Komodo (comics)

For the character created by Dan Brereton, see Nocturnals § Komodo. For the DC comics character, see Komodo (DC Comics).

Komodo is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Komodo was created by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The character's first appearance was in Avengers: The Initiative #1.

Publication history

Komodo was created by writer Dan Slott and artist Stefano Caselli, and first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative #1 (June 2007).^[1] She appeared regularly in Avengers: The Initiative #16 (October 2008) through #22 (April 2009),^[2] and was one of the feature characters in the 2011 six-issue limited series Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt.

Fictional character biography

New Men

The first Komodo is one of the New Men, creatures evolved by the High Evolutionary from normal animals. He accompanies the Ani-Men on a clean-up mission at the Jackal's laboratory and battles the Scarlet Spider.^[3] Later, the Cult of the Jackal infiltrates the High Evolutionary's citadel, and Komodo fights the cultist Caiman until the High Evolutionary brings the fight to an end.^[3]

Komodo (Melati Kusuma)

Komodo
Cover art for Avengers: The Initiative #3. Art by Jim Cheung.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Avengers: The Initiative #1
Created by	Dan Slott Stefano Caselli
In-story information
Alter ego	Melati Kusuma
Species	Human mutate
Team affiliations	The Initiative Desert Stars Shadow Initiative
Abilities	Genius chemist and geneticist Superhuman strength, agility, stamina and reflexes Regenerative healing factor Hardened scales Prehensile tail Razor sharp claws and teeth

The second Komodo, Melati Kusuma, is a former student of Curt Connors. After losing her legs in a car accident, Melati steals Connors' regenerative Lizard Formula and uses it on herself, gaining a lizard-like appearance and abilities.^[4][5][6] Connors registers Melati for the Fifty State Initiative and she is sent to Camp Hammond.^[7]

When Komodo completes her Initiative training, she is assigned to Arizona as part of the Desert Stars team.^[8] In "Secret Invasion", a Skrull infiltrates the Desert Stars posing as team member Blacksmith. Komodo leaves with 3-D Man and the Skrull Kill Krew to find Skrull infiltrators on the other Initiative teams.^[9]

When Hardball joins the Initiative, Komodo chooses to quit rather than be on the same team as him. She has her powers removed via S.P.I.N. technology, which leaves her crippled once more.^[10] In the aftermath of Siege, Cloud 9 and Hardball give Komodo a formula that neutralizes the S.P.I.N. technology and restores her powers.^[11]

Powers and abilities

The first Komodo possesses a strong, scaly hide, enhanced strength, the ability to breathe flame, and a powerful tail which he can use in combat. While in Wundagore, he flew an Atomic Steed.^{[volume & issue needed]}

The second Komodo possesses an accelerated healing factor derived from the same serum created by Curt Connors that turned him into the Lizard.^[7] She possesses superhuman physical abilities, a healing factor that enables her to regrow limbs, and powerful claws. Unlike Connors, she maintains control of her human consciousness when she is in her lizard form and has the ability to control transformations between human and lizard forms.^[12] This is a result of her being able to perfect the formula to her DNA.