Gorilla-Man

Last updated
Gorilla-Man
Aoatlas002 cov c.jpg
Cover art for Agents of Atlas #2.
Art by Tomm Coker.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Men's Adventures #26 (March 1954)
Created byRobert Q. Sale (artist)
In-story information
Full nameKenneth Hale
Species Human (formerly)
Enchanted Gorilla (currently)
Team affiliations Agents of Atlas
Nick Fury's Howling Commandos
Mercs for Money
Agents of Wakanda
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, dexterity, and sense of smell
  • Immortality
  • Weapon proficiency
  • Unarmed combat skills

Gorilla-Man is an alias used by three different fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, beginning in 1954 with the character of Kenneth Hale, and continuing with Arthur Nagan, who also first appeared in 1954, and Franz Radzik, who first appeared in 1962.

Contents

Publication history

The character of Kenneth Hale first appeared in Men's Adventures #26 (March 1954). [1]

Dr. Arthur Nagan first appeared in Mystery Tales #21 (Sept. 1954), and was created by Bob Powell. This story was reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales #7 (Dec. 1974). Steve Gerber created the Headmen after reading the reprint issue. The character subsequently appears in The Defenders #21 (March 1975), 31–33 (January–March 1976), 35 (May 1976), The Defenders Annual #1 (Oct. 1976), Power Man/Iron Fist #68 (April 1981), Marvel Age Annual #1 (1985), The Sensational She-Hulk vol. 2 #1–3 (May–July 1989), Avengers: Deathtrap: The Vault Graphic Novel (1991), Web of Spider-Man #73 (Feb. 1991), Marvel Comics Presents #97 (1992), The Defenders vol. 2 #5 (July 2001), 7–10 (Sept.–Dec. 2001), and Heroes for Hire #6–8 (March–May 2007). Gorilla-Man appeared as part of the "Headmen" entry in the original The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #5, and in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #3.

Franz Radzik first appeared in Tales to Astonish #28 (Feb. 1962).

Fictional character biography

Kenneth Hale

Kenneth Hale was a happy-go-lucky soldier of fortune. He is characterised as risking his life for thrills, but with a fear of death. He heard of a local tribal legend from Africa that stated, "If you kill the magical Gorilla-Man, you become immortal". The character traveled to Africa to find the Gorilla-Man. Hale abandoned his goal at the last minute, but his encounter with the Gorilla-Man forced him to shoot. The story follows that Hale then became immortal, but at the cost of becoming a Gorilla-Man himself. After operating his own team for a while, Hale retired, residing in a large treehouse near the Congo. [2]

He served as a guide for the original X-Men and proved himself to be a formidable one. He was given a special yearbook and was acknowledged as an ally, or "X-Ape". [3]

The character of Hale later worked with the Avengers,[ volume & issue needed ] S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Howling Commandos unit,[ volume & issue needed ] and the Agents of Atlas.[ citation needed ] During the "Secret Invasion" storyline, Gorilla-Man and Human Robot rescue Namora from the Skrulls. [4] After Norman Osborn gains a position of power in the American government, Gorilla-Man and the Agents of Atlas begin working against Norman's interests. To stop the acquisition of powerful weaponry, the Agents steal gold from Fort Knox. [5]

Operating on his own, Gorilla-Man tracked heroin dealers to an underground facility in Chinatown, San Francisco. There he teams up with Wolverine, Master Po, and Fat Cobra, who are part of a larger group seeking to stop the heroin shipments. They discover a vast underground empire, looking to control all crime above ground. Working together, the heroes manage to obliterate the criminal group. [6]

As part of the 2016 Marvel NOW! branding, Gorilla-Man appears as a member of Domino's incarnation of the Mercs for Money. [7]

Black Panther later visits Gorilla-Man and persuades him to join the Agents of Wakanda. [8]

During The War of the Realms storyline, Gorilla-Man is seen talking to Ursa Major in the Wundagore Zoo in Transia, discussing about an undercover operation he's running for Black Panther, until Ka-Zar picks him up and takes him to Avengers Mountain. He helps Black Panther destroy the enemy forces that were attacking the mountain by activating a weapon inside the Celestial's body, but gets wounded after a few Dark Elves infiltrate the mountain. While recovering, he talks to Odin and it's later revealed that he betrayed the Avengers for Dracula's Legion of the Unliving. He's later seen helping Ka-Zar and Blade in fighting Roxxon's Berserkers when infiltrating their secret base in Antarctica. [9]

Arthur Nagan

Gorilla-Man
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Mystery Tales #21 (Sept. 1954)
Created by Bob Powell (artist)
In-story information
Full nameArthur Nagan
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliations Headmen
A.I.M.
Circus of Crime
Lethal Legion
Notable aliasesDr. Ruhart Gnaan
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, and dexterity
  • Surgery mastery

Dr. Arthur Nagan is a former surgeon who took the organs from gorillas to use in people. However, his scheme was thwarted by the gorillas who somehow transplanted his head onto a gorilla's body. [10] He is a member of the Headmen and fought with The Defenders on several occasions. [11] [12] [13] Upon his release from prison, he attacked Power Man, who was temporarily de-powered. [14] He is a former member of the Lethal Legion. [15]

He later rejoined by the Headmen and participates in the plan to give his ally, Chondu, a new body — specifically, the body of a clone of She-Hulk. The Headmen hire the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime, then later Mysterio to test She-Hulk for compatibility. She is subdued and cloned, but escapes with the aid of Spider-Man. [16] Nagan is arrested by the New York city police. Nagan is seen without the Headmen during a Vault outbreak. He and the female Frenzy, being held in neighboring cells, are freed by Electro. [17]

The Headmen tracked Spider-Man to a party Alicia Masters was hosting to procure Spider-Man's body for Chondu. Human Torch and Spider-Man defeated the enemies and the Headmen were soon arrested. [18] Later allied with the A.I.M., they plotted to control an ancient space-god to rule the world. They resurrected the alien space god Orrgo and conquered the world with him, but the Defenders quickly defeated Orrgo and the Headmen. [19] [20]

Nagan and the Headmen then fought the Heroes for Hire while attempting to transplant Chondu's head onto Humbug's body. [21]

It is revealed in the Guardians of the Galaxy series that Nagan is one of the inmates left behind in the Negative Zone's Prison 42. There, he is involved in a fight with Star-Lord, who is trying to stop Blastaar and his horde from invading Earth via the closed portal in the prison. [22]

He sided with Blastaar's forces when the Shadow Initiative invaded to take the prison back. Despite inflicting heavy casualties on the Shadow Initiative's forces, Nagan and his allies were betrayed by fellow inmate Hardball. Hardball killed the Negative aliens but let Nagan live. [23]

During the "Fear Itself" storyline, Nagan is among the criminals who escaped from the Raft after Juggernaut, in the form of Kuurth: Breaker of Stone, leveled it. He was detained by Justice. [24]

Gorilla-Man was later behind a hostage crisis until he was defeated by Captain Ultra. [25]

During the "Opening Salvo" part of the "Secret Empire" storyline, Gorilla-Man appears in an underground lair where he was building his army of Gorilla-Men while operating under the alias of King of the Gorilla-Men. These Gorilla-Men are the results of gorilla heads being surgically-attached to human bodies. He then finds Robert Maverick who just turned back from his Red Hulk form. While attempting to pull Robert's head out of his body to strengthen his Gorilla-Men army, Gorilla-Man and his Gorilla-Men are attacked and defeated by Squirrel Girl, who unleashes her flying squirrels on his army. [26]

Franz Radzik

Gorilla-Man
Franz-Gorilla.jpg
The Franz Radzik version of Gorilla Man. From Tales to Astonish #28.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Tales to Astonish #28 (Feb. 1962)
Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber (writers)
Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Full nameFranz Radzik
Species Human (formerly)
Gorilla (currently)
Abilities

Franz Radzik, a scientist who created an electromagnetic ray machine to transfer his mind into a gorilla's body was known as Gorilla-Man. He was sent into deep space on an experimental rocket ship and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #28 and 30. The former story was reprinted in Adventure into Fear #5, the latter in Gorilla Man #3.

NOTE: This is not to be confused with a story from Strange Tales #1. In it, a man who admires evil things is injected with a formula by an evil scientist which turns him into an ape, as he hopes to become a creature of evil. A student is knocked out by the evil man. He is tied to a chair and gagged at the home of the scientist. The mind of the man is sent back through the ages as he becomes an ape. However, the other man is able to free himself. He breaks the scientist's neck, but is captured and caged at the local zoo.

Powers and abilities

As Gorilla-Man, Kenneth Hale possesses the body of a mountain gorilla, while retaining his normal human intelligence. He has access to various weapons with a preference for firearms. Even as a human, he is skilled at fighting. Hale also has been cursed with virtual immortality and maintained the same level of physical prowess over decades. [27]

The Arthur Nagan version of Gorilla-Man is an experienced transplant surgeon and inventor. His large gorilla body possesses immense physical attributes. [28]

The Franz Radzik version of Gorilla-Man has similar powers as the other two, but it left him unable to speak.

Other versions

In an alternate Earth that appears in Avengers Forever #4–5, a similar version of Hale as Gorilla-Man appeared in the Avengers of the 1950s. [29] Their timeline was destroyed by Immortus. [30]

On Earth-O-Men, Ken Hale appears as the Gorilla-Man on an Earth dominated by the Skrulls. [31]

In other media

The Ken Hale incarnation of Gorilla-Man appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 via the "Agents of Atlas" DLC pack.

Collected Editions

TitleMaterial CollectedPublished DateISBN
Gorilla ManGorilla Man #1-3 and material from Weird Wonder Tales #7, Tales to Astonish #28 and 30, Avengers vs. Atlas #4, X-Men: First Class #8 and Men's Adventures #28.December 15, 2010 978-0785149118

Related Research Articles

<i>Secret Wars</i> 1984–1985 Marvel Comics limited series

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, commonly known as Secret Wars, is a 12-issue American comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter, with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton. It was tied in with a toy line and a role-playing game of the same name from Mattel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absorbing Man</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

The Absorbing Man is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #114, in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Carl Creel has the power to absorb and become any material he touched. Originally a supervillain, in later years, he has reformed into more of an antihero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annihilus</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Annihilus is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily as an adversary to the Fantastic Four. The character debuted in Fantastic Four Annual #6, which was published in November 1968. Annihilus was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and was notably featured in the "Annihilation" event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendigo (comics)</span> Fictional character from Marvel Comics

The Wendigo is a fictional monster appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Marvel character is based on the Wendigo legend of the Algonquian peoples. The monster first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #162, created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Herb Trimpe, fighting the Incredible Hulk.

A Life Model Decoy is a fictional android appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. LMDs duplicate all outward aspects of a real living person with such authenticity that they can easily impersonate a specific person without casual detection. LMDs first appeared in "The Man For the Job!", a short story by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby that ran in the anthology book Strange Tales #135, in which the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. created LMDs of agent Nick Fury to use as decoys for an attack by the terrorist organization Hydra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrecking Crew (comics)</span> Fictional comic book supervillains

The Wrecking Crew is a team of four supervillains—the Wrecker, Bulldozer, Piledriver and Thunderball—appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. While not featured on the cover, the Wrecking Crew's first appearance is in The Defenders #17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Ghost (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

The Red Ghost and his Super-Apes are a group of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters started their career fighting the Fantastic Four, before confronting other Marvel heroes, such as Iron Man and Spider-Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrecker (comics)</span> Fictional Marvel Comics character

The Wrecker is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringmaster (comics)</span> Fictional Marvel comics supervillain

The Ringmaster is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The best known Ringmaster is Maynard Tiboldt, who debuted in The Incredible Hulk #3, and is the leader of the Circus of Crime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U-Foes</span> Supervillain team

The U-Foes is a supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as enemies of the Hulk. The group consists of four members: Vector, the group's leader, who can repel matter telekinetically; Vapor, who can transform into any form of gaseous matter; X-Ray, who can generate and project radiation and fly; and Ironclad, who has a metallic body and can control his density.

The Headmen is a group of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Men (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional comic book characters

The New Men are a fictional group of characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are depicted as uplifted animals created by the High Evolutionary.

The Howling Commandos is the name of several fictional groups appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team also appears in the franchises developed for other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Bong</span> Fictional character appearing in American comic books

Doctor Bong is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character possesses an advanced knowledge of genetic engineering, and his bell-shaped helmet can be struck to create a number of effects. Intended as a parody of Doctor Moreau, he is an archenemy of Howard the Duck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Thursday</span> Comics character

Ruby Thursday is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is usually depicted as a member of the Headmen. She is named for The Rolling Stones song, "Ruby Tuesday".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orrgo</span> Comics character

Orrgo is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chondu the Mystic</span> Comics character

Chondu the Mystic, sometimes known as Chondu the Magician, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MODOK</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

MODOK is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93. The first MODOK is George Tarleton, a former employee of Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), an arms-dealing organization specializing in futuristic weaponry, who undergoes substantial mutagenic medical experimentation originally designed to increase his intelligence. While successful, the experiments result in him developing a freakishly overdeveloped head and a stunted body, causing the character's signature look and use of a hoverchair for mobility. After the experiments, he kills his creators and takes control of A.I.M. Following Tarleton being changed back to normal, a new independent being created afterward dubs himself MODOK Superior, becoming the enemy of Gwenpool.

References

  1. ↑ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 154. ISBN   978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ↑ Men's Adventures #26 (March 1954). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  3. ↑ X-Men First Class #8. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  4. ↑ Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust #1. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  5. ↑ Dark Reign: New Nation (Feb. 2009). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  6. ↑ Wolverine: Goodbye Chinatown (March 2012). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  7. ↑ Deadpool & the Mercs for Money vol. 2 #4 (Dec. 2016). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  8. ↑ Avengers vol. 8 #12. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  9. ↑ Avengers vol. 8 #19–20. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  10. ↑ Mystery Tales #21. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  11. ↑ The Defenders #21
  12. ↑ The Defenders #31–33. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  13. ↑ The Defenders Annual #1. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  14. ↑ Power Man and Iron Fist #68 (April 1981). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  15. ↑ Marvel Age Annual #1. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  16. ↑ The Sensational She-Hulk vol. 2 #1–3 (May–July 1989). Marvel Comics (New York City).
  17. ↑ Avengers: Death Trap: The Vault #6–8. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  18. ↑ Web of Spider-Man #73. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  19. ↑ The Defenders vol. 2 #5. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  20. ↑ The Defenders vol. 2 #9–10. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  21. ↑ Heroes for Hire vol. 2 #6–8. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  22. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy #9. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  23. ↑ Avengers: the Initiative #27. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  24. ↑ Avengers Academy #15. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  25. ↑ X-Men: Legacy vol. 2 #8. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  26. ↑ U.S.Avengers #5. Marvel Comics (New York City).
  27. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #4 (September 2008)
  28. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update Vol 1 #3 (October 2010)
  29. ↑ Avengers Forever #4. Marvel Comics.
  30. ↑ Avengers Forever #5. Marvel Comics.
  31. ↑ Paradise X: Heralds #3. Marvel Comics.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.