Max Modell

Max Modell is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily in association with Spider-Man.

Max Modell
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #648 (January 2011)
Created by	Dan Slott (writer) Humberto Ramos (artist)
In-story information
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Horizon Labs Parker Industries
Supporting character of	Spider-Man Doctor Octopus

Publication history

Max Modell first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #648 (January 2011), and was created by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos.

Fictional character biography

Max Modell is the CEO of Horizon Labs. Marla Madison helps Peter Parker get a job at Horizon Labs after he proves himself by shutting down Sanjani Jaffrey's out-of-control machine.^[1] When the Hobgoblin attacks Horizon Labs, Spider-Man saves Modell from the Hobgoblin.^[2] After the Hobgoblin is repelled, Modell orders that the reverbium that Jaffrey created be destroyed.^[3]

At Andru Air Force Base, Modell is confirmed to monitor the launch of a rocket that John Jameson will be piloting. Modell and John tell J. Jonah Jameson that Peter Parker will be in attendance. On the day of the launch, Modell is present when Alistair Smythe and his Spider-Slayers attack.^[4] During Spider-Man's fight with the Scorpion, Modell makes contact with John, who tells him that the shuttle is out of control.^[5] Modell later talks to Peter, stating his belief that Peter makes Spider-Man's technology. Peter decides to play along with this claim.^[6]

During the threat of Massacre, Modell meets with police captain Yuri Watanabe. The two discuss the criminal-detecting app S.I.S., which would help them find Massacre. They also discover Massacre's true identity and learn that he was one of Ashley Kafka's patients.^[7]

Modell later tells Peter about the complaints that Grady Scraps and Sanjani Jaffrey gave him about Peter's project heavily borrowing from the two's projects. Peter tells Modell of sharing in the credit of that project.^[8]

During the "Spider-Island" storyline, Modell speaks to Mister Fantastic about broadcasting a frequency that could fix Spider-Man's spider senses while keeping the Jackal's Homo Arachus from leaving Manhattan.^[9] Following the Spider Queen's death, Modell thanks his staff for helping to combat the infestation that plagued Manhattan.^[10] It was revealed that Modell had secret help developing the cure for the spider infestation from Michael Morbius, an old college friend of Modell. Spider-Man later battles Morbius until Modell breaks up the fight.^[11]

Peter and Modell later coordinate John Jameson's mission on the Apogee 1 station while opening a channel to J. Jonah Jameson. This lasts until Juergen Muntz tells them that Apogee 1 is experiencing a system error caused by the Octobots sent by Doctor Octopus.^[12] Modell and Jameson watch the fight between Spider-Man, Human Torch, and John against the Octobot-controlled crew of Apogee 1 on a screen. As Apogee 1 falls out of orbit, Modell tells Jameson to have faith in Spider-Man.^[13]

During the "Ends of the Earth" storyline, it is revealed that Modell is openly gay, with his partner Hector Baez working as a lawyer at Horizon Labs. Baez defends Modell when J. Jonah Jameson makes various accusations towards Horizon Labs and plans to shut it down.^[14]

Following Spider-Man stopping Doctor Octopus' plot, Modell and the Horizon Labs team are congratulated for their help in stopping the Sinister Six. When Peter is told by Modell that the former should be given credit, Peter told him that he and the other workers did the heavy lifting. Hector Baez tells Modell that J. Jonah Jameson has restored energy to Horizon Labs as an apology gesture. While working with Modell, Morbius was attacked by Spider-Man for robbing Billy Connors' grave, working on Billy's body to find a permanent cure for his father, Curt Connors / Lizard. Modell helps Spider-Man track down the Lizard and revert him to his human form.^[15] When Curt uses the Lizard Formula again to regain the lost right arm, Modell is injected with the formula, turning him into a Lizard.^[16] Spider-Man restores Modell and the other Horizon Labs staff to their human forms.

When Tiberius Stone is missing and some items have gone missing from the office, Modell tells Hector Baez to conduct a private investigation.^[17] With Morbius incarcerated, Modell speaks to Stone and offers a position in his think tank. He is also reviewing a group of candidates for the position. After Andy Maguire is hit by Parker Particles, Peter, Modell, and Baez tell his parents what happened as Modell calls in Mister Fantastic, Hank Pym, Iron Man, and Beast to study. After the study, Mister Fantastic persuades Modell to have Andy become the superhero Alpha.^[18]

In "All-New, All-Different Marvel", Max Modell and Hector Baez are hired to run the West Coast divisions of Parker Industries.^[19] At the conclusion of the "Go Down Swinging" arc, Doctor Octopus accepts a job application at Horizon University under the alias of Elliot Tolliver.^[20] Modell later calls Tolliver to his office, where Tolliver admits to being a Proto-Clone housing Otto Octavius' mind. Modell stated that he already knew of Octavius being the Proto-Clone and the Superior Spider-Man as well as stating that he believes in second chances.^[21]

Other versions

In the Age of Ultron universe (Earth-61112), Max Modell was killed by Ultron.^[22]

In other media

• Max Modell appears in Spider-Man (2017), voiced by Fred Tatasciore.^[23][24] This version is Horizon High's headmaster who is aware of Spider-Man's secret identity and created the Anti-Venom symbiote.
• Max Modell appears in the Guardians of the Galaxy episode "Drive My Carnage", voiced again by Fred Tatasciore.^[24]