In Marvel Comics, Kang the Conqueror operates from Damocles Base, a gigantic spaceship shaped like a sword. Marvel's other uber villain, Thanos, is famous for his 'space throne', which he uses to show his supremacy in the galaxy, but Kang is sending the same message in a much more impressive way.
Damocles Base is actually a modern addition to Kang's lore, making its debut in Avengers vol. 3 #38, by Kurt Busiek and Alan Davis. Previously, Kang used his way less impressive Time-Ship as a means of transportation, but Busiek wanted to make the character appear more threatening as he was setting up Kang as the main villain for his memorable Kang Dynasty Avengers story. Damocles Base, however, does not merely look impressive, it is actually a colossal weapon that can be used against planets, besides housing Kang's vast armies and his other futuristic technological devices.
Having a gigantic sword-shaped planet-destroying weapon is impressive enough, but it's the symbolism of the Damocles Base that makes it so unique among Kang's incredible arsenal. The Sword of Damocles is an apocryphal Greek myth first put into writing by the Roman orator Cicero. Damocles was a courtier of King Dionysius II of Syracuse, who suggested that the king was truly fortunate due to his power and opulence. Dionysius then suggested that Damocles should take his place on the throne for one day, but hanged a sword above his head on a single horse hair, symbolizing the threat and consequence that comes with being a ruler, and showing how it makes all the pomp and pleasures of the role obsolete.
Kang's Damocles Base Is More Effective Than Thanos' Throne (And Also Way Cooler)
In this context, Kang's base is not just a threat, it's an undermining of any planet's self-determination. The Damocles Base hanging over a planet effectively says that Kang is the rightful ruler of everything, and everyone else is only pretending to be in charge. Whenever Kang desires, he can 'drop the sword' and show everyone the consequences of defying him. He did exactly that in Kang Dynasty, destroying Washington D.C. and killing millions of people after temporarily getting rid of the Avengers. On the other hand, Thanos sitting on a throne also declares that he is the king of the universe, but this claim relies on the Mad Titan constantly having to prove his superiority. Kang's Damocles Base, instead, acts as a constant reminder of the Conqueror's place in the universe, without Kang actually having to do anything.
Damocles Base is at the same time mocking and threatening the worlds that disagree with Kang's claims of conquest. It's a psychological device as much as a weapon of war, and it's way more effective than Thanos' throne in reminding everyone who stands in Kang's way that they are pretenders who aren't ready to deal with the consequences of challenging his supremacy.