The History of Project Pegasus

By Jim Beard The serene landscape of Mount Athena in upstate New York cradles the seemingly peaceful observatory and administration buildings of Project Pegasus—but what really goes on there? Nova, alongside allies Darkhawk and Quasar, intends to delve further into the United States' strangest scientific arena in the upcoming NOVA #18, by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Wellington Alves, on sale October 29. The Project seems innocent enough on the surface, but underneath lurks a long history of trouble and turmoil. Though rumors of its existence previously perpetuated, the Project first came to light in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #42. Ostensibly a government research facility, the Thing discovered that Pegasus stood for "Potential Energy Group/Alternate Sources/United States" and claimed to investigate new energy resources for the betterment of mankind. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a half-truth. Over time, the Project peered further and

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further into the examination of super powered individuals, often times at the expense of the subjects. In a saga revealed in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #53-58, Ben Grimm discovered the facility quartered a multitude of scientists, heroes, villains, and other malcontents. The devious Roxxon Corporation stirred up a hornet's nest at the Project, attempting to install a so-called "Nth Projector" on the premises and crush what they saw as a rival in their pursuit of energy profits. As the story unfolded, the Thing encountered allies such as Quasar, Giant Man, Thundra, and Aquarian, as well as base villains the likes of Solarr, Klaw, Nuklo, and a Deathlok robot perverted to aiding Roxxon. Among all the powered persons who've spent time at the Project, the base claimed many fantastic objects and devices at one time or another, such as the aforementioned Nth Projector, but also the frightening Cosmic Cube and the sinister Serpent Crown. Many heroes have allowed themselves to be studied at the Project over the years, including Captain America, Jack of Hearts, and the mutant known as Dazzler. The latter arrived there in DAZZLER #9 and quickly sunk into a miasma of threats, blackmail, coercion, and the unkind manipulations of Klaw, Master of Sound. Fortunately, Dazzler found friendship in the form of the Project's then-security head, Quasar.

QUASAR #13

Even after his resignation as chief of security in QUASAR #2, Wendell Vaughn's association with the Project stretched over a long period of time. His involvement with the dimension-lost Squadron Supreme provided the team with a home of sorts at the base, wherein their rough ride extended to being kidnapped by the Over-Mind, meeting Dr. Strange, fighting the Geometer, and witnessing the abduction of the cocoon containing the strange entity Kismet. One of Project Pegasus' sadder days saw it contain a horrendous battle between a mind-controlled Squadron and the mighty Avengers, in AVENGERS v3 #5-6. The skirmish revealed an insidious plot by the Corruptor and hammered home the unfortunate truth that the facility would forever more be used by unscrupulous beings set on personal gain and power-brokering. Thus, its legacy: good intentions stained by greed and unconscionable behavior. Recently, as seen in NOVA #17, Project Pegasus once more played host to tumult, namely as the target of the ongoing Skrull Invasion. Nova hit that scene but the battle's outcome will be anybody's guess—more details to be revealed in NOVA #18, on sale October 29! Check out the official Marvel Shop for your favorite Marvel Heroes!

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