The Champion of the Universe (Tryco Slatterus) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is not necessarily a villain but has played the role in the past through his impetuous and arrogant actions.

Publication history

He first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One Annual #7 (1982), and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Wilson.

Fictional character biography

The Champion is one of the alien Elders of the Universe. He is an immortal who claims to have been born billions of years ago in the Ancrindo Nebula. Although he wishes to prove himself the greatest warrior in the universe, he usually does so fairly. He keeps himself busy by fighting powerful warriors throughout the universe. The Champion of the Universe's Promoter Supreme, Proja, recruits the superheroes Thing, Namor, Hulk, Colossus, Sasquatch, Thor, Doc Samson, and Wonder Man to a boxing match in Madison Square Garden. The other heroes are defeated or disqualified, but the Thing refuses to give up and convinces the Champion to surrender.

The Champion attempts to kill the Silver Surfer to prevent him from interfering with a Skrull plot to use Nova to force Galactus to destroy the Kree empire. The Champion is overpowered by the Silver Surfer, suffering his first known defeat in combat. The Champion is one of the eleven Elders who seeks to restart the universe by killing Galactus. He attempts to kill Mantis, but she is rescued by the Silver Surfer. The Champion then battles Galactus and the Silver Surfer, but is converted into energy and consumed by Galactus. The Champion and the other four Elders devoured by Galactus cause Galactus "cosmic indigestion" from within until they are forced out of him by Master Order and Lord Chaos. After the other Elders leave, the Champion obtains the Power Gem, one of the Infinity Gems.

The Champion settles on the planet Skardon, whose native Skard exist in a "might makes right" culture; all disputes, including matters of law, are settled in a trial by combat. By defeating Skardon's most powerful fighters in the natives' boxing-ring-esque arena, the Champion becomes the ruler of the planet. He is later defeated and dethroned by She-Hulk.

Afterward, the Champion takes the new name of "The Fallen One" in disgrace. He also attempts to take revenge through proxy, giving the Power Gem to She-Hulk's enemy Titania. Upon learning that the Champion can return the Power Gem that contains the "Power Primordial" to himself at any time, Titania smashes him with a giant rock mass, believing that he would be kept buried below it.

When the Deadpool Corps was chosen to go defeat The Awareness, the Champion deemed them unworthy and sought to challenge them. However he is tricked and left stranded on an empty planet after the Deadpool Corps steals his motorcycle. After being rescued by the Gardener, the Champion tracks down Deadpool at a bar and begins to fight, but is eventually convinced to join the team under the name "Championpool." He is soon tricked into going to fight on another deserted planet, only to find that there are no warriors to fight and his rocket cycle is without fuel, leaving him stranded.

The Champion of the Universe was with the other Elders of the Universe during Thanos' meeting with them. Thanos caused the supposed deaths of those present. The Champion is later revealed to have survived.

Powers and abilities

The Champion controls an energy source referred to as the Power Primordial. This energy is apparently residual energy that is left over from the Big Bang itself. The Champion has spent countless eons channeling this energy force into the perfection of his physical form. Physically, he is the most powerful of the Elders but he is unable to channel the energy into force blasts, flight, matter manipulation, telepathy or to increase his intelligence as the other Elders can.

The Champion possesses vast physical strength, that is only limited by the amount of cosmic force that his body can contain. The Thing noted that the Champion hit him harder than either the Hulk or the Silver Surfer (without wearing the Power Gem at the time).

  • The Champion appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.
  • The Champion appears as the primary antagonist of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.

References

  • Champion of the Universe at Marvel.com
  • Champion of the Universe at Marvel Wiki
  • Champion of the Universe at Comic Vine
  • Champion of the Universe at Marvel Directory