Glorian (Thomas Gideon) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, created by Gerry Conway and John Buscema. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #135, in June 1973.

Publication history

Glorian first appeared in Fantastic Four #135 (June 1973), and was created by Gerry Conway and John Buscema.

Fictional character biography

Thomas Gideon, son of billionaire Gregory Gideon and his wife Claire, was born in Rochester, New York. Gregory concocted a scheme to defeat the Fantastic Four within one week, but accidentally trapped Thomas in his time machine before reconciling with him after he returns to the present day. A few years later, Thomas is aboard a private jet with his parents when it is caught in the blast wave of a Russian nuclear weapon test and crashes, killing all but Thomas and his father. The two are rescued and hospitalized, where they learn that they are dying of radiation poisoning. The elder Gideon attempts to use the mutated genes of the Fantastic Four to cure himself, but is defeated and killed after his minion Dragon Man escapes his control. Amidst this, the Shaper of Worlds cures Thomas's radiation poisoning and takes him in as his apprentice Glorian. However, Glorian often returns to Earth and becomes involved with its superheroes. At one point, Glorian traveled to Las Vegas, and tried to help the Hulk by giving him his heart's desire. Instead, Hulk became involved in the demon Satannish's plot to steal Glorian's soul. After Hulk defeats Satannish, the Shaper takes Glorian back into space. Later, Glorian is attracted to the dreams of Generation X. He helps the team, who were lost at sea, return to Los Angeles at the request of Skin. Glorian later reappears in the Annihilation miniseries, manipulating Gamora and Ronan the Accuser to reshape the world. This is interrupted by the forces of Annihilus, forcing Glorian to kill instead of create. During the Secret Wars storyline, Silver Surfer and Dawn Greenwood escape the destruction of the Multiverse and help Glorian and his assistant Zee rebuild it. However, they eventually realize that Glorian had been manipulating them into helping him kill the Shaper of Worlds and leave his universe. In Defenders: Beyond, Glorian encounters the Defenders and traps them in an illusory universe. However, America Chavez escapes due to wearing the Eternity Mask and frees the other Defenders soon after.

Powers and abilities

Glorian has powerful psionic abilities that enable him to manipulate matter and energy. By controlling light, he can create portals and move faster than the speed of light. Additionally, he possesses telepathy that enables him to control the minds of others and create illusions.

In other media

Glorian appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "Hulk's Day Out", voiced by Robin Atkin Downes. This version is an esteemed craftsman and friend of the Hulk.