Manphibian

Manphibian
The Manphibian makes his first appearance (standing in between the Frankenstein's Monster and Count Dracula). From The Legion of Monsters #1
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceLegion of Monsters #1 (Sept. 1975)
Created byMarv Wolfman
Tony Isabella
Dave Cockrum
Sam Grainger
In-story information
SpeciesUnknown extraterrestrial piscine/amphibian humanoid
Team affiliationsS.H.I.E.L.D.
Howling Commandos
Legion of Monsters
Avengers of Supernatural
S.T.A.K.E.
AbilitiesAmphibious breathing
Healing factor
Longevity
Superhuman strength
Sharp claws and fangs
Tough skin

Manphibian is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He has some resemblance to the "Gill Man" seen in Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Publication history

Manphibian first appeared in Legion of Monsters #1 and was created by Marv Wolfman, Tony Isabella, Dave Cockrum, and Sam Grainger.

Fictional character biography

Manphibian's alien species did not suffer the delusional concept of fate. They did not reinvent such calamities in their own minds as a call to a righteous and vital missions like a hunt for revenge. They realized the true motive for such actions was to share their own pain with the world.

Manphibian's kind believed in a "Prime Mover" where they have not raised a hand against another of their kind for eons. This was until Manphibian's mate was murdered by someone from Manphibian's species. After his elders denied him revenge, Manphibian pursued the murderer into space. Manphibian's search took him across different planets until landing on Earth thousands of years ago. Many years later, oil drillers woke up the murderous member of Manphibian's race. When Manphibian arrived, he stopped the creature from attacking Beth Fox. Their fight lasted until a missile strike destroyed Shaft #27. Due to Beth Fox being traumatized, her husband Aaron Fox vowed revenge and started hunting both creatures.

Manphibian and his mate had multiple offspring that were simultaneously trapped on Earth. Due to the death of his mate, Manphibian had to raise them on his own.

At some point, Manphibian was recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. in order to be part of Nick Fury's Howling Commandos. Manphibian was seen in Area 13's commissary alongside John Jameson and Golem. Manphibian was with the Howling Commandos when they launched an assault on the forces of Merlin.

Deacon and Blackout considered Manphibian as a possible candidate to fight Ghost Rider.

When Robert Hellsgard's Hunter of Monster Special Force began hunting down and slaughtering any being they deemed a monster, Manphibian joined up with the Legion of Monsters to defend those from being attacked by the Hunter of Monster Special Force. The Legion of Monsters led the survivors to the abandoned Morlock tunnels beneath Manhattan which had been a haven for monsters centuries earlier. The Legion of Monsters converted the haven into Monster Metropolis where it is feared to be the last stand against the Hunter of Monster Special Force.

Manphibian's children couldn't join Manphibian in Monster Metropolis as their bodies need clean water and the catacombs near Monster Metropolis have a short supply of clean water. After Punisher was killed by Wolverine's son Daken, Manphibian was present when the Moloids brought Punisher's remains to Morbius, who revived Punisher as a Frankenstein's monster-like creature called FrankenCastle.

When Red Hulk journeyed to Monster Metropolis, Manphibian helped Red Hulk and Werewolf by Night overcome panicked monsters in order to stop the ghost of Doc Samson's bad side. Manphibian and the Legion of Monsters helped Red Hulk and Doctor Strange defeat the ghost of Doc Samson's bad side.

Manphibian joined the Legion of Monsters into evacuating Brownville so that Morbius can confront Rose who is wielding a makeshift Ultimate Nullifier. Manphibian was the one who kept Morbius' friend Becky Barnes safe. Following Morbius' wish that Becky Barnes would be kept safe, Manphibian carried Becky Barnes away from the wreckage to keep her safe.

Manphibian was one of several beings (along with the Uncanny Avengers) captured by Mojo to appear in one of Mojo's films. He was paired up with Blade, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, and Satana as the Avengers of the Supernatural.

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, Manphibian appears as a member of S.T.A.K.E.'s Howling Commandos.

Manphibian was with the Howling Commandos at the time when they help Old Man Logan rescue Jubilee from Dracula.

Powers and abilities

Manphibian possesses superhuman strength which is enough to tear a fifteen-foot tree from the ground. Manphibian also has sharp claws and its skin is strong enough to withstand missiles.

Reception

The Manphibian was ranked #28 on a listing of Marvel Comics' monster characters in 2015.

References

  1. ^ Uncanny Avengers Annual #1
  2. ^ The Punisher vol. 8 #16
  3. ^ Legion of Monsters #1/2
  4. ^ a b The Punisher vol. 8 #12
  5. ^ Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1
  6. ^ Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #2
  7. ^ Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #6
  8. ^ Ghost Rider vol. 6 #33
  9. ^ a b The Punisher vol. 8 #11
  10. ^ Hulk vol. 2 #52
  11. ^ Morbius, the Living Vampire vol. 2 #8
  12. ^ Morbius, the Living Vampire vol. 2 #9
  13. ^ Uncanny Avengers Annual #1 (June 2014)
  14. ^ Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
  15. ^ Old Man Logan vol. 2 #14-15
  16. ^ Buxton, Marc (October 30, 2015). "Marvel's 31 Best Monsters". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Marvel had a Living Mummy so why not a Creature From the Black Lagoon knockoff?