Origin

Gladiator's history before joining the Imperial Guard is unknown - Galactus has previously mentioned a being who's description is similar to that of Kallark being one of his Heralds, but the topic has not been further revealed. Gladiator is one of the alien race called Strontians, and isone of the Imperial Guard's most loyal and bold member, who had been trained under the tutelage of Deathbird, Lilandra's evil sister. Gladiator will adhere to the command of the Majestor or Majestrix no matter what, even if he doesn't agree with their orders; in fact, his first encounter with the people of Earth was when the previous ruler of the Shi'ar Empire, the mad Emporer D'Ken, ordered the Imperial Guard to fight the X-Men. He later fought the X-Men again in the matter of the fate of Jean Grey who was possessed by the Phoenix Force and became the Dark Phoenix. Gladiator has travelled to Earth on a few occasions. Once time he fought the Fantastic Four (mistaking them for the shape-changing alien Skrulls) and on another occasion he came looking for the X-Men to help him fight against the Phalanx; this second time, his aggressive arrival led him to blows with the X-Men's Cannonball (Sam Guthrie).  Recently, he attempted to acquire the Uni-Power which was travelling from host to host for aid against Krosakis, he found it with Invisible Woman, and was able to convince it to aid him. Krosakis eventually caught up with Gladiator as he tried to leave Earth with the Uni-Power. Silver Surfer assisted Kallark, and Kallark placed Krosakis under custody.

Gladiator's Return

Physical Characteristics

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 595 lbs.

Hair: Dark Blue

Eyes: Blue

Skin Color: Purple

Powers & Abilities

Superhuman Speed: Gladiator is capable of running and moving at speeds vastly greater than even the finest human athlete. While the exact limit of his speed is unknown, he is able to move considerably faster than the Speed of Sound, which is roughly 770 miles per hour. However, Gladiator rarely uses his superhuman speed while not in flight.

Superhuman Stamina: Gladiator possesses extraordinary physical stamina. His muscles generate considerably less fatigue toxins than the musculature of human beings. He can exert himself at peak capacity for several weeks before fatigue begins to affect him.

Superhuman Agility: Gladiator's natural balance, agility, and body coordination are enhanced to levels that are beyond the natural physical limits of even the finest human athlete.

Superhuman Reflexes: Gladiator's reflexes are similarly heightened and are superior to those of the finest human athlete.

Superhuman Durability: Gladiator's body possesses a high degree of resistance to physical injury as well as a bio-aura. He can withstand high caliber bullets, powerful concussive blasts, falls from tremendous heights without sustaining injury. Gladiator can withstand temperatures approaching that of a supernova and can survive in the vacuum of space indefinitely.

Flight: Gladiator is able to generate gravitons that enable him to fly. Gladiator's speed rivals those of the fastest known starships, and can achieve faster than light speeds in hyperspace.

Hypervision: can see multiple wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Heat Beams: Gladiator is capable of firing highly concentrated beams of energy from his eyes. The maximum heat these beams can reach is unknown; it is said that they can reach temperatures comparable to those produced by stars. They are capable of burning through the Hulk's skin, which means that they are able to reach temperatures of at least 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Superhuman Strength: Gladiator has class 100 strength, allowing him to lift (press) at least 100 tons, although his exact limits are unknown. His strength rivals those of known powerhouses such as Thor, Hercules, and the Hulk. His strength has proven sufficient for him to lift the entire 35 floor Baxter Building; he has even boasted that he has the strength to move planets, although this has yet to be proven.

Ice Breath: Gladiator can breathe blasts of icy temperatures, the extent of which is unknown.

Psi Resistance: Gladiator is capable of causing a counterforce against telepathic assaults and probes. However, telepaths of sufficient power are capable of penetrating his psionic defenses.

Abilities : Gladiator is highly skilled in the combat arts of the Shi'ar, personally trained by Deathbird.

Weaknesses: Gladiator is vulnerable to certain wavelengths of radiation; in the past, he was exposed to an unknown form of radiation that was slowly killing him.

Limitations: A significant portion of Gladiator's powers, especially his strength, stamina, and resistance to physical injury, are affected by his level of confidence and possibly his willpower; If his confidence in himself wavers, he has been known to weaken substantially. For example, the Invisible Woman knocked Gladiator out cold with a forcefield when he was in doubt about his abilities. Cannonball also managed to knock Gladiator down by manipulating his blast field so it absorbed the power of one of Gladiator's most powerful punches - when Gladiator saw Cannonball unaffected, he momentarily doubted his strength and Cannonball was able to knock out Gladiator, albeit very briefly.

Equipment: Reed Richards has theorized that Gladiator uses concealed Shi'ar  technology to amplify his powers at times, such as when he lifted the Baxter Building (which should have crumbled under its own weight) but this has never been proven, and this could also have been an as-yet-unseen side effect to his strength-enhancing confidence.