Lord Chaos (Marvel Comics)
Template:About Template:Multiple issues Template:Infobox comics character Lord Chaos is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 ( 1977).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lord Chaos is an abstract entity.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is the cosmic counterpart of Master Order and serves as the embodiment of chaos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Publication history
Lord Chaos debuted in Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2 (cover-dated December 1977) by writer-artist Jim Starlin, where—together with his counterpart Master Order—he tips the balance of a battle between Spider-Man, the Thing and Thanos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The entity returned in Starlin's six-issue crossover The Infinity Gauntlet (1991), where it sided with the assembled "Cosmic entities" against Thanos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Commercial success kept Lord Chaos on the periphery of two sequels—Infinity War (1992) and Infinity Crusade (1993).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lord Chaos then slipped into a prolonged limbo, resurfacing only for cameos until the post-Secret Wars relaunch. Al Ewing's Ultimates 2 (2016–2017) storyline re-established the character—as part of the duo "Order and Chaos"—as a direct threat: the pair murdered the Living Tribunal in Ultimates 2 #2 and were themselves fused with the In-Betweener to create the composite Logos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2023, Jonathan Hickman's launched G.O.D.S.—a series intended to "redefine abstract concept characters like the Living Tribunal and the Lords of Chaos and Order"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Fictional character biography
Lord Chaos is an abstract entity who embodies disarray and confusion, and the opposing force to "brother" entity Master Order.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The pair are rarely seen, but appear to manipulate events to prompt Spider-Man to solicit the Thing to join the Avengers and Adam Warlock in the first war against the Titan Thanos and defeat him.<ref>Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2 (1977)</ref>
Lord Chaos and Master Order were then seen observing King of the Norse Gods Odin and master villain Dormammu play a cosmic game of chess.<ref>Thor Annual #9 (1981)</ref> They next conspired with other metaphysical and "omnipotent" beings against the Beyonder.<ref>Secret Wars II #6</ref> They were then summoned by the Silver Surfer to regain control over their servant the In-Betweener.<ref>Silver Surfer vol. 3 #17 (Nov. 1988)</ref> Lord Chaos and Master Order imprisoned the In-Betweener for his transgressions.<ref>Silver Surfer vol. 3 #18 (Dec. 1988)</ref>
They also attend the funeral of Eon and speak with cosmic hero Quasar.<ref>Quasar #26 (Sept. 1991)</ref>
Lord Chaos and Master Order participated in the congress of metaphysical and abstract beings to determine Thanos' fitness to wield the Infinity Gauntlet. They chose to join Adam Warlock and the other cosmic deities in a bid to stop Thanos.<ref>Infinity Gauntlet #3 (Sept. 1991)</ref> With the other abstract beings, they battled Thanos,<ref>Infinity Gauntlet #4-5 (Oct.-Nov. 1991)</ref> and then battled Nebula when she obtained the Gauntlet from Thanos.<ref>Infinity Gauntlet #6 (Dec. 1991)</ref> The congress of abstract beings then witnessed Adam Warlock's cosmic trial to determine his worthiness to wield the Infinity Gauntlet.<ref>Warlock and The Infinity Watch #1 (Feb. 1991)</ref> Lord Chaos and Master Order were next seen among a group of abstract beings questioning the Beyonder from the Dimension of Manifestations.<ref>Quasar #38 (Sept. 1992)</ref>
In Infinity Crusade it is learned that they must obey the dictates of Eternity and Infinity.Template:Volume needed
In Time Runs Out, the Beyonders kill Chaos, Order, the In-Betweener, and other abstract entities in each reality across the multiverse.<ref>New Avengers vol. 3 #30 (April 2015)</ref>
Following the restoration of the universe in Secret Wars, Chaos and Order become disgruntled by Galactus' evolution from a force of destruction to a force of creation. They kill the Living Tribunal and force the In-Betweener to fuse them into Logos, a new being who can take his place. However, they are separated by Black Panther's astral form.<ref>The Ultimates vol. 2 #6</ref><ref>The Ultimates 2 vol. 2 #2</ref><ref>The Ultimates 2 vol. 2 #3</ref>
Powers and abilities
Lord Chaos is an abstract being who embodies the metaphysical concept of Chaos. It has no physical form, although on occasion it has manifested as a disembodied human head. It has the ability to control and manipulate time, reality, and space.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet ranked Lord Chaos' scale of power as above that of Galactus, but below Eternity.<ref>Thanos Annual #1 (2014)</ref> Lord Chaos and Master Order were able to easily kill the Living Tribunal by blasting him with energy, and also defeat Galactus after transforming into Logos.<ref>The Ultimates 2 #2</ref>
Other versions
Lord Chaos and Master Order battle Thanos in an alternate universe when he possesses the Heart of the Universe.<ref>Marvel: The End #1-6 (2003)</ref>
References
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External links
- Lord Chaos at Marvel.com