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Maximus (comics)

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Maximus
Maximus the Mad by Frazer Irving.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceFantastic Four #47 (February 1966)[1]
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Full nameMaximus Boltagon
SpeciesInhuman
Place of originAttilan
Team affiliationsCabal[2]
Notable aliasesMaximus the Mad
Maximus the Magnificent
Abilities
  • Inhuman physiology grants:
    • Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, reflexes, and longevity
  • Superhuman intelligence
  • Proficient scientist and inventor
  • Advanced knowledge of physics, mechanics, and biology
  • Mental abilities

Maximus (also known as Maximus the Mad) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted both as a member of and antagonist to the Inhumans. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 (February 1966).[3]

Iwan Rheon portrayed Maximus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries Inhumans. Additionally, Mark Hamill, Nolan North, and Diedrich Bader have voiced the character in animation.

Publication history

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Maximus first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 (February 1966), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Fictional character biography

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Maximus, an Inhuman, is the second son of two of Attilan's top geneticists, Agon, the head of the ruling Council of Geneticists, and Rynda, director of the Prenatal Care Center. Subjected to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist as an infant, Maximus gains psionic abilities, but does not physically change.[4]

When Maximus is sixteen, his elder brother Black Bolt is released from the protective chamber in which he had been confined since birth due to the destructive nature of his powers.[5] A month later, Black Bolt witnesses Maximus making a pact with an emissary of the Kree. Black Bolt destroys the emissary's ship, which crashes to the ground and kills several members of the Genetics Council, including Agon and Rynda. Black Bolt's powers also affect Maximus, suppressing his mental abilities. When Black Bolt assumes the throne shortly thereafter, Maximus vows to oppose his brother and eventually usurp his rule.[6]

Maximus stages several coups to take control of Attilan from the Inhuman royal family, but is foiled on each occasion.[7][8][9][10][11] At one point, Maximus served as a scientific advisor to Black Bolt, devising war machines for the Kree to use against their adversaries, the Shi'ar.[12]

In the "Death of the Inhumans" event, Maximus is brainwashed into serving the Kree and is later killed when his costume malfunctions and teleports him away.[13][14]

Powers and abilities

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As an Inhuman, Maximus possesses superhuman physical abilities and an extended lifespan, as well as psychic abilities that enable him to manipulate and control the minds of others. He is additionally highly intelligent and is a skilled inventor, with advanced knowledge of physics, mechanics, and biology.

Other versions

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Age of Apocalypse

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An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a servant of Apocalypse and serves as his Horseman of Death before being killed by Sunfire.[15]

Marvel Knights 2099

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An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-2992 appears in the one-shot Inhumans 2099. After he kills the Inhuman royal family, Black Bolt is forced to kill him.[16]

Ultimate Marvel

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An alternate universe variant of Maximus from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint. This version is the fiancé of Crystal, though she refuses to marry him due to his insanity.[17]

In other media

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Character poster of Iwan Rheon as Maximus for the television series, Inhumans.

Television

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Video games

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References

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  1. ^ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  2. ^ New Avengers Vol. 3 #23. Marvel Comics.
  3. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 236. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  4. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 212–213. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  5. ^ Thor #149 (February 1968)
  6. ^ Avengers #95 (January 1972)
  7. ^ Inhumans Special one-shot (April 1990)
  8. ^ Incredible Hulk Special #1 (October 1968)
  9. ^ Avengers Annual #12 (November 1983)
  10. ^ Silent War #3 (May 2007)
  11. ^ Silent War #6 (August 2007)
  12. ^ War of Kings #2 (June 2009)
  13. ^ Death of the Inhumans #1 (September 2018)
  14. ^ Death of the Inhumans #4 (December 2018)
  15. ^ Tales From the Age of Apocalypse one-shot (December 1996)
  16. ^ Inhumans 2099 one-shot (November 2004)
  17. ^ Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 (October 2005)
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Maximus Voices (Fantastic Four)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 19, 2019. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  19. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 21, 2017). "'Game of Thrones' Grad Iwan Rheon to Star in Marvel's ABC Drama 'Inhumans'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  20. ^ Kooistra, Darik (May 19, 2017). "Characters - LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Guide". IGN. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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