The heroic champion Captain Universe is one of Marvel’s most creative concepts. Not a character but a cosmic force, “Captain Universe” refers to anyone in the Marvel Universe imbued with the “Uni-Power” – an energy that gives its hosts the power of a god. At times of great need, anyone can become Captain Universe and acquire superhuman strength, speed, invulnerability, the ability to fly, restructure matter… and basically any other power the wielder can imagine. And we do mean anyone.

In the past, Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, the Hulk, Silver Surfer, the Invisible Woman, and Daredevil have all become Captain Universe and fought in epic battles. What is not so well known is that at all times, someone must be Captain Universe, since the Uni-Power moves constantly from person to person. Moreover, the tasks Captain Universe must do aren’t always universe-shaking, nor are its hosts all seasoned heroes. Here are some of the most unlikely people in the Marvel Universe to become the all-powerful Captain Universe.

Casey the Dog

Marvel Captain Universe Dog Comic

In What If --? Vol. 2 #31, readers briefly saw what happens when the Uni-Power chooses a dog as its champion. When loyal canine Casey sees his owner Glenn propose to his girlfriend Laura on a hot air balloon, the dog sees the balloon rupture and explode. Simultaneously, the Enigma Force imbues Casey with the power of Captain Universe. Immediately grasping the situation, “Captain Uni-Mutt” soars into the sky and snatches his falling humans with his teeth and paws, setting them safely on the ground. Grumbling that he “better get a biscuit” for his bravery, Casey’s tenure as Captain Universe lasts a short (but heroic) five seconds.

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Interestingly, according to the Watcher who was observing the whole scene, the Uni-Power empowered Casey shortly after making Spider-Man Captain Universe. Wanting to stay with a powerful host like Spidey, but resisting the urge, the Uni-Power began intentionally empowering beings with less emotional and physical development like animals – or children.

Little Eddie

Captain Universe Kid in Marvel Comics

The Uni-Power found an even unlikelier champion in Web of Spider-Man Annual #6 when it chose two-year-old Eddie to become Captain Universe. Alerted by two demons summoned by a pair of unscrupulous stockbrokers seeking to use black magic to cheat the market, the Uni-Power gave Eddie unlimited superpowers when the demons run amok. Choosing first to protect his parents by placing them in a giant crib, the toddler Captain Universe decides the only way to stop “the bad monsters” is by bringing his “good monster” action figures to life. When that doesn’t work, Eddie decides the only way to stop being scared by nightmares is to “turn on the light” – inspiring him to blast the demons with a bright burst of Uni-Power. Once the crisis is averted, one of Marvel’s youngest heroes reverts to normal.

Aunt May

Apparently, the Uni-Power doesn’t discriminate by age, as it also once made Spider-Man’s elderly Aunt May into Captain Universe. Appearing for only one (albeit very memorable) panel in the Fantastic Four Roast #1, Aunt May showed up at the twentieth anniversary “roast” of The Fantastic Four. While other heroes came to insult and poke fun at the Fantastic Four, “Aunt Universe” only kindly asked the host if it was time for milk and cookies. While the Uni-Power didn’t seem to have any major tasks for Aunt May, seeing the senior citizen in the skintight Captain Universe costume still made for a fun sight gag.

Oddly enough, this wasn’t even the first time Aunt May acquired phenomenal cosmic powers – as Aunt May once became a Herald of Galactus (yes, really), took on the name Golden Oldie, and wielded the Power Cosmic!

Spider-Ham

Spider-Ham as Captain Universe Comic

Casey the dog may have been one of the first animals to become Captain Universe – but he wasn’t the last. In Marvel Tales #236, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham attracts the attention of the Uni-Power and becomes “Captain Zooniverse.” Interestingly, while Spider-MAN was hesitant about using his cosmic powers when he had the Uni-Power, his cartoon pig counterpart immediately takes advantage of them – by beating up every supervillain in the “Zooniverse” and throwing them into outer space. (By the next issue, however, Spider-Ham is non-cosmic powered, and still fighting “Duckter Doom”).

Apparently, the Uni-Power tends to favor empowering Spider-people, as it not only made Peter Parker and Spider-Ham into Captain Universe – but Miles Morales as well, who acquired the cosmic powers during the Spider-Geddon storyline.

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Elijah Jackson

Captain Universe Elijah in Marvel Comics

Not all of Captain Universe’s adventures are cosmic epics or lighthearted romps. In Marvel Comics Presents #148, readers briefly meet Elijah Jackson, an elderly man being cared for by his daughter Simone after a disease leaves him unable to move or speak. When a street gang tries to rob them, the Uni-Power empowers not Simone, but Elijah, giving him the power to fight off the gang. Shocked that her dad can move and speak again, Simone pleads with her father to remain Captain Universe. However, Elijah lets the Uni-Power go, using his last few moments to tell Simone that he loves her and assure her that, even in his near-vegetative state, he knows she’s there.

You!

Marvel's Captain Universe

No, that’s not a typo – in the one-shot comic book, The X-Men and Captain Universe: Sleeping Giants, readers were given a chance to order a tailor-made comic book that included their name, a friend’s name, and their home town in the script to make it appear that they were chosen to be the next Captain Universe. Two different issues were drawn – one with a male and the other with a female Captain Universe – to fit the reader’s gender.

The story had the reader become Captain Universe to team up with the X-Men and stop a new mutant who turns regular people into rampaging monsters. Captain Universe fights the monsters alongside the mutants – although a fighting mad Gambit inexplicably keeps wanting to beat up the reader. In between, the reader encounters difficulties with being a superhero, including trying to find a quarter to call a friend. Ultimately, Captain Universe saves the day by finding the monster-making mutant and uses the Uni-Power to reverse his mutation, causing him to revert the transformed humans back to normal.

While cheesy, the story stays true to the concept of Captain Universe – “the hero who could be YOU!” Given that the Uni-Power seems to enjoy granting unlimited cosmic powers to dogs, pigs, toddlers, and the elderly, empowering a Marvel comic book fan just seems like a natural fit.

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