Affiliations: Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Kayla Ballantine, co-worker of H. D. Steckley (Moondragon) and H. D. Steckley (Ereshkigel)

Enemies: Maelstrom, Presence, Starlight

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Formerly Vaughn Security Systems in Four Freedoms Plaza, Manhattan, New York City

First Appearance: Quasar#5 (December, 1989)

Powers: None. Ken possesses some experience in armed and unarmed combat as part of his SHIELD training. He was has experience in computer programming and business management.

History:
(Quasar#5(fb)-BTS) - Ken Tanaka was trained in the academy of SHIELD alongside Wendell Vaughn, and presumably Gail Runciter. After graduating from the academy, he was sent to IDIC on a field assignment, as part of their program to station agents in every major corporation. When SHIELD unexpectedly folded, Ken stayed on with IDIC, climbing up the corporate ladder to the position of Director of Design.

(Quasar#5, 7, 9, 10-17) - Ken noticed his old friend Wendell's name on his advertising brochure and recommended him to his superior. This resulted in Vaughn Security System's first contract. Shortly after this, Ken decided that there was a limit to how high he could go in IDIC, and decided to work for Wendell at VSS. Ken excelled, and as Wendell was frequently occupied with his responsibilities as the superhero, Quasar, Ken received progressively more responsibility.

(Quasar#20-24) - The Presence and Starlight broke into Four Freedoms Plaza, injuring Kenjiro Tanaka as they burst into the offices of Vaughn Security Systems. Some time later Ken accompanied Wendell on a dinner at the mansion of Malcolm Stromberg. Stromberg turned out to be Maelstrom, who attacked Vaughn, revealing him as Quasar. Ken and the other dinner guests were briefly imprisoned by Maelstrom, but were freed when Maelstrom's agents were overpowered by Moondragon (who had been posing as H. D. Steckley) and Ghost Rider/Dan Ketch/Noble Kale.

(Quasar#26, 30-32, [36-bts], 41, 44, 50, 58, 60) - Ken kept Wendell's secret covering for him and maintaining the business during his long, unexplained absences. Wendell promoted Ken to full partner, and eventually left the business in his hands when he left Earth to dedicate his entire life to his role of Protector of the Universe.

Comments: Created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Ryan.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I think IDIC ended up being a front for AIM.

Ken suffered from character underdevelopment. I haven't heard anything from Vaughn Security Systems since Quasar turned it over to Ken's hands. It may or may not have been affected when the Thunderbolts blew the portion of Four Freedoms Plaza when their true identities were discovered.

Appearances:
Quasar#5 (December, 1989) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Paul Ryan (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Howard Mackie (editor)
Quasar#7 (February, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Howard Mackie (editor)
Quasar#9-10 (April-May, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (pencils), Danny Bulanadi & Tom Morgan (#10) (inks), Howard Mackie (editor)
Quasar#11-12 (June-July, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (pencils), Fred Fredricks (inks), Howard Mackie (editor)
Quasar#13-15 (August-October, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (pencils), Dan Panosian (inks), Howard Mackie (13) & Len Kaminski (#14-15) (editors)
Quasar#16 (November, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (pencils), Dan Panosian & Keith Williams (inks), Len Kaminski (editor)
Quasar#17 (December, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Mike Manley (artist), Len Kaminski (editor)
Quasar#18-24 (January-July, 1991) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Len Kaminski (editor)
Quasar#26 (September, 1991) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Dave Hoover (pencils), Fred Fredricks (inks), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Quasar#30 (January, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Joel Zulueta, Pat Broderick & Co. (pencils), Fred Fredricks (inks), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Quasar#31-32 (February-March, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Harry Candelario (inks), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Quasar#36 (July, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Harry Candelario (inks), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Quasar#41 (December, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Andy Smith (pencils), Ralph Cabrera (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Quasar#44 (March, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Andy Smith (pencils), Ralph Cabrera (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Quasar#50 (September, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Andy Smith (pencils), Ralph Cabrera (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Quasar#58 (May, 1994) - Mark Gruenwald & Peter Sanderson (writers), John Heebink (pencils), Aaron McClellan (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Quasar#60 (July, 1994) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), John Heebink (pencils), Aaron McClellan (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)

Last updated: 09/24/02

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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