KOMETES

Real Name: Kometes

Identity/Class: Magical creation (Pre-Cataclysmic Era and modern era)

Occupation: Harbinger of destruction

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Possibly the Celestials

Enemies: Son of Satan (Hellstorm), Spyros, humanity in general

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed

First Appearance: Marvel Spotlight I#16 (July, 1974)

Powers/Abilities: Unrevealed. Kometes is summoned by the collective negative emotions of mankind when they reach a certain point. According to Zhered-Na: "The Earth itself is highly responsive to the psychic emanations of the creatures who inhabit it. When those emotions grow overly violent, the planet rebels. The stress is felt throughout the cosmos as a weakening of the bonds of the primal matrix--the model on which the universes are structured.
    Kometes' appearance signals impending catastrophic change (within 24 hours of its appearance), but what role it actually played in this destruction is unknown. It appears to be composed of (presumably magical) flame, can fly, and is immune to hellfire.

History: The origin of Kometes is unknown.

(Marvel Spotlight I#16 (fb) - BTS) <18, 000 BC> - Its coming was foretold by the legendary prophet Zhered-Na.

(Marvel Spotlight I#17) <18, 000 BC> - Kometes appeared in ancient Atlantis, heralding the imminent Great Cataclysm that would level modern society. It approached the primal matrix where it was observed by a time-traveling Son of Satan, accessing the matrix via the aid of Zhered-Na. Attempting to stop Kometes, the Son of Satan approached the matrix, where his presence was opposed by the giant Spyros (actually Adam K'ad-Mon). In the course of their struggle, Spyros hurled his axe, which missed the Son of Satan, instead cleaving Kometes in twain, and apparently destroying him.
    Despite this, events had apparently progressed beyond the point of no return in this time period, and the Great Cataclysm soon occurred as predicted.

(Marvel Spotlight I#16) - In the modern era, 4, 000 perfectly identical holes suddenly appeared on night (April 22, if not topical) in St. Louis, Missouri's Forest Park. Filled with an odd reddish powder, investigation of these holes by the authority led to publicity, which soon drew various cultists from around the country, correctly assuming it to be a supernatural phenomenon. The Son of Satan, alongside Dr. Katherine Reynolds and divinity student Byron Hyatt, investigated as well, drawing the ire of one of the groups, the Legion of Nihilists, who assaulted Daimon. His darksoul rising during the conflict, the Son of Satan fired a burst of hellfire at one of the Legion. Dr. Reynolds batted the Son of Satan's trident, diverting the fiery blast from striking the cultist, and it instead struck one of the holes. The flames from the hole rapidly spread from to the rest of the holes in the park, creating a massive blaze in the shape of an immense serpent. Recognized by the Son of Satan as the legendary Kometes, the flame took three dimensional shape and flew into the air, where it waited, unphased by hellfire blasts from the Son of Satan, or any other attack.
    Returning to his occult texts, the Son of Satan confirmed Kometes' identity and decided that they could only learn how to stop it from Zhered-Na herself, so he used his powers to transport himself and his two allies back in time.

(Marvel Spotlight I#17) - Around the world, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tidal waves seemed to signal the impending destruction of the earth, or at least another cataclysm. However, triggered by the Son of Satan's journey to the past, Spyros' destruction of Kometes in the presence of the Primal Matrix caused the modern era Kometes to plunge to Earth, its fiery hiss becoming an unholy scream as it faded from existence.

Comments: Created by Steve Gerber, Jim Mooney, and Sal Trapani.

    That Gerber...he so crazy! Great story, but hard to figure out.

http://utenti.lycos.it/foundfig/i-moses.htm
The word "comet" is derived from the Latin word "cometa" which in turn is derived from the Greek word "kometes" which means "long-haired" or "hairy star". A comet is therefore often depicted as a woman with exceptionally long hair.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:

images:
Marvel Spotlight I#16, p27, panel 3

Appearances:
Marvel Spotlight I#16 (July, 1974) - Steve Gerber (writer), Jim Mooney (pencils), Sal Trapini (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Marvel Spotlight I#17 (September, 1974) - Steve Gerber (writer), Jim Mooney (pencils), Sal Trapini (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)

First Posted: 11/12/2004
Last updated: 11/12/2004

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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