MODOK

MODOK
MODOK, as featured on the cover of Super-Villain Team-Up:MODOK's 11 (Sep. 2007). Art by Eric Powell.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Tales of Suspense #93 (Sep. 1967)
Created by	Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
In-story information
Alter ego	George Tarleton
Team affiliations	A.I.M. The Headmen
Notable aliases	MODOC (Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing)
Abilities	Super-intellect Psionic powers Ability to calculate probabilities

MODOK (acronym for Mobile Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 (Sep. 1967) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Publication history

George Tarleton is a technician for the organization Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM). Having recently created the artifact the Cosmic Cube, the A.I.M scientists use advanced mutagenics to alter Tarleton to create the super intelligent MODOC (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing) to study and improve the object. MODOC, however, becomes ambitious and the character kills its former masters and takes control of A.I.M, now calling itself MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing).

MODOK the character debuts in the title Tales of Suspense, and comes into conflict with the hero Captain America, who is intent on rescuing S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter from A.I.M.^[1] MODOK becomes a recurring foe for Captain America, and reappears in the title Captain America on two occasions during the Silver Age of Comic Books.^[2] After another appearance in the title that reveals the character's origin,^[3] MODOK features in the title Sub-Mariner and battles Namor the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom, who is intent on claiming the Cosmic Cube.^[4]

MODOK kidnaps Betty Ross in the title Hulk and changes her into the mutant Harpy in a bid to destroy the Hulk. The character follows the Hulk and the Harpy to a floating aerie, where the Hulk's alter ego Bruce Banner cures Ross of her condition. MODOK and an A.I.M team arrive in time to kill the creature the Bi-Beast, the guardian of the aerie, but not before activating a self-destruct mechanism, forcing the characters to flee.^[5] MODOK accepts the offer of the other-dimensional being the Black Lama and participates in the "War of the Supervillains" storyline in the title Iron Man, but fails to capture the prize when defeated by the hero.^[6]

The title Ms. Marvel reveals that A.I.M is dissatisfied with the lack of scientific advancement and MODOK's obsession with seeking revenge against metahumans, and have ousted him from power. The character attempts to regain control of the organization and prove his worth by unleashing a nerve agent on New York City, which is prevented by heroine Ms. Marvel and the android Avenger Vision.^[7] MODOK seeks revenge against Ms. Marvel, attempting to mind control the heroine^[8] and then hire assassin Deathbird to kill her;^[9] Ms. Marvel overcomes these obstacles and finally defeats MODOK.^[10]

MODOK's ambitions grow and in an Iron Man annual he seeks world domination, but is thwarted by Iron Man and superhero team the Champions.^[11] After an attempt in the title Marvel Team-Up to plunder the resources of the Savage Land and a battle with the savage Ka-Zar and the Hulk,^[12] the character features in the title Marvel Two-in-One, having developed a new biological agent called Virus X. MODOK's attempts to test the agent on the homeless is prevented by the Thing, Sub-Mariner, and Captain America, although the villain escapes and the Thing almost dies when exposed to the virus.^[13]

Abandoned by A.I.M for these failures, the character appears in the title Hulk and revives long-time Hulk foe the Abomination, planning to use the monster against his superiors. The plan fails when the Abomination is revealed to be unstable, although during the course of the storyline MODOK transforms the associate of Bruce Banner - Dr. Katherine Waynesboro - into a female version of himself. Horrified by MODOK's callous disregard for life, Waynesboro demands to be restored to human form, to which MODOK agrees.^[14] MODOK makes a final appearance in the title Captain America, as A.I.M hires the Serpent Society to assassinate MODOK, with the character being killed by the venomous Death Adder.^[15] In the title Iron Man it is revealed that the Serpent Society return MODOK's body to A.I.M, with the organization using it as a supercomputer. A rogue A.I.M agent remotely operates MODOK's body in a bid to destroy Iron Man, with the battle ending with the body's destruction.^[16]

The title West Coast Avengers reveals that A.I.M creates a female version of MODOK, called SODAM (acronym for Specialized Organism Designed for Aggressive Maneuvers), which was both loyal and attempted to advance the goals of the organization.^[17] Although initially believed - incorrectly - to be the first wife of Henry Pym (Maria Troyvana), the character's origins are in doubt. After an appearance in the title Solo Avengers^[18] the character features in the title Quasar with a revised name: MODAM (Mental Organism Designed for Aggressive Maneuvers).^[19]

During the Taking A.I.M storyline in titles Avengers and Captain America, MODOK is resurrected, being needed by A.I.M to assist with the creation of another Cosmic Cube. The character, however, is eventually stranded in an alternate dimension.^[20] After an appearance in an Iron Man annual in which MODOK attempts to steal a device that boosts mental power^[21] the character features in the second volume of the Defenders, and aids the villainous group the Headmen. MODOK agrees to aid them in their plans of conquest, and after taking control of A.I.M once again, reneges on the agreement to avoid an encounter with superhero team the Defenders.^[22] MODOK appears in the title Wolverine and humbles Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight^[23] before being captured in the title Captain America & The Falcon by a group composed of US Naval intelligence and a drug cartel. The character is lobotomized and employed to infiltrate spy satellites and manipulate the stock market, but recovers and exploits the situation until captured and taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.^[24]

MODOK features in the title Cable & Deadpool, seeking a sample of the cybernetic species the Phalanx,^[25] and has three humorous appearances in the titles Wha...Huh?,^[26] Marvel Holiday Special 2006,^[27] and GLA-Xmas Special.^[28] After appearing briefly in the mutant titles X-Men^[29] and Uncanny X-Men^[30] MODOK features in the second volume of Ms. Marvel against the heroine and Wonder Man^[31] and appears in two limited series: Marvel 1985^[32] and Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11, and courtesy of an elaborate scheme and doublecross restores his personal wealth and power and establishes himself as the leader of A.I.M once again.^[33]

In the title Hulk it has been revealed that MODOK was involved in the creation of the Red Hulk.^[34] MODOK also features in the second volume of Astonishing Tales^[35] and the one-shot publication MODOK: Reign Delay.^[36]

Powers and abilities

George Tarleton is subjected to a mutagenic process that grants him superhuman intelligence, including a computer-like memory and the ability to predict probable outcomes that borders on clairvoyance, but his creativity remains at average human level. As MODOK, the character also has psionic powers enabling him to mentally control both individuals and large groups, and generate limited force fields. Courtesy of A.I.M technology, MODOK wears a headband that enable him to focus his mental power into a devastating beam. A side effect of the mutation was the growth of Tarleton's head to the point whereby his body can no longer support the weight, necessitating the use of an exoskeleton and hoverchair. The chair is equipped with a variety of weapons including missiles and lasers.

As the leader of A.I.M, MODOK has advanced technology and a personal army at his disposal.

Other versions

A nunber of alternate universe versions have appeared in various Marvel titles: "MODOC" (Mental Organism Designed Only for Conquest) appears in the title Marvel Adventures: The Avengers, briefly turning the Avengers into a version of itself before being defeated;^[37] `M.O.D.O.T. (Mental Organism Designed Only for Talking) appears in the third Howard the Duck limited series, and unlike predecessor MODOK can walk without the aid of a hoverchair;^[38] Iron Man has encounter with M.O.D.O.G (Mobile Organism Designed Only for Genocide) in the second volume of Invincible Iron Man;^[39] the limited series U.S War Machine, published under the mature-audience Marvel MAX imprint, showcases another version of MODOK salvaged by S.H.I.E.L.D. when it is discarded by A.I.M., apparently a victim of racial prejudice;^[40] theUltimate Marvel version of the character features in the title Ultimate Vision, experimenting with a Gah Lak Tus probe^[41] and several versions of MODOK also appear in the title Nextwave, having been created by the Beyond Corporation©. The organization is revealed to be guided by an infant version of the character.^[42]

A version of the character also features in a one-shot title as part of the Amalgam Comics line, which is a sequel to the DC vs. Marvel series. MODOK is merged with DC Comics character Hector Hammond to form H.E.C.T.O.R. - the "Highly Evolved Creature Totally Oriented on Revenge".^[43]

In other media

MODOK appears as a recurring character in the animated television series Iron Man (1994 - 1996) voiced by Jim Cummings; Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009) voiced by Lee Tockar (2009) and the The Super Hero Squad Show (2009) voiced by Tom Kenny.

M.O.D.O.K. also appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Michael Gough (2006) and the Marvel Super Hero Squad (2009) voiced by Tom Kenny.

Toy Biz has produced several versions of the character.

References

External links

• MODOK at Marvel.com
• The Journal of MODOK Studies
• MODOK at the Comic Book Database