[Cosmic] Why was it named so?

[tg_ambro]

It recently dawned on me that I have never questioned why cosmic is called so. I have a couple of theories, one is that it is a Silver Surfer power Cosmic type of thing, and the other is that it is meant to mean "universal" and would imply that for nearly all game worlds it is the highest power.

What are your theories, or the actual aswer?

[Ragitsu]

My theory? Comics.

[Captain-Captain]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

My theory? Comics.

Marvel by way of Champions more like it. Champions 'Cosmic power pools" to be precise.

Then again the meaning of the word itself may suffice to explain it's choice:

Cos"mic\ (k?z"m?k), Cosmical \Cos"mic*al\ (-m?-kal), a. [Gr. kosmiko`s of the world, fr. ko`smos: cf. F. cosmique. See Cosmos.]

1. Pertaining to the universe, and having special reference to universal law or order, or to the one grand harmonious system of things; hence; harmonious; orderly.

2. Pertaining to the solar system as a whole, and not to the earth alone.

3. Characteristic of the cosmos or universe; inconceivably great; vast; as, cosmic speed. "Cosmic ranges of time." --Tyndall.

cos·mic (kŏz'mĭk)
adj.
Of or relating to the regions of the universe distinct from the Earth.
Infinitely or inconceivably extended; vast: "a coming together of heads of government to take up the cosmic business of nations"

[sgtcallistan]

The Captain Marvel comics by Starlin may be the origin.
From the 197mid-1970's he used psychedelia, op-art and the music scene of the period to inform a universe-spanning series of stories, which introduced 'cosmic awareness' as a superpower (arguable DC did this with Green Lantern as well).
'The Power Cosmic' comes a little later, and has been developed on from there, most notably with the Silver Surfer.
I daresay there are earlier versions of all this, not least magicians visiting other realms and planes (Dr Strange), but I am only so old.
This is how I remember it.

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by sgtcallistan

'The Power Cosmic' comes a little later, and has been developed on from there, most notably with the Silver Surfer.

I can't recall the first use of the phrase in Marvel, but it appeared frequently in relation to the Surfer and Galactus. I'm fairly certain it was bandied about before the term 'cosmic awareness' was used in Captain Marvel.

[tg_ambro]

Ah ok, particularly insightful stuff people.