (if applicable), then '''attacks''' with various quantum constructs as necessary.
* TimeToUnlockMoreTruePotential: Vaughn's encounter with Eon opened his mind to the full potential of the Quantum Bands.
* TeleportersAndTransporters
* TransformationTrinket: His Quantum Bands
* VoluntaryShapeshifting: Available only in energy being form. In ''Nova #18'', Quasar took on the form of the Hulk to battle a genetically augmented Skrull.
* TheWorfEffect: Killed at the mid-way point of ''ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}'' to show how dangerous Annihilus was. He got better eventually.

!!Quasar II (Phyla-Vell):
-> See [[Characters/MarvelComicsPhylaVell Phyla-Vell]]

!!Quasar III (Avril Kincaid)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/5772964_img_2689.jpg]]
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent formerly stationed in Pleasant Hill who became the new Quasar.
----

* LivingMacguffin: A large part of the plot of ''Secret Empire'' is how Avril, and ''only'' Avril can take down the planetary shield Earth has, not any of the other cosmically powered beings Marvel has lying around, even the ones who could canonically flatten any Quasar. And then she gets knocked into a coma by the Chitauri.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/8af94888f06742aec7da74b1ea2eac7b.jpg]]
* AbusiveParent: Her mother was very harsh and demanding towards her, often unfavourably comparing her to her brother Genis.
* AffirmativeActionLegacy: Phyla-Vell is a lesbian.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Phyla-Vell is normally a nice, cheerful and amiable sort. Just don't hurt or manipulate Moondragon, because she ''will'' try and smash your head in.
* BoyishShortHair: Her hair is usually kept short.
* BuryYourGays: Killed instantly by a revived Thanos.
* ButtMonkey: Treated with less and less respect throughout Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, up until [[spoiler:her death]].
* CoolSword: The Quantum Sword, one of Phyla's favorite constructs, her go-to creation when wielding the Quantum Bands. When she becomes Martyr she gets a different one, forged with death-magic, and even capable of doing the Magus some injury.
* TheCorruption: Phyla learned that Annihilus corrupted the Quantum Bands during ''Annihilation: Conquest''. She was nearly consumed with evil after defeating the Super-Adaptoid, but Wendell Vaughn's spirit returned in time to purge the darkness from the Quantum Bands.
* DarkAgeOfSupernames: Much ragging is made of her change of name to "Martyr", her teammates commenting how ominous it is, and the Magus essentially calling it a cry for attention.
* DealWithTheDevil: She made a deal with Oblivion in exchange for saving Heather from the Dragon of the Moon, where she had to kill Adam Warlock before he became the Magus. She flubs it, and so Maelstrom leads her to Thanos as a way of "firing" her.
* DeadpanSnarker: When written by Keith Giffen. Less so under Abnett and Lanning.
* DiscardAndDraw: Phyla is a natural FlyingBrick whose other abilities have varied over the years. Initially she possessed the Nega-Bands, which allowed her to absorb energy a limited form of [[MySignificanceSenseIsTingling cosmic awareness]]. Both of these vanished after she acquired the Quantum Bands. Then the Quantum Bands were drained in ''ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}: Conquest'', leaving her with only her strength, flight and her Quantum Sword. After her deal with Oblivion she got powers that were never truly defined before she was killed again by Thanos.
* DroppedABridgeOnHer: Phyla is unceremoniously fried instantly by Thanos in the second to last issue of ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' vol 2, with Mantis later confirming that she found what was left of her later. As of 2019, she hasn't returned.
* EnergyWeapon: She can create many of these with her Quantum Bands.
* GreenLanternRing: Her Quantum Bands, which she eventually loses, and declines to take back when given the chance.
* HairTriggerTemper: After becoming Martyr.
* TheHeart: The most compassionate member of the Guardians, up until she became Martyr.
* IHaveManyNames: Captain Marvel, Quasar, Martyr
* InTheHood: Consistent throughout all her outfits are hoods.
* InterspeciesRomance: Phyla, a half-kree half-eternal starts a relationship with Moondragon, a human.
* KilledOffForReal: At the very end of the second volume of ''ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy''.
* LegacyCharacter: To ComicBook/CaptainMarvell, her father, and to Quasar. She suffers a lot of self-doubt over it.
* LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards: Phyla's approach to using the Quantum Bands was very different from Wendell's. While Wendell tended to be versatile and creative with his constructs, Phyla's use was mostly limited to energy blasts and [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation forming swords]]. This was a reflection of their backgrounds and personalities; Wendell was [[ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} S.H.I.E.L.D.]] Academy graduate who was deemed unfit for field work due to [[ThouShaltNotKill his refusal to use lethal force]] and he followed a standard operating procedure of "contain, drain and attack". Phyla by contrast was a trained Kree soldier who had no problems with lethal force but lacked Wendell's versatility.
* MaleMightFemaleFinesse: Inverted. See LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards above.
* MoreDeadlyThanTheMale: Wendell had a rule against killing. Phyla has no such rule.
* MostCommonSuperPower: Though given she's on the same team as Gamora, it can be hard to tell.
* MysticalWhiteHair: Quasar who has energy manipulation and flight powers and certainly looks the part.
* OddFriendship: She's about the only Guardian who gets on with Drax in vol 2.
* SuperStrength: Phyla-Vell, thanks to her half Kree/Eternal biological makeup.
* TookALevelInDumbass: Her decisions and temper become much worse once she's Martyr, from starting brawls in bars to holding a head of a major galactic empire hostage in front of her family. Magus implies it's all the equivalent of a desperate cry for attention, and points out that she's way in over her head.
* TookALevelInJerkass: When she became Martyr.
* UnscrupulousHero: As Martyr.
* UnwittingPawn: For Oblivion. Her making that deal with him was all part of a plan of his.

* TechnicalPacifist: Because he wields great power, Vaughn follows a standard operation procedure to avoid [[ThouShaltNotKill killing]] his enemies. He '''Contains''' the threat with a Q-Field, '''Drains''' him or her of energy (if applicable), then '''Attacks''' with various quantum constructs as necessary.

* TheWorfEffect: Killed at the mid-way point of ComicBook/{{Annihilation}} to show how dangerous Annihilus was. He got better eventually.

* DiscardAndDraw: Phyla is a natural FlyingBrick whose other abilities have varied over the years. Initially she possessed the Nega-Bands which allowed her to absorb energy a limited form of [[MySignificanceSenseIsTingling cosmic awareness]]. Both of these vanished after she acquired the Quantum Bands. Then the Quantum Bands were drained in ''ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}: Conquest'' leaving her with only her strength, flight and her Quantum Sword. After her death she was resurrected as avatar of the cosmic entity Oblivion with powers that were never truly defined before she was killed again by Thanos.
* DroppedABridgeOnHer: Phyla is unceremoniously fried instantly by Thanos in the second to last issue of vol 2, with Mantis later confirming that she found what was left of her later. As of 2019, she hasn't returned.

* TheHeart: The most compassionate member of the team, up until she became Martyr.

----

Phyla-Vell first appeared in ''Captain Marvel'' vol. 6 #16 (December, 2003), created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta. She is a daughter of ComicBook/CaptainMarVell and Elysius. She acquired the Quantum Bands at the end of ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}, and became the new Quasar in ''Annihilation: Conquest Prologue'' #1 (August, 2007).

Phyla-Vell's time as Quasar is short lived, coming to an end after losing the Quantum Bands to the resurrected Maelstrom. Forced to make a deal to save Moondragon, her lover, Phyla agrees to become the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification new avatar of Oblivion]], one of the two aspects of Death; meanwhile, Wendell came back from the dead and reclaimed the Bands from Maelstrom, by cutting them off ''his'' hands in a very familiar manner. Phyla was later killed during the resurrection of ComicBook/{{Thanos}}.

* CoolSword: The Quantum Sword, one of Phyla's favorite constructs.

* DealWithTheDevil: Makes a deal with Oblivion to become its Avatar in order to resurrect Moondragon.

* MostCommonSuperpower

* MaleMightFemaleFinesse: Inverted. See LinearWarriorsQuadriaticWizards above.

* LinearWarriorsQuadriaticWizards: Phyla's approach to using the Quantum Bands was very different from Wendell's. While Wendell tended to be versatile and creative with his constructs, Phyla's use was mostly limited to energy blasts and [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation forming swords]]. This was a reflection of their backgrounds and personalities; Wendell was [[ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} S.H.I.E.L.D.]] Academy graduate who was deemed unfit for field work due to [[ThouShaltNotKill his refusal to use lethal force]] and he followed a standard operating procedure of "contain, drain and attack". Phyla by contrast was a trained Kree soldier who had no problems with lethal force but lacked Wendell's versatility.

* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: Quasar is Marvel's version of DC's GreenLantern (though this was a retcon- the original Marvel Boy was based on UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}} ComicBook/{{Superboy}} and Wendell had the same powers at first.)