Cosmic Cube - Publication History

Publication History

The first Cosmic Cube appeared in a story in Tales of Suspense #79–81 (July–Sept. 1966), established as a device created by A.I.M. and capable of transforming any wish into reality, irrespective of the consequences. The Cube was also a plot device in a story that introduced the character of the Super-Adaptoid in Tales of Suspense #82–84 (Oct.–Dec. 1966).

The Cube reappeared in Captain America #115–120 (July–Dec. 1969), and featured in an epic cosmic storyline that starred arch-villain Thanos in Daredevil #107 (Jan. 1974) and Captain Marvel #25–33 (March 1972–July 1974: bi-monthly). Retrieved after Thanos' defeat, this original cube featured in several Project Pegasus stories in Marvel Two-in-One #42–43 (Aug.–Sept. 1978), Marvel Two-in-One #57–58 (Dec. 1979–Jan. 1980), and Marvel Team-Up Annual #5 (1982).

The creation of a second cube was shown in Super-Villain Team-Up #16–17 (May 1979, June 1980) but this cube was initially powerless and did not gain any reality-altering ability until years after its creation.

A major element was added to the Cube's origin—that each is in fact an evolving sentient being—in Captain America Annual #7 (1983). The sentient Cube returned in Avengers #289–290 (March–April 1988) to end the threat of the Super-Adaptoid (itself originally empowered by a "shard" of a Cosmic Cube), and then in Fantastic Four #319 (Oct. 1988). This story revealed that the villain the Molecule Man had ties to the Cube and introduced a new character.

The limited series Infinity War #1–6 (June–Nov. 1992) and Infinity Crusade #1–6 (June–Nov. 1993) established that the items actually exist in a variety of geometric forms.

A third Cosmic Cube was created during the "Taking A.I.M." storyline that ran through Avengers vol. 1, #386–388 (May–July 1995) and Captain America vol. 2, #440–441 (June–July 1995). This unstable Cube has not been seen since it was sealed in a containment chamber at the conclusion of the storyline.

The previously-powerless second Cosmic Cube finally gained an ability to alter reality in Captain America vol. 2, #445–448 (November, 1995–February, 1996) but it was unstable and exploded at the end of that storyline. The second cube's power reappeared in a storyline in Captain America vol. 3, #14–19 (Feb.–July 1999) during which its power was internalized within the Red Skull and then stolen by Korvac and taken to an alternate 31st Century Earth before being returned to the Red Skull on present-day Earth after which it was seemingly destroyed again by exposure to anti-matter energy.

Doctor Doom acquires the Cosmic Cube in the Fantastic Four limited-series The World's Greatest Comics Magazine (2001). Doom uses a time machine to get the Cube from the ocean floor from when Red Skull had lost it in a battle with Captain America.

A Cube—together with 11 other items from Marvel and DC Comics continuity—was used once again as a plot device in intercompany crossover series JLA/Avengers #1–4 (Sept. 2003–April 2004: bi-monthly).

The cube also shows up in Captain America vol. 6. Aleksander Lukin wants the cube and is willing to trade the Red Skull for it. The Red Skull claims he does not have it, but has spies out looking for it. Five years later, the Skull is in New York City and is in possession of it. General Lukin sent the Winter Soldier to retrieve the cube from the Skull, and to kill him. The Skull transfers his mind into the body of Lukin through the powers of the Cube.

A fragment of a Cube empowered a new character that featured in a single storyline in Marvel Team-Up vol. 3, #20–24 (July–Nov. 2006), and a Cube also appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, #19 (Dec. 2009). The item added a new aspect to the abilities of character the Absorbing Man in The Mighty Avengers #32–33 (Feb.–March 2010). A new Cosmic Cube was revealed in Avengers Assemble #5 (July 2012).