The Cotati

• Core Identity: The Cotati are an ancient, sentient, and highly telepathic species of plant-based lifeforms whose near-genocide at the hands of the Kree directly instigated the millennia-spanning Kree-Skrull War.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Originally a peaceful, stationary species from the planet Hala, the Cotati are cosmic catalysts. Their history is central to the origins of intergalactic conflict and they are intrinsically linked to the cosmic prophecy of the celestial_madonna, a being destined to give birth to the perfect child, the Celestial Messiah, who would change the universe.
• Primary Impact: Their slaughter by the primitive kree after being favored by the visiting skrulls ignited one of the longest and most consequential wars in galactic history. Their survival, orchestrated by pacifist Kree priests, led to a long-term plan culminating in the birth of their messiah, quoi, and their eventual re-emergence as a major galactic power during the empyre event, albeit as aggressive conquerors.
• Key Incarnations: In the Earth-616 comics, the Cotati possess a deep and complex history spanning millions of years, involving prophecies, genocide, and resurrection. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), their presence is minimal, reduced to a single name-drop and a brief background appearance, with no established lore or significance to the overarching narrative.

The Cotati were introduced to the Marvel Universe during the Bronze Age of Comic Books, a period known for its sprawling, ambitious, and often cosmic-scale storytelling. Their first canonical appearance was in The Avengers #133 in March 1975. They were created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Sal Buscema as a cornerstone of one of the most celebrated and complex storylines in Avengers history: “The Celestial Madonna Saga.” Englehart, known for weaving intricate plots with philosophical and mystical themes, conceived of the Cotati as more than just another alien race. They were a narrative device to explore concepts of pacifism, evolution, destiny, and the cyclical nature of life and violence. The Cotati's origin story, revealed gradually throughout the saga, provided a mythic backstory for the Kree-Skrull War, which had been a staple of Marvel cosmic stories since the 1960s but lacked a definitive starting point. The introduction of the Cotati retroactively established the moral and ideological stakes of that ancient conflict, framing the Kree as jealous aggressors and the Skrulls as (initially) impartial arbiters. This narrative choice added layers of tragedy and depth to the entire cosmic landscape of the Marvel Universe.

The history of the Cotati is a galactic tragedy, a foundational myth that has echoed through the cosmos for millions of years. Their story is one of peace met with violence, and its telling varies drastically between the detailed comic book canon and the nascent cinematic universe.

The in-universe origin of the Cotati is inextricably linked to the planets Hala and Earth, and the genesis of the Kree-Skrull War. Millions of years ago, the technologically advanced and then-peaceful Skrull Empire embarked on a mission of galactic outreach, seeking to uplift worthy primitive species. They arrived on the planet Hala, home to two distinct sentient races: the Cotati, a stationary, plant-like species with a collective consciousness and powerful telepathic abilities; and the Kree, a race of savage but cunning humanoids. Unsure which race to favor with their advanced technology and a place in their empire, the Skrulls proposed a contest. They transported groups from both species to Earth's moon (later known as the blue_area_of_the_moon) and left them with resources, instructing each to create something of lasting value within one year. The Kree, driven by their inherent ambition and engineering prowess, constructed a magnificent, sprawling city. The Cotati, in tune with the nature of life itself, cultivated a beautiful and complex garden, a self-sustaining ecosystem of immense biodiversity. When the Skrulls returned to judge, they were far more impressed with the Cotati's creation, declaring them the winners. Enraged by this perceived humiliation, the Kree leader, Morag, led his people in a brutal act of genocide. They systematically slaughtered the Cotati delegation on the moon and then returned to Hala to exterminate the rest of the species. They seized the Skrull technology, reverse-engineered it, and began their own militant, expansionist empire. When the Skrull delegation discovered the massacre, they were horrified. This betrayal marked the end of Skrull pacifism and the beginning of the Kree-Skrull War, a conflict that would define the galaxy for eons. However, a small faction of Kree, horrified by their people's actions, dedicated themselves to preserving the Cotati's legacy. These pacifists, known as the Priests of Pama, gathered the last surviving specimens of Cotati flora and fled Hala. They traveled the galaxy, seeding the Cotati on desolate worlds where they could grow in secret. One of their most important sanctuaries was a hidden temple in Vietnam on Earth. There, they nurtured the eldest and most powerful Cotati survivor, the Prime Cotati, and began a long-term eugenics program among the local human population, seeking to create the perfect human vessel—the Celestial Madonna—who would one day mate with the Prime Cotati and give birth to the Celestial Messiah, a perfect fusion of plant and animal life destined to bring peace to the universe.

The Cotati's presence in the MCU is profoundly understated and lacks any of the foundational lore established in the comics. To date, they have only been referenced twice. The first mention occurs in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). While trying to sell the Orb to the Broker, Gamora mentions her prospective buyer, noting, “…his associates are a bunch of Cotati.” This line is a deep-cut easter egg for comic fans and serves as simple world-building, establishing the Cotati as a known species in the galactic community. It provides no context for their biology, history, or relationship with the Kree or Skrulls. Their first and only visual appearance is in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). During the sequence in Omnipotence City, where various gods and cosmic beings are gathered, a Cotati delegate can be seen. This character is depicted as a humanoid with a large, pink flower for a head, a design that evokes their plant-based nature from the comics. However, this appearance is purely for background flavor. Crucially, the MCU has not established any connection between the Cotati and the origin of the Kree-Skrull War. The war's genesis in the MCU, as hinted at in Captain Marvel (2019), appears to be a more straightforward conflict of competing empires, with no mention of a third party or a contest on Earth's moon. As of now, the MCU's Cotati are simply one of many alien species that inhabit the cosmos, a stark contrast to their pivotal role in the comics.

The Cotati are a unique species whose physiology and societal structure are deeply rooted in their botanical nature.

The Cotati are essentially sentient, telepathic plants. Their true, original form is a large, immobile, tree-like organism. In this state, they are deeply rooted in the soil of their chosen planet and communicate purely through a collective telepathic consciousness. Over millennia, under the guidance of the Priests of Pama, they developed a form of mobility. A Cotati can manipulate its own vegetable matter, or the matter of nearby plants, to construct a mobile, humanoid-shaped body. This body is a temporary vessel, a golem of wood, leaves, and vines animated by the Cotati's consciousness. While these bodies can simulate movement and even speech (through psionic vibration of air), they are not truly biological in the animal sense. The destruction of a Cotati's humanoid form does not necessarily kill the Cotati itself, whose core consciousness resides in its “true form” root system. This unique biology means their concept of life, death, and individuality is vastly different from that of animal-based lifeforms. They are a collective, yet individual minds can exist within the whole, such as the Prime Cotati.

The Cotati possess a range of powerful abilities stemming from their plant nature and psionic potential.

• Superior Telepathy: This is their primary sense and form of communication. They can communicate with one another across vast distances and can read the minds of virtually any sentient species. Their telepathy is potent enough to rival that of powerful psychics like Professor X or moondragon.
• Chlorokinesis: As plant life, they have an innate and absolute control over all forms of flora. A single Cotati can influence the growth, movement, and structure of plants in its vicinity. A powerful Cotati, like their messiah Quoi, can exert this control on a planetary scale, causing entire worlds to become overgrown and hostile in seconds.
• Life-Force Manipulation: The Cotati have a deep connection to the “green” life force of the universe. They can nurture life, accelerate growth, and, in some cases, even resurrect the dead by infusing a body with plant matter and their own consciousness, as they did with the swordsman.
• Body Generation: Their ability to create humanoid bodies from local plant life allows them to interact with other species and operate in environments not conducive to their true forms. These bodies possess superhuman strength and durability proportionate to the density of the plant matter used.

For most of their history, Cotati culture was defined by a philosophy of absolute pacifism and a reverence for all life. This was the quality that the Skrulls initially admired. After their genocide, this philosophy became one of survival, guided by the Priests of Pama. Their entire society became a long-term project focused on fulfilling the Celestial Madonna prophecy. They operated in secret, forming a hidden network across the galaxy, patiently waiting for the birth of Quoi. Their worldview was one of cosmic balance, believing that the union of the “highest” form of plant (themselves) and the “highest” form of animal (a prophesied human) would create a being capable of ending all conflict. This changed dramatically during the Empyre event. Led by a disillusioned and radicalized Quoi, the Cotati abandoned their pacifism. Their culture shifted to one of plant supremacy, viewing “animal life” (which they pejoratively called “the meat”) as a cosmic plague that devoured planets and destroyed ecosystems. They became a unified, militant force—the Empyre—with a singular goal: to eradicate all animal life and turn the universe into a galactic garden under their sole control.

Due to their limited screen time, almost nothing is known about the MCU Cotati's biology, abilities, or culture.

The visual evidence from Thor: Love and Thunder shows a being that is humanoid in shape but with distinct botanical features, specifically a flower-like head. This suggests they are indeed a species of “plant people,” consistent with the comics. Gamora's line about a group of Cotati “associates” implies they are capable of social interaction and conducting business, meaning they are likely mobile and not stationary trees.

No abilities have been demonstrated on-screen. Their culture is a complete mystery. The presence of a delegate in Omnipotence City suggests they have a society advanced enough to engage in intergalactic politics, but their alignment, philosophy, and history remain entirely unexplored.

• Mantis: Mantis is the single most important individual in Cotati history. Identified by the Priests of Pama as the “Celestial Madonna,” she was a human woman trained from birth to become the perfect mate for the Prime Cotati. Her entire life was shaped by their prophecy. She ultimately fulfilled her destiny, marrying the Cotati spirit that had reanimated the corpse of the Swordsman and giving birth to their messiah, Quoi. She is both their greatest ally and, in many ways, their creation.
• Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne): A former villain and later member of the Avengers, Swordsman developed a deep, unrequited love for Mantis. He sacrificed his life to save her from Kang the Conqueror. In recognition of his love and devotion—representing the best of “animal” life—the Prime Cotati chose to merge its consciousness with Swordsman's reanimated body. This Cotati-Swordsman hybrid became the physical father of Quoi, forever linking the Avenger to the Cotati legacy.
• The Avengers: Initially, the Avengers were crucial allies. They protected Mantis from kang_the_conqueror and other threats during the Celestial Madonna Saga, ensuring the prophecy could be fulfilled. They acted as friends and protectors, witnessing the cosmic wedding. This relationship was shattered during Empyre, when the Cotati, under Quoi's command, launched a full-scale invasion of Earth, forcing the Avengers to become their primary adversaries.

• The Kree: The Kree are the Cotati's oldest and most bitter enemies. The Kree's act of genocide on Hala defined the Cotati's entire existence for millions of years, reducing them to a scattered, endangered species. This ancient hatred and fear of the Kree fueled the Cotati's desire for secrecy and, eventually, their violent turn during Empyre, where they targeted the Kree-Skrull Alliance with particular ferocity.
• The Skrulls: The Cotati's relationship with the Skrulls is complex. Initially, the Skrulls were benevolent judges who favored the Cotati. However, after the Cotati re-emerged as the Empyre, they viewed the Skrulls as just another form of “meat” to be purged. During this time, they became sworn enemies of the newly formed Kree-Skrull Alliance, which was led by the former Young Avenger hulkling.
• Thanos: The Mad Titan became a direct enemy of the Cotati during the Celestial Quest storyline. Believing that Quoi represented the pinnacle of life—and therefore the antithesis of his love, Mistress Death—Thanos hunted Mantis and the young Quoi across the galaxy with the intent of murdering the child.

• Priests of Pama: This was the Cotati's primary and, for a long time, only affiliation. The pacifist Kree sect acted as their guardians, cultivators, and the engineers of their grand plan for survival and rebirth.
• The Empyre: During the 2020 event of the same name, the Cotati re-branded themselves as the Empyre. This was a new, unified military front, bringing together all the scattered Cotati tribes under the singular, aggressive leadership of Quoi. Their goal was galactic conquest, a complete reversal of their historical identity.

This is the foundational Cotati storyline. The saga begins with the Avenger Mantis discovering her prophesied destiny as the Celestial Madonna. The time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror seeks to capture her, intending to father the Celestial Messiah himself and control the future. The Avengers fight to protect her, uncovering the secret history of the Priests of Pama and the ancient Kree-Cotati conflict. The storyline culminates in a cosmic ceremony where the Prime Cotati, inhabiting the revived body of the Swordsman, weds Mantis. They then depart Earth to consummate their union and give birth to the messiah. This arc established the Cotati's entire backstory and positioned them as a mystical, pacifistic force central to the cosmic balance of the universe.

This eight-issue limited series by Steve Englehart served as a direct sequel to his original saga. It follows Mantis and her now-adolescent son, Quoi, as they travel through space. The story explores the immense pressure on Quoi, who possesses unimaginable power but struggles with the emotional turmoil of his dual plant/animal heritage. Their journey is violently interrupted by Thanos, who seeks to kill Quoi as a perverse offering to Death. The series delves deeper into the Cotati's philosophy and Quoi's internal conflict, foreshadowing the immense power and potential for darkness within the young messiah. The Avengers, including a resurrected Swordsman (separate from the Cotati version), intervene to protect them.

This massive crossover event represented the most significant evolution of the Cotati in decades. A grown, militant Quoi returns, leading a united Cotati race. He reveals that during their travels, he and Mantis witnessed countless worlds destroyed by the endless wars of “the meat.” Believing pacifism to be a failed ideology, he now leads the Cotati on a genocidal crusade, starting with the Kree and Skrulls before moving on to their ultimate target: Earth, a planet rich in flora for them to command. The Cotati establish a base in the Blue Area of the Moon and launch a devastating invasion, forcing the Kree and Skrulls to unite against them. The Avengers and Fantastic Four are pushed to their limits to defend the planet, ultimately exposing Quoi's plans and defeating the Cotati invasion. This event irrevocably altered the Cotati's status from tragic victims to a major galactic threat.

• Video Games: The Cotati have a minor but notable mention in the 2021 video game Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. In the game, Mantis is encountered, and her backstory is a streamlined version of her comic origin. She explicitly states that she was raised by the Priests of Pama to become the Celestial Madonna for the Cotati, thus confirming their existence and the core elements of the prophecy within that game's universe.
• What If…? Vol. 1 #31 (1982): Titled “What If the Avengers Were the Pawns of Korvac?”, this issue presents an alternate reality where the Celestial Madonna Saga's events are subtly manipulated by the cosmic being Korvac. While not a drastic change to the Cotati themselves, it places their destiny within the context of a much larger cosmic game, suggesting their prophecy was just one moving piece in a conflict far beyond their understanding.

• kree
• skrulls
• mantis
• empyre
• kree-skrull_war
• celestial_madonna
• swordsman
• quoi

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