Grandmaster
Grandmaster is
an Elder of the Universe. After thousands of years Grandmaster
has perfected the art of the game.And while Grandmaster could
easily trounce you in a million games of checkers he prefers a
higher level of competition- with higher stakes. Planetary
conquest, life and death, or the gainig of vast power are the
Grandmaster's preferred stakes.
Amazing Spider-Man #222- flashback-
Defenders #32- flashback- behind the scenes- Grandmaster helps Kyle Richmond get rid of his heart murmur. The same serum that cured Kyle also granted him twice his strength at nighttime.
Avengers #70- flashback- behind the scenes- Grandmaster goes back in time to alter the lives of four Earthmen so that they may fight the Avengers for him against Kang. Hyperion's world was an atom that was the first to be split by the man-made cyclotron. Hyperion survived floating in the void until the Grandmaster caused him to awaken and enlarge.
Amazing Spider-Man #222- flashback-
Avengers #69- flashback- Kang sits mourning his lost Ravonna, and wishes that he had the power of life and death. Suddenly the Grandmaster appears before him, and says that he has that power to grant. Grandmaster says will be play Kang in a game, very much like chess, for the power of life and death for his beloved Ravonna. However if Kang loses Grandmaster will sentence Kang and the entire Earth into oblivion as if it had never existed. Grandmaster then demonstrates oblivion for Kang on two of his guards. Grandmaster says that he will return in one year to play for the fate of Ravonna and the Earth.
Avengers #69- The Grandmaster returns to Kang a year later. Grandmaster says he knows Kang has learned the rules of the game from the board, and hopes he has wisely chosen his champions because in a thousand years, and a thousand games, he has never lost. Kang says that he will have to be the first to defeat him then, and Kang chooses the Avengers. Grandmaster says he figured as much, and Captain America, Goliath (Hawkeye), Thor, and a fourth that will join in later are transported to the game board. The game board morphs into the planet Earth, and the Avengers see Grandmaster's champions: Dr. Spectrum, Hyperion, Nighthawk, and the Whizzer- the Squadron Sinister.
Avengers #70- Kang demands to know why the game has not begun. Grandmaster says that his far off home is a planet of living computers. Grandmaster says he was creating his part of this contest, but now he is finished. He says they can begin as soon as no unfriendly eyes are on them. The men Kang ordered to fire upon Grandmaster explode. Grandmaster says he is disappointed in Kang for not realizing that he is an immortal. Grandmaster points Kang to the viewscreen in time to see Kang's fourth, Iron Man, arriving. They then divide going off to certain famous monuments: Statue of Liberty, Taj Mahal, Big Ben, and the Sphinx. Kang points out to Grandmaster that Captain America has defeated Nighthawk at the Statue of Liberty. Grandmaster says it is the final outcome that matters, and that Kang must win three more battles. Iron Man defeats Dr. Spectrum at the Taj Mahal. Thor defeats Hyperion at the Sphinx. Goliath is fighting Whizzer when Black Knight interferes. Grandmaster calls a halt to the game as interference tainted the game. Grandmaster pulls Goliath and Whizzer back to the future for a second and final phase of the game.
Avengers #71- Grandmaster arranges a new game. He says his pawns will not even realize that they do his bidding. Kang's reserves: Vision, Yellowjacket, and Black Panther are sent into Paris in 1941 during World War II. They are brought face to face the Invaders: Captain America, Human Torch, and Namor. The Invaders assume that they are nazis, and the fighting begins. Kang's team wins when Vision phases through, but partially resolidifies, through all three Invaders. Grandmaster says that Kang wins, but since he only won half the game he can only gain the power to kill or create life. Kang says he was always playing for Ravonna. Suddenly the Avengers, freed from Kang's spheres of solitude by Black Knight who came for his ebony blade that Goliath took with him when he was returned to the future, storm in. The Avengers want to be returned to their time, but Kang says the only thing he thing he feels more than his love for Ravonna is his hate for the Avengers. Kang tells Grandmaster to give him both the power of life and death. Grandmaster says he cannot. Kang decides Ravonna can wait for his genius to figure out a way to resurrect her, and he chooses the power of death. Grandmaster grants the gift, but tells him to hurry lest it cause Kang's death as well. Kang is filled with power. The Black Knight storms in and knocks Kang down with his ebony blade. Grandmaster says he granted the power of death over the Avengers, but Black Knight is not an Avenger. Kang lay on the floor saying it was all a trick. As Grandmaster leaves and restores the Avengers to their own time he says to pity Kang for his heart had more hate than love.
Invaders annual #1
Defenders #14- flashback- behind the scenes- Grandmaster's team the Squadron Sinister is defeated by the Defenders. Nighthawk joins the Defenders.
Daredevil #62- flashback- behind the scenes-
Giant-Size Defenders #3- Nighthawk, as Grandmaster's emissary, recruits Grandmaster's sixth "game piece' Daredevil. Grandmaster's pieces then are Hulk, Dr. Strange, Namor, Valkyrie, Nighthawk, and Daredevil. Grandmaster is playing a game with the Earth as the prize. If Grandmaster loses he is to grant his opponent the power to enslave Earth. Since Grandmaster couldn't care less he would simply enjoy winning the game. GrandMaster goes and talks to his opponent- Prime Mover. Grandmaster is always looking for a challenge, and since Prime Mover was programmed never to lose he views this as a great challenge. Grandmaster informs his pawns of the rules, that he will divide them into three groups of two, and warns them that Prime Mover's pawns are not of their Earth. Grandmaster's first team is Nighthawk and Valkyrie. Both kill their opponents. Prime Mover is baffled at the outcome. Grandmaster is confident. Grandmaster's second team is Namor and Daredevil. Both are hampered by the environment: Namor because of the heat, and Daredevil because of the overpowering stench and noise. Prime Mover' team kills Daredevil and Namor. Grandmaster's third team is Hulk and Dr. Strange. Strange and Hulk win giving Grandmaster the victory. Grandmaster restores Namor and daredevil to life. Grandmaster decides to keep the Earth for his own. He wants to use Earth as a breeding ground for pawns. Everyone but Daredevil attacks, and is knocked out. Daredevil suggests another game for Earth. Daredevil marks a disk and suggests flipping for it. Daredevil's senses told him his side would win and Earth goes free.
Contest of Champions #1- Grandmaster and his cloaked opponent agree that since the Earth has the highest concentration of super-champions that they shall provide as the pawns for their game of life and death. After the pawns are assembled within their arena the Grandmaster speaks to all. He says that he has placed the entire world in an inertia-glow that keeps it in a state of animation. If the heroes refuse to participate in the game the Elders of the Universe will not release the planet from this state. Grandmaster says that on the planet are four pieces of a gleaming golden globe. He and his opponent will each pick twelve champions to collect as many pieces as they can. If Grandmaster wins he will be granted the power to resurrect his brother the Collector. Grandmaster's opponent will remain nameless, but if she wins Grandmaster will be stripped of his power and join his brother in oblivion. They decide to allow only Homo sapiens to participate in the game. Grandmaster's first choice is Captain America. His other choices are Tailsman, Darkstar, Wolverine, Captain Britain, Sasquatch, Defensor, She-Hulk, Daredevil, Thing, Le Peregrine and Blitzkrieg. His opponent picks Iron Man, Vanguard, Iron Fist, Shamrock, Storm, Arabian Knight, Angel, Sabra, Susan Richards, Sunfire, Black Panther, and Collective Man. Grandmaster's opponent then divides the globes and sends the off- the game is ready to begin.
Contest of Champions #2
- Grandmaster's team wins the first quarter when Daredevil
snags the globe from under Susan Richards' nose with the cable in
his billy club. The Unknown wins the second quarter as the
Arabian Knight snags the second piece of the globe.
Contest of Champions #3- Grandmaster needs to collect both of the second pieces of the globe to win (you'd think that the master strategist would have agreed on five pieces). His chances remain alive as the Thing grabs the third quarter for his side. Grandmaster wins the fourth and final piece when Shamrock grabs the fourth piece right before Captain America. (Actually Shamrock was on the Unknown's team, but we'll just pretend that isn't the case okay?). Everyone is brought back to the arena where Grandmaster is proclaimed the winner. As Grandmaster assembles the four pieces, and with it the power to resurrect the Collector, Tailsman and Susan Richards manage to unmask the Unknown as Death. Death then tells Grandmaster that though the ball does empower Grandmaster to resurrect the Collector it requires the life force of another of equal power to take his place. Grandmaster says that never has he walked away from a game before, and he cannot now. Grandmaster takes hold of the globe and fades into ash as the Collector comes back to life. Collector vows to bring Grandmaster back. Death offers Collector a game…by her rules of course.
Avengers annual #16- flashback-After the Contest of Champions Grandmaster walks into Death’s realm with Death. Grandmaster spends his time watching and studying Death. Grandmaster then contacts Collector to get a battle started that was so serious that Death itself would have to get involved.
West Coast Avengers annual #2- Silver Surfer crashes into the building where the two teams of Avengers are playing against each other in baseball. Surfer explains that he discovered a plot by one of the Elders of the Universe to kill several Avengers. The West Coast team looks over and sees the East Coast team all dead. Surfer tells them that they face the deceased Grandmaster who died at the Contest of Champions. Surfer takes the West Coast into outer space to the Collector’s ship. Collector feigns a distaste for Grandmaster’s actions. He wonders what they could do to get the Avengers back. Collector says that the only way to reach Death is to die. The Avengers all drink Collector’s poison and die except Firebird who does not die. The East Coast team comes face to face with Grandmaster in the realm of Death. He apologizes to the Avengers for the actions of his brother the Collector. He says Collector has made a deal with Death to sacrifice the Avengers for his own immortality. The West Coast team arrives and Grandmaster says that Collector has lied to them, but that they must subdue them to keep them near him for as long as they are by him Death won’t take them. After all the fights are settled a dark mist starts to form. Death materializes and seems to be bound. Grandmaster laughs that he managed to get Death involved, and that thanks to the Avengers he now rules the universe.
Avengers annual #16- Grandmaster stands triumphant over Death in his bonds. He says that he must thank the Avengers for their help. It was their battle that allowed him to get the drop on Death. The Avengers mass attack Grandmaster, but now controlling the power of Death Grandmaster swats them away. Grandmaster reveals that he purposely sought to trade his life for the Collector’s in Contest of Champions so that he could study Death as an opponent. Grandmaster says that his race gained sentience at the big bang, and that for millennia he has watched the game of life. Grandmaster says he wants to start a new game with him as the designer. Grandmaster then reveals that he has created five life bombs with which he will create a new big bang, but wipe out all existing life. Captain America challenges Grandmaster to a game for a chance to survive. Grandmaster summons their opposition- the Legion of the Unliving. Grandmaster zaps them away. Grandmaster turns to Death and says that unlike his previous games he will not allow his love of competition determine the outcome. Grandmaster says that no matter what the price he will win. The first life bomb is taken out as Thor whips it into an indestructible mystical vortex. Captain Marvel (Photon) destroys the second bomb. Surfer manages to destroy the third bomb, but because Korvac made such a showing of himself Grandmaster believes that he will call that fight a draw. He says that it is too bad he rigged his game so that he couldn’t lose. Nobody manages to destroy the fourth bomb, and a fifth of the universe dies. Grandmaster says that in his own way he finds such destruction startlingly beautiful. He says all life and death is about to end. Captain America manages to destroy the fifth bomb. Afterwards Captain America and Hawkeye are returned to face Grandmaster again. Grandmaster says that they are the only two heroes to survive round one. Grandmaster says that he intends to keep playing until he wins. He creates four new life bombs, and then asks Hawkeye and Cap to notice that all the dead Avengers have joined the Legion of the Unliving. Hawkeye flips when he sees that Mockingbird is among the dead. He shoots arrows that Grandmaster’s shield blocks. Hawkeye asks why, and Grandmaster says that it’s his game and he makes the rules. Cap slaps Hawkeye to calm him down. Hawkeye shows Grandmaster that he only has two arrows left. He fixes a special head on one of the arrows and asks Grandmaster to choose one. Grandmaster asks why he should take a chance when he is assured of victory the way things are. Hawkeye says to think of everything that is at stake, and any gamesman couldn’t resist. Grandmaster decides he must be true to his nature and picks an arrow with no head. Death breaks free while Grandmaster is distracted. Grandmaster is sent spiraling away. Hawkeye shows Cap that Grandmaster chose correctly, but Hawkeye grifted him. Grandmaster has been cast out of Death’s realm and made an immortal. Grandmaster watches as the Avengers finish playing their baseball game.
Silver Surfer vol. 3 #3- behind the scenes- Collector is thrilled when he at last sees his wife Mantani back alive. Collector says that Grandmaster succeeded in bringing her back. Martani was two billion years old when she died of apathy, and her mindset hasn’t changed in the three billion years she was dead. She dies again. Later Surfer arrives 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 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. The Elders attack, but 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- Grandmaster, along with the other Elders, use their Soul Gems to teleport away from Galactus. Galactus says they will yet feel his wrath.
Thanos Quest #2- Grandmaster turns off his view screen as he knows Thanos is coming for him next. Grandmaster greets Thanos. Thanos asks what the game will be. Thanos doesn't care why he must fight Grandmaster for the gem, but Grandmaster tells him anyway. The gem is on a pan-dimensional transporter with several layers of force field. Grandmaster says that if the fields are tampered with, or if his vital signs stop, the transporter will teleport the gem and then self-destruct. The transporter will shut down if Grandmaster loses. The game is a quasi-military exercise on the mental plane. Grandmaster gets Thanos to put up his five Infinity Gems to his one. Thanos says he doesn't plan on losing. The game begins. Grandmaster shoots at Thanos, but misses. They fire back and forth for a bit. Thanos hollows out one of the constructs on the playing field. Grandmaster lands before him. Thanos shoots Grandmaster, but Grandmaster cheated Thanos by tampering with his equipment. Thanos is encased in a silicon-based fungus. Grandmaster says the stakes were just too high. Grandmaster says he too was investigating the gems. Grandmaster says that he didn't do anything to stop Thanos because he figured Thanos could collect them for him. Grandmaster taps Thanos. Thanos crumbles and Grandmaster sees that Thanos was a robot. The real Thanos arrives
Quasar #58- When Makkari defeats Runner in the race to determine the fastest man alive in the Milky Way Grandmaster calls Runner over to yell at him. Grandmaster tells Runner that he had a significant bet on Runner to win. Makkari discovers that in learning the ways of speed he is now stuck in hyperspeed, and cannot interact with others who operate at normal speed. Grandmaster offers to cure Makkari if first he races for Grandmaster for the next 3000 years in other galaxies and dimensions until the Pan-Galactic race. Makkari declines and leaves. Runner says it seems that Grandmaster is stuck with him. Grandmaster says he will see. Later Runner and Grandmaster return to tell Makkari that the race was disqualified because one of the entrants cheated. Makkari says that he isn’t interested in proving himself anymore and leaves with his new friend Fastforward, that is helping him look for a cure for his hyperspeed. Grandmaster says as they race off, “Bah! Amateurs!”
Captain Marvel vol. 4 #5-Captain Marvel vol. 5 #14- flashback- (Captain Marvel vol. 4 #7 thru 10- non-existent)- At Glib’s Grog & Grub, Genis encounters a high stakes poker game with Grandmaster and Thanos. The winner of the game gets to enter the realm of Death and bring someone back with them. Genis cheats to win the game.