MODOK | |
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MODOK, as featured on the cover of Super-Villain Team-Up:MODOK's 11 (Sep. 2007). Art by Eric Powell. |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Tales of Suspense #93 (Sep. 1967) |
Created by | Jack Kirby and Stan Lee |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | George Tarleton |
Team affiliations | A.I.M. The Headmen Intelligencia |
Notable aliases | MODOC (Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing) |
Abilities | Superhuman intellect Psionic powers Ability to calculate probabilities |
MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 (Sep. 1967) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, MODOK has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity, also starring in the limited series Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's Eleven #1 - 5 (Sep. - Dec. 2008) and a self-titled one-shot publication MODOK: Reign Delay #1 (Nov. 2009). The character has featured in other Marvel-endorsed products such as arcade and video games and animated television series and merchandise such as trading cards and toys.
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Publication history
MODOK debuted in the title Tales of Suspense #93 - 94 (Sep. - Oct. 1967), and became a recurring foe for superhero Captain America. Writer Mike Conroy stated "Inevitably, he (MODOK) returned to plague Captain America, whose physical perfection he so resented."[1]
MODOK reappeared in Captain America #112 (April 1969) & #120 (Dec. 1969) and #133 (Jan. 1971). The character also featured in a storyline in Sub-Mariner #49 (May 1972), before becoming the major villain in an extended storyline in Hulk #167 - 169 (Sep. - Nov. 1973). MODOK also participated in the "War of the Supervillains" storyline in Iron Man #74 - 75 (May - June 1975).
MODOK has a series of encounters with heroine Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel #5 (May 1977); #7 (July 1977); #9 (Sep. 1977) and #10 (Oct. 1977). Constant battles against the Marvel heroes followed, including Iron Man Annual #4 (Dec. 1977); Marvel Team-Up #104 (April 1981) and Marvel Two-In-One #81 - 82 (Nov. - Dec. 1981). Following a failed bid to use fellow Hulk foe the Abomination to achieve his ends in Hulk #287 - 290 (Sep. - Dec. 1983), MODOK is assassinated in Captain America #313 (Jan. 1986). The character's body makes a guoulish return in Iron Man #205 (April 1986).
During the Taking A.I.M storyline in Avengers #386 - 387 (May - June 1995); Captain America #440 (June 1995); Avengers #388 (July 1995) and Captain America #441 (July 1995), MODOK is resurrected. More typical attempts to better the character's situation followed in Iron Man Annual 1998; Defenders vol. 2, #9 - 10 (Nov. - Dec. 2001); Wolverine #142 - 143 (Sep. - Oct. 1999); Captain America & The Falcon #9 (Jan. 2005) and Cable & Deadpool #11 (March 2005).
The character then made three humorous appearances, in Wha...Huh? #1 (Sep. 2005); Marvel Holiday Special 2006 (Jan. 2007) and GLA-Xmas Special #1 (Feb. 2006). After appearing briefly in mutant titles X-Men #200 (Aug. 2007) and Uncanny X-Men #488 (Sep. 2007), MODOK featured in Ms. Marvel vol. 2, #14 - 17 (June - Sep. 2007) and appears in two limited series: Marvel 1985 #1 - 4 (July - Sep. 2008); #5 - 6 (Nov. 2008) and Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11, and Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's Eleven #1 - 5 (Sep. - Dec. 2008).
MODOK also featured in Hulk #600 (Sep. 2009); Astonishing Tales vol. 2, #2 (May 2009) and the one-shot publication MODOK: Reign Delay #1 (Nov. 2009).
Fictional character biography
George Tarleton is a technician for the organization Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM). Having recently created the artifact the Cosmic Cube, the A.I.M scientists use advanced mutagenics to alter Tarleton to create the super intelligent MODOC (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing) to study and improve the object. MODOC, however, becomes ambitious and the character kills its former masters and takes control of A.I.M, now calling itself MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) and comes into conflict with the hero Captain America, who is intent on rescuing S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter from A.I.M.[2]
MODOK becomes a recurring foe for Captain America, battling the hero on three more occasions, with the last encounter revealing the villain's origin.[3] MODOK also battles Namor the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom, who is intent on claiming the Cosmic Cube.[4]
MODOK reappears and kidnaps Betty Ross, changing her into the mutant "Harpy" in a bid to destroy the Hulk. The character follows the Hulk and the Harpy to a floating aerie, where the Hulk's alter ego Bruce Banner cures Ross of her condition. MODOK and an A.I.M team arrive in time to kill the creature the Bi-Beast, the guardian of the aerie, but not before activating a self-destruct mechanism, forcing the characters to flee.[5] MODOK also accepts the offer of the other-dimensional being the Black Lama and participates in the "War of the Supervillains", but fails to capture the prize when defeated by Iron Man.[6]
A.I.M becomes dissatisfied with the lack of scientific advancement and MODOK's obsession with seeking revenge against metahumans, ousting him from power. MODOK attempts to regain control of the organization and prove his worth by unleashing a nerve agent on New York City, which is prevented by heroine Ms. Marvel and the android Avenger Vision.[7] MODOK seeks revenge against Ms. Marvel, attempting to mind control the heroine[8] and then hire assassin Deathbird to kill her;[9] Ms. Marvel overcomes these obstacles and finally defeats MODOK.[10]
MODOK's ambitions grow and he seeks world domination, but is thwarted by Iron Man and superhero team the Champions.[11] After an attempt to plunder the resources of the Savage Land and a battle with the savage Ka-Zar and the Hulk,[12] the character develops a new biological agent called Virus X. MODOK's attempts to test the agent on the homeless is prevented by the Thing, Sub-Mariner, and Captain America, although the villain escapes and the Thing almost dies when exposed to the virus.[13]
Abandoned by A.I.M for these failures, the character revives long-time Hulk foe the Abomination, planning to use the monster against his superiors. The plan fails when the Abomination is revealed to be unstable, although during the course of the storyline MODOK transforms the associate of Bruce Banner - Dr. Katherine Waynesboro - into a female version of himself. Horrified by MODOK's callous disregard for life, Waynesboro demands to be restored to human form, to which MODOK agrees.[14] Wishing to disassociate themselves from MODOK, A.I.M hires the Serpent Society to assassinate the villain, with the character being killed by the venomous Death Adder.[15] The Serpent Society return MODOK's body to A.I.M, with the organization using it as a supercomputer. A rogue A.I.M agent remotely operates MODOK's body in a bid to destroy Iron Man, with the battle ending with the body's destruction.[16]
During the Taking A.I.M storyline, MODOK is resurrected, being needed by A.I.M to assist with the creation of another Cosmic Cube. The character, however, is eventually stranded in an alternate dimension.[17] After attempting to steal a device that boosts mental power[18] the character aids the villainous group the Headmen. MODOK agrees to aid them in their plans of conquest, and after taking control of A.I.M once again, reneges on the agreement to avoid an encounter with superhero team the Defenders.[19] MODOK clashes with Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight[20] before being captured by a group composed of US Naval intelligence and a drug cartel. The character is lobotomized and employed to infiltrate spy satellites and manipulate the stock market, but recovers and exploits the situation until captured and taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.[21]
MODOK then seeks a sample of the cybernetic species the Phalanx,[22] and after brief encountrs with the mutant X-Men[23] battles Ms. Marvel once again, the heroine aided by fellow Avenger Wonder Man.[24] Courtesy of an elaborate scheme and doublecross MODOK restores his personal wealth and power and establishes himself as the leader of A.I.M once again.[25]
It is also revealed that MODOK was involved in the creation of the Red Hulk.[26]
Powers and abilities
George Tarleton is subjected to a mutagenic process that grants him superhuman intelligence, including a computer-like memory and the ability to predict probable outcomes that borders on clairvoyance, but his creativity remains at average human level. As MODOK, the character also has psionic powers enabling him to mentally control both individuals and large groups, and generate limited force fields. Courtesy of A.I.M technology, MODOK wears a headband that enables him to focus his mental power into a devastating beam.
A side effect of the mutation was the growth of Tarleton's head to the point whereby his body can no longer support the weight, necessitating the use of an exoskeleton and hoverchair. The chair is equipped with a variety of weapons including missiles and lasers. Tarleton's organs also wear out quickly, necessitating the use of harvested clones, whose organs are used to sustain him.[27]
As the leader of A.I.M, MODOK has advanced technology and a personal army at his disposal.
Other versions
A.I.M creates a female version of MODOK, called SODAM (acronym for Specialized Organism Designed for Aggressive Maneuvers), which was both loyal and attempted to advance the goals of the organization in West Coast Avengers.[28] Although initially believed - incorrectly - to be the first wife of Henry Pym (Maria Troyvana), the character's origins are in doubt. After an appearance in Solo Avengers[29] the character guest stars in Quasar with a revised name: MODAM (Mental Organism Designed for Aggressive Maneuvers).[30]
`M.O.D.O.T. (Mental Organism Designed Only for Talking) who unlike predecessor MODOK can walk without the aid of a hoverchair appeared in the limited series Howard the Duck.[31] The limited series Captain America Reborn features AIM troops that resemble smaller versions of MODOK, the acronym standing for "Military Organisms Designed Only for Killing superhumans".[32]
A number of alternate universe versions have appeared in various Marvel titles: "MODOC" (Mental Organism Designed Only for Conquest) guest stars in Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9 (March 2007), briefly turning the Avengers into a version of itself before being defeated; Iron Man has encounter with M.O.D.O.G (Mental Organism Designed Only for Genocide) in Invincible Iron Man;[33] the limited series U.S War Machine, published under the mature-audience Marvel MAX imprint, showcases another version of MODOK salvaged by S.H.I.E.L.D. when it is discarded by A.I.M., apparently a victim of racial prejudice;[34] while the Ultimate Marvel version of the character featured in the limited series Ultimate Vision, experimenting with a Gah Lak Tus probe.[35] Several versions of MODOK also appear in the title Nextwave, having been created by the Beyond Corporation©. The organization is revealed to be guided by an infant version of the character.[36]
A version of the character also features in a one-shot title as part of the Amalgam Comics line, which is a sequel to the DC vs. Marvel series. MODOK is merged with DC Comics character Hector Hammond to form H.E.C.T.O.R. - the "Highly Evolved Creature Totally Oriented on Revenge".[37]
In other media
Animated series
- MODOK appears as a recurring character in the animated television series Iron Man (1994–1996) voiced by Jim Cummings;
- Another version of MODOC appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009) voiced by Lee Tockar. Here, he's a AIM project, described as a "Mental Organism Designed Only for Conquest". Taller than the usual incarnation, MODOC proved to be one of Iron Man's most formidable opponents, nearly killing him in his fist apparence and being only defeated thanks to the Living Laser's help. So far, the only time Iron Man was able to defeat him easily was in Uncontrollable, since as he was under the Controller's command, he was immune to MODOC's mental attacks.
- the character appears as one Doctor Doom's main henchmen The Super Hero Squad Show (2009) voiced by Tom Kenny. This version is much more a comic relief than the usual murderous being he's in the comic.
- he is a regular character in Marvel.com's stop motion series Marvel Super Heroes: What the....?! voiced by Jesse Falcon.
Video game
M.O.D.O.K. also appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Michael Gough (2006) and the Marvel Super Hero Squad (2009) voiced by Tom Kenny.
Toy Biz has produced several versions of the character.
Footnotes
- ^ Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains, Collins & Brown, 2004.
- ^ Tales of Suspense #93 - 94 (Sep. - Oct. 1967)
- ^ Captain America #112 (Apr. 1969); #120 (Dec. 1969); #133 (Jan. 1971)
- ^ Sub-Mariner #49 (May 1972)
- ^ Hulk #167 - 169 (Sep. - Nov. 1973)
- ^ Iron Man #74 - 75 (May - June 1975)
- ^ Ms. Marvel #5 (May 1977)
- ^ Ms. Marvel #7 (July 1977)
- ^ Ms. Marvel #9 (Sep. 1977)
- ^ Ms. Marvel #10 (Oct. 1977)
- ^ Iron Man Annual #4 (Dec. 1977)
- ^ Marvel Team-Up #104 (April 1981)
- ^ Marvel Two-In-One #81 - 82 (Nov. - Dec. 1981)
- ^ Hulk #287 - 290 (Sep. - Dec. 1983)
- ^ Captain America #313 (Jan. 1986)
- ^ Iron Man #205 (April 1986)
- ^ Avengers #386 - 387 (May - June 1995); Captain America #440 (June 1995); Avengers #388 (July 1995); Captain America #441 (July 1995)
- ^ Iron Man Annual 1998
- ^ Defenders #9 - 10 (Nov. - Dec. 2001)
- ^ Wolverine #142 - 143 (Sep. - Oct. 1999)
- ^ Captain America & The Falcon #9 (Jan. 2005)
- ^ Cable & Deadpool #11 (March 2005)
- ^ X-Men #200 (Aug. 2007) & Uncanny X-Men #488 (Sep. 2007)
- ^ Ms. Marvel vol. 2, #14 - 17 (June - Sep. 2007)
- ^ Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's Eleven #1 - 5 (Sep. - Dec. 2008)
- ^ Hulk #600 (Sep. 2009)
- ^ Fall of the Hulks: Red Hulk #1 (March 2010)
- ^ West Coast Avengers #36 (Sep. 1988)
- ^ Solo Avengers #14 - 16 (Jan. - March 1989)
- ^ Quasar #9 (April 1990)
- ^ Howard the Duck vol. 3, #1 (Nov. 2007); #2 (Jan. 2008); #3 - 4 (Feb. 2008)
- ^ Captain America Reborn #5 (Feb. 2010)
- ^ Invincible Iron Man vol. 2, #2 (Aug. 2008)
- ^ U.S War Machine #1 - 12 (Nov. 2001 - Jan. 2002)
- ^ Ultimate Vision #1 (Feb. 2007)
- ^ Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #11 - 12 (Feb. - Mar. 2007)
- ^ Iron Lantern #1 (June 1997)
External links
- MODOK at Marvel.com
- The Journal of MODOK Studies
- MODOK at the Comic Book Database
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