Quasar
Linchpin of the Marvel Universe
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
After recording the new Quantum Zone Podcast for the last few weeks with my new cohosts Will and Matt, I’ve come to a new realization. I’ve always known Wendell Vaughn was a great character and that I wanted to see more of him in current Marvel comics and hopefully in some live action form, either in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or a TV show like the various Defenders on Netflix.
But upon more and more study, I’ve come to the conclusion that the original Quasar is one of the most important characters to come out of Marvel.
Hero Material
In our current superhero climate, it seems more and more common that we get the good guys fighting and arguing with each other more than battling criminals. Upping the conflict quotient even more are the anti-heroes who kill indiscriminately and bring chaos and destruction wherever they go.
While I enjoy reading about a Deadpool or Punisher and I also wish we had more heroic role models in modern comic books that we could show to and share with our children, like the character of Quasar. Not only did Wendell Vaughn portray a more heroic figure written by the late, great writer Mark Gruenwald, but he also gave many of us a character we could look up to and wish we had people like that in our real life.
Connected Guy
Ever since his first appearance in Captain America issue #217 (January 1978), Wendell Vaughn has worked with many of the biggest names in the Marvel Universe including Captain America, The Falcon, The Thing, Spider-Man and many more before becoming a member of the Avengers years later. This proves that Quasar would be a valuable link between different comic book series, tv shows, or different movies in the MCU.
To Infinity…
To take the idea of Quasar connecting different “brands” or aspects to another level, if applied to the MCU, especially after Avengers: Infinity War, Quasar could possible serve as a member of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy serving as link between the two teams after their initial meeting. This would be easy to accomplish as Quasar takes regular trips into outer space in his role as Protector of the Universe.
If Robert Downey Junior’s Tony Stark is killed or retires after Avengers: Infinity War or “Avengers 4”, The Marvel Cinematic Universe would need another central character. Why not a nice guy, classic super hero in the vein of Superman like Quasar?
To Protect and Serve
We have even seen other versions of the character the last few years with Phyla-Vell, Avril Kincaid and even Richard Rider when he temporarily lost his Nova power. And while the Marvel Universe has the Nova Corps, I truly believe Marvel is missing out on truly having their own “Green Lantern Corps” by not forging a “Quasar Corps” of some type.
The only problem is there are only one pair on Quantum Bands in the universe but a good writer could work around that. All the protectors of all known universes banding together. Giving multiple members in this universe some type of similar power upgrade? Nega Bands are easier to create than Quantum Bands…
It seems like such a simple formula for good stories with one of Marvel’s classic characters, especially in the era of Marvel Legacy/Refresh where the publisher is looking for fresh takes on their original characters. If Marvel can’t find a writer for this series, I’d love to volunteer, and I have a few cohosts that could help!
What do YOU think? Do you miss Wendell Vaughn? Would you rather see one of the other Quasars? Let me know!
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You can hear me and my cohosts discussing all things Marvel, DC Comics, TV, movies, and all pop culture and entertainment on the Capes and Lunatics and Capes and Lunatics: Sidekicks Podcasts and Capes and Lunatics YouTube channel several times a week.