Champion
The Champion is
an Elder of the Universe. Like his fellow Elder, the Grandmaster,
Champion thrives on competition. Unlike Grandmaster however
Champion prefers the thrill of physical combat. Champion lived
for millenium while never experiencing defeat.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #1- Champion leaps down upon Silver Surfer, knocking him to the Earth as he talks with the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four heads down to help, and Thing recognizes Champion. Champion says he wants Surfer's death. Surfer ducks Champion the first time, but Champion tags him. Surfer blasts Champion into an iceberg. The two wage back and forth until Champion comes flying through the ceiling of an iceberg and falls unconscious. The Fantastic Four land. Champion awakes and for the first time in his life he is honor bound to tell Silver Surfer why he came to kill him as it is Surfer's right as the victor. Champion tells Surfer he came to prevent Surfer from disrupting the Skrull contest for cosmic domination and the casting into slavery of Galactus. Champion informs Surfer that the Skrulls have lost their shape-changing powers. The Skrulls fear their ancient enemies will destroy them. Skrulls have kidnapped Nova, Galactus' herald. Galactus actually wants her to live. Champion knows a way that Surfer might be able to leave Earth's atmosphere, but as he is only bound to tell Surfer why he tried to kill him Champion fades from Earth.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #3- Surfer arrives at Collector’s and wants to know about Grandmaster and Champion. He wants to know why they are attacking him, and why they have sided with the Skrulls over the Kree. Collector says that even though the Elders call each other brother they aren’t related, or even close. Surfer says he is going to get to the bottom of it, but if Collector really isn’t part of it he won’t bother him again. After Surfer leaves Collector calls Champion to tell him that Surfer is in their business again. Champion says that he will contact the others. A plant with the Collector takes note. The Runner goes to kill Surfer. He defeats him and leaves him for dead. Mantis arrives to help Surfer.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #4- Mantis restores Surfer. She was the plant that overheard Collector and Champion. Mantis takes Surfer to a meeting place of the Elders that she heard of from three different plant life. They sneak to the planet without vegetation. They see Grandmaster, Champion, Collector, Runner, Possessor, Contemplator, Gardener, and four others he doesn’t know. Runner is bragging that he killed Surfer while Grandmaster and Champion failed. Grandmaster says that he didn’t fail, but Runner doesn’t understand his game. Champion adds that Runner won because of Champion and Korvac softening him up. As they talk Surfer learns the names Astronomer, Trader, and Obliterator. Grandmaster reveals to the others that his little game against Death has been successful. He and all the other Elders are banished from Death’s realm making them truly immortal. Grandmaster says that now only one thing remains. They must kill the only thing that is older than they are, the lone survivor from the old universe before the Big Bang, Galactus. Suddenly Surfer learns that the other Elder is the personification of Ego, the living planet. Ego senses there are unwanted visitors. Champion is going to kill Mantis, but Surfer causes the ground before him to explode. Surfer and Mantis escape.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #7- Mantis is “delivered” through flora to the location where the Elders meet. Ego and Obliterator are not present. Grandmaster says that those who are on time can’t be kept waiting. Contemplator mentions that Obliterator was sent after Surfer and Mantis. Champion says that he doubts Obliterator failed to kill them. He says that he and Runner failed, but that they are not killers by nature. The Elders say that they have chosen this planet because the one they want to destroy Galactus has vowed never to return there. Mantis overhears that the Elders plan to kill Galactus, an event so extreme that the balance of power will be so thrown off that the universe will end and create another. The Elders would then serve as the new Galactii in the new universe. The Elders plan on killing Galactus using the six Soul Gems. Gardener has one. Collector found another after being resurrected. Champion gained another when he defeated the most able setients on the planet of Grinx. Trader was able to trade for two more of them. Grandmaster says that they have gathered to use the power of the five so others can see how close they are to their goal, and that after Contemplator has traded for the final gem victory will be theirs. Trader mentions their last meeting being watched. Grandmaster says that is why he chose this planet. Grandmaster has Gardener bring forth the trapped Mantis. The plants obey him over her. Elsewhere the Supreme Intelligence refuses to trade with Contemplator for his Soul Gem, but he does use it to steal Surfer’s soul.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #9- Contemplator reports to the other Elders that Silver Surfer has stolen the Soul Gem right off Supreme Intelligence driving the Kree brain insane. Champion remarks that the Kree are as defeated as the Skrulls without their shape changing abilities. Grandmaster says that Silver Surfer knows neither the importance of the gem, or that the Elders have captured both his loves Mantis and Shalla-Bal. The Elders contact Surfer and tell him where to find them. They offer a trade: The women for the sixth gem. Mantis tells Surfer why the Elders want the gem, and what it will do. Surfer gives them the gem, and Grandmaster spirits the women away for Surfer to chase. Champion asks if Grandmaster must always cheat. Grandmaster says that he must always win, and that now they won’t have to deal with any more interference from Surfer. Mantis dies. Later the Elders send up a flame that draws Galactus’ attention. Galactus says that they must be mad, but the Elders say that they can turn Galactus’ dependency for consuming planets to their favor. The six gems drain the power that Galactus absorbed from other planets and sends them back to other planets. They say that the hunger will soon claim Galactus. Surfer shows up and his silver body deflects the beam. Nova destroys the sun of the planets receiving Galactus’ power. The explosion creates a black hole. Galactus has his power and pulls Surfer, Nova, and five of the Elders back from the hole. Galactus says that there will now be a reckoning.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #10- Champion, Runner, Grandmaster, Collector, and Gardener are pulled together in a group. Grandmaster says that they failed and will now learn the ramifications of that failure. Galactus tells them to say their final words. Grandmaster says that he is bluffing, and that the Elders cannot die. Galactus says that he is a third force in reality between Death and Eternity. He says that he is going to eat them as he would a planet. Galactus devours them. He decides to go after the Contemplator who was neither with those he ate or those sucked into the black hole.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #17- After being devoured the Elders reformed within Galactus. Finally after the In-Betweener attacked and injured Galactus, Lord Chaos and Master Order pull the Elders from Galactus’ insides.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #18- The Elders follow as Galactus rushes headlong to fight In-Betweener. Before Galactus and In-Betweener clash though the Elders and the others are separated from Galactus. The five Elders find themselves together each with a Soul Gem to protect themselves with. Grandmaster says that he will wager his gem that In-Betweener will win. Champion says that he will take that bet. He smells that Galactus will be the winner. Champion considers the fight “glorious”. As the Elders watch they see that no clear victor is emerging. Collector says that In-Betweener forced Death to take three of the Elders into death. He says that they should be insuring In-Betweener’s defeat not watching. Grandmaster says he doesn’t believe it is true and says he is willing to risk it. Champion says that he is drawn to the battle, but Grandmaster says that they have an agreement and won’t see it broken. Galactus and In-Betweener start getting sucked into the Black Hole. The Elders and Surfer push on one side of the hole while Nova, Reed, Sue, and Franklin Richards pull from the other end. In-Betweener is pulled back into the realm of Lord Chaos and Master Order. They hold him and send the others out.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #19- Champion, along with the other Elders, use their Soul Gems to teleport away from Galactus. Galactus says they will yet feel his wrath.
Thanos Quest #1- Thanos goes to Tamarata to face Champion. Tamarata is a world in the defense plans of five different warring federations. The planet is constantly being conquered and reconquered. Champion remains on the planet to fight whoever is in control for the competition of it. Champion has never been defeated on Tamarata. Champion plows into an army. He throws a tank into another, exploding both. Thanos realizes that Champion utilizes his Power Gem without even realizing it. Thanos challenges Champion. Champion swings high on Thanos. Thanos grabs Champion's hair and hits him. Champion charges Thanos, but Thanos dodges sending Champion face first into a cliff. The cliff collapses on Champion, but he breaks out. Thanos blasts Champion, but Champion advances on Thanos. As Champion gets closer Thanos stops the blast. Champion falls forward into Thanos' punch. Champion charges, but Thanos puts up his force field. Champion smashes the force field over and over, getting angrier and stronger. Champion leaps into the air to smash the force field. Thanos teleports off the planet. Champion's hit destroys the entire planet of Tamarata. Champion celebrates amongst the rubble until he sees Thanos sitting on his chair. Thanos tells him that he has stranded himself. Champion wants to fight for Thanos' chair, but Thanos declines. Thanos says he will take Champion to the next planet for Champion's Soul Gem. Champion declines saying someone will find him. Thanos agrees but brings up that they will probably remember what a jerk he was. Champion gives him the gem saying it never worked anyway. Champion is pleased because the planet Thanos takes him to is ruled by weaklings. Thanos drops Champion from space to land on the planet. He tells Champion that a soft landing was not part of the bargain.
Silver Surfer annual #5- While Pip the Troll is using his Space Gem to weave lies to a girl about what a good friend of the Silver Surfer he is Pip teleports them to various locations of Surfer’s villains. Pip shows her Champion stranded on the planet where Thanos dropped him after taking his Power Gem.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #98- flashback- Champion reveals that he survived the fall from space from Thanos Quest #1. The inhabitants of the planet thought him a god dropped from heaven. The worshipped Champion and gave him the wristlets he now wears. The wristlets amplify the wearer's natural power. Eventually Champion bored of ruling the people and engaged the entire planet in battle. He won.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #97- Champion stands on a mound of dead bodies.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #98-
Champion bursts through the wall of Thanos' sanctum.
Thanos sits silently as Champion describes everything he is going
to do to him, and everything Thanos did to him. Thanos continues
to sit as Champion shows Thanos his new power amplifier, his
wristlets. Champion asks what Thanos has to say. Thanos says,
"go away", and then with one finger teleports Champion
away. Surfer and Nova are blown clear as Champion demolishes a
planet. Surfer asks why he did it and Champion says out of
frustration from Thanos teleporting him to the lifeless world.
When Champion tells Surfer of how he gained his new wristlets and
destroyed a race Surfer becomes enraged. Nova calms Surfer down,
but blurts out that Drax now has Champion's former Power Gem.
Champion takes off after Drax, and Surfer is forced to try and
stop him. Surfer collides with Champion, and then acts like he
didn't want it to come to blows as Champion blasts at Surfer.
Surfer blocks the blast with his board, but Champion pulls Surfer
in and hits him. They pair off on Surfer's board. Nova doesn't
help Surfer but flies away. Champion hits Surfer twice and as
Surfer rallies back Nova appears with Drax. Champion can't
believe the simpleton has his gem. Champion charges but Drax
drives him into the ground like a stake. Drax explains to an
unconscious Champion that the Power Gem is his and flies away.
Nova takes Champion's wristlets off and offers them to Surfer.
Surfer destroys them as he is not tempted by power.