Pip the Troll

Pip the Troll
Pip the Troll Art by Jim Starlin.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Strange Tales #179 (February 1975)
Created by	Jim Starlin (writer / artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Pip Gofern
Species	Laxidazian
Team affiliations	Infinity Watch X-Factor Investigations
Partnerships	Adam Warlock Thanos
Notable aliases	Ralph Bunker
Abilities	Teleportation

Pip the Troll is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Pip the Troll was introduced by Jim Starlin in Strange Tales vol 2 #179 (Feb 1975) to be a comic foil to the story's main protagonist, Adam Warlock. Pip returned in Strange Tales vol 2 #180-181 (Mar-Apr 1975) and Warlock vol 1 #9-12 (Oct 1975-Jan 1976) before his death in Avengers Annual #7 (Mar 1977).

Starlin revived the character years later in Silver Surfer vol 3 #46 (Dec 1990). Pip played a role in the 1991 Infinity Gauntlet crossover before joining the titular team of Warlock and the Infinity Watch in issue two (Mar 1992). He appeared in the title until its cancellation in 1995 with issue 42. During its run, the character was also featured in the Infinity War, Infinity Crusade, and Blood and Thunder crossovers.

After a brief appearance in a back up feature in Cosmic Powers Unlimited #4 (1996), the character was not seen again until 2002 when Starlin used him in Infinity Abyss #1-6. He returned in Marvel: The End #5-6 (2003) and Thanos #3-4 (2004), She-Hulk #12-13 (2005), and X-Factor #207-213 (2010–2011).

Pip was once Prince Gofern of the planet Laxidazia, in the Dolenz System, in the Milky Way Galaxy. He was originally an alien of the Laxidazian race who enjoyed painting pictures of the night sky. Pip became physically and psychologically mutated into a morally degenerate, stunted, satyr-like form known as a "troll" during a bout of drunkenness brought on by a mutagenic hallucinogenic ale. Like all Laxidazian trolls, Pip has four digits (including opposable thumb) on each hand, hooflike feet, and large pointed ears; apparently, normal Laxidazians are nearly identical to Earth humans. After his transformation, his people, also sick of his lewd, lecherous, and hedonistic behavior, strip him of his office and rank. He stows away on a spaceship and continues his life of debauchery. Pip began his habit of dressing in a pair of maroon, ripped pants and nothing else.