Beast (comics)
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Beast, sometimes called The Beast (real name: Dr. Henry McCoy), is a Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #1 (September 1963).
A mutant, Beast originally possessed just ape-like strength and agility and oversized hands and feet, but has gained increasingly animalistic physical characteristics after further transformations, extending to blue fur, feline facial features, and claws.
Beast is a paradox. In spite of his appearance, he is a man of arts and letters and the sciences. He is a world authority on biochemistry and genetics, the X-Men’s medical doctor, and the Xavier Institute's science and mathematics instructor. He is also a mutant political activist. Fighting his feral urges and fear of rejection, Beast has dedicated his physical gifts and brilliant mind to the creation of a better world for man and mutant.
One of the original X-Men, Beast has had a consistent presence in X-Men-related comics throughout the years. He was also a member of the "all-star" teams The Avengers and The Defenders.
Beast has played a prominent role in X-Men video games and animated series. Kelsey Grammer portrays him in the 2006 film .
Character biography
Henry Philip McCoy was born in Dunfee, Illinois, in the United States, to Norton and Edna McCoy. His father was employed at a local nuclear power plant and was exposed on one occasion to intense nuclear radiation which was allegedly the cause of his son's mutation. Hank was born with a vast intellect and unusually large hands and feet for a human; in fact, his limbs were comparable to those of a gorilla and later stories reveal his nickname in school was "Magilla Gorilla". The Beast initially did not have fur.With the X-Men
Henry's mutation fully manifested itself in his adolescence and although his powers allowed him to briefly excel in athletics during his remaining time at school, he soon attracted the animosity and distrust of his fellow students and other non-mutant humans and was forced to seek refuge from their prejudicial, verbal and physical abuse. It was at this time that he was approached by Professor Charles Xavier, who knew of his mutant powers and invited him to study at "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters". An excellent student with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Henry recognized the opportunities that studying at such an institution would afford him and accepted the offer. He found the school both a font of scientific knowledge and a place of sanctuary and was there introduced to the X-Men, who accepted him into their ranks and gave him the codename Beast. Alongside workouts in the Danger Room, he studied subjects ranging from differential equations to Proust under Xavier's tutelage.Some years later, in Amazing Adventures (volume 2) #11, McCoy left the X-Men after completing a doctorate in biophysics at the Xavier Institute and became a research scientist at Brand Corporation, a genetics research facility. He isolated a chemical catalyst in hope of reducing the freakish aspects of his appearance, but it instead mutated him further. He grew gray fur (which later turned blue) all over his body and acquired sharp ears, elongated canine teeth, claws, enhanced senses and an accelerated healing factor. Despite this, McCoy came to accept his fate and is one of the most upbeat and cheerful of superheroes, although at times acting the role of the "class clown." Further, contrary to the suggestions of his primitive and feral appearance, he is an intellectual whose speech and mannerisms are quite eloquent and formal in nature and along with Reed Richards, Iron Man and Henry Pym, has become one of the most respected scientific minds in the Marvel Universe.
With the Avengers
Not long after this, he was recruited to join the Avengers, where he remained a member for many years, becoming a close friend of Wonder Man. He left the team a few times to rejoin his friends in the X-Men to accompany them in times of need (such as the "Dark Phoenix Saga"). He would return to the Avengers each time though, but eventually left that team so that the team (now with a six-member limit) could be filled out by new recruits.With the Defenders and X-Factor
He later joined the Defenders and was one of the final surviving members of the team at the time it disbanded. He and fellow surviving Defenders Angel and Iceman were shortly after contacted by Cyclops and Jean Grey to form X-Factor. Early in X-Factor's career, Hank was kidnapped by Artie Maddicks' scientist father to use as a guinea pig for a treatment he was working on to cure his son's mutation. Once injecting Beast with the drug, he regained his original human appearance. In X-Factor(series 1) #19, he is touched by the Horseman Pestilence but this doesn't kill him - instead, the combination of her touch with the drugs from earlier meant that his body fought off Pestilence's infection at the cost of his brilliant mind. Every time he used his strength, his intellect withered. This led to him being reduced to a childlike state until he stole a kiss from Infectia that was meant for Iceman, and fell into a coma. While in the infirmary on X-Factor's sentient Ship, his body morphed between his human appearance and his blue-furred one as it fought against the effects of the kiss - eventually he awoke, once more in his (arguably better known) furry form. He served this team for years, while being a college lecturer and later returned to the X-Men where he remains.Back with the X-Men
Over time, Beast's form has become more feline than simian due to a secondary mutation, jumpstarted by Sage. This has made him very self-conscious, as he fears he may be devolving. Additionally, the alteration caused his long-time girlfriend, Trish Tilby, to break up with him for fears of being accused of bestiality — he knows what it's like to be jilted by the Beauty. When news of a 'cure' that would reverse mutations came out, he seriously considered taking it but decided against it after vigorous "urging" by fellow team member Wolverine, because it would send out a bad message to other mutants. When the Hellfire Club attacked the X-Men, Cassandra Nova stripped away Beast's higher human consciousness, leaving him with only his animal instincts, which currently have him chasing Wolverine around the grounds of the Mansion.Powers and abilities
It is possible that Beast's mutation is a result of genetic atavism. However, he also possesses neotenous characteristics, which explains his large brain despite his ape-like physique.Hank McCoy has superhuman strength and is thus able to lift many tons. He also possesses superhuman speed, agility, and coordination; he can perform many tasks with his feet as easily as a human would do with his hands and often hangs upside down. Due to his gifts and training in the Danger Room, Beast can outperform any Olympic-level athlete, contorting his body and performing aerial feats with astounding grace. Beast is able to crawl up brick walls by wedging his fingers and toes into small cracks like a mountain climber.
The physical manifestations of Hank's mutation are his elongated limbs and oversized extremeties, which evident since his birth. Due largely to experimentation, Hank mutates further, first a taking on a more simian posture, then growing blue fur, and finally becoming more feline in appearance. His strength, speed, and senses are augmented moderately over the years by these various physiological changes. After mutating into his more feline form, he gains accelerated healing powers that allow him to repair mild to moderate injuries within the span of a few hours.
Hank is doubly gifted, not only having the fantastic abilities granted by his mutation, but also possessing a brilliant intellect. He is a world-renowned biochemist, and the man who cured the Legacy virus. His extraordinary intelligence and expertise in genetics rival that of Professor X. A Renaissance man, McCoy is well-versed in linguistics, literature, philosophy, history, art, and music, with a special affinity for science and technology and a penchant for quoting literary classics.
Alternate Versions
Dark Beast (Age of Apocalypse)
An evil doppelgänger of Hank McCoy, Dark Beast escaped from the Age of Apocalypse where he learned biochemistry and genetic engineering from his timeline's version of Mister Sinister. He also is directly responsible for the creation of the original Morlocks. The Dark Beast has all of the powers and intelligence of Hank McCoy, but none of his ethics. However, due to Hank McCoy's recent feline mutation which increased his strength, agility, speed, and granted him more feline like senses, the Dark Beast is no longer as powerful as his counterpart.
Ultimate Beast
Henry "Hank" McCoy was born a visible mutant, his giant ape-like hands and feet causing the boy to be met with much bigotry and prejudice. With his own parents denouncing him for his genetic status, he chose to hide his immense intelligence to avoid further complications. Hank became a founding member of the Ultimate X-Men taking the codename Beast. He also took on the role of the team's elite engineer, frequently upgrading the X-Men's Blackbird X-Jet and Danger Room sequences.
Beast began an on again/off again relationship with Storm. Storm loved him very much because of his intelligence, but Beast's inferiority complex often got in the way of their relationship. He became convinced that Storm only loved him because Professor X was using mind control on her. Beast started an online relationship that eventually let to the Ultimate War debacle.
Hank has a genius level IQ. His mutant biophysiology grants him a simian-like appearance with superhuman strength, speed, endurance, reflexes, and manual and pedal dexterity so great he can write with both hands at once and tie knots with his toes. The Weapon X program mutated Hank further, causing him to evolve into a more animalistic form with claws; enhanced senses; and thick, blue fur covering his entire body.
Beast died in Ultimate X-Men #45, crushed under the rubble of a Sentinel attack. While his death was felt by all of the X-Men, it has had the greatest impact upon Storm.
Other Versions
- In Marvel 1602, Beast retains his original appearance of human with enormous hands and feet, and is well spoken and eloquent. When several soldiers stared at him, he glowered and attributes his appearance to his origin as an Orkneyman.
- In X-Men Fairy Tales (issue #1), Beast appears as the monkey, Aoi (Japenese for blue). Aoi appears younger and more monkey-like than the 616 version of Beast, but does retaine his blue fur. Unlike the studious and intellectual Beast, Aoi is playful and mischeivious. After being out-tricked, Aoi joins Hitome (Cyclops).
- In the House of M reality, Beast appears as a scientist working alongside Hank Pym and Forge, all of whom work for Tony Stark. Here, he retains his human appearance similar to when he first joined X-Men.
- In the "Here Comes Tomorrow" story arc, set 150 years in the X-men's future, Beast takes on the role of Headmaster of the Xavier Institute after the death of Jean Grey, and the retirement of Charles Xavier and Scott Summers. Unable to cope with the pressures of this position and trying to find a cure for the looming extinction of the human race, Beast turns to the power-enhancing drug Kick. Unbeknownst to him, Kick is an aerosol form of an entity known as Sublime. Sublime takes over Beast's body, relegating him to a passenger in his own form.
- In Mutant X, Beast has a counterpart that goes by the name Brute. Brute has an amphibious appearance with goat-legs.
Appearances in other media
- Beast appeared, alongside the other original X-Men, in the episode called, " The Origin of Iceman" of the animated television series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. He was seen only in a flashback in his original form and had no lines.
- Beast was a regular in the original X-Men animated series and, from the second season onwards, in X-Men Evolution. In X-Men, the character was voiced by George Buza. Buza had a small cameo as the truck driver who brought Anna Paquin's Rogue to the bar in the first X-Men film. Buza also voiced the Beast in two episodes of the Spider-Man animated series, in which he aided Spider-Man in seeking a cure for his mutagenic disease, and uncovered a plot by the Brand Corporation to eradicate mutants.
- In X-Men Evolution, Hank McCoy attended Bayville school in Bayville, New York, United States and was even approached by Professor Xavier when he was a teenager. At the time, though, Hank turned down Xavier's offer of help and went on to become a chemistry and gym teacher. During the years, Hank had managed to control his mutation through a serum he developed. The serum started to fail however and he eventually lost control and mutated into the "Beast." As the "Beast", he caused massive destruction and is now a wanted fugitive. After his first transformation he was able to regain control, but he has now become permanently trapped in the physical form of the "Beast." Unable to return to his life as Hank McCoy he chose to join Xavier's school and now helps to teach the New Mutants. He was voiced by Michael Kopsa.
- In the movie X2: X-Men United, Dr. Hank McCoy was seen in his normal human appearance in a small cameo played by Steve Bacic. A deleted scene during the sequence in which Dark Cerebro was set to kill all mutants showed Hank McCoy affected by the machine, causing him to take on his blue-furred simian appearance seen in the next movie. In X3, Kelsey Grammer portrays him. Beast was one of the earlier X-Men, and after he graduated from the academy, he left and became involved in politics, becoming Secretary of Mutant Affairs. He is also confirmed to be a brilliant scientific researcher with great insight into mutant genetics on the official website. [link] This is never explicitly revealed in the film, though there are hints that Beast is a scientist, e.g. Beast having a doctorate, which would have to be under Xavier, his reading of Scientific American, and his interrupted correction to Storm's words, "Well, scientifically speaking ..." After the cure is released, he contacts Xavier and informs him of the situation, saying he can understand why some mutants would want to be free of persecution. When the Brotherhood makes a move on the lab which created the cure, Beast joins the X-Men, donning his old uniform (commenting on how it feels smaller than before), and helps to hold the Brotherhood back. He seems to revert to a more primal nature in the fight, often roaring as well as defeating his opponents with a savage fighting style. He also injected Magneto with the cure. After the incident, he is made United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Beast has also appeared in the X-Men Legends games as a playable character, X-Men Legends and its sequel ' as a merchant and villain, as well as in the X-Men: Mutant Academy series, X-Men: Mutant Academy and ', and . And in the game X-Men vs. Street Fighter in a certain stage you can see Beast and Blanka in the background. He also appeared in the game X Men 2: Wolverine's Revenge, giving Wolverine a watch which would tell him how much time he had to get an antidote for the Shiva Virus before it killed him.
Quotes
- Oh my stars and garters!
- There comes a time 'twixt life and death
- :When all men stop to catch their breath.
- We ask the stars 'Why?', we question our lot,
- :The heavens open wide and reply, 'Why not? (X-Men #11)
References
- Beast [link]
- The Xavier Files, 1st edition paperback, 1994. Justine H. Korman, ISBN 0-679-86177-7
- The Uncanny X-Men #308
- Ultimate X-Men Vol. II
- X-Men: The Ultimate Guide, 2nd edition hardback, 2003. Peter Sanderson, ISBN 0-789-49258-X
- Science of the X-Men, 1st edition paperback, 2004. Linc Yaco, Karen Haber, ISBN 0-743-48725-7
- X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse Hero Handbook
- Allies: Beast [link]
- The Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game, 1st edition hardback, 2003. Marvel Entertainment, ISBN 0-785-11028-3
- Avengers: The Morgan Conquest TPB
- Uncanny Essential X-Men Vol. I
- New X-Men: E is for Extinction TPB
- New X-Men: Imperial TPB
- New X-Men: Here Comes Tomorrow TPB
- X-Men: Fall of the Mutants TPB
- X-Men: Inferno TPB
- X-Men: Mutant Massacre TPB
- X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda TPB
- X-Treme X-Men Vol. I TPB
- X-Treme X-Men: Savage Land TPB
External links
- [UncannyXmen.Net's Spotlight on Beast]
- [Beast on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki]
- [Ultimate Beast on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki]
- - Marvel Database Project
| X-Men members |
|---|
| Archangel | Banshee | Beast | Bishop | Cable | Cannonball | Cecilia Reyes | Chamber | Changeling | Colossus | Cyclops | Dazzler | Emma Frost | Forge | Gambit | Havok | Husk | Iceman | Jean Grey | Joanna Cargill | Joseph | Jubilee | Juggernaut | Lifeguard | Longshot | Maggott | Magneto | Marrow | Mimic | Mystique | Nightcrawler | Northstar | Polaris | Professor X | Psylocke | Rachel Summers | Revanche | Rogue | Sage | Shadowcat | Slipstream | Stacy X | Storm | Sunfire | Thunderbird | Thunderbird (Neal Shaara) | Warpath | Wolverine | Xorn |
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