Marvel Characters straight out of a Horror Movie Part 4

It’s the last part of our trip into the dark side of Marvel comics but don’t worry we haven’t run out of epic evil doers, murderous monsters or spooky super hero’s yet!

From demons to witches, psychopaths to aliens, classic monsters to crazy creations our list is divided into 4 Parts for easy consumption. Packed with hideous heroes and violent villains in various categories from the wickedly well known to the ominously obscure this list will hopefully inspire you to pick up a comic or graphic novel to learn more about the characters many of which are a lot less family friendly on the printed page than the silver screen we can promise.

Characters you might know:

Deathlok

Real Name: Colonel Luther Manning, John Kelly, Michael Collins, Jack Truman/Larry Young, Henry Hayes , Mike Peterson

Aliases: The Demolisher

Hero, villain or both? Anti-hero

Brief Bio: Deathlok is the name of an experimental cyborg created as a killing machine and bonded with the brain of Colonel Luther Manning, an American soldier who was fatally injured and reanimated in the post-apocalyptic future of 1990, okay the comic was written in 1974 so give it a break huh! Escaping the control of his corporate masters Deathlok battled the corrupt regimes that had taken over the United States while struggling to regain his humanity. A tragic tale although Manning was the first Deathlok he was sadly not the last and a series of other unwitting innocents have been trapped in the unstoppable killing machine over the years including pacifist Professor Michael Collins who luckily managed to insert a no-killing parameter into the cyborgs programming.

Powers & Paraphernalia: “Deathlok’s mechanical, cybernetic physiology granted him several superhuman powers including superhuman strength, stamina, agility, reflexes, and a computer augmented brain… Deathlok has the ability to interface with virtually any computer system. He is also able to project his consciousness and sensory projections directly into the Net, making him capable of directly hacking computer systems far more efficiently than a traditional hacker… He also has a very sophisticated A.I., capable of quickly making complex strategies and evaluating their chance of success. If requested, the A.I. can take control of the body to perform these operations. Collins himself possesses no combat skills, but under computer-guided combat routines, he is an excellent hand-to-hand combatant with an extensive database of combat techniques and strategies.” From https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: 6’4″ Weight: 395 lbs

First Comic Appearance: Astonishing Tales #25 (1974)

Random Fact: For any metal fans out there the Megadeth song Psychotron from the 1992 album Countdown to Extinction was inspired by the Deathlok character.

Films and TV Appearances: In the 90’s a script for a Deathlok movie appeared penned by James Cameron collaborator Randall Frakes although comic fans had to wait till 2013 when the pilot episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D came along and introduced Mike Peterson played by J. August Richards who ultimately fell afoul of the Deathlok programme and converted into a cyborg. Used by the evil Hydra Mike was eventually saved and appeared in a number of episodes afterwards looking more like the comic character although that’s not to say a standalone movie couldn’t happen especially given the huge number of varied incarnations the character has gone through.

YouTube video

Shadow King

Real Name: Unrevealed

Aliases: Amahl Farouk, Evil One, Master of the Games; he also impersonated the following mind-controlled subjects (in chronological order): Alexander Flynn, Karma, Cypher, Jacob Reisz, Donald Pierce and probably others

Hero, villain or both? Villain

Brief Bio: Long term enemy of the X-Men the Shadow King’s origins are unclear however it was living in Morocco until the 1800s before taking Amahl Farouk as a host. Working for Hitler for a time he later became a crime lord in Egypt controlling Cairo’s Thieves Quarter. It was here that a young Charles Xavier was pick pocketed by Ororo Munroe aka Storm. Once he retrieved his wallet he was psychically attacked by Farouk who attempted to persuade Xavier to join him in his criminal activities however the optimistic and idealistic mutant refused. Meeting on the Astral Plane the powerful psychics fought with Xavier only just managing to win. Sworn enemies ever since it was this disturbing encounter that lead the soon to be Professor to form the X-Men to stop such evil and powerful mutants from harming others.

Powers & Paraphernalia: The Shadow King is an ancient ethereal demon able to live for millennia and has telepathic powers second only to Professor X and believe me that’s powerful! An astral entity the insidious being preys on powerful psychics overtaking their bodies and bending them to its every will. It can only be harmed by psychically or by magic weapons so any hero taking it on better bring something special.

Height: 6’1″ Weight: 330 lbs. / No weight in astral form

First Comic Appearance: X-Men #117 (1979)

Random Fact: According to an IGN article “As a side effect of its greed, hedonism and lack of self-control, the Shadow King’s long-term telepathic hosts are often morbidly obese” so possession by the evil being won’t be topping a celebrity fad diet list anytime soon.

Films and TV Appearances: Brilliant brought to life in the underrated TV series Legion the Shadow King took several forms over the course of the series most disturbing of all as “the Devil with the Yellow Eyes” portrayed by Quinton Boisclair and some sensational special effects. Truly taking a turn into horror the show was one of the darkest and most stylish super hero series around and should be checked out by any and all fans of both genre’s.

YouTube video

Characters you might not:

Marrow

Real Name: Sarah (full name unrevealed)

Aliases: None

Hero, villain or both? Both

Brief Bio: Marrow’s early life is unknown however at some stage she joined the Morlocks a community of outcast mutants living in the underground tunnels beneath New York mostly disfigured and monstrous in form too afraid to live above ground for fear their appearance and powers will make them targets of an unjust and unkind world. Raised by the Morlock leader Callisto who taught her how to use her powers and more importantly how to survive as she grew older she was recruited into the elite Gene Nation group who performed terrorist acts on an unsuspecting human public to punish them for their hatred towards mutant kind. Gene Nation and Marrow staged several attacks but where stopped by the X-Men and then Spiderman and ultimately Marrow was taken to the X-Men’s mansion headquarters in an attempt to make her see the error of her ways. Filled with hatred and anger the only mutant able to get through to her was the equally unhinged Wolverine who took it on himself to rehabilitate Marrow ultimately breaking through her wall of rage to the deeper insecurities and self-loathing below and help her.

Powers & Paraphernalia: “Marrow is a mutant with the ability to enhance the growth of her skeletal structure…She utilizes this power in many ways, including the creation of knuckle guards, spears, and projectile spikes. She also possesses a healing factor and enhanced immune system, much in the same vein as Wolverine since every time a bone is ripped out a wound which remains closes itself soon after. “ From https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: 6’0” Weight: 160 lbs.

First Comic Appearance: Cable #15 (1995)

Random Fact: Marrow ended up in the mysterious Weapon X programme that created Wolverine and Deadpool and with their skills in experimentation on superhuman beings they granted her her deepest desire, to control her bone growth and appear like a normal human for once in her life. However the gift came at a price and soon Marrow found herself performing mercenary activities for the evil operation, when will those mutant learn!

Films and TV Appearances: Considering there have been 6 X-Men movies Marrow has never appeared as a proper character however in the sublime and superb Deadpool from 2016 a woman bearing an uncanny bone ridden resemblance can be seen when Ryan Reynolds Wade Wilson enters the Weapon X facility in an attempt to cure his cancer.

Arcade

Real Name: Unrevealed

Aliases: Mister A, “Mad Monk”, Pinball Wizard, A.R. Cadenski

Hero, villain or both? Villain

Brief Bio: Marvel’s very own Jigsaw of sorts but without the warped morality Arcade was the spoiled son of a billionaire. When he hit 21 he murdered his father because his allowance was cut off inheriting the lot and learning he had a passion and talent for dealing death. Starting out as an assassin for hire be was so good that he became bored of killing in a conventional way and used his wicked wealth to create his first Murderworld a hidden complex of high-tech death traps designed in the style of an amusement park. Obsessed with playing games of death he started to target various super heroes including Spiderman, Captain Britain (yes we have our very own Captain just like America does) and the X-Men whom he became a constant enemy of. Insane and brilliant when Arcade asks do you want to play a game you are best to run away.

Powers & Paraphernalia: None, nada, zero and zilch just a “genius-level knowledge of technology far ahead of conventional science, particularly in the fields of robotics and mechanical and electrical engineering. Usually when he appears to be captured, it turns out to be a robot.” From https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: 5’6″ Weight: 140 lbs.

First Comic Appearance: Marvel Team-Up #65

Random Fact: Arcade may be a villain but he always leaves his victims a tiny chance of survival. As he says in Uncanny X-Men #124 when a victim asks he kill her quick and painlessly “Decency’s dull… besides, Miss, your way, they’re dead and that’s that. My way, they’ve got a chance. Not much of one, but a chance.” That Saw comparison is starting look a whole lot more convincing!

Films and TV Appearances: Apart from the Marvel cartoons none to mention although unsurprisingly he has appeared in a ton of the video games over the years.

Shuma-Gorath

Real Name: Shuma-Gorath

Aliases: He Who Sleeps But Shall Awake; possibly Cthuma-Gurath

Hero, villain or both? Villain

Brief Bio: An extradimensional demon who came to Earth untold millions of years ago, ruling it and feasting on mankind’s ancestors Shuma-Gorath may look like Mike from Monsters Inc. mated with an octopus however he is not to be laughed at. Having battled with Conan the Barbarian (yes the one Arnie played!) in centuries passed his nemesis is Doctor Strange who has faced him a number of times always managing to triumph which is good news for the masses of everyday folk in the Marvel universe who Shuma-Gorath would have devoured pretty quickly otherwise.

Powers & Paraphernalia: “Shuma-Gorath is an ancient force of chaos, the immortal, nigh-invincible, and godlike ruler of nearly a hundred alternate universes, capable of energy projection, shapeshifting, teleportation, levitation, altering reality, and sympathetic magic among many other feats. He is described as being vastly more powerful than other mighty demonic enemies, such as Satannish and Mephisto, and is capable of automatically destroying multiple galaxies through aura-pressure alone.” https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: Unknown Weight: Unknown

First Comic Appearance: Marvel Premiere #5 (1972)

Random Fact: Shuma-Gorath has appeared as a playable character in 4 of Capcom’s beat ‘em up video games including Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This is odd considering a bunch of heroes with more than 1 movie to their names including Black Widow, Vision, Scarlett Witch, Ant-Man and Black Panther aren’t in any of those games at all. I guess Capcom just love playing around with green one eyed demon tentacle balls…. oh hang on!

Films and TV Appearances: None to mention more is the pity!

Marvel’s version of a classic monster:

Werewolf by Night

Real Name: Jacob Russoff (given name), Jack Russell (adopted name)

Aliases: John Doe, Russ Jackson, Werewolf by Night, Wildman of Borneo

Hero, villain or both? Both

Brief Bio: The Russoff line has been plagued by lycanthropy for centuries with the first confirmed werewolf manifestation being Grigori Russoff in 1795 whose wife was killed by Dracula. Many decades later Jacob Russoff was born in Transylvanian but when his father and grandmother where killed because of the curse the family moved to LA anglicizing to Jack Russell (and creating a pretty bad dog pun at the same time!) Stalked by tragedy and learning of his supernatural past on his mother’s death bed Jack roamed the land transforming on the three nights of the full moon into savage werewolf form. Always fighting his feral form Jack attempts to do good and has teamed up with a number of more familiar super powered people including Iron Man while battling the dark forces which dwell within and without.

Powers & Paraphernalia: “As a werewolf, Jack gains the proportionate physical advantages of a nearly 7-foot-tall (2.1 m) wolf. In this form, he possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes. He possesses a superhuman sense of smell, which carries over to his human form. He has razor sharp teeth and claws able to rend light metals. The werewolf is resistant to many forms of conventional injury and very hard to kill by conventional means. Though he can be severely wounded, he recovers from non-fatal wounds much faster than a human would.” https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: 6’8″, (as Russell) 5’10” Weight: 300 lb., (as Russell) 200 lb.

First Comic Appearance: Marvel Spotlight #2 (1972)

Random Fact: According to his Wikipedia the Werewolf by Night has battled such ridiculous foes as Locksmith and Tick-Tock, Masked Marauder and his Tri-Animan and Tatterdemalion a former agent of Sarnak. Sometime you do wonder who makes these names up they can’t all have come from Stan Lee.

Films and TV Appearances: Wikipedia says a film version of Werewolf by Night due to begin filming in 2005, but no further developments took place. Weirdest of all it was penned by Robert Nelson Jacobs best known for his Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay for Chocolat. Everyone knows Werewolves like dogs can’t have chocolate so this seems like a bad match!

Living Mummy

Real Name: N’Kantu

Aliases: The Mummy, “Captain Ace Bandages”

Hero, villain or both? Both

Brief Bio: N’Kantu was born the son of the chieftain of the now Swarili tribe over 3000 years ago in Northern Africa. Abducted by Egyptians and enslaved N’Kantu and all of his people were forced to serve Pharaoh Aram-Set and his corrupt priest Nephrus. Although N’Kantu eventually led his people in a revolt against the Pharaoh he was paralysed by Nephrus who mummified alive and entombed for millennia and this the Living Mummy was created. In modern times well the 70’s N’Kantu burst from his prison mad and on a rampage through Cairo. Stopped by the police he was shipped to New York where some nefarious individuals used him as a pawn. Finally regaining control he decided to use his powers for good joining first Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos and then The Legion of Monsters alongside Morbius, the Living Vampire, Werewolf by Night, Manphibian, and Man-Thing among others.

Powers & Paraphernalia: “As a result of the transfusion of an unknown embalming fluid by the Egyptian high priest Nephrus, N’Kantu has superhuman strength and durability. He is highly resistant to many forms of attack…His blood has been replaced with an alchemical preservative that has allowed him to exist for over three thousand years. He also has no need for food, water, oxygen, or sleep. N’Kantu is able to sense mystical energy and the use of magic…He has the combat skills of the Swarili warrior class. Some of these abilities are enhanced by his mummified condition, while others are diminished.” From https://en.wikipedia.org/

Height: 7’6″ Weight: 650 lbs.

First Comic Appearance: Supernatural Thrillers #5 (1973)

Random Fact: The Living Mummy can’t produce saliva yet he can still talk although it is difficult and painful for him. His is fluent in Swarili, Egyptian and English but maybe don’t ask him to give a speech because he may end up making him very angry.

Films and TV Appearances: None yet but Mummy movies often don’t do that well even if they are Marvel.

One insane one just for fun:

Marvel Zombies

Hero, villain or both? Villain’s for sure

Brief Bio: Written by non-other than the co-creator of The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman, within the Marvel Multiverse there is an alternate Earth where all the super heroes you know and love are flesh eating zombies. That’s right there’s a Zombie Spiderman, a Zombie Hulk, a Zombie Wolverine, a Zombie Iron Man a well you get the idea right? The infection came to the planet when an unknown superhero from another dimension crash lands and infects the Avengers with the Hunger a craving for human flesh that can’t be stopped or sated. Although the characters mainly retain their intellect, personality and super powers as the virus spreads from one super powered person to the next they end up devouring everyone on the planet leaving them desperate for a new plan to get more food.

First Comic Appearance: Ultimate Fantastic Four #22

Random Fact: There have been several sequels and cross overs featuring all sorts of crazy plot lines most excitingly of all Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness where Ash Williams finds himself in a world of flesh-eating zombified Marvel Comics heroes and does what he does best, starts killing them!

Films and TV Appearances: No and sadly due to the gore and guts sadly I don’t think we will ever see this but you never know!

Read Part 1 HERE, Part 2 HERE and Part 3 HERE
All images from www.mycomicshop.com

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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