PRIMUSPRIMUS
Real Name: Primus
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (Flb'dbi) explorer
Occupation: Lead explorer of a colonization party to Earth
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Associate of the Fantastic Four
Enemies: None known
Known Relatives: None named
Aliases: First Among Equals
Base of Operations: currently unknown; formerly the Arctic, around the Magnetic North Pole; formerly the planet Jhb'Btt, in the Beta Lyrae system of the Milky Way Galaxy
First Appearance: (BTS) Fantastic Four I#220 (July, 1980), (real appearance) Fantastic Four I#221 (August, 1980)
Powers/Abilities: Conventional Flb'Dbi abilities:
Telepathy, life-span of several thousand years. He and his crew
apparently had little knowledge on how to repair or re-design their race's own technology.
Primus used non-mechanical plastoid drones to
accomplish any number of feats, including operation of the
advanced technology of the Flb'Dbi. These drones could split up
into numerous small forms to accomplish a number of tasks
simultaneously, or they could merge into a single, gigantic form,
possessing Class 100 strength, enabling them to lift/press 100 tons. They could reshape themselves
into virtually any form imaginable. They could do so rapidly
enough to entangle the elastic form of Mr. Fantastic. By taking a
winged form, they could even achieve flight. Even when blown to
bits, the drone pieces could reassemble themselves and continue to
function.
Height: 3' 8"
Weight: 450 lbs.
History: Primus led an exploratory colonization party for the Flb'Dbi race, which arrived on Earth over a half a million years ago. After a few thousand years on Earth, a bizarre phenomenon occurred which resulted in the reversing of the magnetic poles on Earth, rendering all of their technology non-functional. They realized they would not be able to leave Earth until the polarity was restored. They programmed their drones to find a way to accomplish this reversal, while Primus and the others placed themselves into a deep hypno-sleep to avoid boredom (and possibly insanity).
The process took somewhat longer than expected. When the drones finally succeeded, it was over 500, 000 years
later, in the modern era. Primus and his crew were unaware of how
much time had passed, nor were they aware of the technological
progress that humanity had made. The Flb'Dbi had their drones
construct a tower to accomplish the polarity reversal, which had
untoward effects across the entire planet. Electronic and
computerized equipment began to experience intermittent failures,
nearly resulting in several deaths.
Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic of the super-heroic team the Fantastic Four, was unable to track the phenomena but theorized that it was the result of a polar disruption. Guessing correctly, Mr. Fantastic flew with his teammates (the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing) to the magnetic North Pole. They arrived in time to see an immense tower burst forth from the surface of the Flb'Dbi's polarity device. Upon further exploration , the group was attacked by the crew's drones. The drones threatened to overwhelm the abilities of the heroes.
Sue Richards, the Invisible Girl, entered the facility and encountered Primus and other crew members. After hearing their history, she explained to him the length of time and amount of progress that had occurred. Not wishing to harm others, Primus had their tower and drones deactivated, returning the polarity of Earth to normal and ceasing the conflict with the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards was more than happy to help them adapt their technology to allow it to function in Earth's current polarity. After this, Primus and his crew flew their ship off of Earth, presumably returning to their homeworld. The Thing then shattered the Polarity Tower to prevent future use/abuse.
Comments: Created by John Byrne.
According to Chris Matterface:
[T]he
name of the alien race "Flb-Dbi" seems to be a reference to the
"flobba-dobby" catchphrase of 50s British kids TV characters
"Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men", whose show John Byrne would have
seen during his early childhood in the UK
(although Canadian, he was actually born in Walsall, England).
Here's some further info [about the show]: http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/tv/kids/billandben.htm
and reference to Byrne being born in Walsall: http://www.lambiek.net/byrne_john.htm
Profile updated/edited by Kyle Sims
CLARIFICATIONS:
Primus, the marooned extra-terrestrial, should not be
confused with:
The Flb'Dbi alien race should be distinguished from:
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Last updated: 05/01/05
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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