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Vermin (character)

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Vermin
Vermin as depicted in Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1 (May 2011).
Art by Mike McKone (penciler/inker) and Jeremy Cox (colorist).
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCaptain America #272 (August 1982)[1]
Created byJ. M. DeMatteis
Mike Zeck
In-story information
Alter egoEdward Whelan
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsNew Revengers
Sewer Enclave
PartnershipsBaron Zemo
Armin Zola
Abilities
  • Accomplished geneticist

As Vermin:

  • Superhuman strength, speed and stamina
  • Peak level agility, durability and reflexes
  • Extremely acute senses
  • Razor sharp teeth
  • Inch-long claw-like fingernails
  • Ability to control rats and stray dogs and revert to human form at will

Vermin (Edward Whelan) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of Captain America and Spider-Man. A geneticist working for Baron Zemo and Arnim Zola, Edward Whelan was subjected to an experiment that mutated him into a humanoid rat, gaining superhuman abilities, as well as the predatory instincts of a rat. The character's most notable appearance was in the storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt".

Publication history

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The character's first appearance was in Captain America #272 (August 1982).[2] He was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.[3]

He became a Spider-Man villain as well in Marvel Team-Up #128 (April 1983), fighting both Captain America and Spider-Man.[4]

Fictional character biography

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Edward Whelan suffered severe physical and sexual abuse as a child from his father.[5] As an adult, he became a geneticist working for Helmut Zemo and Primus, who later experiment on him and transform him into a cannibalistic, humanoid rat. Vermin is defeated by Captain America and turned over to S.H.I.E.L.D.[6] He escapes S.H.I.E.L.D., however, and returns to the service of Zola and Zemo.[7]

Vermin eventually escapes the asylum, and attacks his parents at their home in Scarsdale. He is captured by Spider-Man and returned to psychiatric care. Whelan returns to his human form after being treated by Ashley Kafka,[5] but later returns to his Vermin form.[8]

In All-New, All-Different Marvel, Vermin appears as a member of Maker's New Revengers.[9]

During the "Hunted" storyline, Lizard and Taskmaster were able to defeat Vermin who was attacking some civilians while they were en route to Central Park. After being captured by Arcade, Vermin bites Arcade in the finger and mentions that Lizard and Taskmaster are working against him. Arcade then injects Vermin with a serum that causes him to spawn clones of himself. When the Vermin clones attack Spider-Man, he is saved by Kraven the Hunter.[10]

During the "Gang War" storyline, Vermin and his clones attack the F.E.A.S.T. building amidst the gang wars. They are repelled by Spider-Boy.[11]

Vermin was later brought into the Sewer Enclave by Miles Morales' clone Shift.[12]

Doctor Tramma later dispatches Vermin to go after Spider-Girl. He attacks her at the Red Snow martial arts studio that she is attending. During the fight, Spider-Girl is surprised that Vermin knows her true identity as more Vermin clones arrive. She manages to copy Vermin's powers and orders the Vermin clones to take Vermin back to his home and "rat off". Spider-Girl then starts to figure out that a woman who is doing experiments had sent Vermin.[13]

Powers and abilities

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Vermin's strength was enhanced by the experimental mutagenic process designed by Arnim Zola, and forced upon him. He resembles a humanoid rat and possesses enhanced strength, durability, senses, and agility.

Vermin has the ability to control rats and dogs within a two-mile (3 km) radius of himself.[14]

Reception

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In 2021, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Vermin 5th in their "Marvel: 10 Characters Baron Zemo Created In The Comics" list.[15]

Other versions

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Earth-71290

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An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan from Earth-71290 appears in Spider-Society #2. This version works as an assistant to Ashley Kafka at Ravencroft.[16]

Ultimate Marvel

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An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan / Vermin from Earth-1610 appears in All-New Ultimates #7. This version previously worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. until it was dissolved. Following this, he took to living in a sewer system where he developed a psychic connection to Agent Crock and the two became tyrants until they encountered the Young Ultimates. In the ensuing fight, Shadowcat kills Crock, which kills Vermin as well due to their connection.[17]

Ultimate Universe

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An alternate universe variant of Vermin from Earth-6160 makes a minor appearance in Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) as one of several villains defeated by Spider-Man and Green Goblin.[18]

In other media

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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. ^ 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. 393. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  3. ^ Johnson, Dan (August 2009). "In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt". Back Issue! (#35). TwoMorrows Publishing: 5.
  4. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Manning, Matthew K. (2012). Spider-Man Chronicle: Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. DK Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-0756692360.
  5. ^ a b The Spectacular Spider-Man #178-184 (July 1991 - January 1992)
  6. ^ Captain America #272 (August 1982)
  7. ^ Captain America #275-278 (November 1982 - February 1983)
  8. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #403 (July 1995)
  9. ^ New Avengers (vol. 4) #7 (April 2016)
  10. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #19 - 21 (June - July 2019)
  11. ^ Spider-Man Unlimited Infinity Comic #19-24 (January - February 2024)
  12. ^ Spectacular Spider-Men #11 (March 2025)
  13. ^ Spider-Girl (vol. 3) #1 (August 2025)
  14. ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #12 (March 2010)
  15. ^ Allan, Scoot (November 1, 2021). "Marvel: 10 Characters Baron Zemo Created In The Comics". CBR. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  16. ^ Spider-Society #2 (November 2024)
  17. ^ All-New Ultimates #7 (October 2014)
  18. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man (vol. 3) #18 (August 2025)
  19. ^ Winfrey, Lorenzo (June 17, 2012). "Meet The Villains Of The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game". Archived from the original on August 17, 2018.
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