American test pilot Charles Chandler was abducted by Skrulls seeking to use Earth strategically in their battle against the Kree. While his brother Hal looked on, Charlie was surrounded by radiation following his escape from the Skrull ship and causing it to detonate. The explosion imprinted Charlie's image on Hal's glasses, allowing Hal to bring Charlie to life as The 3-D Man with intense concentration. Even though Charlie is still working, this causes Hal to fall into a coma.