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{{short description|Fictional comic book villain}}
{{Infobox comics species
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
<!-- |species   = Space Phantom -->
|image = <!-- filename format only -->
|imagesize = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption =
|publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut = ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' vol. 1, #2<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |authorlink=Jeff Rovin |title =[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=323}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/322/mode/2up]</ref>
|debutmo = November
|debutyr = 1963
|creators = [[Stan Lee]] (writer)<br>[[Jack Kirby]] (artist)
|deities =
|homeworld = [[Limbo (Marvel Comics)|Limbo]]
|members =
|powers = *Knowledge of sophisticated alien technology
*Advanced knowledge of time and time travel
*Shapeshifting
|subcat = Marvel Comics
|sortkey = Space Phantom
}}

'''Space Phantom''' is the name of several [[Character (arts)|characters]] who belong to a fictional [[species]] appearing in [[American comic book|American comic books]] published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist [[Jack Kirby]], Space Phantom [[First appearance|first appeared]] in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' vol. 1 #2 (November 1963).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Hulk Leaving the Avengers Was Originally the Tragic Opposite of the MCU |url=https://screenrant.com/hulk-leaving-avengers-originally-tragic-opposite-of-mcu/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> A Space Phantom is a being who was transformed by staying in the [[Limbo]] dimension too long.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=January 3, 2024 |title=10 Barely-Used Marvel Aliens Who Could Return as The Next Major Threat |url=https://screenrant.com/ten-barely-used-marvel-aliens-major-threat/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> They started as adversaries of the superhero team the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meenan |first=Devin |date=February 28, 2021 |title=First 10 Marvel Villains The Avengers Fought (In Chronological Order) |url=https://www.cbr.com/first-marvel-villains-avengers-fought-chronological-order/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Publication history==
{{expand section|date=January 2024}}
The Space Phantoms debuted in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' vol. 1 #2 (November 1963), and were created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Spencer |date=April 17, 2022 |title=Iron Man's Original Weakness Took His Name Way Too Literally |url=https://screenrant.com/iron-man-weakness-water-comics-origin/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> They appeared in the 1966 ''Thor'' series,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=February 11, 2024 |title=The Hidden Reason Behind Thor Losing His Hammer's Time-Traveling Ability |url=https://www.cbr.com/thor-time-travel-mjolnir-mark-gruenwald/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> and in the 1998 ''[[Avengers Forever]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dodge |first=John |date=June 13, 2021 |title=Loki's Time-Keepers Tried to Stop the Avengers from Forming |url=https://www.cbr.com/loki-time-keepers-spance-phantom-immortus/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
The Space Phantoms were originally various beings who became trapped in Limbo, were transformed into monsters and rendered amnesiac by its effects, and were conditioned to become servants of [[Immortus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=March 13, 2023 |title=10 Ways Immortus Changed The Marvel Timeline |url=https://www.cbr.com/immortus-changed-the-marvel-timeline-kang/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> For many years, it was assumed that there was only one Space Phantom, but in the course of the [[Avengers Forever|Destiny War]] the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] discovered that there were multiple. During a journey back in time to 1873, a trio of Space Phantoms was caught impersonating the [[Gunhawks]] and the [[Black Rider (character)|Black Rider]].<ref>''Avengers Forever'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Space Phantoms were previously said to have originated on the planet Phantus in the Phalbo system in the Milky Way Galaxy.<ref>''Thor'' #281. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>Phantom's entry in ''The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' (vol. 2) #15. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Immortus traps individuals who become lost in [[Limbo (Marvel Comics)|Limbo]], and due to the nature of that plane, they begin to forget their former lives and change into misshapen beings. Immortus conditions these into servants who can perpetuate his schemes and manipulations of historical events. The Phantoms can assimilate anyone, even to the point of torture and escaping notice of even mind-readers.

The first Space Phantom first appeared in ''The Avengers'' #2, copying [[Hank Pym|Giant-Man]], [[Iron Man]], and [[Hulk]]. During his battle with the Avengers, he first copied the Hulk, and battled Iron Man. He took the shape of a flying insect to escape, but Iron Man continued to battle the Hulk. The Space Phantom attacked the Wasp in his insect form, and then became Giant-Man. After fighting Iron Man, he took Iron Man's form. He finally attempted to copy [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] and was returned to Limbo because his powers could not affect [[Asgard (comics)|Asgardians]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Since all Space Phantoms appear identical and can appear as any other creature, it can be difficult to determine which Space Phantom did what; the following activities have previously been attributed to the Space Phantom who first encountered the Avengers, but these may not have been the same Space Phantom. A Space Phantom allied with the [[Grim Reaper (Marvel Comics)|Grim Reaper]] and impersonated [[Viper (Madame Hydra)|Madame Hydra]], and commanded a division of [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]] in that identity. The Space Phantom battled the Avengers, but was shunted back into Limbo when he attempted to mimic [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]], who was then linked to [[Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)|Captain Mar-Vell]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #106–108. Marvel Comics.</ref> A Space Phantom was compelled by Immortus to impersonate [[Mantis (Marvel Comics)|Mantis]] to deceive [[Kang the Conqueror|Kang]].<ref>''Giant-Size Avengers'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> A Space Phantom attempted to trick Thor into freeing the planet Phantus from Limbo, and allied with Thor to save Phantus, which led to Thor losing Mjolnir's power over time.<ref>''Thor'' #281–282. Marvel Comics.</ref> A Space Phantom once encountered [[Rom the Space Knight]] in Limbo.<ref>''Rom'' #19. Marvel Comics.</ref> A Space Phantom later encountered the Avengers in Limbo.<ref>''The Avengers'' #268. Marvel Comics.</ref> A Space Phantom was used as a pawn by the [[Young Gods (comics)|Young God]] Calculus in a scheme pitting Spider-Man against the Avengers.<ref>''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #168–170. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The original Space Phantom is revealed to be disguised as [[Spider-Man]] in ''[[Beyond!]]''.<ref>''Beyond!'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

[[Kurt Busiek]] used Space Phantoms and Immortus in ''[[Avengers Forever]]'' to explain a number of inconsistencies such as the Avengers crossover titled ''The Crossing''.

==Powers and abilities==
A Space Phantom can assume the form of virtually any single object or living creature at a time, trapping the real entity in Limbo until they switch forms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Spencer |date=November 14, 2023 |title=First 10 Villains the Avengers Faced in Marvel Comics Continuity |url=https://screenrant.com/first-10-avengers-villains-marvel-comics/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Brenton |date=January 14, 2022 |title=How a Deadly but Forgotten Avengers Villain Would Decimate Marvel's MCU |url=https://www.cbr.com/how-a-deadly-but-forgotten-avengers-villain-would-decimate-marvels-mcu/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> They have no difficulty imitating a number of people in rapid succession, nor does there appear to be a time limit on the period in which he can imitate someone. A Space Phantom appears to be unable to duplicate certain powerful beings who possess magical enchantments; when he attempts to duplicate such a being he is shunted into Limbo instead. While in the form of another creature, the Space Phantom gains all the abilities of that creature. It can even become an object that travels [[faster than light]].

Additionally, a Space Phantom has knowledge of sophisticated alien technology far in advance of present-day Earth and advanced knowledge of time and time travel.

==In other media==

=== Television ===
* A Space Phantom appears in ''[[The Marvel Super Heroes]]'', voiced by Gillie Fenwick.
* The Space Phantoms appear in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'' episode "Revenge of the Baby Sat!", voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].<ref name="btva23" />
* The Space Phantoms appear in the ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'' episode "Ghost of a Chance", voiced by [[David Kaye (voice actor)|David Kaye]], with duplicate forms voiced by [[Troy Baker]], [[Travis Willingham]], [[Roger Craig Smith]], [[Laura Bailey (voice actress)|Laura Bailey]], and [[Adrian Pasdar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=July 7, 2013 |title=''Marvel's Avengers Assemble'': "Ghost of a Chance" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/07/marvels-avengers-assemble-ghost-of-a-chance-review |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva23">{{cite web |title=Space Phantom Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Space-Phantom/ |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref> This version of the species possess a black, gaseous appearance.
* A Space Phantom appears in ''[[Rocket & Groot]]'', voiced by [[Kevin Michael Richardson]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [[marveldatabase:Space_Phantoms|Space Phantoms]] at Marvel Wiki
** [[marveldatabase:Space_Phantom_(Temporal_Limbo)|Space Phantom]] at Marvel Wiki
* [http://www.comicvine.com/space-phantom/4005-7243/ Space Phantom] at Comic Vine

{{Avengers}}
{{Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)}}
{{Stan Lee}}
{{Jack Kirby}}

[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Characters created by Stan Lee]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1963]]
[[Category:Fictional shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Hydra (comics) agents]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics aliens]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics supervillains]]