Annihilus, sometimes called the Living Death That Walks, is a Marvel Comics supervillain. Marvel Comics (Stan Lee is behind many of the superheros) is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... The Fantastic Four is a fictional American team of comic-book superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922[1]) is an American writer, editor, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics, and memoirist, who — with several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko — introduced complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books. ... The Negative Zone is a fictional alternate universe or dimension in Marvel Comics that contains antimatter. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Marvel Comics (Stan Lee is behind many of the superheros) is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... Doctor Doom, one of the most archetypal supervillains and his arch-enemies The Fantastic Four (in background). ...

Publication history

He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four Annual #6 (1968). Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922[1]) is an American writer, editor, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics, and memoirist, who — with several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko — introduced complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books. ...

Fictional character biography

Untold millennia ago, the Tyannans, a technologically-advanced semi-humanoid/leonine species of the anti-matter universe the Negative Zone, seeded barren worlds with life spores. A freak meteor collision hurled one of their ships into the volcanic planet Arthros, where the crew released their spores before starving to death. Many generations later, one of those spores evolved into a weak insectoid creature. Significantly intelligent due to a mutation, the creature found the Tyannan starship wreckage and used a knowledge transference helmet to master the advanced Tyannan technology. This enhanced his intelligence and strength, creating a "Cosmic Control Rod" and body armaments. Obsessed with survival, the paranoid creature, who came to be known as Annihilus, set out to destroy any other living being he viewed as a possible threat to his existence. Annihilus used his newly acquired power to dominate other lifeforms that had arisen from the spores on Arthros, and plotted to either conquer or destroy the neighboring worlds in the Negative Zone. He transformed many prisoners via the Tyannans' Gene Transmuter into his servile Scavengers. The Negative Zone is a fictional alternate universe or dimension in Marvel Comics that contains antimatter. ...

The first appearance of Annihilus.
Cover to Fantastic Four Annual #6.
Art by Jack Kirby.

Annihilus first encountered the Fantastic Four when Reed, Ben, and Johnny entered the Negative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treat Sue's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus' minions captured the heroes, but they escaped, stealing his Control Rod. They returned it after siphoning off the needed anti-particles and returned to Earth. Annihilus next invaded the Microverse, a dimension accessed via the energies of shrinking, sending his Insectivorid drones to conquer worlds in his name. Psycho-Man tried to control the dimensional interface leading to the Microverse, but the Insectovorids, emotionless and immune to his power, overran the entire Sub-Atomica System and forced him to retreat to his worldship. Psycho-Man captured the Silver Surfer and Spider-Man to power his weapons and drive off the invaders, but the heroes escaped, leaving Annihilus and Psycho-Man to battle for control of the worldship. Annihilus' Microverse invasion was presumably repelled. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books. ... The Fantastic Four is a fictional American team of comic-book superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Also generically known as Innerspace, Microverses are parallel dimemsions occurring within the fictional Marvel Universe. ... Psycho-Man is a fictional supervillain from Marvel Comics, created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. ... The Silver Surfer is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. ... Spider-Man swinging around his hometown, New York City. ...

Shortly thereafter, Doctor Doom stole Annihilus' Rod in a complex scheme to steal Galactus's cosmic power. Almost immediately, Annihilus captured the human Rick Jones, who was often stranded in the Negative Zone through a bond he shared with Kree soldier Captain Mar-Vell. Annihilus released Jones when the Fantastic Four retrieved his Control Rod from Dr. Doom. Later, Annihilus was challenged by Janus the Nega-Man, a research scientist and contemporary of Reed who developed a module capable of harnessing anti-matter energy, within the Negative Zone. Annihilus defeated Janus, forcing the Nega-Man to lead him to Earth, but Janus was instead seemingly killed in the exploding atmosphere where matter meets anti-matter. When Mar-Vell used Reed's technology to free Rick Jones from the Negative Zone- thus meaning that Mar-Vell would no longer be forced to return to the Zone- Annihilus nearly crossed over to Earth along with Jones, but was driven back by the Avengers, the Vision turning intangible and tricking Annihilus into falling back into the portal to Negative Zone. Jones later returned to the Negative Zone, but his ability to access the Destiny Force--a near-infinite power source inherent in all humanity--protected him from Annihilus. Sensing great power within Franklin Richards, Annihilus once abducted him, amplifying his powers out of control. The Four defeated Annihilus and escaped back to Earth, but Reed was forced to temporarily shut down Franklin's mind to protect Earth's Solar System. Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom) is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Universe. ... It has been suggested that Power Cosmic be merged into this article or section. ... Richard Milhouse Rick Jones is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. ... The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. ... Captain Mar-Vell (or Captain Marvel) is a fictional character, an alien superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Vision is a fictional character who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably as a member of the superhero team, the Avengers. ... Franklin Richards is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe. ...

When the Mad Thinker regained control of his "most powerful android," which Annihilus had previously transmuted into one of his Scavenger servants, it stole Annihilus' Control Rod, morphing into monster form. Annihilus was forced to team up with Reed, who had been stranded in the Negative Zone by the Brute (Reed Richards of the High Evolutionary's Counter-Earth), to foil the Mad Thinker's plan to conquer both the Negative Zone and Earth. The monster android was ultimately defeated, and Annihilus regained his Rod. Annihilus next forged the first of many uneasy alliances with Blastaar, another Negative Zone warlord who ruled the planet Baluur. When his monarchy was overthrown, Blastaar offered to serve Annihilus in exchange for assistance in regaining control of Baluur. Although Annihilus viewed Blastaar as emotional and weak, he agreed to Blastaar's proposal, secretly planning to betray his newfound ally. The Mad Thinker is a Marvel comics supervillain. ... The High Evolutionary is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Blastaar, sometimes called the Living Bomb-Burst, is a Marvel Comics supervillain. ...

Annihilus showed Blastaar his new weapon, the Super-Adaptoid — a powerful Advanced Idea Mechanics android which Annihilus "found" and reprogrammed, but when Nyglar, Blastaar's mate, grew suspicious of Annihilus and sent out a distress signal, the Thing and Avengers responded and defeated the villains. Annihilus slew Nyglar, after which Blastaar stole the Control Rod and left Annihilus to weaken and deteriorate rapidly. Dying and desperate, Annihilus slipped through the portal to Earth while the Fantastic Four were in the Negative Zone. Taking Franklin and Alicia Masters hostage, he attempted to merge the Earth universe with the Negative Zone, nearly destroying both in the process. Narrowly surviving the ensuing conflict, Annihilus eventually regained his Control Rod with the unwitting aid of Blastaar. The Super-Adaptoid is a fictional character, an android appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Thing and Alicia Masters. ...

Annihilus battles The Mighty Thor.
Cover to Thor #405. Art by Ron Frenz.

Annihilus next attacked the dimension of Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, which had partially drifted into the Negative Zone for a time after the Rainbow Bridge was shattered. Annihilus slew several of Asgard's elite guard, the Crimson Hawks, and was almost defeated by the mighty Thor before finally falling in battle to Odin, King of Asgard. Later, when Odin entered a week-long "Odinsleep" to renew his godly energies, Annihilus kidnapped his dormant body and transported it to the Negative Zone. Annihilus was soon located by the god Heimdall and defeated by Thor, who returned Odin to Asgard. Shortly thereafter, the extra-dimensional energy vampire Rune was defeated and cast into the Negative Zone. The weakened Rune attempted to steal the Control Rod, but was defeated by Annihilus and held prisoner within a cosmic singularity until eventually escaping through a portal. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Thor battles his evil step-brother, Loki. ... Ronald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist born in Pittsburgh, Pa in 1960. ... In Norse mythology, Asgard (Old Norse: Ásgarður) is the realm of the gods, the Æsir, thought to be separate from the realm of the mortals, Midgard. ...

After investigating a strong energy pulse within the Negative Zone, Annihilus and Blastaar were imprisoned alongside the Fantastic Four by the Brute, who had enslaved the Tyannans as his personal army. Annihilus and his fellow captives eventually escaped and defeated the Brute, but Reed helped the Tyannans seal themselves off from the rest of the Negative Zone before a vengeful Annihilus and Blastaar were able to conquer them. Soon after, Annihilus and Blastaar joined forces with fellow Negative Zone warlord Syphonn, who created the Conqueror Wheel to access the Earth universe. During a confrontation with Adam Warlock, Annihilus and Blastaar realized that Syphonn planned to betray them-so they betrayed him first, forcing Syphonn to retreat as his Conqueror Wheel was destroyed by Warlock's allies. Adam Warlock, also known as Him, is a fictional character who originated in comic books published by Marvel Comics, which owns all trademarks and copyrights pertaining to the character. ...

Stranded on the Negative Zone world of Argor by a glitch in Reed's Fold Space Transceptor prototype, the Fantastic Four stowed aboard Annihilus' monstrous spacecraft, but were soon detected and fought a heated battle with Annihilus inside a cargo hold. Seizing the Control Rod, Reed combined its technology with his Fold Space Transceptor and opened an access portal that allowed the Fantastic Four to escape Annihilus' spacecraft. Later, Annihilus faced a major setback when the N-Explorers, a team funded by the Gideon Trust to explore and loot the Negative Zone, stole his Control Rod. While fighting the N-Explorers for possession of his Rod, Annihilus was decapitated and slain by Hellscout, a descendant of 17th-century Puritan settlers who had been stranded in the Negative Zone for centuries. Upon Annihilus' death, his body released a pod containing a nymph-like clone possessing his memories. After his new body's maturation, Annihilus awoke from his rebirth, but found the Control Rod missing and his empire in ruins.

When Reed planned a new superhuman prison in the Negative Zone, the Fantastic Four were assaulted by Annihilus, who believed they had stolen his Control Rod. After a brief skirmish, the Fantastic Four subdued him, only to be attacked by a second Annihilus who had apparently also been spawned upon the death of his predecessor. Each believing himself to be the true Annihilus and the other the thief, the two Annihili fought each other, allowing the Fantastic Four to escape.

Annihilation

The conflict between the two Annihilus spawn, however, seems to have been resolved, as it appears one of them- the other presumably deceased- is now leading the Annihilation Wave, an enormous fleet of Negative Zone battleships, ostensibly claimed to have the goal of conquering the universe. He claims that the universe is expanding into areas of the Negative Zone, making the universe now rightfully his territory. His forces have already destroyed the Kyln, an intergalactic power station and maximum security prison, and the planet Xandar, headquarters of the Nova Corps. He has since gained the aid of Thanos, and two beings that were trapped in the Kyln by Galactus, Tenebrous and Aegis. Tenebrous and Aegis then managed to defeat Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and the two are connected to a giant mechanism in Thanos' starship. It has now been revealed that Annihilus' goal is actually creating a massive Power Cosmic bomb with which to destroy the Universe and the Negative zone, leaving Annihilus the only survivor. Drax, however, with the help of the Silver Surfer, manages to free Galactus, who then nearly annihilates the Annihilation Wave, with Galactus, The Silver Surfer, Nova, Phyla-Vell, and Star-Lord, and the surviving Annihilus the only beings still alive in the area. Nova then has a final battle against Annihilus, in which Phyla manages to steal away the Quantum Bands, and Nova then finally kills Annihilus, by shoving his fist down his throat and ripping out his internal organs. This article is becoming very long. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Thanos is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe. ... It has been suggested that Power Cosmic be merged into this article or section. ... For the former Herald of Galactus who also went by the name Nova, see Frankie Raye. ... Phyla-Vell is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Star-Lord is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics. ...

In the epilogue, however, Annihilus' surviving general of his armies, Ravenous, is seen taking a newborn egg for one of the last surviving queen insects, and holding a fetal looking bug in it, proclaiming "THE LORD ANNIHILUS LIVES!"

He also leads an elite personal guard, The Centurions, 100 super-powered aliens, each from a different Negative Zone world. They are extremely loyal to him and form a devastatingly effective army.

Powers and abilities

Annihilus is capable of self-propelled flight and can withstand the vacuum of space. He wears "armor" — actually an insectoid exoskeleton with some armored components — that grants him resistance to most forms of injury (extreme temperatures, ballistic force, bullets, etc.) He is also superhumanly strong.

Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, a weapon of great power. It allows him to manipulate cosmic energy in order to manipulate the molecular structure of matter. The rod is capable of projecting vast amounts of destructive energy. Continuous exposure to the cosmic energies of the rod has also retarded the aging process of its wielder.

In Annihilation: Nova, Annihilus killed Quasar, and gained his Quantum Bands, adding to Annihilus' power. This article is becoming very long. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

At present, the source of Annihilus' vastly increased powers are unknown — or if, in fact, the extent of his powers is a retcon; throughout his history of conflict with the Fantastic Four and other foes, he was usually beaten relatively easily; but in the Annihilation mini-series, he was able to withstand a simultaneous assault by Nova (now the sole recipient of the energies once dispersed throughout the entire Nova Corps and hundreds if not thousands of times more powerful than ever before), and Quasar, whose quantum bands once allowed him to (momentarily) take on Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet. In fact, as was previously mentioned, he overpowered and killed Quasar with very little apparent effort. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

Though Annihilus has knowledge of technology centuries beyond what is known on Earth, his intelligence is only above average compared to normal humans; his sole motivation is to conquer and he is not an original thinker.

Annihilus's victims

• During Annihilation
  • the Kyln
  • The Nova Corps.
  • The Super Skrull (Later Resurrected.)
  • Quasar.
  • 90% of all Skrull Planets
  • countless billions of many races.

This article is becoming very long. ...

Alternate versions

Ultimate Annihilus

The Ultimate Fantastic Four encountered an Annihilus-like creature in their first foray into the N-Zone. Translating machines implanted in the Four's space suits dubbed the creature Nihil, though Nihil himself stated this is a caste title and not his proper name. Nihil ruled over a space station composed of the fused remains of several alien space ships. It orbited near a dying red dwarf star for warmth because the whole N-Zone is experiencing entropic decay (that is, dying). Ultimate Fantastic Four is a comic book published by Marvel Comics, part of the Ultimate Marvel line featuring classic Marvel Universe characters re-imagined for a modern audience. ... The N-Zone, introduced by Brian Michael Bendis and further explored by Warren Ellis in the pages of Ultimate Fantastic Four, is the universe directly below ours. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social stratification, enforced by law or common practice, based on classifications such as occupation, race, ethnicity, etc. ...

Like Annhilus, Nihil and his caste are from a species that can live over a million years. Not wanting to die before he is supposed to naturally, when Nihil learned that the UFF were from a different, younger universe he engineered a plan to escape and kill them. Johnny Storm, who for the entire trip had been experiencing discomfort, fell ill and was rushed by Sue back to their ship. Reed Richards and Ben Grimm went along with her but once they returned to tell Nihil of their situation Nihil revealed his intention to steal their ship, named by Johnny as the Awesome, and go to Earth. He exploded his translation devices, thereby rupturing Reed and Ben's space suits and exposing them to the N-Zone's highly acidic atmosphere. Nihil then sent his previously unseen soldiers to kill them but Reed sealed his damaged suit by covering his shattered face mask with his hand, and Ben discovered his lungs filter out poisons, enabling him to battle Nihil. The Human Torch is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. ... The Invisible Woman (real name Susan Richards, née Susan Storm), formerly The Invisible Girl, is a Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the Fantastic Four. ... Mister Fantastic is a Marvel Comics superhero who is the leader of the Fantastic Four. ... thing, see Thing (disambiguation). ...

In the ensuing fight, Ben ripped Nihil's right wing off, most of Nihil's soldiers were beaten by the enslaved alien refugees living on the space station, and Ben and Reed escaped to The Awesome. Nihil then launched a bioship after the UFF when they were racing back to Earth. Nihil's flagship managed to make it through but both ships crashed on to the Las Vegas Strip. A Shadow battlecrab from Babylon 5 A bioship is a type of spacecraft described in science fiction. ... The south end of The Strip. ...

Another battle started between Nihil and the Fantastic Four. During it, Johnny Storm emerged from The Awesome, discovering that he would periodically enter hibernation and shed his dead skin cells so that his powers would regenerate, and then entered the fight. At the climax of the battle, Nihil pinned Reed to the ground and opened his jaws to consume him, but Reed, stating that he was better than Nihil because he could adapt and Nihil just wanted to rule, stretched and jammed a plasma emitting weapon into Nihil's mouth. Nihil tried to pry the rod out by the trigger and his head was subsequently blown up. Nihil is at this time presumed dead and his body is most likely in government possession. Many of Nihil's soldiers survived and they were presumably captured if not killed. The lasting affect of this battle is that the Fantastic Four's secrecy was blown and the team had to be given a formal introduction to the world.

Manga Annihilus

In the Marvel Mangaverse, Annihilus is a gigantic, hundred-foot tall monster that attacks the Earth in order to destroy it. He is confronted and defeated by the Fantastic Four. Annihilus' appearance and powers in this incarnation are inspired by the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, as are most of the Manga versions Fantastic Four characters. The Marvel Mangaverse is a series of graphic novels published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2002, with a sequel New Mangaverse released in late 2005/early 2006. ... Original run October 4, 1995 – March 27, 1996 No. ...

Appearances in other media

TV Series

Annihilus appeared in the 1994 Fantastic Four TV series voiced by Clyde Kusatsu where he fights Blastaar. Fantastic Four is an animated series based on Marvels comic book series Fantastic Four. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Annihilus has been confirmed to appear in the 2006 Fantastic Four TV series. Fantastic Four: Worlds Greatest Heroes is a new animated television series premiering on Cartoon Network in Fall 2006 based on Marvel Comics hit series. ...

Video games

Annihilus appears in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game as a boss character. He is faced by Mister Fantastic and The Thing in an underground lab mutated by cosmic radiation, which presumably is the explanation for Annihilus' origin within the game. Unlike all other boss characters, Annihilus flies away and disappears before losing all his health. Voiced by Lex Lang. Fantastic Four is a fighting game based on the 2005 film of the Fantastic Four. ... Walter Alexis Lang, better known as Lex Lang, is an American voice actor, musician, singer, and co-founder of Love Planet Records. ...

Quote: "My cosmic powers cannot be defeated!"

Action Figures

In the Marvel Legends Annihilus build a figure series, each figure in the series includes a piece of Annihilus. The figures are Banshee, X3 Beast, Hercules, Ultimate Iron Man, Planet Hulk, Emma Frost. Marvel or marvel can refer to: Incredilble Hulk Comics Marvel Comics, a comic book publishing, entertainment, and licensing company based in the United States of America. ... Banshee (Sean Cassidy) was a Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. ... This article or section on a comics-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Hercules is a fictional character, an Olympian god and superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe, based on the mythological demi-god and hero called Herakles by the Greeks and Hercules by the Romans. ... Iron Man (Anthony Tony Edward Stark) is a fictional comic-book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Hulk (Dr. Robert Bruce Banner), sometimes referred to as The Incredible Hulk, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the Marvel Comics Universe. ... Emma Grace[1] Frost, also known as the White Queen, is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics Universe. ...

External links

• Annihilus on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki