Nth Man is a fictional character appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

Publication history

Thomas Lightner first appeared as Blacksun in ''

Marvel Two-in-One ''Marvel Two-in-One'' is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics featuring Fantastic Four member the Thing in a different team-up each issue. Publication history Original series The concept of teaming the Thing with a differen ...

'' #21-23 (November 1976-January 1977), and was created by

Bill Mantlo William Timothy Mantlo (born November 9, 1951) is an American comic book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics. He is best known for his work on two licensed toy properties whose adventures occurred in the Marvel Universe: '' Micronauts'' and '' R ...

and Ron Wilson. The character subsequently appears in ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #42 (August 1978), #53-57 (July-December 1979), and became known as the Nth Man in ''

'' #58 (December 1979). The character appears in the ''Squadron Supreme: Death of a Universe'' graphic novel (1989), ''Quasar'' #13 (August 1990), #19 (February 1991), and became known as Mysterium in the ''Squadron Supreme: New World Order'' graphic novel (September 1998). The character received an entry in the ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'' #7 (2006).

Fictional character biography

Dr. Thomas Lightner was a scientist who rebuilt his father's Sky Cannon after his father Raymond disappeared during a mishap with the device. A similar mishap with the rebuilt device caused the energies from Raymond to merge with Thomas, giving Thomas the powers of a black hole. Thomas' body could not contain these vast energies for long, and he collapsed and returned to his normal form. Lightner was later contacted by the Nth Command to infiltrate and sabotage Project: Pegasus. Lightner hoped to use the project's Nth Projector to regain his previous powers. Lightner released

Nuklo Nuklo (Robert Frank, Jr.) is a fictional character, a mutant appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the son of two characters featured in the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Whizzer and Miss America. Publication histo ...

and allowed

Thundra Thundra is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is often aligned with the Fantastic Four. She is a powerful, red haired, amazon-like warrior, or Femizon, from a matriarchal, technologically ad ...

and the

Grapplers Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds. Grappling contests often involve takedowns and ground control, and may end when a contestant concedes defeat. Should ...

in to cause some damage and distract the facility's staff. Lightner was supposed to use the Nth Projector to send the Project: Pegasus facility into another dimension, but instead used it on himself. Lightner was transformed into the Nth Man, a "living interdimensional vortex". Like a black hole, the Nth Man absorbs all nearby matter and energy into himself. All of the heroes at the facility were absorbed into him, and Wundarr the Aquarian was able to use his null field to shut off the Nth Man's powers. Instead of being destroyed, the Nth Man entered the alternate universe of

Earth-S The Multiverse (DC Comics), DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity construct used in numerous DC Comics publications. The Multiverse has undergone numerous changes since its introduction and has included various universes, listed below between t ...

. There, he threatened to consume the sun, but remnants of the

Squadron Supreme The Squadron Supreme is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, of which there are several notable alternate versions. The original team was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, derived from the previous ...

reunite to battle him. Although they defeat him, several members of the Squadron are killed, with the remainder banished to

Earth-616 In the fictional Multiverse (Marvel Comics), Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 is the primary continuity (fiction), continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place. Origins of the term The designation "Earth-616" has its origins in ...

for a time. During the battle, Lightner exchanged places with the infant child of Squadron member

Arcanna A-Bomb Abomination Absorbing Man Abraxas Abyss Abyss is the name of two characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Nils Styger Abyss is a mutant and the half-brother of Nightcrawler. He was cr ...

and was thereby able to return to his own form; he became the new Wizard Supreme and eventually took the name "Mysterium".''Squadron Supreme: New World Order''

References

External links

*{{Marvunapp, http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/mysteriu.htm, Nth Man Characters created by Bill Mantlo Comics characters introduced in 1976 Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength Marvel Comics mutates Marvel Comics scientists Marvel Comics supervillains