Man-Beast

For the film, see Man Beast (film).

The Man-Beast (originally Super-Beast) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Man-Beast
The Man-Beast as depicted in Thor #135 (December 1966). Art by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, Stan Goldberg, and Sam Rosen.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Thor #134 (Nov. 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee Jack Kirby
In-story information
Species	Uplifted red wolf
Team affiliations	United Nations New Men Legion of Light
Partnerships	Exodus
Notable aliases	Super-Beast Rex Carpenter Hate-Monger
Abilities	Superior hand to hand combatant Superhuman strength, speed, durability and intelligence Enhanced senses Psychic powers Use of technological weapons and gadgets Ability to see into the infrared and ultraviolet range of the light spectrum

Publication history

Man-Beast first appeared in Thor #134 (November 1966), and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.^[1] He is first referred to as "Man-Beast" in issue #135.

Fictional character biography

The Man-Beast was once an ordinary red wolf that is captured and mutated on Mount Wundagore by the High Evolutionary - a being intent on creating an army of New Men from animals.^[2] While the wolf was mutated by "Isotope C" and the Evolutionary's genetic accelerator, the High Evolutionary is attacked by Thor, who was attempting to find his mortal love, Jane Foster who had been taken to teach the New Men.^[3] The delay is costly, as the wolf is overexposed to the isotope and pushed to physical and mental perfection. The process also instills the creature with an utter hatred of all other forms of life.^[3] The High Evolutionary called his creation a "Super-Beast" - which promptly escapes and uses the High Evolutionary's genetic accelerator equipment to create an army of followers. The Evolutionary lures him out with a sonic device, and the Super-Beast comes with the High Evolutionary's army, that attack the New Men while the Super-Beast attacks Thor and the High Evolutionary. The Super-Beast is defeated by Thor as he attacks the High Evolutionary, with the High Evolutionary then placing the unconscious Super-Beast and his defeated army of New Men in a rocket. The rocket is then launched into deep space, in the hope that the Super-Beast would never be seen again. The High Evolutionary then travels into space as well with all of his creatures and his Wundagore citadel.^[4]

The creature, now calling itself the Man-Beast, lands with its army on Counter-Earth, a planet created by the High Evolutionary.^[5][6] The Man-Beast, seeking to become a conqueror, poses as Counter-Earth's president, Rex Carpenter. The High Evolutionary sends Adam Warlock, who after a lengthy war defeats the Man-Beast and his followers.^[7][8][9] During Warlock's battle with the Man-Beast, the High Evolutionary gives him the Soul Gem, which becomes his primary weapon.^[5][10][11]

The Man-Beast manages to escape Counter-Earth and eventually finds his way to the true Earth. Disguised as the Hate-Monger, he sponsors the Legion of Light cult headed by Brother Power and Sister Sun. He is thwarted by Spider-Man, Razorback, and Flash Thompson. Caught in an explosion and buried under debris, the Man-Beast is almost killed and takes many years to regenerate.^[12]

The Man-Beast eventually re-emerges and allies with the Bi-Beast to battle Thor and Iron Man.^[13] Defeated again, the Man-Beast later discovers the existence of the Infinity Gems and steals four of the gems from Adam Warlock. Warlock eventually stops the Man-Beast and is only prevented from killing him by Captain America.^[14] The Man-Beast is defeated when the High Evolutionary, with the aid of Quicksilver, reverts the creature back into a red wolf.^[15][16][5]

Powers and abilities

The Man-Beast is a red wolf evolved to the peak of physical and mental potential, possessing superhuman physical abilities and senses. He is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and possesses psychic abilities that enable him to manipulate energy and emotions and create antimatter shields.