Alter Ego

While on a mission to prevent Ego from causing more harm to the planet Earth's solar system, Thor was confronted by the Stranger who encouraged the thunder god not to interfere with Ego's destiny. Baffled by the Stranger's sudden interest in divinity, Thor questioned the man of science only to learn that the Stranger was Ego's creator, and he was streaking across space on a mission of great importance. Since the Stranger was unwilling to reveal exactly what this mission was, Thor hurried ahead of the "Living Planet" to find its destination. Thor quickly came upon the Museum of the Elder of the Universe known as the Collector. After a brief scrimmage between the two powerful men Collector revealed to Thor Alter Ego, another "Living Planet," was being held within a special chamber of the Museum. Also in the Museum was Zephyr, one time captive of the Collector, although now she is acting as his ally, and she blasted Thor into the Alter Ego's dimensional prison, where he became the living planet's next meal. Thor eventually freed himself and led the Stranger to Alter Ego's prison where he revealed that he had also created Alter Ego as a bargain to the Collector, and without the Collector's assistance he could not have created either planet. The Stranger refused to assist Alter Ego in escaping his dimensional prison, simply to see which set of circumstances freedom or captivity bred the stronger will.