Maximus (comics)

Maximus (also known as Maximus the Mad) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted both as a member of and antagonist to the Inhumans. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 (February 1966).^[3]

Maximus
Maximus the Mad by Frazer Irving.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Fantastic Four #47 (February 1966)[1]
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Full name	Maximus Boltagon
Species	Inhuman
Place of origin	Attilan
Team affiliations	Cabal[2]
Notable aliases	Maximus the Mad Maximus the Magnificent
Abilities	Inhuman physiology grants: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, reflexes, and longevity Superhuman intelligence Proficient scientist and inventor Advanced knowledge of physics, mechanics, and biology Mental abilities

Iwan Rheon portrayed Maximus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries Inhumans. Additionally, Mark Hamill, Nolan North, and Diedrich Bader have voiced the character in animation.

Publication history

Maximus first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 (February 1966), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Fictional character biography

Maximus, an Inhuman, is the second son of two of Attilan's top geneticists, Agon, the head of the ruling Council of Geneticists, and Rynda, director of the Prenatal Care Center. Subjected to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist as an infant, Maximus gains psionic abilities, but does not physically change.^[4]

When Maximus is sixteen, his elder brother Black Bolt is released from the protective chamber in which he had been confined since birth due to the destructive nature of his powers.^[5] A month later, Black Bolt witnesses Maximus making a pact with an emissary of the Kree. Black Bolt destroys the emissary's ship, which crashes to the ground and kills several members of the Genetics Council, including Agon and Rynda. Black Bolt's powers also affect Maximus, suppressing his mental abilities. When Black Bolt assumes the throne shortly thereafter, Maximus vows to oppose his brother and eventually usurp his rule.^[6]

Maximus stages several coups to take control of Attilan from the Inhuman royal family, but is foiled on each occasion.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} At one point, Maximus served as a scientific advisor to Black Bolt, devising war machines for the Kree to use against their adversaries, the Shi'ar.^[12]

In the "Death of the Inhumans" event, Maximus is brainwashed into serving the Kree and is later killed when his costume malfunctions and teleports him away.^[13][14]

Powers and abilities

As an Inhuman, Maximus possesses superhuman physical abilities and an extended lifespan, as well as psychic abilities that enable him to manipulate and control the minds of others. He is additionally highly intelligent and is a skilled inventor, with advanced knowledge of physics, mechanics, and biology.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a servant of Apocalypse and serves as his Horseman of Death before being killed by Sunfire.^[15]

Marvel Knights 2099

An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-2992 appears in the one-shot Inhumans 2099. After he kills the Inhuman royal family, Black Bolt is forced to kill him.^[16]

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint. This version is the fiancé of Crystal, though she refuses to marry him due to his insanity.^[17]

In other media

Character poster of Iwan Rheon as Maximus for the television series, Inhumans.

Television

• Maximus appears in Fantastic Four (1994), voiced by Mark Hamill.^[18]
• Maximus appears in the Inhumans motion comic, voiced by Brian Drummond.^[18]
• Maximus appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Inhuman Nature", voiced by Nolan North.^[18]
• Maximus appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Inhumanity", voiced again by Nolan North.^[18]
• Maximus appears in Guardians of the Galaxy, voiced by Diedrich Bader.^[18]
• Maximus appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "Civil War, Part 1: The Fall of Attilan", voiced again by Diedrich Bader.^[18]

• Maximus appears in Inhumans, portrayed primarily by Iwan Rheon and by Aidan Fiske as a child.^[19] This version lacks powers, causing him to be envious towards Black Bolt, especially since their father, Agon, has denied him his desire to rule. After seizing control of Attilan, he is ultimately defeated and trapped in Attilan's bunker.
• Maximus appears in Marvel Future Avengers, voiced by Hiroki Takahashi in Japanese and Michael Sinterniklaas in English.^[18]

Video games

• Maximus appears in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.^{[citation needed]}
• Maximus appears as a boss and playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.^[20]
• Maximus appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.^{[citation needed]}
• Maximus appears in Marvel Avengers Academy.^[18]
• Maximus appears as a boss in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, voiced again by Diedrich Bader.^[18]