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List of Marvel Comics characters: P
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from Wikipedia

Karen Page

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Pagon

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Paibok

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Doctor Paine

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Dr. Thaddeus Paine is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Len Kaminski, first appeared in Morbius the Living Vampire #4 (December 1994). He is a sadist who was unable to feel pain and has prosthesic hands equipped with surgical tools. Paine is a silent partner of Dr. David Langford who was threatened, resulting in the deaths of Martine Bancroft and his business partner.[1] Paine then experiments on Morbius much like his inhumane medical experiments on the homeless, resulting in the Living Vampire vengefully destroying his facility while the doctor escaped.[2] Paine next tortured Eddie Brock and experimented on the Venom symbiote, resulting in both individuals as Venom getting revenge by imbalancing his brain.[3]

Doctor Paine in other media

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A female incarnation named Teddy Paine appears in Venom: The Last Dance, portrayed by Juno Temple.[4] This version is a scientist for the government organization Imperium alongside Sadie Christmas, and later bonded to the Agony symbiote.

Paladin

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Panda-Mania

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Panda-Mania is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She was created by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, and first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1 (April 2014).

Panda-Mania is an unnamed female with super-strength who wears a panda-themed outfit. She is a member of White Rabbit's animal-themed group Menagerie, and has fought Spider-Man on numerous occasions.[5]

Panda-Mania in other media

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Panda-Mania appears in the Spider-Man episode "Bring on the Bad Guys", voiced by Teala Dunn.[6]

Pandapool

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

Pandapool is an anthropomorphic giant panda version of Deadpool from Earth-51315 and a member of the Deadpool Corps.[7]

Pandemic

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Paper Doll

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Paper Doll (Piper Dali) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #559 and was created by Dan Slott and Marcos Martín in 2008.

Piper Dali is the daughter of the scientist Kenneth Dali. After being exposed to her father's "dimensional compressor", Piper acquired the ability to turn two-dimensional and paper-like. She was an obsessive fan and later stalker of actor Bobby Carr and used her powers to kill those she felt caused problems for him. Paper Doll was eventually defeated by Spider-Man.[8]

While posing as a social media influencer, Paper Doll later robbed a store where she killed its security guard. She had an encounter with Spider-Girl. Paper Doll used her abilities to defeat Spider-Girl and get away.[9]

Powers and abilities of Paper Doll

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Paper Doll can stretch and bend her body into a paper-like form that is difficult to injure. The edges of her body are razor sharp and can cut through even Spider-Man's webs. Her powers also allows her to flatten others.

Paradigm

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Paradox

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

Paradox is a magical construct created by Doctor Strange and a member of the Midnight Sons.[10]

Paradox in other media

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Paradox makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Spider-Man episode "The Cellar" as an inmate of the eponymous prison.[11]

Paralyzer

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Paris

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April Parker

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Ashley Parker

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Benjy Parker

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Benjamin Richard Parker (often called Benjy by his sister) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is from the alternate future MC2 universe, and is the younger brother of Mayday Parker / Spider-Girl, and son of Mary Jane Watson and Peter Parker / Spider-Man.

Benjamin was born after a complicated pregnancy. Because of his father's artificially altered genetic code, Ben was at a high risk of being born with some kind of genetic abnormality: deformity, disability, or perhaps even mutant powers.[12] Due to the risk to Mary Jane's health, her obstetrician advised her to consider abortion. However, remembering that she faced similar risks when pregnant with her daughter May, Mary Jane decided to proceed with the pregnancy.[13] Ben was born while his sister fought Seth, and to his family's relief, was apparently a perfectly healthy, normal little boy. He was named Benjamin in honor of his uncle Ben Reilly and great-uncle Ben Parker, while his second name, Richard, is in honor of his grandfather Richard Parker.[14]

Benjamin seems to display some superhuman abilities. He is able to balance a block toy while simultaneously spinning his arm quickly.[15] He is also seen dangling the block from his finger on a web-like string.[volume & issue needed] May discovers Ben crawling on the ceiling of their home.[16] He is once possessed by a miniature version of the Carnage symbiote. After his sister frees him from the symbiote by using the ultrasonic weaponry of the villain Reverb, his father notices that the baby's ears are bleeding, and realizes that Ben lost his hearing, likely because Ben's ears are far too underdeveloped to withstand the sonic waves.[17] The doctors in the hospital try to determine whether Ben's hearing loss is permanent. May is deeply upset over this and blames herself. Nevertheless, Ben still seems to be his usual, happy self. Since discovering her baby brother crawling on the ceiling, she fears that due to his exposure to the symbiote, his abilities were somehow activated early (as hers only came about in her teens).[volume & issue needed]

Normie Osborn agrees to fund an operation to restore Benjamin's hearing. The procedure is successful, giving him most or all of his hearing back. Normie carefully studies Benjy's body as he goes through it and discovers that while he was already developing his abilities, the symbiote exposure sped up the process. Peter begins to fear that Benjamin may be more powerful than he and his sister. This is strongly implied to be true when Ben spins organic webs to save both himself and Mary Jane after being thrown off a bridge by the Green Goblin, something neither Peter nor May can do. Despite being a baby, he is also strong enough for Mary Jane to hold on to without hurting him.[18]

In the 2014/2015 crossover event Spider-Verse, Benjy's family is under attack from Daemos, a relation of the 616 Spider-Man's former nemesis Morlun. During the attack, Mary Jane, Mayday's boyfriend Wes, and Peter are apparently all killed and their home destroyed. Mayday flees with Ben and is rescued by visiting Spider-Men from other dimensions who are trying to save as many Spiders as possible from similar attacks by Morlun and Daemos' family, who call themselves "The Inheritors". Mayday and Ben are taken to a safe zone where the Spiders plan their next course of action. The safe zone is eventually compromised and Ben is captured by The Inheritors. It is revealed that Ben is vital part of a prophecy that will help bring about the downfall of The Inheritors and involves "The Other" (Kaine), "The Bride" (Silk) and "The Scion" (Ben himself). However, conversely if the three specific totems are sacrificed together, their deaths will ensure that not only The Inheritors remain in power forever, but it will also stop future spider-people from appearing, and thus preventing the prophecy. Benjy is eventually saved by Ben Parker- his great-uncle, and Spider-Ham. In the final fight, uncle Ben takes Benjy to safety and Spider-Ham takes Benjy's place to catch the Inheritors off-guard.[19] Afterwards, it is revealed Benjamin's mother and Wes survived the Inheritor attack, but unfortunately, his father did not. Benjamin makes a few cameo appearances in 2015's Web Warriors series, looked after by Mayday, Mary Jane, Uncle Ben and often visited by Anya Corazon. Benjamin is referenced several times by his sister Mayday in the event Spider-Geddon. After the latest battle with The Inheritors concludes, Mayday comments that her brother is very likely still the Scion of the Spider-Scroll Prophecy. Her alternate world sister Annie May Parker, Spiderling, informs her that The Other is still in play too and is closer than she knows. On Mayday and Benjamin's Earth, it is revealed that The Other resurrected their father.

Ben Parker

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Claire Parker

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Kaine Parker

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May Parker

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Mayday Parker

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Peni Parker

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Peter Parker

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Richard and Mary Parker

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Richard Parker II

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Teresa Parker

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Teresa Parker (also addressed to as Teresa Durand) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man: Family Business #1 (April 2014).[20][21][22] She is the long lost younger sister of Peter Parker / Spider-Man and daughter of Richard and Mary Parker.

After their parents' deaths, Peter was sent to live with their Aunt May and Uncle Ben while Teresa, whose birth had been kept a secret, was adopted.[23] Many years later, Teresa was personally recruited into the C.I.A. by Nick Fury.[24] Teresa first came into Peter's life after saving the latter from several mysterious gunmen sent by the Kingpin.[25] Following this adventure, Teresa left the C.I.A. to join a S.H.I.E.L.D. division called the Gray Blade under Nick Fury Jr., specializing in international hostage rescues and intel gathering, before becoming a fugitive after learning of a program named "Project Twilight", an exhaustive plan to take down both superheroes and supervillains. After deleting all traces of the project from Gray Blade's systems and hiding the only known backup in nanobots in her bloodstream, Teresa sought Peter's assistance in confronting the Kingpin once again, who was involved in the operation. Later on, she helped Spider-Man stop an attack by the Vulture. Since Teresa had been spotted by Gray Blade operatives with Spider-Man, they arrested Peter himself due to his alter-ego being supposedly a bodyguard. When Peter then attempts to get Teresa out of New York, they are attacked by numerous criminals sent by the Tinkerer, ahead of an alien armada.[26]

After traveling to the past of an alternate timeline, to retrieve information to stop the coming invasion, Teresa joined Peter in this journey, contacting Fury and confirming that she was in fact the Parkers' daughter and Peter's sister.[27] After returning to find an alternate timeline where Peter quit being Spider-Man, Teresa joins forces with Peter in restoring the correct timeline. Peter then-after finally introduces Teresa to Aunt May.[28] Months later, her S.H.I.E.L.D. partner and lover David Albright is apparently been tortured and murdered by the Chameleon for information, then-after which point Teresa seeks Peter's help to help find, intercepted a meeting with "The Foreigner", whom had used Albright's information to acquire doses of the Infinity Formula to help Silver Sable's efforts to save Symkaria from its newest civil war.[28] Despite learning of the Chameleon's noble motives and Albright's corruption, Teresa flees in pursuit, leaving Peter alone, apprehending Chameleon after the fall of Doctor Doom.[29]

Teresa later visits The Chameleon at the prison he is serving time in, and discovers he was one of many similar agents trained in a special facility by the Finisher, the man who arranged the murder of Richard and Mary Parker, who is revealed to be alive and well.[30] It is implied in the ensuing conversation that Teresa may be a Chameleon agent herself. The Finisher offers to reveal to Teresa the truth of her own origins, provided that she delivers a clairvoyant device to him that Peter had helped develop. Fearing that she is not truly a Parker, Teresa is tempted, but ultimately decides to embrace who she believes herself to be and destroys the Clairvoyant when Peter entrusts her with it, keeping it out of The Finisher's hands.[31]

Pathway

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Pathway (Laura Dean) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Alpha Flight #48 (July 1987), and was created by Bill Mantlo and Jim Lee.

Laura Dean's parents were mutant-phobic and decided to abort Laura's twin fetus because it was a mutant. While still a fetus, Laura protected her twin sister by using her mutant abilities to send her to another dimension, dubbed "Liveworld".

Laura grew up withdrawn from the world. In an attempt to cure her, her parents sent her to the New Life Clinic, which was actually run by the villain Scramble.[volume & issue needed] Laura managed to escape but was later caught by Bedlam and forced to become a member of his team of Derangers. During the clash with Alpha Flight, Laura swapped places with her twin, whom she had named Goblyn, in Liveworld.[32]

After Alpha Flight defeated Bedlam, Goblyn and Laura were admitted into Beta Flight under the misbelief that they were the same person.[volume & issue needed] However, this was sorted out when Alpha Flight travelled to Liveworld and there encountered the Dreamqueen.[volume & issue needed] When they returned to Earth, and Alpha disbanded, Laura and Goblyn went to live with Purple Girl.[volume & issue needed]

They re-joined Beta Flight when Talisman dispatched them on a quest for Northstar, thanks to Laura's ability to open portals to other dimensions.[volume & issue needed] The two stayed on when the team was once again funded by the government and Department H was re-formed.[volume & issue needed] However, both were severely injured when Wild Child went insane and attacked them.[volume & issue needed] Laura sent Goblyn instinctively to Liveworld and had to return with Beta Flight to save her.[volume & issue needed]

Patriot

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Jeffrey Mace

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Eli Bradley

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Rayshaun Lucas

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Peepers

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Penance

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Peregrine

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Persuasion

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Perun

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Perun (Valeri Sovloyev) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Captain America #352 (April 1989) and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Kieron Dwyer.

Perun is a Russian superhero who serves in Russia's government-sponsored super-team, the Winter Guard, alongside Fantasma, the Red Guardian, Vostok, and Crimson Dynamo.[volume & issue needed] He wears a helmet and red cloak similar to those of Thor. He had long hair and a beard, with a great deal of body hair. Perun is an avatar of the Slavic god Perun inhabiting the body of Valeri Sovloyev.

Perun evidently first joined the Russian super-team when it was known as the Supreme Soviets. When the Soviets attacked their predecessors, the Soviet Super Soldiers, Perun is disguised as Thor with Fantasma's magic and nearly kills Ursa Major with his lightning.[volume & issue needed]

Perun and his team, subsequently renamed the People's Protectorate, are featured in The Avengers, working with the Canadian Alpha Flight and the American Avengers.[33]

Perun and his team, now called the Winter Guard[citation needed] (a name it has retained ever since), come into conflict with the Hulk and the Pantheon over the kidnapping of Igor, a Russian spy. The Hulk believes Igor to have been responsible for his, the Hulk's, creation. Igor is put through a re-creation of the incident, which causes great distress. The Hulk easily defeats Perun and takes his weapons, using them to temporarily entrap Vostok. The confrontation ends in a stalemate, for Igor had gone mad with guilt and nobody was sure what to do.[34]

When a group of aliens calling themselves Starblasters tries to push the moon away from Earth, Quasar assembles a group with some of the most powerful heroes of the world, recruiting Perun, Carol Danvers, Black Bolt, Hyperion, Ikaris, Darkstar, Vanguard and Monica Rambeau.[35]

Perun and fellow Slavic god Chernobog later join the Winter Guard.[36]

Ultimate Marvel version

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In the Ultimate Marvel imprint, Perun is a member of the Liberators, described as a "Soviet Thor". His appearance is vastly different from his mainstream appearance; he is clean-shaven and has no visible head hair. His powers are seemingly derived from a force-belt similar to that of Thor. Like his mainstream counterpart, he carries a hammer and sickle (the latter of which was dropped by Gregory Stark for loss of Soviet symbolism, but decided to keep the hammer to be Fury's own Thor).[37]

Perun was originally an unnamed soldier who was given the same equipment as Thor. Alongside the other members of the Liberators, Perun attacks and rapidly subdues the forces of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the weakened Ultimates. Strategic locales all across the United States are taken. The Liberators kill thousands of soldiers and citizens alike. Perun personally incapacitates Quicksilver with a lightning strike.[38]

Perun and the Crimson Dynamo attack Air Force One capturing U.S. President George W. Bush. The plane and the passengers are brought back to the White House in Washington D.C. This is where most of Perun's teammates are killed in battle.[39] He is seen wandering the streets, trying to find someone to surrender to.[40]

He can also be seen in the cover of Ultimate Comics: Avengers #1.[41] Despite their invasion failing, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Nick Fury, and Dr. Gregory Stark decided to give Perun a second chance, instead of him being executed in his home country. Perun was spared a chance for Avengers operation, but is later killed by the vampiric Nerd Hulk (a clone of the Hulk) in Ultimate Avengers 3.[37] His hammer is later used by Captain America in a last-ditch effort to save the Triskelion and its inhabitants, using the hammer to teleport it to Iran. With all the vampires dead thanks to sunlight, Captain America then beheads the vampiric Hulk clone in retribution.[42]

Pestilence

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Pestilence is the name of several characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Some of them are members of the Horsemen of Apocalypse.

Plague

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Plague was originally a member of the Morlocks with disease-inducing abilities before joining the Horsemen of Apocalypse and becoming Pestilence.

She fell to her death after Molecula accidentally knocked her off her flying steed.[43][44]

F.R. Crozier

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Pestilence
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAlpha Flight #36
Created byBill Mantlo and David Ross
In-story information
Alter egoF.R. Crozier
Abilities
  • Shapeshifting
  • Various mystical powers and abilities

This Pestilence is an adaptation of Francis Crozier, an Ulsterman who was second in command in John Franklin's expedition to the Northwest Passage and later disappeared after taking command of the expedition from Franklin.

In 1845, F.R. Crozier was appointed doctor and chief science officer for an Arctic expedition led by John Franklin, who sought the fabled Northwest Passage; the expedition consisted of two ships, the Terror and the Erebus. Six months after the departure of the expedition, the ships became trapped in the Arctic ice, which never melted; in October 1847, Franklin set forth with a party in search of help and was never seen again. On April 22, 1848, with the stores of food nearly exhausted, Crozier led the remainder of the crew out of the doomed ships and set out over the ice for a 600-miles march to safety. Many of the crew died of exposure during the march and were left unburied, and a number of advance scouts were apparently flash-frozen where they stood; with the remaining crew dying one by one, on the night of 8 May Crozier, desperate to find a way to survive, ingested an elixir he had prepared before, which induced a state of suspended animation that his men mistook for death. His plan was to remain where he fell, allowing the ice to preserve him until the weather warmed enough to revive him, upon which he wouldn't need food or substance; what he had not anticipated was that, out of respect for him and his position, his remaining crew decided to bury him. Interred in permafrost, the sun never reached Crozier and he spent the next 148 years buried alive and going insane.[45]

Nearly a century and a half later, the demigoddess Snowbird was pregnant with her first child. Because of her mystical nature, a place of power was necessary to complete her delivery. Shaman used his power to beseech spirits for aid to lead Alpha Flight to such a place of power and they transported Snowbird there. During the journey they were joined by Shaman's daughter, Talisman.[46] As the child was being born and Shaman was in the process of binding its life force to Earth, the child's life force and Alpha Flight were subject to a mystical attack. Talisman had been corrupted by her power over the spirits of the Earth and was deeply angry at her father. She told Shaman that she had ordered the spirits he had beseeched to lead him to a place of power that was also a place of death. She had sensed a spirit trapped between life and death and led Alpha Flight there to precipitate the attack on them. She wanted to show Shaman up through his failure to save Snowbird's child, at which time she would step in and bind the attacking spirit. Snowbird's baby was possessed by Crozier, calling himself Pestilence. However, Talisman had fatally miscalculated, because Pestilence had never truly died, thus he was not a spirit and was not subject to her powers. Pestilence attacked Alpha Flight anew and grappled with Talisman, tearing the mystical circlet that was the source and focus of her powers from her head.[45] Alpha Flight plunged Pestilence through the ice. Emerging from the water, Pestilence tricked Snowbird into assuming the form of Sasquatch, who was in truth one of the Great Beasts. In that form Pestilence was able to take control of her. He then summoned the spirits of the remaining Great Beasts to the battle. Shaman donned the circlet of power, becoming the new Talisman. He bound the spirits of all the Great Beasts save Snowbird-as-Sasquatch, using her to attack Pestilence directly, forcing him to flee the battle.[47]

Still in possession of Snowbird's child, Pestilence went south, leaving behind him a trail of strange death, until he reached a mining town in Klondike; he was followed by the child's father, Douglas Thompson, who however caught the same incurable plague that killed off the town's population, although he was able to warn Snowbird and Talisman about his location. In an abandoned mine, Alpha Flight again battled Pestilence, until he again seized control of Snowbird in the form of Sasquatch, ordering her to kill him. She did, and Pestilence was released to seek another host body to possess. In trying to keep Snowbird from being possessed, Vindicator slew Snowbird, but was too late, as, after Snowbird's and her family's funeral, Pestilence rose from Snowbird's grave, still in Sasquatch form, and again attacked Alpha Flight. When hard-pressed, Pestilence's spirit tried to possess yet another, but this time Vindicator was able to trap his spirit in the void held within the medicine bag formerly belonging to Shaman.[48]

It is later revealed that Pestilence had found a new host, but he was caught in "some sort of disintegrator blast".[49]

Pestilence had a number of supernatural abilities of unknown origin, perhaps deriving from his being buried at a place of power for over a century (Talisman theorized it had something to do with Llan the Sorcerer and his 10,000-year cycle of evil). He had the power to spontaneously generate life forms symbolic of disease and death, including maggots and flies. He could control the spirits of the dead, including those of the great Beasts. Pestilence could transform his appearance into that of other people, both alive and dead. Pestilence had the power to generate disease, could cause instantaneous but temporary rapid aging and had the power to draw upon the "bodily decay" of other living beings to rejuvenate himself. Pestilence had extensive knowledge of chemistry beyond what was commonly known in the 19th century. His knowledge was such that he could create potions which could induce a deathlike state of suspended animation.

Ichisumi

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Pestilence (First Horseman of Apocalypse)

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Pestilence
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Comics #1000 (Oct. 2019)
Created byJonathan Hickman (writer)
Dustin Weaver (artist)
In-story information
Full namePestilence
SpeciesHuman Mutant
Team affiliationsHorsemen of Apocalypse
PartnershipsApocalypse (father)
Genesis (mother)
AbilitiesDisease Vector

Pestilence is one of four children of Apocalypse and Genesis, born and raised on Okkara. She and her siblings grow up to be the first Horsemen of Apocalypse and fight against the Brood in Ancient Egypt.[50][51][52] When the forces of the dimension of Amenth invade Earth and split Okkara into Krakoa and Arakko, Pestilence, along with her mother, her siblings, all Okkaran mutants, and the newly created island of Arakko, is voluntarily sealed away in Amenth to stop the invasion while her father Apocalypse remains on Earth.[53] After Genesis becomes Annihilation's new host, Arakko is subjugated and united with the forces of Amenth.[54] Pestilence and her siblings are sent to Otherworld to destroy the province of Dryador and lay siege to the Starlight Citadel. When Summoner successfully lure Apocalypse to Otherworld, the Horsemen attack and severely wound their father. When Saturnyne intervenes and arranges the X of Swords tournament,[55] Pestilence travels with her sister War to recruit their aunt Isca the Unbeaten, the mercenary Pogg Ur-Pogg, and Solem.[56]

While War and Death participate in the tournament, Pestilence and Famine serve as the regents of Dryador[57] and later fight against the Krakoan mutants to invade Earth. Following the battle, Pestilence returns to Amenth with her siblings (excluding Death) and their parents,[58] though she and Famine continue to act as regents of Dryador.[59]

When Genesis incites a civil war on Planet Arakko, Pestilence joins her mother there and fights against Storm and her allies.[60] When she attempts to kill Storm, she is killed by her enraged brother Death.[61]

Powers and abilities of Pestilence

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Pestilence is an Omega-level mutant able to create poisoned arrows that infect their targets with a transmissible fatal disease, an ability known as "Disease Vector".[55] She is also very long-lived, having been alive for thousands of years.[52]

Pestilence in other media

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  • The Plague incarnation of Pestilence makes non-speaking appearances in X-Men: The Animated Series.
  • In X-Men: Evolution, Mystique, voiced by Colleen Wheeler, is forced to become the Horseman of Pestilence.
  • An incarnation of Pestilence appears in X-Men: Apocalypse, portrayed by Warren Scherer. This version serves Apocalypse in ancient times and displays superhuman strength.
  • Psylocke, portrayed by Olivia Munn, is selected as the modern Horseman of Pestilence in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Petra

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Petra is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in the limited series X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1 (November 2005), and was created by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Pete Woods. She is one of the "Missing X-Men".

Petra was the first of her family to be born in the United States. Her mother, father and brother emigrated from Denmark while the former was pregnant with her. They lived the typical American life in the suburbs of New York City for most of her childhood. Shortly after her thirteenth birthday, Petra's family was killed by a rockslide while on a camping trip, and Petra unknowingly used her mutant powers of earth manipulation to avoid getting hurt. After spending weeks in Child Protective Services, Petra was sent to live in New Jersey in a foster home. She was placed in a home that had five other children that were forced to share the same bedroom. Her foster mother was old and uncaring, and her foster father was too caring while trying to hold and touch her all the time.

One day on an outing to Central Park, her foster father tried to touch her yet sank knee-deep into the ground. It was then that Petra realized that she was a mutant, and she ran away. She found a cave and hid there for days crying, knowing that with her abilities she could have either killed or saved her family. She camped in Central Park for a couple of years, using her power to manipulate rock caves into shelters to avoid being arrested and sent to juvenile detention centers. When she was sixteen, she discovered another useful aspect of her ability: she could turn coal into diamonds by concentrating hard enough. For a year, she used this aspect of her power to make diamonds of varying sizes to sell to pawn shops so she could buy food and survive. One day, however, a pawn shop employee said he was going to call the owner of the store, but he called the police.

Running to her rock shelter, the police found Petra before she could hide, and took her into custody after a brief battle. When she awoke, a female guard informed her that she was being released into the custody of Moira MacTaggert who was there to help Petra. This at first frightened Petra because she had never known anyone to try to help her because of her abilities, only hurt her.[62] After some time with MacTaggert, Professor X took Petra alongside Sway, Darwin, and Vulcan to rescue the original X-Men team trapped on the mutant island Krakoa.[volume & issue needed] Petra instinctively used her powers to bury Vulcan and Darwin, and then gets incinerated by a volcano creature created by Krakoa.[63]

When the X-Men establish Krakoa as a mutant nation, Petra was among the mutants resurrected via Krakoa's resurrection protocols. She, Sway, and Vulcan are shown to reside in the Summer House.[64]

Powers and abilities

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Petra is a "terrakinetic" or "geo-morph",[65] having the ability to psychokinetically manipulate, control, levitate and reshape the earth.[62] She can use this power to cause minor earthquakes and create shapes out of solid rock.

Petra in other media

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A character based on Petra named Christy Nord appears in Wolverine and the X-Men, voiced by Kari Wahlgren as an adult and Danielle Judovits as a child.[citation needed] This version is the geokinetic daughter of Christoph Nord who lives on a farm near the U.S.-Canadian border. In "Past Discretions", she attacks Wolverine under the belief that the latter killed her father before learning Wolverine was tasked by Weapon X to kidnap Christoph. Though he stopped upon realizing this would make Christy an orphan, Sabretooth completed the mission. In "Stolen Lives", Christy is abducted by a brainwashed Christoph before being rescued by Wolverine and Mystique. Emma Frost later undoes Christoph's brainwashing, allowing the Nords to reunite.

Mike Peterson

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Phage

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Phage is the name used by a symbiote in Marvel Comics. The symbiote, created by David Michelinie and Ron Lim, first appeared in Venom: Lethal Protector #4 (May 1993), and was named in Carnage, U.S.A. #2 (March 2012).[66] It was created as one of five symbiote "children" forcefully spawned from the Venom symbiote along with Riot, Agony, Lasher and Scream. Phage is usually depicted as a brown symbiote that primarily covers its appendages with spikes.

Carl Mach

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Phage's first host was Carl Mach, a mercenary hired alongside Scream (Donna Diego), Agony (Leslie Gesneria), Lasher (Ramon Hernandez) and Riot (Trevor Cole) by Carlton Drake's Life Foundation in San Francisco. Phage and his four symbiote "siblings" are defeated by Spider-Man and Venom.[67] The hosts kidnap Eddie Brock in an attempt to communicate with their symbiotes in Chicago. Brock refuses to aid them while the hosts are killed by Diego.[68]

Rico Axelson

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Phage's second host was Rico Axelson, a Lieutenant assigned alongside Riot (Howard Odgen), Lasher (Marcus Simms), and Agony (James Murphy) to the Mercury Team. With Cletus Kasady on the loose in Colorado, Phage and the Team Mercury assist Spider-Man, Scorn and Flash Thompson.[69] However, Phage and his teammates are killed by Carnage in their secret base,[70] and the four symbiotes bond with Mercury Team's dog.[71]

Billy

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After being possessed by Knull, the four symbiotes possess a bickering family, with Phage taking the son Billy. The group head to New York to assist in Carnage's quest[72] and hunt Dylan Brock and Normie Osborn but are defeated and separated from their hosts by the Maker.[73] Under Knull's possession, Phage merges with his "siblings" into one, but is defeated by Andi Benton.[74]

Mitch

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Phage's fourth host is Buck Cashman's hunting dog Mitch.[75]

Buck Cashman

[edit]

Phage's fifth host is Buck Cashman. Led by the Carnage symbiote, Phage and the other three symbiote enforcers participate in a conspiracy involving the Friends of Humanity, only to be defeated by Thompson, Silence and Toxin and taken into Alchemax's custody.[76][77][78]

Carl Strickland

[edit]

During the "Venom War" storyline, the Phage symbiote bonds with Carl Strickland of the Wild Pack while fighting the Zombiotes.[79]

Phage in other media

[edit]

Phantazia

[edit]

Phantom Eagle

[edit]

Phantom Reporter

[edit]

Phantom Rider

[edit]

Phaser

[edit]

Phastos

[edit]

Phat

[edit]

Chester Phillips

[edit]
Further reading

Chester Phillips is a World War II general in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appeared in Tales of Suspense #63 (March 1965).

Chester Phillips is one of the army officers overseeing subject selection for Project: Rebirth. He takes a personal interest in Steve Rogers as the best candidate for the first test.[82] Phillips and Abraham Erskine refuse to allow General Maxfield Saunders to have Clinton McIntyre receive the first full treatment. When Saunders steals the serum and apparently kills McIntyre, Phillips has the body shipped away and Saunders arrested.[83]

Chester Phillips in other media

[edit]

Phobos

[edit]
Phobos
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceOriginal:
Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #32 (August 1991)
Current:
Ares: God of War #1 (March 2006)
Created byOriginal:
Roy Thomas
Jean-Marc Lofficier
Current:
Michael Avon Oeming
Travel Foreman
In-story information
Full nameOriginal:
Phobos
Current:
Alexander Aaron
SpeciesOlympian[86]
Team affiliationsOriginal:
Olympians
Current:
Secret Warriors
Notable aliasesOriginal:
God of Fear
Current:
Pre-Retcon:
God of War[87]
Currently:
Phobos
AbilitiesOriginal:
  • Ability to Instill Fear and Control Others
  • Super Strength and Endurance

Current:
Pre-Retcon:

  • Mastery of All Forms of Weaponry[87]
  • Super Strength and Endurance

Currently:

Phobos is the name of two fictional comic book characters appearing in books published by Marvel Comics characters, based on the Greek mythological deity of the same name. The first appeared in Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #32 (August 1991) in a story written by Roy Thomas and Jean-Marc Lofficier.

The second and current Phobos first appeared in the 2006 Ares: God of War mini-series (written by Michael Avon Oeming; art by Travel Foreman). He is the son of Ares, step-brother to Hippolyta, and a member of the Secret Warriors.[89]

Due to the nature of gods in the Marvel Universe, in addition to the retcon surrounding the current Phobos (see below) the relationship between the two has not been explicitly explained.

Original

[edit]

The original Phobos first appeared in the "A Gathering of Fear" storyline in Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme[90] #32 (August 1991) written by Roy Thomas and Jean-Marc Lofficier. He reappeared in "The Great Fear" storyline in DS:SS #39 (March 1992).

Phobos and his brother Deimos are sons of Ares and Nox (posing as Venus) but were killed by Thor and Hercules in their first appearance.[91] Later the Fear Lords release so much fear that Nox is able to bring her sons back, creating them from the Darkforce but they were eventually defeated again.[92] Phobos meets his final fate when Amatsu-Mikaboshi assaults Olympus and kills him.[93]

Alexander

[edit]

The current Phobos, Alexander, first appeared in the Ares limited series in 2006 written by Michael Avon Oeming. Here, he is manipulated by Amatsu-Mikaboshi into becoming a warrior until his father, Ares, saves him many years later, a young adult with god-like powers.[87] This ending is ignored for future storyline purposes. The character returns, retconned by Brian Michael Bendis and reduced to a ten-year-old boy with no specialized training in Mighty Avengers #1, then reappears in the Secret Invasion crossover, in Mighty Avengers and the Secret Invasion limited series. Once Dark Reign started, he began appearing regularly in Secret Warriors.

The current Phobos is a young boy named Alexander Aaron.[94] In the 2006 Ares: God or War mini-series, Alexander is taken from his father, Ares, by Zeus, and then kidnapped by the Japanese god Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Mikaboshi, in an attempt to destroy the Marvel pantheons, trains and manipulates Alex for at least five Olympian years–which vary substantially from human years in that years can pass to the gods while simultaneously only a few days or months passing for humans – under the guise of a mother-figure who eventually turns him into a deadly swordsman. He is saved from the evil deity when the combination of Zeus and Ares's influences broke his brainwashing. Their salvation apparently eliminates his skills.[volume & issue needed]

Brian Michael Bendis then retconned these events in Mighty Avengers. When Alex / Phobos is first approached by fellow Secret Warrior Daisy, he is once again a young boy, untrained, and aware that his father is the god Ares (Mighty Avengers #13). (The general story of Mikaboshi destroying the Marvel pantheons and Zeus' sacrifice remains canon however).[95] It is at this point that Daisy reveals to Alex that he is Phobos.[96] Afterwards he begins to gain fear like powers, having inherited the original's abilities. However, in Mighty Avengers #13 he scared off a couple of boys, and after that he lied to Daisy that he doesn't have any powers, but she doesn't believe him. After talking with her he says 'that explains so much' because he realises then that he's new Phobos, and was born mortal, but after drinking Mikaboshi's blood he became god and now he has fear powers and Daisy told him who he really is (new god of fear). In that issue Ares tells him that he's an Avenger right now and he cannot worry about his grades.[volume & issue needed]

During the Secret Invasion storyline, Alex is recruited by Nick Fury for his team of Secret Warriors.[97] Post-invasion, he remains a member of the team and has shown evidence of additional pre-cognitive powers.[88] However, his father has noticed his absence upon receiving a truancy notice.[98] In the aftermath of Utopia, Ares followed Alex and Daisy to one of Fury's base, where he discovers his son's affiliation with the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director. Fury tells Ares that his son has potential. Ares ultimately accepts his son's decision, meaning that he doesn't need to hide his allegiance anymore.[99] Phobos later pilots a Fury Life Model Decoy (LMD) to assist Black Widow and Songbird but they are captured by the Thunderbolts. As soon as Norman Osborn shoots the LMD in the head, Phobos reveals himself, inflicting Osborn with the fear that he will lose his mind soon enough.[100] During Siege, Phobos tried to tag along with the other secret warriors to help the Asgardians, but Nick Fury would not let him, because he knew his father would die and he didn't want him to witness it. When the fiasco was over, Thor confronted Phobos telling him that Ares was dead and he offered to take him to see his next of kin in Mount Olympus. However, he declined his offer. Thor offered that if he ever changed his mind, he would take him there. Although he had mixed feelings with his dad, he still felt sad that he died.[volume & issue needed]

Phobos is now in Elysium after having been stabbed and killed by Gorgon wielding the sword Godkiller. His last appearance had his father proud of his actions as they were reunited in the afterlife.[101]

Powers and abilities of Phobos

[edit]

Both versions of Phobos control the power of fear, a power that has been seen to cause victims to run for their lives as well as attack their partners. Certain characters have proven immune to this ability (i.e. Nick Fury and Gorgon); they cite that they lack fear as the reason.[102] The current version of Phobos (Alex) was at one time a highly trained swordsman and possessed strength and endurance similar to other Olympian gods in the Marvel universe,[94] however this has since been ret-conned.[96] Secret Warriors #10 re-establishes his training with a sword. He was denied use of it by his father Ares, who required him to be proficient in all forms of arms before returning his sword. Currently he, like the previous Phobos, can instill fear in others. Additionally, he has shown evidence of pre-cognitive powers.[88] When utilizing his fear based powers, Alex's eyes glow. The color has shown to vary between white and red. Whether this is simply due to the artist's rendering or the level of power usage is unknown.[102][96]

Relationship between the two Phobos

[edit]

According to the Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica, the original Phobos and the current Alex are two separate characters. More specifically, they are half-brothers. The Phobos profile indicates that the original Phobos (and his brother Deimos) were killed during Mikaboshi's invasion of Olympus, and that Alexander inherited the fear-based powers of his slain older half-brother following his return to Earth.[103]

Reception of Phobos

[edit]
  • In 2019, CBR.com ranked Phobos 9th in their "Marvel Comics: The 10 Most Powerful Olympians" list.[104]
  • In 2022, Sportskeeda ranked Phobos 9th in their "10 best Greek gods from Marvel comics" list.[105]

Phoenix Force

[edit]

Phone Ranger

[edit]

Photon

[edit]

Monica Rambeau

[edit]

Genis-Vell

[edit]

Piecemeal

[edit]

Piecemeal is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Gilbert Benson

[edit]

Young Gilbert Benson was a mutant with the ability to absorb different energy frequencies and store them within his body. His mother, the armored mutant mercenary known as Harness, forced Gilbert to travel across the world with her to absorb the dispersed energy of Proteus.

Absorbing the energy, Piecemeal grew into a monstrous amalgamation of Gilbert and Proteus and set about warping reality across Scotland. Eventually the X-Factor team convinced the amalgamation that it could never be happy, and it opted to end its own existence.[volume & issue needed]

Cyborg

[edit]

Piecemeal was a cyborg created in a secret Amazon laboratory by a scientific team supervised by the Red Skull. Piecemeal was assembled from a combination of human and animal corpses and high-tech weaponry for the purpose of being the ultimate killing machine. Before the Red Skull could fully program Piecemeal's mind, the Hulk attacked the laboratory, but Piecemeal escaped in the confusion. The mindless Piecemeal wandered through the Amazon before stowing away on a cargo plane en route to Scotland. A retired Pantheon member residing on Loch Ness later summoned the Hulk when Piecemeal began attacking tourists and draining their minds. Piecemeal battled the Hulk–during which he revealed his ability to duplicate the Hulk's appearance and powers–and was apparently killed.[106]

Alexander Pierce

[edit]

Donald Pierce

[edit]

Pigeon

[edit]

Pigeon is an anthropomorphic pigeon and animal version of Vision.

Piledriver

[edit]

Pink Pearl

[edit]

Pinky Pinkerton

[edit]

Pip the Troll

[edit]

Pipeline

[edit]

Piper

[edit]

Piranha

[edit]

Pisces

[edit]

Pit Bull

[edit]

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

Pit Bull is an anthropomorphic pit bull who is the leader of drug cartel in Mexico called the Man-Dogs.

Pixie

[edit]

Plantman

[edit]

Plunderer

[edit]

Pluto

[edit]

Pod

[edit]

Pogg Ur-Pogg

[edit]

Pogg Ur-Pogg is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, created by writer Jonathan Hickman and artists Pepe Larraz and Leinil Francis Yu and first appearing in X of Swords: Stasis (December 2020). He was a mercenary from the dimension of Amenth who constantly spoke in rhyme and had a love of gems and precious metals. Pogg was recruited to fight for Arakko in the X of Swords tournament.[56] His first two contests were duels against Magik. He defeated her in their first fight but lost in their second. He won the three subsequent contests in which he participated.[107][108] Pogg later fought against the Krakoan mutants in the battle after the tournament.[58] Following Amenth's defeat, Pogg traveled to Earth. He briefly battled the X-Men during an attempted robbery on Gameworld, though he was pacified by a gift of mysterium in exchange for never fighting the X-Men again and owing a favor to Forge.[109]

Though he appears to be a large multi-armed, crocodile-like beast, this is actually an organic suit. Pogg Ur-Pogg's true body is that of a small, weak, goblin-like creature.[108] In combat, he wields a khopesh-like sword.[56]

Poison

[edit]

Poison (Cecilia Cardinale) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Cynthia Martin. Poison first appeared in Web of Spider-Man Annual #4 (1988).

Porcupine

[edit]

Pork Grind

[edit]

Pork Grind is a pig version of Venom from Earth-8311 and one of Spider-Ham's enemies. His name is a play on of pork rind, cooked pieces of pork fat.

Portal

[edit]
Portal
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAvengers #304 (June 1989)
as Portal: Darkhawk #5 (July 1991)
Created byDanny Fingeroth
Rich Buckler
In-story information
Alter egoCharles Little Sky
SpeciesHuman Mutant
Team affiliationsA.R.M.O.R.
Abilities
  • Dimensional teleportation and manipulation
  • Alien weaponry

Portal (Charles Little Sky) is a mutant fictional character superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

[edit]

The character first appeared as Charles Little Sky in Avengers #304 (June 1989) and as Portal in Darkhawk #5 (July 1991).

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Native American Charles Little Sky was born in Hartsdale, New Mexico. As a teenager, he manifested his dimension-spanning powers during a confrontation between the Avengers and Puma, the superhuman protector of Little Sky's tribe. Little Sky fled the reservation he lived on, moving to New York City where he took a job as a construction worker. He was followed by Puma, who had set out in pursuit of Little Sky out of fear that the powers he'd soon manifest would prove dangerous. When Puma finally tracked him down at Ellis Island, Little Sky's powers activated for the first time, opening a portal to the dimension where the U-Foes had been exiled, freeing them. The U-Foes attempted to kill Little Sky to keep him from using his powers to banish them again, and the Avengers and Puma were forced to team up to protect him. During the fight, Little Sky escaped, using his powers and began traveling the dimensions.[110]

Along the way he picked up a variety of weapons, including a gun that fired 'energy harpoons,' and learned to control his powers. In one dimension he encountered Kistur, the leader of an intergalactic gang of criminals who was armed with one of the android Darkhawk bodies created by Dargin Bokk. Kistur asked Little Sky to join the gang so they could use his powers to plunder other dimensions. Little Sky refused and Kistur tried to kill him, but Little Sky fought back and ended up accidentally shooting Kistur's Darkhawk amulet, the focal point of his powers, out of his chest. The loss of the amulet killed Kistur's Darkhawk body, and Little Sky removed and donned Kistur's body armor for further protection. Worried that Kistur might revive, Little Sky attempted to destroy the amulet, but when that failed, he discarded it in another dimension.[111] Little Sky eventually managed to return to Earth, opening a portal to a museum in New York City that Chris Powell and his family were touring. Powell transformed into his Darkhawk persona, and Portal, mistaking Powell for a reborn Kistur, attacked. Darkhawk managed to incapacitate Portal, who was taken in federal custody by a Guardsman.[112] Portal had been injured during the fight and was placed in a hospital under the guard of Captain America. The U-Foes wanted Portal to take them to a dimension they'd once happened upon while they were exiled from Earth, and they attacked the hospital. Captain America, Darkhawk and Daredevil defeated the U-Foes, but Portal revived and after explaining how he had acquired parts of his armor from an opponent resembling Darkhawk, escaped to another dimension during the fight.[113]

Portal surfaced again to retrieve his weapons and equipment from a federal research center, battling some Guardsmen.[114] Portal was targeted by the Brotherhood of Mutants led by Toad, whose member Sauron brainwashed Portal into assisting them.[115] He was rescued by Darkhawk, Spider-Man, and Sleepwalker, after which he escaped again into another dimensional warp.[116] Portal would later return as Darkhawk's ally, protecting New York in his stead at a time when Darkhawk seemed to be dying and needed time to recuperate. During that time, Portal was targeted by Shaper, a superhuman snuff artist who'd targeted Darkhawk for death. Shaper ended up going after Portal instead when Portal began using Chris Powell's amulet to become the Darkhawk in Chris's place. Meanwhile, members of the Mahari race, another alien species from the same home world as Kistur, took control of the Darkhawk ship in a plan to avenge Kistur. They reanimated Kistur in a redesigned Darkhawk android as Overhawk, and went after Portal's family. In the end, Portal and Darkhawk managed to prevent them from destroying the Earth.[volume & issue needed]

Charles is one of the few mutants who retained their superhuman powers after the M-Day.[volume & issue needed] He is shown as the director of A.R.M.O.R. and he used his powers to transport Machine Man and Jocasta to the Marvel Zombies universe.[117] He collects Jocasta after Machine Man retrieves a sample of the still-living Vanessa Fisk's tissues, but is forced to leave a badly damaged Machine Man behind.[118] After fending off the Zombies that invaded A.R.M.O.R., with the help of Jocasta, Machine Man and the 616-Earth Morbius, Portal discovered that some of them managed to escape. He then approved Morbius' project to reform the Midnight Sons to destroy the living dead.[119]

Powers, abilities, and equipment

[edit]

Portal is a mutant capable of opening rifts in space passing through extra-dimensional warps to transport himself and others. His portals allow instantaneous travel between different vibratory-attuned planes of reality, or "dimensions". Opening a portal without preparation will give him access to another dimension completely at random. Portal is capable of using his powers for teleportation, traveling instantly across about a few miles within a single dimension. Trying to transport himself more than a few miles in one jump, however, will destabilize the portal and send him off into another dimension, even if he is trying to stay anchored in one. Dimensional warps created by Portal cease to exist when he is rendered unconscious.

Portal has also been shown to be able to home in on other people who have gone through one of his portals, opening a new gateway to retrieve or follow them if necessary. He used that ability to rescue Spider-Man from the dimension he had thrown the wall-crawler into while under Sauron's control. Portal is also armed with a wide variety of weaponry, including a huge gun that shoots 'energy harpoons' (fires concussive force blasts capable of leveling an office building), a hand-weapon (capable of firing a fast-hardening adhesive substance which impedes physical movement of target), a wheel (a 12-inch-thick (13 mm) throwing disc which can separate into components with independent guidance systems, each of which contains a burst of concussive force equal to several hand grenades). He also has a suit of body armor composed of alien materials that he stole from a dead Darkhawk android that has been outfitted to allow him to survive in space. Portal carries a supply of adhesive ammunition contained in his belt, and a directional mechanism that focuses his warp power. Little Sky also has a quantity of gymnastics training.[111] He is highly skilled in the use of his own weaponry, and a skilled motorcyclist.

Possessor

[edit]

Post

[edit]

Kevin Tremain was a mutant captured and studied by the Mandarin. His first appearance was in X-Men (vol. 2) #50. On a secret mission, the Six Pack attacked the secret base Tremain was held in. Tremain was mortally injured; Cable tried to save his life, first by using his telekinesis to keep Tremain's body together, and finally by giving him a blood transfusion. Although it seems he survived this trauma, Cable seemed to think Tremain had later died.[120]

Years later, Tremain resurfaced as Post, the lowest of Onslaught's emissaries. Post had superhuman size, strength, stamina, and sturdiness. He was also a mathematical genius. After being infected with the T-O virus via blood transfusion from Cable, Post became a cyborg, who was also able to generate energy discharges, cloaking fields, biogenetic scanners and teleport himself to remote locations.[121]

Postman

[edit]

Pepper Potts

[edit]

Poundcakes

[edit]

Malcolm Powder

[edit]
Further reading

Malcolm Powder first appeared in Alias #6 (April 2002), created by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos. Powder was a high school student and a fan of Jessica Jones.

He made his first appearance by breaking into Jessica's apartment and answering her phone. Jessica kicked him out. Later, while Jessica was looking for a Rick Jones (not the famous one), Powder showed up again asking for a job as her personal part-time secretary. He was kicked out once again.[122]

Powder arrived again, this time asking Jessica about the secret identities of Captain America and Daredevil. He asked for a job, and Jessica agreed under the condition that he find information on Mattie Franklin, who was missing.[123] To Jessica's surprise, Powder showed up with a girl named Laney, who claimed her brother was dating Mattie around the time she disappeared.[124] He was last seen answering Jessica's phone as her secretary.[125]

Malcolm Powder in other media

[edit]

Malcolm Joseph Ducasse appears in series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portrayed by Eka Darville. This version is Jessica Jones' neighbor and associate.[126]

Powderkeg

[edit]
Powderkeg
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCaptain Marvel Special #1 (1989)
Created byDwayne McDuffie
Mark D. Bright
In-story information
Alter egoFrank Skorina
Team affiliationsMasters of Evil
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength
High-level resistance to injury
Ability to sweat a nitroglycerin like compound which can detonate on impact

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

Publication history

[edit]

Powderkeg first appeared in Captain Marvel Special #1 and was created by Dwayne McDuffie and Mark D. Bright.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Little is known about the man who became Powderkeg. He was a mercenary hired to steal high-tech circuitry for Brazilian crime lord Kristina Ramos. He ran afoul of Captain Marvel II (Monica Rambeau) who had thought she lost her powers after stopping a mutated Marrina. She encounters Powderkeg and used her new powers to defeat him.[127] Powderkeg fights the Avengers during a failed mass prison escape occurring at the Vault ("Venom Deathrap: The Vault"). During the incident, he follows the leader of the breakout, Venom. Teamed with Mentallo and Vermin, they temporarily defeat Iron Man and Hank Pym. The entire breakout is soon neutralized by technological means, with energy pumped through Mentallo.[128]

Powderkeg is later recruited by Doctor Octopus to join his incarnation of the Masters of Evil during the Infinity War. The Masters of Evil confront the Guardians of the Galaxy in the Avengers Mansion. Everyone becomes embroiled in a fight against evil doubles of both teams. Magus, the villain behind the Infinity War, had recruited an army of super-powered doubles to defeat and absorb Earth's superpowered resistance.[129] Both groups work together to survive the assault. Doctor Octopus wants to continue his assault on the Mansion and on the Guardians. Powderkeg and his other allies disagree, unwilling to turn on those who they had fought besides minutes earlier. The Masters turn on Octopus, pursuing him out of the Mansion.[130]

At some point, Powderkeg is captured and imprisoned, where he would later team up with a number of other villains against the She-Hulk, although they are defeated.[131] He has appeared in Brand New Day as one of the patrons of the Bar With No Name.[132] At some point in time between then and the fall of Norman Osborn, he was captured and sent to the Raft, where, during a visit by the Avengers Academy, there was a power failure caused by team member Hazmat. The power failure enables the prisoners to riot. Powderkeg almost crushes Hazmat and Mettle, but the timely intervention of Tigra saved them. He is put back in his cell in the end.[133]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Powderkeg is superhumanly strong and highly resistant to injury. Further, he sweats a nitroglycerin-like compound which can detonate on impact, lending explosive force to his punches.

Power Broker

[edit]

Power Man

[edit]

Erik Josten

[edit]

Luke Cage

[edit]

Victor Alvarez

[edit]

Power Mongoose

[edit]

Power Mongoose is an anthropomorphic mongoose and animal version of Power Man.

Power Princess

[edit]

Power Skrull

[edit]

Powerhouse

[edit]

Powerlift

[edit]

Powerlift (Keisha Kwan) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Cody Ziglar and Federico Vicentini, first appeared in Miles Morales: Spider-Man vol. 2 #13 (December 2023).

Predator X

[edit]

Presence

[edit]

Presence is the name of a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

As a younger man, Sergei Krylov was a Belarusian nuclear physicist born in Minsk, BSSR. His twin children, Nikolai Krylenko and Laynia Petrovna, were taken from birth by the Soviet government to be trained as soldiers, after their mutant natures manifested.

Sergei eventually became one of the most influential men behind the scenes of the Soviet government. However, despite being a scientific genius, he was also quite mad. He caused a Chernobyl-like nuclear disaster in the "Forbidden Zone" using cobalt radiation baths and a nuclear blast, which transformed Tania Belinsky into his super-powered thrall as the second Red Guardian. The nuclear energy transformed Sergei into a superhuman being as well, and he could now generate nuclear energy within his own body for various uses. Sergi began calling himself "The Presence". The Presence and Red Guardian battled the Defenders when they came to find her. The Presence left when she regained her free will and spurned him.[134] Soon after, the Presence battled a giant mutated amoeba in the "Forbidden Zone", and was then reunited and reconciled with Red Guardian.[135]

The government now wanted the threat of the Presence eliminated. His own children had been trained by the government as super-powered soldiers and, unaware of their true relationship, were sent to kill him. Alongside the Red Guardian, Presence encountered the Hulk, Professor Phobos, and the Soviet Super-Soldiers in the "Forbidden Zone". Darkstar and Vanguard learned that the Presence was their father and turned against the Soviet regime, and saved the Presence from Phobos. To save the Soviet Union from the radiation of the Forbidden Zone, an irradiated Soviet wasteland, the Presence and the Red Guardian absorbed the radiation into themselves and left for outer space, where they claimed they would transform themselves into inert matter.[136] The twins became agents on their own, fighting for the good of the people, and sometimes working with their father.

The Presence was revealed to be held prisoner with Red Guardian (now calling herself Starlight) on the Stranger's laboratory world.[137] The pair returned to Earth with the Jack of Hearts. The Presence attempted to kill Eon, but was instead trapped in the "Quantum Zone" dimension by Quasar.[138] It was revealed in flashback how Maelstrom had persuaded the Presence to attack Eon.[139] The Presence was eventually rescued from the "Quantum Zone" by Neutron, and teamed with him to seek vengeance on Quasar. The Presence learned of the Soviet Union's collapse, and returned to Russia with the intent to create a "new order".[140] Later, the Presence sent Starlight to capture the Black Widow and Darkstar.[141]

Vanguard was ultimately killed in a battle while he and Darkstar were aiding Quasar. Darkstar blamed Quasar for her brother's death and fled back to Russia. When she encountered her father, Darkstar shared her feelings with him, and the Presence forced Quasar to flee Earth on the threat of killing Quasar's loved ones. Sergei visited his son's memorial and sought to revive him by shifting his atoms to microscopically enter Vanguard's body. There he discovered a trace of Vanguard's mutant energy remained, keeping him faintly alive. The Presence managed to use this energy to resurrect his son, but nearly exhausted his own power, and was cast adrift in the subatomic reality he had entered.[volume & issue needed]

While in subatomic exile, the Presence discovered new aspects of his power and atomic particles, and when he had sufficiently regenerated, resumed his normal size and returned to the Forbidden Zone. There he embarked on a plan to unite all of the former Soviet Union by transforming its people into a race of zombie-like radioactive beings living under a communal mind.[142] He managed to convert several Siberian scientists, Vanguard and the rest of the Winter Guard, and the Avengers, who investigated the disturbance, leaving only Thor and the seemingly-immortal Firebird to stand against him.[143] As Thor threatened to kill the Presence, Starlight, as the Presence's companion, ultimately offered their surrender and used her own power to revive those who had been transformed and remand herself and the Presence to Russian custody; she did not share his vision, but their powers meant that they would only ever have each other for company, and so she wished to keep him alive.[144] In the final struggle of the Kang War, the Presence and Starlight aided in the struggle to destroy Kang the Conqueror's Damocles Base space station,[145] with Starlight blackmailing the Presence for assistance by threatening to leave him if he attempted anything more than simply doing his job and subsequently returning to his cell.[146]

In the 2010 Darkstar and Winter Guard limited series, The Presence was apparently destroyed permanently when the Russian superhero Powersurge sacrificed his life to defeat him after he once again tried to conquer Russia after Starlight left him for good to join the People's Protectorate, where she fell in love with his son, Vanguard.[147][148][149]

In Deadpool and the Mercs for Money, the Presence is briefly revived by Umbral Dynamics (a corporation secretly led by Caroline Le Fay) by harvesting the power of several superhumans with radiation-related powers. After a fight with the new Mercs for Money and Deadpool, the Presence is killed again by Negasonic Teenage Warhead who drains his power.[150]

Presence in other media

[edit]

Presence appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[151]

Prester John

[edit]

Pretty Boy

[edit]

Pretty Persuasions

[edit]

Preview

[edit]

Preyy

[edit]

Preyy is Erik Killmonger's trained leopard who was killed during his rise to power in Wakanda by Achebe.

Lee Price

[edit]
First appearanceVenom (Vol. 3) #1 (November 2016)
Created byMike Costa, Gerardo Sandoval
SpeciesHuman, Zombie
TeamsBlack Cat's Gang, Inklings
AliasesVenom, Maniac
Further reading

Lee Price is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by Mike Costa and Gerardo Sandoval, and first appears in Venom (Vol. 3) #1. Lee Price was an Army Ranger discharged after losing two of his fingers in an explosion. Unable to find gainful employment due to his disability, Lee was hired as an enforcer for Black Cat's criminal organization. Lee was almost killed in an arms-deal gone wrong, but was saved by the Venom symbiote, who he dominated using his military training.[152] Lee intended to keep the symbiote a secret and use it to rise through the ranks of Black Cat's gang,[153] but his identity was discovered by a pair of corrupt FBI agents who attempted to blackmail him into becoming a mole.[154] Lee was double-crossed by fellow enforcer Mac Gargan, who was suspicious of him and bore a grudge against the symbiote from his time as its host. Confronted by Spider-Man, Price attempted to escape with the symbiote.[155] However, Spider-Man and the symbiote's former host Eddie Brock, now an agent for the FBI's Anti-Symbiote Task Force, managed to help it break free of Lee's control and it abandoned him to be arrested.[156]

Lee's lawyer was able to get him exonerated by arguing that the crimes he'd committed had been due to the symbiote's influence,[157] and Lee promptly attacked Andi Benton and stole her symbiote, taking the alias Maniac and using it to establish his own crime syndicate--the Inklings.[158] Spider-Man, Venom, Andi, Black Cat, and Flash Thompson--now bonded to the Anti-Venom symbiote--set aside their differences to stop Lee from seizing control of all of New York's crime families, though he remained bonded to the weakened Mania symbiote.[159] Imprisoned again, Lee was killed by Cletus Kasady disguised as Eddie Brock in order to extract his symbiote.[160]

During the Blood Hunt event, the vampiric alien Threkker reanimated Lee's corpse--as well as the remnants of the Mania symbiote still present in his body--to serve as bait for symbiotes.[161] The Venom symbiote rebonded to the zombified Lee to defeat Threkker, but was separated from him by Meridius--an evil future version of Eddie Brock.[162] Meridius used the reanimated remnants of the Mania symbiote to create the K-Chemical version #44,[163] which he attempted to use to conquer the Earth. Although Meridius was destroyed and the "Zombiote" plague stopped, Lee remained locked in a vault in one of Alchemax's laboratories.[164]

Primus

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Princess Python

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Prism

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Proctor

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Prodigy

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Prodigy is the name of several characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Ritchie Gilmore

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Prodigy
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceSlingers #0 (Sept. 1998)
Created byJoseph Harris
Adam Pollina
In-story information
Alter egoRitchie Gilmore
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsSlingers
Fifty State Initiative
Heavy Hitters
New Warriors
AbilitiesAdept wrestler
Mystically infused costume grants:
Vast superhuman strength, speed and stamina
Near-flight leaping
Gliding via cape

Prodigy (Ritchie Gilmore) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Prodigy first appeared in Slingers #0 (Sept. 1998), and was created by Joseph Harris and Adam Pollina. Prodigy was one of the feature characters in the 2011 six-issue limited series Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt. Prodigy eventually joined the Avengers Initiative.

Ritchie Gilmore is a typical jock, captain of his college wrestling team, and one of the most popular guys in school. But Ritchie wants more from life; he wants to be stronger and more powerful. The Black Marvel gives him the Prodigy costume, and the chance to be something better. The costume had been imbued with power: it gives Ritchie superhuman strength, he can leap so far and high that it appears that he is flying, and his cape even allows him to glide. Black Marvel makes Ritchie the leader of his new team, the Slingers. However, he is cold and unfeeling towards his teammates, not even showing concern when Dusk falls to her death, and is not shocked when she comes back to life. Prodigy feels that he should not have to help his team, and that they need to learn how to handle things on their own. Once, he leaves the Slingers in a collapsing tunnel, saying that if they are truly heroes, they would be able to survive. He is just as prone to beat his friends as his enemies. When he feels that Ricochet challenges his authority, he attacks him, and is only prevented from seriously injuring him by Hornet's intervention. Hornet also has to blast Prodigy with his laser "stingers" to keep him from killing a gang member. Prodigy learns that Black Marvel had made a deal with a demon called Mephisto to give him his costume, and that the demon had collected his "mentor's" soul as payment. While the other three members of his team go to save Black Marvel, he abandons them. But when Ricochet is confronted with an illusion of his dead mother, Prodigy comes back to snap him out of his trance. Prodigy admits that his heart was filled with hate, and he lets that hatred go, and helps his friends free Black Marvel's soul. The team disbands, but Prodigy apologizes for his actions before he leaves, and says he needs to check on his grandmother, as she had been missing quite a while.[165]

Prodigy returns very drunk standing on a rooftop and openly defies the Superhuman Registration Act during the Civil War storyline. Iron Man soon arrives on the scene along with agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Prodigy declares Iron Man a traitor and then attacks him. Prodigy is defeated by Iron Man and apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Prodigy succeeds, however, in sending a message to the people of the Marvel Universe. It is considered the first act of Civil War.[166] Prodigy is later shown, where he is one of the inmates imprisoned in the Negative Zone; where he was seen by Peter Parker (during his tour with Iron Man) in regards to the status of those that refused to register.[167] Prodigy is one of the heroes that is freed from his cell when Hulkling, under the guise of Hank Pym, opens the cells. He joins Captain America's side to fight Iron Man.[168]

Prodigy next appears as one of The Initiative's new recruits. One of the stipulations of his release from jail is that he takes responsibility for his drunken actions against Iron Man, then appear to fully support the Initiative. Hank Pym talks to him about his drinking 'problem' which Gilmore denied, yet one of the first things he does is go out and buy beer for the group, although he doesn't allow the under-age Batwing to drink.[169] During the Secret Invasion storyline, Prodigy is one of the many heroes who fight rampaging powered Skrulls in Times Square.[170] After the invasion, Prodigy is placed on a probationary period, rather than being assigned to an Initiative team.[171]

After agreeing to work for Norman Osborn as seen in the Dark Reign storyline, Prodigy is placed on the Heavy Hitters.[172] However, eventually he becomes disillusioned with the reorganization of the Initiative under Osborn, who had placed criminals on Initiative teams and publicly seceded his team from the Initiative. Part of this was team member 'Outback' who was in reality the violent thief 'Boomerang'. Prodigy waits for Osborn's reprisal out in the open, intending for the fight to be caught on camera. Force of Nature attack him, and are soon joined by the U-Foes, Freedom Force, members of the Shadow Initiative, and some members of the Hood's army. Justice offers to help, but Prodigy wants to do this alone. Then he is ganged up on by the Initiative members while his teammates Telemetry and Nonstop upload footage of the combat to YouTube.[173] Prodigy was held at Prison 42. Norman Osborn insisted he be treated well so the public will eventually forget about him.[174] After Osborn is removed from power following the Siege of Asgard, Prodigy is released and honored for his resistance against Norman Osborn. He has joined the motivational speaker circuit, but he's also trying to reunite the longtime fractured roster of Slingers.[175]

During the Fear Itself storyline, he takes an office job. Then, Steve Rogers has him assemble a new incarnation of the Avengers Initiative, to deal with the fear and chaos that was happening. At the end of the story-arc, he gets a promotion, only to find out his "promotion" is storage arrangement.[176]

Powers and abilities

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Prodigy's costume is mystically infused with power, giving him vast superhuman strength, speed, and stamina. He can leap incredible distances and when he jumps, it appears that he is flying. His golden costume is completely bulletproof, and can withstand most physical assaults. His cape functions as a hang glider, and enables him to glide on air currents.

Prodigy is also adept in the skills of collegiate wrestling. He himself is the captain of the wrestling team at Empire State University. He often employs these grappling techniques when he fights. Prodigy has used submission moves as well, which may stem from the trend of collegiate wrestlers competing in MMA.

David Alleyne

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Timothy Wilkerson

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Prodigy in other media

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Professor Power

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Professor Thorton

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The Professor
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Comics Presents #73
Created byBarry Windsor-Smith (writer – artist)
In-story information
Alter egoTruett Hudson
Team affiliationsWeapon X
Weapon Plus
Notable aliasesProfessor Andre Thorton, Number One
AbilitiesGenius-level intellect

Professor Andre Thorton (real name Truett Hudson; also known as The Professor) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is an enemy of Wolverine and had a hand in his origin as part of the Weapon X Project. Thorton first appeared in Marvel Comics Presents #73 and was created by Barry Windsor-Smith.

In 1972, nearly twenty years before Logan was romantically involved and abducted with Silver Fox at Windsor snow lodge, Thorton experimented on numerous mutants including Sabretooth and Mastodon. He hired Carol Hines as his assistant and the scientist Abraham Cornelius. His experiments on Wolverine are responsible for his adamantium-laced skeleton.[179] He is also connected to the creation of Alpha Flight on to developing super-soldiers for the US government. During the adamantium-lacing process, the physical trauma causes Wolverine to regress to violent animal behavior, prone to attacking anyone who comes near.[180] At one point, Thorton's mysterious "master" takes control of Wolverine and has him attack everyone in the facility, cutting off Thorton's right hand and killing him.[181] Though an ending scene clarifies to the reader that this was a virtual reality simulation of an escape attempt by Wolverine, in later appearances Thorton has a metal hook in place of his right hand.[182]

Years later, Thorton and Carol Hines lure Wolverine into an abandoned warehouse in Canada which was once the secret location for the Weapon X program. Codenamed Project X, Wolverine discovers Weapon X was funded by the CIA and sheltered in Canada. Thorton activates a robotic android named Shiva which is programmed to destroy all of Project X's test subjects starting with Wolverine. Silver Fox (who works for Hydra) is revealed to be behind the entire plan and steps forward to interrogate Thorton at gunpoint. He tries to grab the gun from Silver Fox and she shoots him fatally.[183] It was shown that Romulus was in control of Weapon X and gave orders to Truett both observing Wolverine as he was unconscious.[184] Although it is said that Romulus had known Logan in a past life, it is unclear if he knew of Logan while he was young and living at the Howlett estate if this he did then he would have known of Truett's connection to Logan.[185]

Other versions of Professor Thorton

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  • A version of the Professor (although insane) appears in the pages of Mutant X, but is killed by Captain America.[186]
  • In a What If issue that asks "What If Logan Battled Weapon X", Professor Thorton was present when former Mountie and Marine Guy Desjardins went through the Adamantium-bonding process after the Weapon X soldiers failed to capture Logan.[187]
  • The Professor appears in Wolverine: The End in a flashback. He was not killed by Silver Fox and is living out his rich days on an unknown beach.[188]
  • An alternate universe variant of Professor Thorton from Earth-6160 appears in Ultimate Wolverine #2, where he is killed by the Maker.[189]

Professor Thorton in other media

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Professor X

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Professor X-Bug

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Professor X-Bug is an anthropomorphic worm and animal version of Professor X.

The Profile

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Prometheus

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Olympian

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Pantheon

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Protector

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Protector (Thoral Rul) was the Prime Thoran of Xandar, whose duty was to protect the Xandarian's Living Computers (aka Worldmind). Protector was killed when Nebula's forces wiped out Xandar's population.[192]

Proteus

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Protégé

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Further reading

Protégé is a cosmic entity from an alternate future of the Marvel Universe.

The character, created by Jim Valentino, first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy #15 (August 1991) as the childlike ruler of the Universal Church of Truth of the alternate future of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Valentino modeled him after his son Aaron at seven years old.[193] He is depicted as a superhuman of unlimited potential, with the ability to duplicate not only super-powers, but also the skills of others simply by observing the ability being used.[194]

Later, Protégé uses its abilities to duplicate the powers of the Living Tribunal, nearly usurping its place in Marvel's cosmology.[195] When attempts to defeat Protégé fail, The Living Tribunal states that any and all realities rest on Protégé's shoulders. Protégé itself claims to have become the new One-Above-All.[196] Scathan the Approver, a Celestial, saves all realities by judging against Protégé. The Living Tribunal then absorbs Protégé into itself to prevent him from endangering all realities again.[197]

Protocide

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Proton

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Prowler

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Kitty Pryde

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Madelyne Pryor

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Psi-Hawk

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Psycho-Man

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Psyklop

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Psylocke (Betsy Braddock)

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Psylocke (Kwannon)

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Psynapse

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Psynapse is a fictional villain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont, he first appeared in X-Factor #65.

Psynapse is a telepathic member of the Inhumans Royal Family and is the cousin of Crystal and Medusa. She is among the Inhumans who sided with Apocalypse and joined the Dark Riders.[198]

Puck

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Puff Adder

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Pulsar

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First appearanceX-Men #107 (October 1977)
Created byChris Claremont and Dave Cockrum
SpeciesUnidentified extraterrestrial race
TeamsImperial Guard
Abilities
  • Flight
  • Projection of energy blasts
AliasesImpulse

Pulsar, originally code-named Impulse, is a member of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, the character first appeared in X-Men #107 (October 1977). An energy being in a containment suit, Pulsar is capable of flight and the projection of energy blasts. Like many original members of the Imperial Guard, Pulsar is the analog of a character from DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes: in his case Wildfire.[199]

Impulse was amongst the first of the Imperial Guard encountered by the team of superhuman mutants known as the X-Men who sought to rescue Shi'ar empress Lilandra Neramani from her brother D'Ken. Following their emperor's orders, the Guard clashed with the X-Men on a nameless Shi'ar Empire planet and were on the verge of winning when the band of interstellar freebooters known as the Starjammers arrived to turn the tide of battle in the X-Men's favor.[200] After the battle, Lilandra takes over as Majestrix, and the Guard swears allegiance to her.[201]

The character is seemingly killed by Vulcan in the Emperor Vulcan storyline. Vulcan, a powerful mutant intent on conquering the Shi'ar Empire, fights the Guard, killing Cosmo and Smasher (and seemingly Impulse, Neutron, and Titan) before he is defeated by Gladiator, who puts out his left eye.[202] It is later revealed that Impulse either survived Vulcan's attack or was replaced by someone from the Subguardian ranks, because he reappears in the War of Kings storyline.[203] Beginning with the "Infinity" crossover, the character's name is changed to Pulsar.[204]

Pulsar has many further adventures with the Imperial Guard, including being involved in the trial of Jean Grey and the return of Thanos.[205][206]

Pulse

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Pulse
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men vol. 2, #173 (September, 2005)
Created byPeter Milligan (Writer)
Salvador Larroca (Artist)
In-story information
Alter egoAugustus
SpeciesHuman Mutant
Team affiliationsX-Men
The 198
Notable aliasesGus
Pulsey
AbilitiesAbility to disable superpowers, electronic systems, and telepathic intrusions

Pulse (Augustus) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Pulse is a mutant who retained his powers post-M-Day. Pulse first appeared in X-Men vol. 2, #173 (September, 2005).

Sometime after having Gambit was not right for her. Mystique's plan to rid Rogue of Gambit involved sowing discord in the couple's romance and, once the pair was soon to be no more, introduce Rogue to Augustus. Given the dialogue between Mystique and him,[207] in which Mystique says that she "wanted to see for [herself] that [Augustus] is the man she hopes he is," it can be assumed that the associates did not yet know each other well.

Augustus and Mystique were next seen,[208] stealing paintings from a house. Mystique asks what he does with all of the money he gets from selling stolen goods on the black market, he replies that he invests the money into stocks he knows will soon crash, as he gets some kind of sick pleasure out of losing other peoples' money. Mystique replies, "Time you were safely married, Augustus." Augustus is worried about Gambit's reaction, and comically remarks upon the authenticity of how Cajun he really is. Mystique then reveals she is certain that of all the men she checked out to be Rogue's new romance, Augustus is the one who can "make my daughter happy."[volume & issue needed]

Mystique and Augustus make their way back to the Xavier Institute and Mystique announces she is joining the X-Men[209] after what happened last time—before making it very clear that she is going to set Augustus up with Rogue. In a moment alone, Augustus and Rogue sit down in a tree to talk to one another. At first, Rogue is defensive and declares that no matter what her "crazy mother" told Augustus, she and Gambit are happy together. She explains that they, of course, have their problems, and Augustus replies that he doesn't have problems. Continuing on, Augustus says that Mystique wants Rogue to be happy. Rogue replies that she isn't, and explains her power to him. He tells her not to worry about it and his eyes begin to glow. Rogue looks down at his hand and notices that nothing has happened to him; she asks how long his hand has been there without anything happening. He replies, "Don't worry about that, either."[210]

Outside of Apocalypse's temple, Mystique suggests that they use Pulse to neutralize Apocalypse;[211] the X-Men argue over the idea. Rogue interrupts, stating that they should ask Augustus if he can do this to Apocalypse. He smiles coyly and replies that he "doesn't know." Later in the issue, Gambit is revealed to be the new Horseman of Death.[volume & issue needed] In his time as a Horseman, Gambit twice attempted to kill Rogue so as to break his ties to his former life. Both times, Pulse was able to save Rogue by neutralizing Gambit's powers and physically overcoming him. Afterwards, Pulse attempted to woo Rogue; at first, Rogue seemed somewhat accepting of the idea, but once Pulse made a comment about Gambit, Rogue rejected him, stating that she "never [wants] to worry about romance again."[212] As Rogue left, Mystique commented on his poor timing. Pulse told her to go away,[volume & issue needed] and his current status is unclear. Since Decimation he was one of the few mutants to retain his powers and was forcibly relocated to the mutant camp for the 198.[volume & issue needed]

Augustus produces a disruptive pulse from his eyes which can disable systems and people, including mutant and non-mutant powers, and scramble electronic systems. His power also creates a masking effect that shields his mind from psychics.

Pulse in other media

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Pulse appears in The Gifted, portrayed by Zach Roerig.[213] The version is a member of the Sentinel Services under the Hound Program.

Puma

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Punchout

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Punfisher

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Punfisher is an anthropomorphic shark and animal version of the Punisher.

Punisher

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Punisher 2099

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Puppet Master

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Puppy

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Puppy is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Chris Claremont, first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 3 #9 (July, 1998).

Allegedly the offspring of Lockjaw, Puppy was a teleporting dog owned by Franklin Richards.

Purge

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Further reading

Purge is a fictional mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was created by Chris Claremont and Aaron Lopresti, and his first appearance was in Excalibur vol. 3 #3.

Little is known about Purge before he made his appearance on the desolate island of Genosha. He was one of the few survivors after Cassandra Nova programmed her Wild Sentinels to decimate the island, killing over 16 million mutants.[volume & issue needed]

Somehow he found other survivors and allied himself with Unus the Untouchable and his gang. Inside of the gang, he mostly worked with Hub and Hack and the three of them began to doubt if Unus' exclusive, clique-like strategy was the best way.[volume & issue needed]

When a mentally ill Scarlet Witch removed the mutant gene from over 90% of the mutant population during the "Decimation" storyline, Purge was one of the many who lost his powers. However, Quicksilver — as an act of penance for his part in the worldwide depowering during the "Son of M" miniseries — stole some Terrigen crystals from the Inhumans in an attempt to repower some mutants. He started his mass efforts in Genosha and effectively restored the abilities of many on the island including Hub, Hack, Unus, Wicked, Freakshow, and Callisto. During a confrontation with the Inhumans, the group's abilities were amplified beyond control and quickly faded after they were taken to the hospital.[214]

Before M-Day, Purge had the powers of superhuman strength, agility, and resilience.

Purple Man

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Pyko

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Pyko is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Bill Mantlo, first appeared in The Incredible Hulk vol. 1 #271 (February 1982).

Pyko is an anthropomorphic turtle living on Halfworld who is the planet's chief toymaker.[215]

Pyko in other media

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Pyko appears in the Guardians of the Galaxy episode "We Are Family", voiced by Brian George.[216][217] This version is the leader of a resistance against the robots of Halfworld. However, his extreme methods eventually lead the robots to devolve him and every other animal on the planet.

Hank Pym

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Hope Pym

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Pyre

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Pyro

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The List of Marvel Comics characters: P catalogs fictional entities in the multiverse—primarily superheroes, supervillains, anti-heroes, mutants, and ancillary figures—whose primary codenames, aliases, or identifiers begin with the letter P. Published across thousands of comic books since Marvel's origins as in 1939, this alphabetical segment draws from the publisher's expansive database of over 8,000 named characters, encompassing diverse archetypes from street-level vigilantes to cosmic entities. Notable entries include the relentless , a gun-toting Marine turned urban executioner; , a assassin with katana proficiency and a controversial origin involving interdimensional mind transfer; and , a green-haired magnetic powerhouse tied to lineage debates. These characters, alongside lesser-known ones like and Paibok, illustrate Marvel's iterative storytelling, where powers derive from scientific accidents, genetic mutations, or extraterrestrial origins, often intersecting in team-ups such as the or Avengers. The list highlights the publisher's emphasis on serialized narratives over rigid canon, with many P-designated figures evolving through reboots, deaths, and resurrections amid fan-driven and editorial shifts.

Introduction

Scope and Criteria for Inclusion

This list includes fictional characters originating from publications whose primary codename, alias, or identifying name begins with the letter "P". Characters must be owned and first introduced by , excluding licensed adaptations from other publishers or pre-existing figures repurposed without original debuts. Focus is placed on those with established continuity in the primary () or significant alternate realities, as cataloged in Marvel's official character compendiums. Inclusion prioritizes notability, defined by recurring appearances across multiple issues, leadership in story arcs, or affiliation with flagship teams such as the Avengers, , or . Minor or one-off characters, such as background aliens or unnamed variants, are generally omitted unless they achieve broader recognition through major events like (1984-1985) or Civil War (2006-2007). This criterion aligns with Marvel's publication standards, where prominence correlates with sales data and editorial emphasis on enduring icons over ephemeral fillers. Variants, such as gender-swapped or multiversal counterparts (e.g., iterations), are noted only if they retain the "P" prefix and demonstrate independent narrative weight, but primary entries reference the originating version. Source credibility in compiling such lists favors Marvel's direct outputs over secondary fan compilations, which often inflate counts without verifying canonical status—Marvel's database, for instance, curates hundreds of "P" entries but highlights fewer than 50 with dedicated profiles based on verified comic credits. The introduction of characters with names beginning with "P" was sparse during the publisher's and Atlas eras (1939–1959), featuring few prominent examples amid a focus on wartime heroes and pulp adventurers, though minor figures like the Phantom Reporter appeared in early anthology titles to capitalize on and mystery tropes. A notable shift occurred in the Silver Age with (Charles Xavier), debuting in The X-Men #1 (September 1963), created by and as the telepathic founder of a mutant school, establishing a template for intellectual mentors and psychic archetypes that influenced subsequent P-named characters amid Marvel's emphasis on flawed, relatable heroes.) This era's boom laid groundwork for thematic clustering around mental powers and leadership roles. The brought the (Frank Castle) in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974), scripted by with art by , embodying a grim, gun-toting vigilante whose family tragedy fueled relentless crime-fighting, reflecting 1970s cultural anxieties over urban decay and moral ambiguity while diverging from code-constrained superhero norms. The 1980s saw accelerated introductions tied to expansion and diversity initiatives, including in Uncanny X-Men #129 (January 1980) as a phasing teenage prodigy, as Captain Marvel in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (1982) with light-speed energy manipulation marking her as Marvel's first Black female title holder post-Mar-Vell, and () adopting the codename in The New Mutants Annual #2 (October 1986) after her 1976 British debut, incorporating body-swap and ninja elements that amplified crossover appeal and visual reinvention trends. Into the 2000s and beyond, P characters integrated into legacy and youth ensembles, such as Prodigy (David Alleyne) in New X-Men #114 (July 2001) with temporary power mimicry during Grant Morrison's relaunch, and Patriot (Eli Bradley) in Young Avengers #1 (April 2005) as a speed-enhanced descendant invoking Captain America’s shield while addressing racial identity, aligning with Marvel's post-9/11 focus on intergenerational teams and underrepresented voices. Key trends include phonetic affinity for "power" evoking names (e.g., , , Prodigy) coinciding with energy/probability-based abilities, dominance in X-franchise outputs during its 1963–1990s peak sales dominance, and evolution from isolated debuts to event-driven revivals, with P characters often serving as pivots in ideological conflicts—mutant rights via or vigilantism via —mirroring Marvel's serial adaptation to societal shifts without uniform prominence across eras.

Superheroes and Protagonists

Professor X

Charles Francis Xavier, known as , is a with extraordinarily potent telepathic abilities, depicted as the founder and leader of the , a team dedicated to safeguarding humanity while advancing mutant-human coexistence. Created by writer and artist [Jack Kirby](/page/Jack Kirby), he first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963). His powers include mind-reading, mental projection, telepathic control over others, and , enabling global-scale psychic influence when unhindered. Xavier relies on a due to paralysis from a spinal injury sustained when the alien dropped a massive stone block on him during a in the , intended to thwart Xavier's interference in an extraterrestrial invasion plot. Born to nuclear researcher Brian Xavier and Sharon Xavier, Charles exhibited from childhood, using it to escape a fire with his stepbrother Cain Marko after his mother's remarriage to Kurt Marko following Brian's death. He pursued advanced studies, earning degrees from Harvard at age 16 and later focusing on genetics at , where he encountered and debated Erik Lehnsherr (later Magneto) over supremacy versus integration. These experiences shaped his belief in peaceful assimilation, leading him to establish the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning—initially the School for Gifted Youngsters—as a covert training facility for young . Xavier assembled the original X-Men—Cyclops, Iceman, , Beast, and ()—to combat threats like Magneto while mentoring them in control of their powers and ethical heroism. His philosophy emphasizes non-violence and diplomacy, often employing , a device he co-invented to amplify his for locating mutants worldwide. Over decades, Xavier's leadership has faced challenges, including ideological clashes with former allies and personal psychic strains, yet he remains a pivotal figure in mutant advocacy.

Kitty Pryde

Katherine "Kitty" Pryde, also known as Shadowcat, is a fictional mutant superhero in Marvel Comics, most prominently featured as a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne, she first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #129, cover-dated January 1980. Pryde's character was introduced as a teenage prodigy whose genius-level intellect in computer science allowed her to enroll in college-level courses by age 13. Her mutant powers manifested around this time, enabling her to phase through solid matter by shifting her atoms between those of surrounding objects, rendering her intangible and immune to most physical harm while active. This ability also permits her to disrupt electronic circuitry on contact and extend phasing to others or objects she touches, though it leaves her vulnerable to energy-based or mystical attacks. Born in , to a Jewish family, Pryde was recruited to the Xavier Institute by Charles Xavier after her powers caused seizures, outcompeting a recruitment effort by of the . As the youngest member at 13½ years old, she underwent training that honed her phasing into combat applications, including ninja and samurai martial arts under and the Ogun possession incident, alongside ballet-derived agility and piloting skills. She developed key alliances, including adopting the alien dragon Lockheed as a companion and an intermittent romantic relationship with Piotr "Colossus" Rasputin, while forming mentor-like bonds with Ororo "" Munroe and Kurt "Nightcrawler" Wagner. Early adventures involved thwarting the Hellfire Club's assassination plots and battling ninjas, establishing her as resourceful despite her youth. Pryde's role expanded post-Secret Wars (1984-1985), where she assumed the alias Sprite and co-founded the British team Excalibur with Nightcrawler, Captain Britain, and Meggan, leading it through interdimensional threats until its disbandment in the 1990s. She later served as headmistress of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning following Cyclops' tenure and joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, temporarily adopting the mantle of Star-Lord after Peter Quill's presumed death, participating in cosmic conflicts like the Black Vortex event that amplified her phasing to interdimensional levels. In the Krakoa era starting 2019, rebranded as Kate Pryde, she captained the Marauders pirate crew—alongside Storm, Pyro, Bishop, and Iceman—to rescue mutants denied access to the island nation, earning the title Red Queen under Emma Frost's influence while advocating for mutant sovereignty. Her multilingual proficiency (including Japanese, Russian, and Shi'ar) and technical expertise have consistently positioned her as a strategist and infiltrator across X-Men lineups.

Photon (Monica Rambeau)

Monica Rambeau is a fictional superheroine in Marvel Comics, initially introduced as a lieutenant in the New Orleans Harbor Patrol who gains superhuman abilities after being exposed to extradimensional energy from a device. Created by writer Roger Stern and artist John Romita Jr., she debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 in 1982, adopting the name Captain Marvel to reflect her energy-manipulating powers. Rambeau joined the Avengers in Avengers #227 (1983), where she demonstrated her capabilities during power tests, and later became the team's chairperson in Avengers #279 (1987), succeeding Captain America. Following a period of depowerment and recovery, Rambeau reclaimed her abilities and adopted the alias Photon in Avengers Unplugged #5 (1996), a name evoking her photon-based energy form and distinguishing her from Genis-Vell, who had taken the Captain Marvel mantle. She has since used additional codenames like Pulsar in Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. #1 (2006) and Spectrum in Mighty Avengers #1 (2007), reflecting evolutions in her energy control. Rambeau's career includes leadership roles in teams such as the Ultimates (Ultimates 2 #1, 2016) and Thunderbolts, as well as solo exploits in Captain Marvel vol. 2 #1 (1989) and vol. 3 #1 (1994), where she battled groups like the Sons of the Serpent. In 2022, she starred in her first dedicated limited series, Monica Rambeau: Photon #1-5, exploring personal and heroic challenges. Rambeau's primary powers stem from her ability to convert her body mass into various forms of electromagnetic energy, including visible (as photons), , , microwaves, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. This grants her flight at speeds exceeding , energy projection for blasts or holograms, intangibility to phase through solids, invisibility, and enhanced durability against physical harm. She retains human intelligence and sensory perception in energy states, augmented by tactical training from and her naval background, enabling precise energy manipulation in combat. Notable adversaries include , during Avengers-Skrull conflicts (Avengers #255-261, 1985-1986); Maelstrom, whom she helped thwart in preventing a Project PEGASUS catastrophe; and the Enclave, , and Beyond Corporation in various team-ups. Rambeau's heroism extends to defeating threats like Killmonger in (Black Panther #13, 2006) and aiding against as . Her arc emphasizes resilience, having overcome temporary power loss and identity shifts while maintaining a core commitment to justice.

Patriot

Elijah "Eli" Bradley, who operates under the codename Patriot, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, he first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (cover-dated April 2005). As the grandson of Isaiah Bradley—a World War II-era subject of unethical Super-Soldier Serum experiments who briefly served as a black Captain America—Eli Bradley sought to honor his family's legacy despite initially lacking inherited powers. He became a founding member and de facto leader of the Young Avengers, a team of teenage heroes assembled after the original Avengers disbanded. In his early adventures, Bradley falsely claimed to have acquired abilities through a blood transfusion from his grandfather, but he actually relied on injections of Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH), a black-market substance granting temporary superhuman enhancements. This ruse allowed him to mimic Super-Soldier capabilities, including peak human strength enabling lifts of up to 700 pounds, enhanced speed, agility, stamina, and resistance to injury. During a confrontation with the Kree and Skrulls, he sustained severe injuries while protecting Captain America, leading to a genuine blood transfusion from Isaiah that permanently bestowed similar enhancements, including superhuman hearing and accelerated healing. Beyond physical prowess, Bradley is a proficient acrobat and martial artist, proficient with throwing stars and a triangular shield reminiscent of Captain America's. Bradley led the in battles against threats like the Zodiac cartel and invading , establishing the team as legitimate heroes despite initial skepticism from adult Avengers. During the 2006-2007 Civil War storyline, he sided with against superhero registration, joining the and coordinating aid for after a government assault. He later participated in (2010-2012), clashing with and aiding in efforts to locate missing Avengers founder . Key adversaries include Hydra agents, Norman Osborn's corrupted Young Avengers initiative, Mister Hyde, and , while primary allies encompass teammates like Wiccan, , and , alongside and the broader Avengers roster. His character arc emphasizes themes of legacy, self-determination, and overcoming deception, evolving from a power-dependent vigilante to a confident leader embodying patriotic ideals without serum dependency.

Psylocke (Betsy Braddock)

Elizabeth "Betsy" Braddock, who operates under the codename Psylocke, is a mutant telepath in Marvel Comics, created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe, with her first appearance in Captain Britain #8 (December 1976). Born at Braddock Manor in England to Sir James Braddock, an Otherworld native manipulated by Merlyn, and his wife Elizabeth, she shares a twin bond with her brother Brian Braddock, the original Captain Britain. Initially manifesting precognitive abilities, Braddock trained as a charter pilot and later joined S.T.R.I.K.E.'s Psi-Division, where her mutant telepathy fully emerged, enabling her to infiltrate groups like the Hellfire Club. Following an attack that blinded her by the villain Slaymaster and subsequent kidnapping by the extra-dimensional Mojo, Braddock was rescued by the and integrated into the during the in 1986, adopting the identity. Captured by the ninja organization the Hand, her psyche was transferred into the body of assassin Kwannon via Spiral's technology, as depicted in X-Men (1991) #31, blending Braddock's with Kwannon's physical conditioning and expertise. This allowed her to generate a psychic knife, a psionic disrupting neural functions on contact. She contributed to missions against threats like the Shadow King before passing through the Siege Perilous, emerging with amplified abilities. Killed by the ancient mutant Vargas, Braddock was resurrected by her brother Jamie Braddock, granting resistance to reality-warping and mental attacks. In Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #4 (2018), Braddock reclaimed her original body, separating from Kwannon, who assumed the mantle and was resurrected via protocols. Braddock then inherited the role, leading and the Captain Britain Corps to safeguard Britain and against incursions like those from Merlyn. Her affiliations include the , , S.T.R.I.K.E., and the Exiles. Powers encompass for mind reading, control, and illusion-casting; to form energy constructs like force fields or weapons; peak human conditioning enhanced by ninja training; and, as , superhuman strength lifting up to 90 tons and flight.

Prodigy (David Alleyne)

David Alleyne, codenamed Prodigy, is a fictional mutant character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. His primary ability is a form of telepathic power mimicry that allows him to subconsciously absorb the knowledge, skills, and expertise of individuals within proximity, enabling temporary proficiency in diverse fields such as science, combat, and languages. This power manifested during his adolescence in Chicago, Illinois, where Alleyne was born to parents Christopher and Dorothy Alleyne. He first appeared in New Mutants vol. 2 #4 (October 2003), created by writers Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir with artist Keron Grant. Alleyne enrolled at the Xavier Institute after his mutant status was publicly exposed by the anti-mutant group Purity, adopting the codename Prodigy and joining Danielle Moonstar's New Mutants Training Squad alongside teammates including Surge, Elixir, and Wind Dancer. He briefly co-led the squad and contributed to efforts against threats like Nimrod, demonstrating absorbed tactical and combat skills. Following the "Decimation" event tied to House of M (2005), Alleyne lost his mutant powers along with most of the mutant population, though the Stepford Cuckoos later psychically unlocked permanent access to previously absorbed knowledge, granting him genius-level intellect across multiple disciplines without ongoing mimicry. Without innate powers post-Decimation, Alleyne relied on retained expertise—such as Beast's scientific acumen and Wolverine's —to join the , aiding in missions like rescuing teammate Speed from extradimensional threats and battling entities including and . He survived severe injuries, including heart removal by the demon Belasco during a incursion, healed by Elixir's bio-manipulation. In the era, Alleyne served on X-Factor, investigating resurrections and deaths as part of the nation's forensic efforts starting in X-Factor (2020) #1. Following the fall of , Alleyne transitioned to a civilian role as a professor at , using data-projecting eyewear for enhanced analysis while protecting young mutants, as depicted in NYX (2024) #1. His affiliations include the New X-Men and , positioning him as a strategic asset emphasizing over .

Other Superheroes and Protagonists

Power Princess (Zarda Shelton) is a superhuman champion from the alternate reality of Earth-712, endowed with capable of lifting over 100 tons, flight at supersonic speeds, and virtual invulnerability. She debuted as a member of the in Avengers #69 (October 1969), serving as an ambassador and enforcer of utopian ideals on her world. Her abilities stem from advanced by her society's scientists, positioning her as a heroic figure akin to a warrior princess in Squadron operations against threats like the Overmind. Protector (Noh-Varr) is a warrior from -200080 whose DNA was enhanced with traits, granting him , , rapid , and the ability to interface with advanced technology for energy blasts and flight via symbiotic suit. Introduced as Marvel Boy in Runaways vol. 2 #1 (April 2005), he adopted the Protector identity while joining the in Mighty Avengers #13 (October 2008), initially as a government-mandated hero before evolving into a more independent ally. His role often involves clashing with Earth heroes due to his initial disdain for humanity, though he has contributed to teams like the against cosmic threats.) Penance refers to aliases used by superheroes in Marvel lore, including Monet St. Croix's early persona in Generation X #1 (November 1994), where her organic diamond form provided diamond-hard skin, super strength, telepathy, and flight as a mutant member of the team. Separately, Robert Baldwin assumed the Penance identity post-Civil War in Civil War: The Initiative (2007), donning a razor-sharp suit for self-punishment after the Stamford disaster, with powers augmented by kinetic energy absorption turned offensive. These iterations highlight themes of redemption and atonement in protagonist arcs.)

Anti-Heroes and Ambiguous Figures

Punisher

The , whose real name is Francis "Frank" Castle, is a vigilante character in known for his relentless, lethal campaign against criminals. A former lieutenant, Castle became the after his wife Maria and their children—Lisa, Frank Jr., and Michael—were killed in a mob-related shooting in New York's while he recovered from a war injury. This tragedy, occurring on a day the family had gone on an outing, transformed Castle into a one-man army dedicated to eradicating crime through execution, viewing the legal system as inadequate for delivering justice. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists Ross Andru and John Romita Sr., the Punisher debuted as an antagonist to Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man #129, cover-dated February 1974, where he was initially portrayed as a skilled assassin hunting the criminal Spidey had inadvertently helped escape. The character's concept drew from gritty crime fiction and Vietnam War-era disillusionment, with Conway citing influences like The Executioner pulp novels; although publisher Stan Lee later claimed partial credit for the name and skull motif, official attribution remains to Conway and the artists. Early appearances positioned him as a foil to superheroes, emphasizing his willingness to kill in contrast to their restraint, which led to clashes with figures like Spider-Man and Daredevil. The Punisher lacks superhuman powers, relying instead on elite military training from multiple combat tours, including expertise in marksmanship, , demolitions, , and survival tactics honed as a Marine Force Recon operative. His arsenal includes customized firearms, knives, explosives, and armored vehicles, often marked by his signature white skull emblem symbolizing death to enemies. maintains peak human physicality through rigorous discipline, enabling him to endure severe injuries and outlast groups of armed foes through strategic planning and psychological intimidation. This grounded approach distinguishes him from powered heroes, underscoring themes of human resilience amid in his war on crime. Publication history expanded the Punisher from guest spots in the 1970s—appearing in titles like Captain America and Daredevil—to prominence in the 1980s amid rising demand for darker anti-heroes. He headlined his first miniseries, The Punisher #1–5 (January–May 1986), written by Steven Grant and illustrated by Mike Zeck, which sold over 300,000 copies per issue and led to an ongoing series The Punisher vol. 1 #1 (August 1987), running until 1995 with over 100 issues exploring arcs like battles against the Mafia and ninjas. Subsequent relaunches, such as Punisher: War Journal (2006–2009) and Punisher vol. 10 (2016–2018) by writers like Matt Fraction and Rick Remender, integrated him into events like Civil War, where his unregistered status and kills alienated allies. By 2025, over 50 Punisher-related titles have been published, with sales peaking in the 1990s at millions of copies annually, reflecting enduring appeal despite editorial shifts portraying him variably as hero, villain, or unambiguous executioner.

Paladin

Paladin is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by , primarily known as a willing to undertake assignments for substantial fees, often aligning with heroes but driven by profit rather than ideology. His background remains largely undisclosed, with no confirmed real name, though he has operated under civilian aliases such as Paul Denning for undercover work. Paladin debuted in Daredevil #150 (January 1978), where he clashed with Daredevil while pursuing the villain on a contracted mission. Lacking inherent superhuman abilities, Paladin relies on peak human conditioning, expert marksmanship, proficiency, and specialized equipment including a bulletproof armored suit, a multi-function with capabilities, and a signature stun baton for non-lethal incapacitation, though he employs lethal force when necessary. His operations span global espionage and bounty hunting, with fees starting at $5,000 per day or $500,000 upfront, reflecting his professional detachment. Over time, he has collaborated with figures like against the Life Foundation in The Amazing Spider-Man #320 (September 1989) and joined teams such as , where internal conflicts arose due to his mercenary priorities. Paladin's ambiguous morality manifests in betrayals for higher bids, such as aiding in Captain America's capture during Civil War or shifting allegiances in Thunderbolts under Dark Reign, yet he has shown selective restraint against innocents and occasional aid to protagonists like the Wasp. Notable adversaries include the Punisher, whom he confronted in The Punisher: No Escape #1 (August 1990), and groups like the Masters of Evil. His role underscores themes of pragmatism in the Marvel Universe, positioning him as a foil to more principled vigilantes.

Prowler

The Prowler (Hobart "Hobie" Brown) is a fictional character in , primarily known as an anti-hero and occasional ally to . Created by writer and artist , he first appeared in #78 (September 1969). Brown, the youngest of nine children raised in , New York, by his father "Tiger" Brown after his mother died in , demonstrated exceptional inventive talent from a young age but faced rejection from investors due to his impoverished background. Working as a window washer, he developed safety equipment that inspired his costumed persona, initially for criminal gain under the influence of the Tinkerer, before reforming into a vigilante figure. Lacking powers, the Prowler relies on advanced gadgetry and peak conditioning, including a green belt in and proficiency in , lockpicking, and . His costume features insulated boots that cushion falls from two stories, titanium-laced claws for wall-climbing, a gliding cape, and gauntlets firing blasts, gas, diamond-tipped , or flames. Additional tools include mini-flares for blinding opponents and laser-listening devices. These inventions underscore his role as a technologically adept burglar-turned-redeemed operative, distinguishing him from purely powered foes in Spider-Man's . Brown's narrative arc emphasizes moral ambiguity: debuting as a foe who frames for theft via gas attacks and aerial assaults, he soon abandons crime after a crisis of conscience, aiding heroes against threats like the Kingpin and joining teams such as the Young Allies. Later storylines, including resurrections post-death by Electro and spinal injuries from the tournament, explore his struggles with identity and heroism, as in the 2016 Prowler limited series where a cloned version grapples with resurrection ethics. Distinct from successors like Aaron Davis (' uncle, who adopted the mantle in 2003's Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man) or Rick Lawson (a 1980s temporary wearer), Hobie Brown remains the definitive Prowler in continuity, embodying themes of redemption through ingenuity over innate ability.

Power Man (Luke Cage)

Luke Cage, who adopted the alias Power Man during his early career, is a fictional superhero in Marvel Comics known for his unbreakable skin and superhuman strength, operating primarily as a street-level protector in Harlem. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and penciler George Tuska, the character debuted in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1, with a cover date of June 1972 and released on March 21, 1972. Born Carl Lucas in Harlem, he was wrongfully convicted of a crime involving drug possession and sent to Seagate Prison, where he volunteered for a clandestine experiment intended to replicate superhuman abilities observed in a rival's enhancements. The procedure, involving chemical bombardment and electrical overload, succeeded beyond expectations due to an accidental exposure, granting him dense, nigh-invulnerable tissue while he escaped amid the chaos. Adopting the name Luke Cage to shield his family from reprisals, he returned to New York City and established himself as a "Hero for Hire," offering his services for a fee—initially $100 per hour plus expenses—to combat urban crime and corruption targeting the black community. Cage's Power Man moniker emphasized his raw physical prowess, reflecting a gritty, mercenary approach that blurred lines between heroism and , as he prioritized paid gigs against mobsters, drug lords, and superhuman threats while navigating Harlem's socioeconomic struggles. His partnership with martial artist Danny Rand, known as Iron Fist, led to the shared title starting with Hero for Hire #50 in 1978, where they formed , combining Cage's brute force with Rand's chi-based techniques to tackle larger syndicates like the Golden Tigers and Big Brother's organization. Over time, events including a coerced name dispute with Zone-3 and personal losses prompted him to drop "Power Man" in favor of his , though the alias persisted in references to his early exploits. Cage's character embodies a no-nonsense, Harlem-rooted , often clashing with figures and employing tactics, which positioned him as an ambiguous figure willing to bend rules for justice against systemic threats like the Maggia crime family. Cage possesses superhuman strength enabling him to lift several tons and shatter four-inch-thick steel plating with punches, stemming from his enhanced musculature and density post-experiment. His skin and tissues exhibit bulletproof durability, resisting conventional firearms, blades, and up to high-caliber impacts, augmented by a healing factor that mends internal injuries faster than human norms, though extreme forces like those from Hulk-level opponents can cause temporary strain. Additional attributes include superhuman stamina for prolonged exertion without fatigue and heightened resistance to toxins and environmental extremes, making him a tank-like brawler in against foes such as Diamondback, Bushmaster, and Shades. These abilities, derived from unintended genetic and cellular alterations, lack mystical or technological aids, underscoring his reliance on physicality in narratives focused on and personal redemption.

Other Anti-Heroes and Ambiguous Figures

Puma (Thomas Fireheart) is a of Native American descent, genetically enhanced from birth to possess , agility, and senses, transforming into a half-mountain lion form for combat. Destined by ancient prophecy to battle the , he initially operated as a protector of sacred tribal lands while accepting high-paying contracts, including an attempt to assassinate on behalf of the in 1984. Despite early antagonism toward , Puma allied with him against threats like MODOK's 11, demonstrating a warrior's code that prioritizes destiny and honor over strict allegiance to heroic norms. His actions reflect ambiguity, balancing mercenary pragmatism with reluctant heroism in over 50 appearances across Marvel titles. Penance, the guilt-driven identity of Robert Baldwin (formerly Speedball), emerged after Baldwin's kinetic energy powers contributed to the Stamford tragedy that ignited Civil War in 2006, killing 612 civilians including over 60 children. First appearing as Penance in Civil War: Front Line #10 in January 2007, Baldwin encased himself in a self-inflicted exoskeleton of razor-sharp tendrils and piercings, enduring constant agony as penance while retaining his ability to generate painful kinetic bursts on contact. Coerced into the villain-reformed Thunderbolts under Norman Osborn's 2008 Dark Reign initiative, he navigated moral gray areas, fighting heroes when ordered but seeking redemption, which led to conflicts with former New Warriors teammates and eventual partial rehabilitation. This phase underscores his ambiguous status, as self-punishment and government service blurred voluntary heroism with manipulated atonement across 60+ issues.

Supervillains

Purple Man

The , whose real name is , is a in known for his pheromone-based mind control abilities. He was created by writer and artist , debuting in Daredevil #4, cover-dated October 1964. Originally a spy for the Communist government in , Killgrave's transformation occurred during a mission to steal experimental U.S. Army nerve gas, which he accidentally inhaled, permanently staining his skin purple and mutating his physiology to produce mind-altering pheromones. Killgrave's primary power involves secreting pheromones that, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin, allow him to issue verbal commands that override victims' , compelling obedience to his suggestions. This ability can affect up to approximately 100 individuals within close proximity, enhanced by his natural charisma, though it requires sensory perception of the pheromones and fails against those with exceptional willpower, such as . The mutation also grants him superhuman durability and accelerated healing, making him resilient to physical harm beyond typical human limits. In his debut storyline, Killgrave relocated to and used his powers to rob a bank by commanding employees and bystanders, leading to his confrontation with Daredevil, who resisted the pheromones due to his heightened senses. He later psychologically enslaved (then operating as Jewel), subjecting her to prolonged abuse and control that profoundly impacted her life. Killgrave has repeatedly allied with criminal networks, including the Hood's syndicate, where he participated in assaults on targets like Doctor Strange's , while pursuing personal schemes such as building cults of followers. Killgrave married , with whom he fathered a daughter, Kara Killgrave, who inherited diluted versions of his powers and operates as the superhero . His recurring enemies include Daredevil, , , and the Kingpin, against whom he has schemed using manipulated pawns rather than direct confrontation. Portrayed as a sadistic and psychotic figure, Killgrave exploits trauma, doubt, and fear to maintain dominance, often operating solo to maximize his manipulative leverage.

Doctor Paine

Thaddeus Paine, known as Doctor Paine, is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Kaminski, he debuted in Morbius: The Living Vampire #4 in August 1992. A former psychiatrist driven by an inability to experience physical sensations, Paine conducts sadistic experiments on patients, including torture and murder, to comprehend pain and suffering vicariously. Paine's primary ability stems from a neurological condition rendering him completely insensitive to tactile input, conferring immunity to physical pain, pleasure, or any touch-based stimuli; this anomaly followed a severe accident and fuels his obsessive research into human endurance limits. He augments his medical expertise with mechanical surgical gloves equipped for precise incisions and implants, enabling him to perform unauthorized procedures on unwilling subjects such as the terminally ill or superhuman anomalies like Morbius the Living Vampire. Lacking or durability beyond his pain immunity, Paine relies on intellect, surgical precision, and psychological manipulation to ensnare victims, often tracking them post-experiment via implanted devices. In his major storyline, Paine targets after learning of the vampire's regenerative physiology, capturing and dissecting him to study pseudo-vampiric biology while evading pursuit by and federal agent Simon Stroud. His encounters extend to , whom he views as another experimental subject for pain threshold analysis, though Paine's schemes typically unravel due to his victims' resilience or external interventions. Subsequent appearances portray him as a recurring threat in horror-themed narratives, embodying themes of detached cruelty enabled by personal .

Pestilence

Pestilence is a supervillain in , serving as one of the under the ancient mutant En Sabah Nur. The character debuted in X-Factor vol. 1 #15 (April 1987), alongside fellow Horsemen , , and (), as antagonists to the superhero team X-Factor. Her role embodies the biblical Horseman of Pestilence, enhanced by Apocalypse's Celestial technology to amplify her innate ability to generate, synthesize, and disseminate any known or , capable of infecting targets via physical contact, airborne transmission, or even inducing rapid decay in organic matter. During her initial confrontation in , Pestilence deployed corrosive plagues against X-Factor members, weakening them through targeted infections that exploited their vulnerabilities, such as exacerbating Cyclops' optic energy strain or inducing feverish debilitation in others. The battle culminated in X-Factor's victory over the Horsemen, with Pestilence subdued after her plague assaults were countered by the team's resilience and Jean Grey's telepathic intervention. Following Apocalypse's temporary defeat, she survived and relocated to the New York sewers, aligning with the community under the alias Plague, where her powers continued to manifest in attempts to infect operatives during subsequent encounters, including a failed bid to weaponize a designer virus against surface dwellers. The Pestilence mantle has been assumed by multiple characters across Marvel continuity, reflecting Apocalypse's practice of selecting and genetically augmenting mutants for his apocalyptic agenda. Notably, the was transformed into Pestilence post-Mutant Massacre, gaining amplified plague projection alongside and tracking abilities, which he used to pursue Cable and Domino before reverting to his base form. Lorna Dane () was brainwashed and augmented as Pestilence during Apocalypse's resurgence in Uncanny X-Men #296 (September 1992), her magnetic manipulation fused with disease generation until freed by X-Factor. More recently, an ancient precursor Pestilence—Apocalypse's with Genesis—emerged in Marvel Comics #1000 (August 2019), predating modern incarnations as part of the primordial Horsemen from Okkara, though her narrative emphasizes mythological origins over direct villainy in contemporary events. These iterations underscore Apocalypse's recurring recruitment of diseased or resilient mutants to enforce his survival-of-the-fittest doctrine.

Paibok the World Eater

Paibok the Power Skrull is a fictional extraterrestrial appearing in , primarily as an antagonist to the . A warrior enhanced through bionic engineering, he possesses amplified physical and energy-based abilities that allow him to mimic and exceed certain capacities, including those of his targets. His motivations stem from Skrull imperial ambitions and personal vendettas, particularly after betrayals within espionage operations against Earth heroes. Introduced in vol. 1 #358 (November 1991), Paibok was created by writer Tom DeFalco and artists and Danny Bulanadi. As a captain in the armed forces trained at their , he directed the infiltration of the by dispatching his ex-lover Lyja to impersonate the blind sculptress , aiming to gather intelligence and undermine the team from within. After Lyja defected and revealed her true nature, siding with the , Paibok tracked them to the artificial planet Warworld, where he temporarily allied with the antiheroic robot to assault the heroes. The conflict culminated in the destruction of Warworld by the , though Paibok survived. He later assembled the Fearsome —a group including himself, Lyja (under coercion), Dragon Man, and the Super-Skrull—and launched an attack on the Baxter Building, only to be repelled. Subsequent encounters involved subspace survival, battles against the and a Spider-Man clone, and defeat by forces during interstellar conflicts. Paibok reemerged during the Annihilation Wave, freed from captivity and compelled to serve the tyrant before shifting allegiances to aid in liberating the Centaurians from oppression. His current status remains unknown following these cosmic upheavals. Paibok's enhancements grant him superhuman strength (rated at class 5, capable of lifting approximately 25 tons), durability, speed, stamina, and flight, surpassing typical limits. He can project electrical energy and ice blasts, transform his skin into a steel-like metal for added resilience, employ a hypnotic gaze for mind control, and retain innate Skrull , though his bionic augmentations prioritize combat over deception. These traits were designed to counter specific threats like the , emphasizing raw power over subtlety. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 615 pounds, with green eyes and no , Paibok originates from the now-destroyed Skrull world of Tarnax IV in the .

Other Supervillains

The '''Puppet Master''' (Phillip Masters) is a supervillain who employs radioactive clay sculptures to exert hypnotic control over individuals, compelling them to act according to his directives. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he debuted in Fantastic Four #8, cover-dated October 1962, as an initial antagonist to the Fantastic Four, using his powers to manipulate Alicia Masters, his stepdaughter, and others in schemes for personal gain and revenge. His abilities stem from exposure to a radioactive polymer, enabling precise mental domination without physical proximity, though limited by the need to craft individualized puppets.) The '''''' (Alexander Gentry) is a technologically enhanced criminal whose armored suit features retractable quills deployable as projectiles or for close-quarters defense, augmented by flight capabilities and weaponry. Introduced by writer and artist in #48, cover-dated October 1963, Gentry originally battled as a bumbling inventor turned felon, later affiliating with groups like the and against Avengers and other heroes. Despite repeated defeats and incarcerations, multiple successors have adopted the persona, perpetuating its role as a recurring, low-tier threat in street-level and team conflicts. '''Plantman''' (Samuel Smithers) possesses the ability to mentally command vegetation, accelerating growth and weaponizing flora for constriction, bombardment, or environmental manipulation.) Co-created by writer and artist , he first appeared in Daredevil #3, cover-dated August 1964, as a botanist's assistant transformed by experimental exposure, targeting Daredevil and later clashing with the Avengers, Sub-Mariner, and others in and domination plots. His powers extend to creating ambulatory plant constructs, though vulnerabilities include fire and herbicides, contributing to consistent failures against opposition.) '''Piledriver''' (Brian Calusky) is a member of the Wrecking Crew, deriving superhuman strength, durability, and pile-driver hand strikes from Asgardian enchantment via the Wrecker's enchanted crowbar. Debuting in The Defenders #17, cover-dated November 1974, under writers Len Wein and Gerry Conway with artist Sal Buscema, Calusky transformed from a construction worker into a powerhouse antagonist, battling the Defenders, Avengers, and Thunderbolts in rampages involving property destruction and mercenary activities. His loyalty to the Crew's leadership contrasts with internal rivalries, emphasizing brute-force tactics over strategy in group assaults.

Supporting and Family Characters

Parker Family

The Parker family encompasses the relatives of Peter Parker, the scientist and superhero known as Spider-Man, whose personal losses and responsibilities shape his vigilantism. Orphaned at age six following the deaths of his parents, Richard and Mary Parker, in a covert plane crash staged by agents of the Red Skull, Peter was raised by his paternal uncle, Benjamin "Ben" Parker, a principled working-class man, and aunt May Reilly Parker in Forest Hills, Queens. Ben's murder during a robbery on August 17, 1962 (as depicted in Amazing Fantasy #15), catalyzed Peter's moral code, encapsulated in the axiom "With great power there must also come great responsibility," which Ben had instilled in him. May Parker, frail but resilient, has endured multiple health crises, including a heart attack in 1965 (The Amazing Spider-Man #25) and exposure to the villainous Scheme's radiation in 2004 (The Amazing Spider-Man #520), often requiring Peter's covert support while maintaining her unaware of his dual life until later revelations. A 2014 retcon introduced Teresa Parker as Peter's younger sister, separated at birth in 1980 for her safety amid her parents' espionage risks; raised incognito with fabricated memories, she possesses minor precognitive abilities via a device called the Righetto and briefly operated as "Ms. Masque" before aiding Peter against the Kingpin. Extended "family" includes genetic offshoots like , the earliest clone of Peter engineered by the (Miles Warren) in 1975 experiments, afflicted by rapid cellular decay that amplified his spider-powers—including organic webbing, venom blasts, and precognition—but drove initial murderous tendencies as a Houston-based assassin. Kaine's degeneration stabilized post-2006 resurrection via totem magic, leading to redemption as the ; he has intermittently protected Peter, confronting shared foes like the , though their bond remains strained by Kaine's view of Peter as an idealized "original." In Earth-616 continuity, the family lacks direct descendants, with Peter's marriages to Mary Jane Watson voided by mystical pacts (e.g., 2007's "One More Day") preventing children, though multiversal variants feature offspring like Ben Parker, a future Spider-Man inheriting enhanced abilities from a 2014 (Spider-Verse) timeline. These core dynamics underscore Peter's isolation, with family serving as both anchor and vulnerability exploited by adversaries like Norman Osborn.

Pepper Potts

Virginia "Pepper" Potts is a fictional supporting character in , primarily associated with and . Created by writer , co-writer Robert Bernstein, and artist , she first appeared in Tales of Suspense #45 (September 1963). Initially introduced as Tony Stark's efficient secretary amid the company's transition after Howard Stark's death, Potts quickly proved indispensable in managing daily operations while Stark focused on weapons development and his dual life as . Her role expanded to include personal loyalty, often covering for Stark's absences and handling corporate crises, reflecting her college education in and sharp administrative skills. Potts developed a romantic relationship with Stark's chauffeur, Happy Hogan, leading to marriage, though their union faced strains from Hogan's health issues and superhero entanglements; they divorced and later reconciled before Hogan's death following the Civil War event in 2007. Assuming the CEO position at Stark Industries during Stark's comas and legal troubles, she navigated threats from figures like Norman Osborn and Madame Masque, including during Secret Invasion. In Invincible Iron Man (2008) #1, a severe chest injury from an explosion prompted Stark to implant a repulsor-magnet generator, granting her enhanced healing, electromagnetic manipulation, levitation, and force field generation for life support. This augmentation, combined with her intellect, positioned her as a key ally in Stark's ventures, such as coordinating the Champions team. As , Potts donned the Mark 1616 armor—secretly designed by Stark and integrated with J.A.R.V.I.S. AI—debuting in Invincible Iron Man (2008) #10 (2009). The suit provides for lifting approximately 75 tons, flight, repulsors, durability against high-caliber weapons, and advanced scanning capabilities, enabling her to combat threats independently during Fear Itself and Osborn's regime. She briefly led the superteam The Order under the alias , leveraging the armor's capabilities for leadership in battle. Potts returned to active heroism in #1 (2020), defending Stark legacies against corporate sabotage and technological threats, underscoring her evolution from executive aide to armored defender. Without the armor, she possesses no powers, relying on strategic acumen honed through decades of crisis management at . Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a biochemist and inventor in Marvel Comics, renowned for developing subatomic Pym Particles that enable size manipulation. He first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27 (January 1962), created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby. Initially operating as Ant-Man, Pym used the particles to shrink to insect size while retaining human strength, allowing him to control ants via a cybernetic helmet and combat threats like Egghead and human traffickers. His discoveries stemmed from research into subatomic realms, leading to early adventures against communist agents and other foes before he expanded his role in team dynamics. Pym's career evolved through multiple identities, including (debuting in Tales to Astonish #49, September 1963), , and , reflecting adaptations in particle application for growth up to 100 feet with proportional strength increases—lifting approximately 50 tons at maximum size. As a genius-level intellect in biochemistry, robotics, and physics, he co-founded the Avengers in Avengers #1 (September 1963) alongside his wife, Janet van Dyne (the Wasp), and created the sentient android in Avengers #55 (August 1968), which became a recurring . His abilities include generating Pym Particle fields to alter others' sizes upon contact, enhanced durability at larger scales, and expertise in constructing advanced weaponry and AI. Pym's personal life included marriages to Maria Trovaya, killed by agents during their honeymoon, and later Janet van Dyne; he suffered struggles, notably a breakdown portrayed in Avengers #213 (September 1981), where, as , he struck van Dyne amid escalating arguments and instability, resulting in an Avengers trial, his resignation, and divorce. Subsequent arcs depicted redemption efforts, including battles against and contributions to teams like the , though his history underscores themes of genius burdened by psychological fragility. Among related characters, Nadia Pym (later ) is Pym's daughter from his first marriage to Maria Trovaya, subjected to experimental size reduction as a child by her grandfather's regime, trained as a spy, and eventually escaping to the . She debuted in Free Comic Book Day 2016 (Civil War II), adopting the Wasp mantle after inheriting Pym Particle technology and van Dyne's mentorship, founding the G.I.R.L. lab for young female scientists. Nadia's abilities mirror her father's, with shrinking, flight via wings, and bio-stings, positioning her as a supporting Avenger focused on legacy and innovation. In alternate timelines, such as MC2, Pym and van Dyne have twins (Vapor) and Henry Pym Jr., but these remain non-canonical to Earth-616.

Karen Page

Karen Page is a fictional supporting character in , primarily known as a love interest and associate of the superhero Daredevil (Matt Murdock). Created by writer and artist , she first appeared in Daredevil #1 (cover dated April 1964), where she was introduced as the secretary at the law firm of Nelson and Murdock, run by and blind attorney Matt Murdock. The daughter of scientist Paxton Page, Karen moved to aspiring to an acting career but struggled to find success, leading her to take the secretarial position. She developed unrequited romantic feelings for Murdock, unaware of his dual life as the vigilante Daredevil, while also attracting the affection of Nelson. Page's storyline darkened after she left the firm believing Murdock would never return her affections. She was abducted by the roboticist villain Samuel Saxon (also known as Machinesmith), who exploited her resentment to lure Daredevil and uncover his . Following her rescue, Page spiraled into drug addiction and , adopting the alias Paige Angel in the adult film industry to fund her habits. In a moment of desperation during the "" arc, she sold out Daredevil's identity to the assassin Bullseye for narcotics, contributing to a devastating attack on Murdock's life. These events, detailed in Daredevil #227–233 (1986), highlighted her vulnerability and moral decline amid personal and professional failures. Page eventually reformed, channeling her experiences into a as a radio host focused on crime reporting and victim advocacy, aiding Daredevil indirectly through public exposés. Lacking powers, she relied on her adaptability, legal knowledge from her firm days, and journalistic skills. Her arc concluded tragically in Daredevil vol. 2 #5 (November 1998), when Bullseye hurled Murdock's billy club at Daredevil; Page intercepted it, dying in Murdock's arms to save him. This death, part of the "Guardian Devil" storyline, profoundly impacted Murdock, fueling his grief and rage against perceived supernatural forces. A 2004 "What If?" one-shot explored an alternate scenario where Page survived, but in main continuity (), her demise remains a pivotal, irreversible event in Daredevil's history.

Other Supporting Characters

Peggy Carter is a key supporting character in the Captain America mythos, serving as a British Special Operations Executive agent during . She debuted in #1 (March 1941), co-created by and , where she aided Steve Rogers in combating Nazi threats and developed a romantic connection with him prior to his cryogenic preservation. Post-war, Carter contributed to the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and maintained alliances with Avengers members, often providing strategic and logistical support in espionage narratives. Phil Sheldon functions as a civilian supporting figure to , operating as a photojournalist fixated on superhuman events. Created by Roger Stern and , he first appeared in #299 (May 1988), driven by personal —a villain-induced that killed his and —to compile photographic evidence of heroes' deeds in his self-published work Photo Diary of a Superhuman. Sheldon's interactions highlight the media's role in public perception of vigilantes, with his images influencing editorial coverage in the Daily Bugle. Pip the Troll serves as a comedic, technologically adept sidekick in cosmic storylines, notably allied with and the . and introduced him in Strange Tales #178 (February 1965) as a 500-year-old troll displaced from his native , equipped with advanced weaponry and a device. Pip's loyalties shifted across events, where he assisted in thwarting ' universal conquest, blending humor with utility in high-stakes interstellar conflicts. Phineas T. Horton acts as a recurring scientific ally and antagonist foil, renowned for inventing the android . Debuting in #1 (October 1939) by creator , Horton activated his synthetic creation in 1939, sparking accidental fires that branded him a and led to government suppression of his work. His later collaborations with the All-Winners Squad and experiments with android resurrection underscore themes of unchecked innovation in early Marvel continuity.

Entities, Gods, and Non-Human Characters

Phoenix Force

The Phoenix Force is an immortal, indestructible cosmic entity that personifies the nexus of all psionic energy across the multiverse, serving as both a force of creation and destruction to maintain cosmic balance. Born from the void between states of being as a "child of the universe," it emerged during the and, at the conclusion of the prior universe, preserved the life of Galan—later —ensuring continuity of existence. The entity transcends conventional biology, existing as pure energy capable of bonding with compatible hosts to amplify their abilities to near-omnipotent levels, though such unions often lead to instability and catastrophe due to the Force's primal drives for passion and renewal. First appearing in The Uncanny X-Men #101 (October 1976), the Phoenix Force bonded with amid a during the X-Men's shuttle reentry to , creating a facsimile body for Grey while the original recovered in . In this debut, it demonstrated initial feats like repairing the damaged vessel and shielding the team from lethal radiation. The Force's includes ancient interactions, such as trapping the primordial evil Le Bete Noir on and bonding with the ancient Feron to forge an energy matrix linking it to . Its powers encompass vast energy projection, molecular-level matter manipulation, reality alteration, temporal displacement, and resurrection of itself or hosts, with Marvel's official ratings assigning it maximum scores (7/7) in durability, energy control, intelligence, speed, and strength. When bonded, hosts gain enhanced telepathy and telekinesis sufficient to shatter planets or stars, as evidenced by its confrontation with Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken's activation of the M'kraan Crystal, which threatened universal collapse. However, unchecked, the Force can overwhelm hosts, manifesting as the destructive "Dark Phoenix" aspect; Grey, under its influence, devoured the D'bari star in The Uncanny X-Men #135 (July 1980), extinguishing five billion lives before self-sacrificing to avert further annihilation. Subsequent notable hosts include (daughter of an alternate ), who wielded it against the demon Necrom and his Anti-Phoenix counterpart; the Phoenix Five—Cyclops, , , Colossus, and Magik—who splintered the Force during the 2012 event, leading to global conflicts before its reconstitution; and more recent avatars like (Maya Lopez) in 2021 storylines. The entity's fragmented nature allows multiple simultaneous hosts, but it invariably seeks reunion in the White Hot Room, a outside time and space housing past and future iterations. Despite its benevolence in preserving life cycles, the Phoenix Force's interventions have repeatedly caused interstellar wars and existential threats, underscoring its role as an amoral arbiter rather than a controlled ally.

Phobos

Alexander Aaron, who operates under the alias Phobos, is a character in representing the god of fear and the son of the Olympian war god . Born to and an unnamed mortal woman in the United States, Aaron was initially raised as a human child unaware of his divine lineage. His godhood was activated after he consumed the blood of the chaos god during captivity, granting him powers centered on inducing and manipulating fear in others. Aaron first appeared in Ares #1 (March 2006), co-created by writer Michael Avon Oeming and artist Travel Foreman. Kidnapped as a boy by Mikaboshi, who sought to groom him as a weapon against Olympus, Aaron escaped and later joined Nick Fury's Secret Warriors team, where his abilities proved valuable against Hydra and other threats. The Council of Godheads formally recognized him as the worthy successor to the mantle of Phobos, the original god of fear—a minor Olympian deity slain alongside his twin Deimos by and Thor. As Phobos, possesses superhuman strength, durability, and immortality typical of lesser Olympian gods, augmented by fear-based powers including the projection of phobias, terror inducement, and psychological manipulation to incapacitate foes. He demonstrated these in confrontations such as battling during event and contributing to missions against dark forces. However, was killed by the Inhuman Gorgon in Secret Warriors #22 (February 2010), with his soul ascending to ; prophecies indicated his eventual rebirth as a fully realized god of fear. The original Phobos, distinct from , was an ancient Olympian son of and (daughter of ), embodying primordial fear and serving among the Fear Lords alongside entities like the Dweller-in-Darkness. Resurrected once by using , he met his final end in Mikaboshi's realm during a godly conflict, with showing no remorse over his demise. 's assumption of the name bridges the mythological figure with modern narratives, emphasizing themes of inherited divine burden and reluctant heroism.

Pluto

Pluto, also known as , is an Olympian deity in who rules the underworld realm of as its Hell Lord. He is depicted as the son of the Titans and Rhea, brother to and , and a scheming driven by an insatiable hunger for greater power. Pluto first appeared in Thor #127 (November 1966), created by writer and artist . In Marvel lore, Pluto governs the souls of the deceased, commanding undead armies and demonic forces within his domain, which exists in a pocket dimension separate from . He frequently plots against his brother to usurp control of Olympus, employing deception, magical contracts, and infernal minions to achieve dominance. Notable conflicts include attempts to ensnare in binding pacts and battles with Thor, whom Pluto views as a threat to his ambitions; in one encounter, Pluto unleashed hordes of the undead against the Asgardian, only to be thwarted by divine intervention. Pluto's alliances with other Hell Lords, such as Mephisto and , underscore his role in broader cosmic power struggles, though his efforts often fail due to the superior might or cunning of Olympian and heroic foes. Pluto possesses superhuman physical attributes exceeding those of most Olympian gods, including strength enabling him to lift approximately 75 tons under normal conditions, exceptional durability against injury, and virtual that renders him ageless and resistant to conventional death. His abilities extend to potent sorcery, often termed "Eterna-Power," allowing manipulation of death energies, of the deceased as , interdimensional , temporal energy projection for , and command over hellfire and necrotic forces. While immensely powerful within his realm, Pluto's effectiveness diminishes outside , where his reliance on underworld resources leaves him vulnerable to gods like or artifacts such as the Odinforce.

Other Entities, Gods, and Non-Humans

Phalanx comprises a techno-organic hive-mind entity originating from the fusion of the Technarchy and other assimilated lifeforms, first depicted as invading Earth to eradicate mutantkind in #305 (September 1993). This collective assimilates biological and technological entities to propagate, lacking individual will and driven by imperatives of expansion and purity, as explored in the "" crossover. The Protege, a child-like cosmic being from Earth-691, debuted in Guardians of the Galaxy #47 (December 1993) as a member of the Universal Church of Truth. Capable of instantaneously duplicating any superhuman power or ability upon observation, the Protege sought to emulate the One Above All, leading to confrontations with cosmic abstracts before its defeat. Progenitor designates a diseased Celestial who seeded genetic potential on Earth approximately four billion years ago, introducing the X-gene and other superhuman traits during its initial visit. Revived in modern narratives like #1 (July 2022), it embodies judgment over humanity's use of its gifts, manifesting as a colossal armored entity enforcing apocalyptic criteria. Praxagora functions as a sentient automaton dispatched from the Negative Zone planet Ataraxia, premiering in Fantastic Four #262 (January 1984). Engineered for stellar containment and exploration, this robotic entity allied temporarily with Earth heroes against dimensional threats, exemplifying advanced extraterrestrial AI unbound by organic limitations.

Adaptations and Media Appearances

Key Appearances in Film, TV, and Animation

Pepper Potts appears prominently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow. Her debut occurs in Iron Man (2008), where she serves as Tony Stark's assistant, followed by Iron Man 2 (2010), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) as a voice cameo, and Avengers: Endgame (2019), in which she dons the Rescue armor during the final battle. Pepper Potts has limited animation appearances, with no major roles in core Marvel Animated Universe series, though alternate versions feature in the Disney+ series What If...? (2021–present). , played by , is central to the Ant-Man trilogy in the MCU. He first appears in (2015) as the original Ant-Man and inventor of Pym Particles, continuing in (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and (2023), where he confronts Kang variants. Pym is mentioned in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Thor (2011) via archival footage. In animation, younger versions appear de-aged via CGI in flashbacks, but he lacks standalone animated series roles beyond tie-ins like Marvel Studios Legends episodes on Disney+ (2023). , portrayed by , features extensively in Marvel's series within the MCU's Defenders Saga. She debuts in Daredevil (2015–2018) across all three seasons as a key ally and investigative , appears in The Defenders (2017) , and recurs in The Punisher (2017–2019) Seasons 1 and 2, exploring her backstory involving accidental fratricide. returns in the Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again (2025–), continuing her dynamic with Matt Murdock amid threats from Kingpin. She has no notable film or animation appearances. Phoenix Force, as a cosmic entity bonded primarily to Jean Grey, manifests in live-action X-Men films outside the MCU. In X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Famke Janssen's Jean Grey embodies the Dark Phoenix, unleashing destructive powers leading to her demise. Sophie Turner reprises the role in Dark Phoenix (2019), depicting the entity's corruption and interstellar conflict. In animation, the Phoenix Force drives key arcs in X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), particularly the five-part "Phoenix Saga," where Jean sacrifices herself to contain it; X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003); and Wolverine and the X-Men (2008–2009), adapting elements of the Dark Phoenix Saga with altered resolutions to avert catastrophe. It also appears in X-Men '97 (2024–), reviving the entity's narrative from the 1990s series. Phobos (Alexander Aaron), the Greco-Roman god of fear and son of , has no confirmed appearances in , , or as of 2025, remaining confined to storylines. Pluto, Marvel's version of the underworld deity, appears in the direct-to-video animated The Invincible Iron Man (2007), aligning with death gods like and Mephisto in a non-canon storyline. He lacks roles in live-action MCU projects or major TV series, with minor mythological nods in Hercules-related animations unadapted in Marvel media.

Reception and Controversies in Adaptations

Adaptations of in the , with portraying the character across films like (2015) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), have drawn for minimizing his history of and mental instability, opting instead for a more heroic, paternal figure to align with tones. This sanitization sparked debates on fidelity to source material, as the MCU elevated Scott Lang as the primary while sidelining Pym's inventive genius and Avengers ties, leading fans to argue it diminished his legacy. Karen Page's depiction in the Netflix Daredevil series (2015–2018), played by , garnered praise for evolving her from a damsel into a complex investigative figure, particularly highlighted as a breakout element in season two amid crossovers. Yet, season three's exploration of her traumatic past—revealing accidental killings tied to family debt—faced backlash for underdeveloped execution and perceived narrative contrivances that undermined her agency. The Phoenix Force's adaptation in X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), centering Sophie Turner's as host, met widespread derision for diluting the cosmic scope of into a terrestrial family drama, with clunky scripting and lackluster action sequences amplifying production woes like delays and reshoots. Critics and fans alike faulted its failure to capture the entity's god-like power and ethical dilemmas, viewing it as a misguided redux of X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) that hastened the era's end. Characters like Phobos (Alexander Aaron) and lack substantial live-action or animated adaptations, resulting in negligible reception data or controversies beyond comic fidelity discussions.

References

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