Quasar #44
Muck Amok
Having escaped from the White Room and his personal Oblivion, Quasar finds himself lost in space with no idea how to get back home.[1] Usually, he would just use his Quantum Bands to find his way home. Although he has a portion of the powerful Star Brand, he isn’t entirely sure how to use it to get back.[2] Trying to think, Wendell pushes his hands into his face and is surprised when the Star Brand is transferred to his wrist to over his eye. This allows him to see a band of energy that will lead him back to Earth.
There, the villain known as Quagmire is dining at a restaurant and terrorizing the patrons with his dark matter muck. Finding his server attractive he tries to make a move on her when police arrive to arrest him. However, he is able to use his powers to deflect the officer’s bullets and knock them out.
While over the planet Scadam, the artificially created woman known as Kismet returns to the planet surface in order to find the source of an incredible power that was responsible for wiping out an invasion from the Black Fleet. Elsewhere on the planet’s surface are Kayla Ballentine and Holly Steckley who were brought here so the Scadamites could use the Star Brand — which had bonded to Kayla — to fend off the invaders. With the war over, the two women are trying to find a ship that can take them home. Unfortunately, they are unable to find a space worthy craft to do the job, leading Kayla to fear they might be stranded.
By this time, Quasar finally returns home and reports in to the Avengers that he is still alive. The Black Widow is pleased to hear from him and tells him about their encounter with the Blue Marvel. Quasar knows all about him and promises to file a report after checking in on his personal life. Stopping at Vaughn Security Consultants, he checks in with his business partner Ken Tanaka, who is happy to see that Wendell is still alive. He was also worried about Quasar’s safety after his own encounter with the Blue Marvel.[4] After explaining his recent trials and tribulations, Wendell learns that Kayla and Holly went on vacation and heads out to find them.
Wendell first pays a visit to Kayla’s family home to see if she has come back from her trip yet. Once again, Kayla’s father slams the door in his face, uninterested in talking to anyone. However, Kayla’s brother Devon is there and he tells Wendell that he hasn’t heard from his sister in six weeks and fears that something might have happened to her. Wendell decides to investigate this further as Quasar. Using his Avenges connections, he learns that Kayla and Holly had rented a car and it was found wrecked in Virginia a few weeks ago. Flying to the area, he finds some strange black gunk on the road with a unique energy signature. Using the Star Brand to track its source, Quasar hopes to find his missing girlfriend.[5]
Meanwhile, Kayla and Holly are attempting to leave Scadam in a flying ship, hoping that the Star Brand will protect them from the void of space. This is as Kismet is closing in on them. However, before she can catch up, a planet sized ship appears in the sky and captures Kayla’s ship in a tractor beam.
Back on Earth, Quasar has followed the energy signature back to where Quagmire is having a stand off with the police. While trying to interrogate Quagmire about Kayla’s location, Quasar is attacked by the Antibody that has been living symbiotically with his foe for weeks.[6] After a protracted battle, Quagmire is suddenly teleported away.[7] Unfortunately, even with the Star Brand, Quasar is unable to figure out where the villain went. However, there are larger concerns to deal with as the Antibody has now increased to giant-size and is now going on the rampage through town.
Recurring Characters
Quasar, Kayla Ballentine, “Holly Steckley”, Kismet, Ken Tanaka, Black Widow, Quagmire, Antibody, Devon Ballentine
Continuity Notes
Quasar accidentally nullified himself using the Ultimate Nullifier during the Infinity War. The incident did leave him separated from his Quantum Bands. See Infinity War #1-5 and Quasar #38-43.
Quasar obtained the Star Brand during an impromptu trip to the New Universe. See Quasar #31.
Kayla was accidentally given the Star Brand by Quasar in Quasar #31. She and Holly were then kidnapped and brought to Scadam in issue #36-37.
About the whole Blue Marvel/Quasar thing:
Everyone in this story believes that this is the original Marvel Boy, Robert Grayson. Who previously appeared in Marvel Boy #1-2 and Astonishing #3-6. However, this is actually an Eternal named Thelius who was slated to become a replacement for Grayson. See Agents of Atlas #3 and Marvel Boy: The Uranian #1-3.
Thelius had previously died in Fantastic Four #164-165 and his Quantum Bands went to Wendell Vaughn who became Quasar, as detailed in Quasar #1.
Since then, Thelius was resurrected by Thanos in Quasar #26-27. He was trapped in Eon’s pocket dimension until issue #40.
During this time, Quasar is believed to have died after attempting to use the Ultimate Nullifier against the Magus during the Infinity War. In reality, Quasar had been nullified and exists as a wraith. See Infinity War #1-5 and Quasar #38-40.
Quagmire was hired by the Grand Examiner to help kidnap Kayla and Holly and take them back to Scadam. This happened in Quasar #36-37.
This Antibody hitched a ride to the Prime Marvel Universe when Quasar escaped the New Universe back in issue #31. It later bonded with Quagmire in issue #36.
Quagmire was abducted along with other Dark Force users by the mutant known as Asylum. See New Warriors #32-34 and Annual #3.
Topical References
Ken states here that Kayla and Holly went off on a vacation to Disneyworld. This wouldn’t be considered a topical reference as Disney owns Marvel Comics. Brand synergy and all that.
Kayla and Holly’s car is said to have been rented by the Avis rent-a-car company. This would be a topical reference as it is a real world business.
