Living Lighting Marvel

Welcome back everyone. Thank you for stopping by to check out the latest TF.

Soon Donny Cates is gonna slam us with as much Knull as we can handle. As far as villains go Knull has proven to be the most popular modern antagonist in recent memory and yes even more popular than the Batman Who Laughs. In Knull Marvel has a truly original cosmic villain who might just have all the requirements for long lasting success. The origin, the look and the sales are a rarity for such character types. His evolution has been an organic, slow build up to some insane sales and popularity. Even his weapon has made the retcon popular! I am still wondering if over-saturation could cool the god of darkness but so far collector's have a seemingly insatiable appetite for everything Knull.

The King is Black event will give Knull the chance to ascend to a higher level. As Cates continues to weave Knull into the fabric of Marvel, he appears to have no rival. He severs the heads of Celestials and can only be contained by a swirling, symbiotic prison the size of a planet. Miles Morales could barely best a single avatar so who will be able to stop him and his desire to return the cosmos to eternal darkness? Apparently Knull does fear someone or some thing, his illuminating opposite, the shadow of darkness, the god of light.

-from the upcoming Web of Venom: Wraith

So who is this god of light? Well if you know Cates there is a strong chance that a retcon is coming. I do worry that Cates dips into this narrative well a bit too much but thankfully it hasn't affected the quality of his stories. Because of this success there is good reason to think he may do it again. If the god of light ends up an established Marvel entity here are the suspects.

Oh and if you want to throw someone into contention please do so in the comments but please make every effort to tell us all why!

The Sentry

First appearance ( not counting Wizard Magazine! ): The Sentry 1

PROS:

If you need some solid info on why Marvel's god like hero is a top contender you should check out Nico's Weekend Update 14 at CBSI. The Sentry has all the requirements to be on this list. I mean come on, he has the power of a million exploding suns!

CONS:

The problem with the Sentry is that his arch nemesis is already the epitome of darkness, the Void. This battle is what makes the Sentry so dangerous so why would Knull be afraid of a man who is already haunted by the opposite of himself?

I would be pretty happy if Marvel brought this costume into the mix!

The Golden God(s )

First appearance: Thor God of Thunder 6

One of these guys bested Knull pretty easily which makes you wonder…is Knull all that hard to beat of you have the right weapon?

PROS:

They are golden. Their origin is a blank slate. Cates can do whatever he wants.

(RET)-CONS:

This seems to obvious and these folks might have just gotten lucky or cheated in a way we don't know quite yet. Cates has a lot of explaining to do to make this one work. If it does prove to be them look out, that Venom reprint will melt lead.

Lifebringer ( Galactus )

First appearance as Lifebringer: Ultimates 2 cameo, first full Ultimates 5

Marvel creators have done a great job exploring and adding to the wonderful origin of Galactus in the modern age. From Al Ewing to Starlin to Cates the last decade has been a magnificent ride for the last survivor of Taa. No storm was as awe inspiring as Ewing's twist for the devourer of worlds when he reversed this power in the pages of the Ultimates. Could a return to form prove Knull's undoing?

PROS:

His goal is to bring life to the universe not destroy it. He's a power to be reckoned with. He's golden!

CONS:

He may be powerful but he still isn't a god and the Lifebringer power was bestowed upon him via machine. That kind of makes the creator of Lifebringer more important, taking Galan down a notch.

First cover and the 1:20

The Third

First appearance: The Ultimates 2 issue 6

The true history of existence was thoroughly examined in the pages of Ewing's Ultimates. In it we learn that the multiverse is born, dies and is reborn multiple times. One embodiment of this is the third multiverse, a character who creates Lifebringer one.

PROS:

The Third has the power needed to take on Knull, more so than Galan as Lifebringer and more than most other powerful entities like the Living Tribunal.

CONS:

I don't see the look as being particularly right and ALL the embodiments of each Multiverse ( minus the Fourth ) were needed to stop the next guy on the list, The First Firmament. Knull might be just a step higher than these characters.

NOTE: The Fourth was never revealed so there is another retcon play for Cates if he so desires!

The First Firmament

First mentioned: Marvel Boy 6

First appearance: Ultimates 2 issue 5

( he was referenced earlier and his eyes were seen earlier in one panel. )

The First Firmament is the being from which all is created. I have to say I think Donny Cates might have swiped some of the attributes of both Starlin's Hunger and Ewing's character to formulate the Black Winter. I mean come on, the FF even looks like the Black Winter with the color, appetite and three eyes! Man they both have a very Fallopian look!

PROS:

He has the power and he creates life. he created the Aspirants and is probably more powerful than Knull. He also despises the Celestials.

CONS:

The name sucks. And though he is the most powerful being in all Marveldom ( not counting the last guy? ) he was defeated by a collective. I will say this, I sure wouldn't mind seeing Knull and this guy go head to head. The FF also doesn't seem to represent the light but he does want one Universe where life springs eternal, only it must not evolve to disobey him.

The One Above All

First appearance: Fantastic Four 511

Omnipresent and omnipotent the One above all lives at the top of the pile for powerful Marvel entities. Also Jack Kirby and Stan Lee have been avatars for this character so there is always that!

PROS:

He has the power and the look. The odds are good on this one for many reasons but most of all there just doesn't seem to be anyone else at this level.

CONS:

The One Above all was once beaten by a future Thanos. This is kind of surprising and it could make for a quicker battle than one might think considering Knull's tactics.

The Presence

More Fun Comics 52

Considering that Cates is attached to some sort or possible DC/Marvel/? cosmic level event, the DC equivalent of the One Above All is admittedly a hail Mary. The Presence does have a recent appearance in another multiverse event going on right now, Death Metal!

PROS:

There aren't many so I will just leave it blank.

CONS:

This one might just be too obscure.

Sim-D el

First appearance: Annihilation Conquest Wraith 2

Well the father of Wraith could have turned himself into the god of light.

PROS:

A brilliant scientist he developed the power to light up the universe!

CONS:

He was then abruptly murdered by the Kree death squad. Also this panel makes it seem like the light is a weapon so unless Sim-Del used it or merged with it he wouldn't be a candidate.