Pip Gofern (Earth-616)

Pip the Troll
Name	Pip Gofern
Aliases	Dr. DeTroll, Drax, Pipman
Affiliation and Relationships
Affiliation	Ravagers Formerly X-Factor Investigations, Infinity Watch; partner of Magus and Gamora; employee of Thanos
Marital Status	Single
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	4′4″ (1.32 m)
Weight	144 lbs (65.32 kg)
Eyes	Irises: Green Pink (formerly)
Hair	Red
Unusual Features	Pointed ears, cloven hooves instead of feet
Origin and Living Status
Origin	Laxidazian Prince Gofern was transformed into his present troll-like appearance after imbibing a special brew of ale.
Living Status	Alive
Reality	Earth-616
Place of Birth	Laxidazia, Dolenz system, Milky Way galaxy
Personal Information
Identity	No Dual
Citizenship	Laxidazian
Occupation	Secretary and adventurer; former prince, painter, gadabout
Base of Operations	Ego the Living Planet Formerly X-Factor Investigations Headquarters, New York City, New York; Inferno Club, Las Vegas, Nevada; mobile throughout the Milky Way galaxy; Monster Isle, Pacific Ocean; Laxidazia, Dolenz system, Milky Way galaxy
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Jim Starlin
First	Strange Tales #179 (January, 1975)
First	Strange Tales #179 (January, 1975)

 Major Problem Time, Pip me Lad. All the Watch's Top Brass have evaporated. Nature abhors a Power Vacuum! Fortunately this Situation's got a natural Cork prepared to fill the Gap. Past Year I've hung out with enough of these Super-Hero Types to figure out what it takes to be a Top Dog in their Kennel. Figured it'd only be a matter of time 'fore the Avengers or somebody enlisted me to lead 'em. Luckily, I've been preparin' for this Moment. World, get ready for a new and improved Pip the Troll! And now, on this Stage, for the first Time in the known Universe, Monster Island Revues is proud to present the amazing, utterly stupendous, fearless, cunning and totally dependable... Pip Man! 

—Pip the Troll

History

Origins

Pip was born on a planet named Laxidazia. He was born into royalty as the 260th in line for the throne. He had an interest in art and spent much of his time drawing portraits of the night sky.

On one such idea, he found a group of Laxidazian trolls, who were considered a subspecies and degenerates to be shunned by the others. After a long night of drinking with them, Pip awoke to find that he had gained the characteristics of a troll. Their liquor was in fact enchanted with some type of altering quality. Although he tried to hide it, his transformation, as well as his trollish behavior, caused him to be exiled.

Adam Warlock and Infinity Watch

He spent time in various bars and seedy places. When the Magus' forces came to Laxidazia, they ordered the destruction of all trolls. Pip was captured and placed on a ship designated for those to be executed. There he met Adam Warlock and the two staged a rebellion to escape. They became allies during Warlock's fight against the Magus.. After the Magus was defeated, the two briefly parted ways.

Pip's mind was destroyed by Thanos, but Warlock placed him into his Soul Gem and along with Gamora he was eventually reformed in a new body. Pip was a loyal and valued member of the Infinity Watch.

Later, Pip searched for Warlock (who had been in hibernation) at the request of Thanos, who was searching for a way to deal with the Thanosi. Pip also helped Thanos and Galactus against the entity known as Hunger. As thanks, Thanos had him thrown out with the trash. Pip returned to working with Gamora and Adam Warlock.

X-Factor Investigations

Pip somehow came into debt with the goddess Hela, but her brother Agamemnon secretly gave Pip a magical pendant that clouded Hela's senses and allowed him to morph into a human form. Equipped with it, Pip was able to escape the Inferno Club, but, in exchange, Pip would have to infiltrate X-Factor Investigations and keep Agamemnon caught up on Wolfsbane's pregnancy.

Pip working for X-Factor Investigations

With the pendant, Pip went to New York City, where he spent his time partying in bars and clubs. Meanwhile, Hela, under the guise of "Halja", hired X-Factor Investigations to find Pip. James Madrox and Theresa Cassidy found Pip at a local pub and inadvertently alerted Hela to his location by removing the amulet. Realizing that they had just handed someone over to the goddess of death, Madrox and the other felt extremely guilty and headed to Las Vegas to save him.

With help from Thor, X-Factor battled Hela's undead army from Niffleheim and rescued Pip. After his rescue, Pip insisted on repaying X-Factor by working as their secretary. And when Wolfsbane's child was approaching, he warned his master as discussed.

As the rest of the team went after Wolfsbane, who had run away, Pip stayed behind, hoping no one would notice. Layla Miller, who wasn't easy to deceive, tried to find out what he was keeping secret, but Pip told her it would have to remain a mystery.

Ravagers

During his pursuit to quit smoking by moving away from any galaxy with cigarettes, Pip crossed paths and joined the Ravagers, a band of mercenaries led by Yondu Udonta. The Ravagers became tangled with a group of refugees from a species that possessed the natural ability to materialize their prayers into diamonds, helping them move from planet to planet to evade Chargazel's Raiders, and they eventually settled on Ego the Living Planet. The Asgardians of the Galaxy stumbled into the Ravagers shortly before the Raiders caught up with them. Both teams worked together to repel the Raiders, and parted ways; the Ravagers remained on Ego while the Asgardians continued their way.

Attributes

Power Grid

Powers

Pip using his global locationing power

Originally Pip had no superpowers, but through various magical interventions (such as Adam Warlock's magic and possessing the Space Gem), he has gained the powers:

• Teleportation: After possessing the Space Gem and its cosmic powers, Pip became imbued the ability to teleport himself and others over vast distances.
  • Global Locationing: Pip can also locate any individual, anywhere.
• Superhumanoid Strength: After his resurrection, Pip's new body had gained superhumanoid strength. It is estimated that he can lift around 10 Tons.

Pip reverting to his troll form after removing the "Thor's Hammer" pendant

With the Thor's Hammer Pendant:

• Metamorphosis: While wearing the pendant, Pip could morph into a human form.
• Undetectability: While wearing the pendant, Pip could not be located magically by Hela and possibly others.

Abilities

Hacking: Pip admitted to being capable of hacking into the Avenger's files to look into She-Hulk's file.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Formerly:

• Thor's Hammer Pendant
• Space Gem

Transportation

• Teleportation

Trivia

• Pip's smoking habit was inspired by Jack Kirby.

See Also

• 177 appearance(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 7 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 15 minor appearance(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 5 mention(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 2 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 72 image(s) of Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 16 quotation(s) by or about Pip Gofern (Earth-616)
• 2 item(s) used/owned by Pip Gofern (Earth-616)

Links and References

• Pip Gofern on Marvel.com
• Pip Gofern on Wikipedia.org