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{{Short description|Marvel Comics fictional character}} | |||
{{Superherobox| <!--Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Comics--> | |||
{{Infobox comics character | |||
image=] | |||
|image= Thor-376.jpg | |||
|character_name=The Absorbing Man | |||
|converted=y | |||
|caption=Thor battles the Absorbing Man in Journey Into Mystery Vol. 1, #114 March 1965. Art By ]. | |||
|character_name=Absorbing Man | |||
|caption=The Absorbing Man (background) on the cover of '']'' #376 (February 1987).<br>Art by ]. | |||
|alter_ego=Carl "Crusher" Creel | |alter_ego=Carl "Crusher" Creel | ||
|species=Human mutate{{efn|In Marvel comics, the term "mutate" is used as a noun to designate characters that received superpowers from an external source, as opposed to Marvel's ].}} | |||
|publisher=] | |publisher=] | ||
|debut='']'' #114<br>(March 1965)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/2/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref> | |||
|debut='']'' Vol. 1 , #114 March 1965 | |||
|creators=]<br>] | |creators=]<br>] | ||
|alliances=They Who Wield Power<br/>]<br/>Legion Accursed<br/>]<br/>]<br>]<ref>Immortal Hulk #8</ref><ref name="Gamma Flight #1–5">Gamma Flight #1–5</ref> | |||
|alliances=] | |||
|partners=] | |||
|aliases=Lightning Bolt, Rocky Davis | |||
|aliases=Lightningbolt<br>Greithoth<br>Rocky Davis<br>Red Dog<br>Harold | |||
|powers= Magical ability to mimic the characteristics of any form of matter and some forms of energy with which he is in physical contact. | |||
|powers=*Omni-morph duplication | |||
|}} | |||
*] proficiency | |||
| cat = super | |||
| subcat = Marvel Comics | |||
| hero = | |||
| villain = y | |||
| sortkey = Absorbing Man | |||
}} | |||
The '''Absorbing Man''' ('''Carl''' "'''Crusher'''" '''Creel''') is a character appearing in ]s published by ]. Created by writer ] and writer-artist ], the character first appeared in '']'' #114 (cover dated March 1965), in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dodge |first=John |date=June 28, 2022 |title=Thor Finds a New Way to Defeat a One of His Oldest Marvel Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/thor-defeat-oldest-marvel-villains-carl-creel-absorbing-man/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=2021-07-25 |title=A Small-Time MCU Villain Just Got a Major Upgrade in The Comics |url=https://screenrant.com/absorbing-man-gamma-flight-mcu-upgrade-marvel-comics/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Carl Creel has the power to absorb and become any material he touched.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |pages=1–2 |authorlink=Jeff Rovin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Leah Marilla |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Who Is "Absorbing Man" Carl Creel? 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New Villain Has a Comic History with Thor |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/41880-who-is-absorbing-man-carl-creel-agents-of-shields-new-villain-has-a-comic-history-with |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullicane |first=Evan |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Hulk's Greatest Threat is a Leveled-Up MCU Villain |url=https://screenrant.com/hulk-greatest-threat-absorbing-man-mcu/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Originally a ], in later years, he has reformed into more of an ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donohoo |first=Timothy |date=2021-12-08 |title=How Marvel's Worst Movie Villain (and Forgotten TV Thug) Became a Hulk-Level Hero |url=https://www.cbr.com/hulk-movie-villain-absorbing-man-marvel-redemption/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including ], ] ], and merchandise such as ]. He appears in the ] TV series '']'', portrayed by ]. | |||
'''The Absorbing Man''' ('''Carl "Crusher" Creel''') is a ] ], and was created by ] and ]. The Absorbing Man first appeared in the comic book '']'' Vol. 1, #114. | |||
==Publication history== | |||
The Absorbing Man debuted in '']'' #114 (March 1965), and was created by ] and ].<ref name="Steele2008">{{cite book|author=Jim Steele|title=HCA Comics and Original Comic Art Auction Catalog #829|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKSE4_IM5xoC&pg=PA159|date=1 June 2008|publisher=Heritage Capital Corporation|isbn=978-1-59967-276-2|pages=159–}}</ref> He appeared in the 2017 ''Black Bolt'' series, by Saladin Ahmed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magnett |first=Chase |date=April 4, 2018 |title=8 Reasons Why We Loved 'Black Bolt' |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/why-we-loved-black-bolt/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=January 4, 2018 |title=Marvel's Black Bolt Actually Made the Absorbing Man Matter |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-black-bolt-absorbing-man-death/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Fictional character biography== | ==Fictional character biography== | ||
Carl "Crusher" Creel was a boxer and jailed criminal who becomes the Absorbing Man when he drinks a liquid which the Asgardian god ] laced with a mystical potion.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=107}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=2019-11-28 |title=Marvel: The Hulk's 10 Most Powerful Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-hulk-most-powerful-villains-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> Discovering that he could absorb the properties of anything he touched, Creel escapes prison by absorbing metal from the guards' bullets and goes on to battle ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Comtois |first1=Pierre |title=Marvel Comics in the 1960s: An Issue by Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon |date=2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1-60549-016-8 |page=87}}</ref> When he escapes, he takes with him the ball and chain to which he was shackled, and uses the ball and chain as a weapon. Although he is only mortal, Creel's fantastic abilities make him a worthy opponent for Thor, who is later forced to end the battle due to Loki's kidnapping of ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969 |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490557 |page=46}}</ref> Creel then breaks into a house and attacks the occupants. Thor comes to the rescue and tricks Creel into changing his atomic structure into pure helium. Thor accomplishes this by using his hammer's powers to transform the ground's molecular makeup. As Creel is acquiring additional mass from direct contact with the Earth when this happens, he drifts harmlessly into the atmosphere.<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #114–115 (March–April 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=10}}</ref> | |||
'''Carl "Crusher" Creel''' became the Absorbing Man when he drank a liquid Loki had laced with rare Asgardian ingredients. Discovering that he could absorb the properties of anything he touched, Creel promptly escaped and with some subtle guidance from Loki went on to battle ]. Although only mortal, Creel's fantastic abilities made him a match for Thor, who after warning Creel to desist eventually transformed him into helium, which drifted harmlessly into the atmosphere. <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #114 - 155</ref> | |||
A short time later, Loki retrieves Creel from space using Asgardian technology after he has knocked out an Asgardian warlock and sends Creel back to battle Thor. After Creel is nearly beaten due to Thor's fighting skill, Loki transports him to Asgard and reveals the true source of his "absorbing" powers. After being humbled by Loki, Creel agrees to act as his agent, and he is directed to take over the city. The Absorbing Man defeats the Asgardian legions without too much trouble and eventually confronts Odin himself. Creel absorbs Odin's attacks and then the properties of Asgard itself, hoping to rule the universe, and he towers over Odin as Loki arrives to gloat. Thor is ordered by Odin not to keep attacking. Loki and Creel are then beaten by trickery; once given Odin's Rod of Rulership the two quarrel over it, with the Absorbing Man trying to absorb the rod, and the two find that they cannot let go. Odin then advises them that his power lies not in a mere object, but deep within himself. The pair are then banished into outer space.<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #121–123 (Oct.–Dec. 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Morelli |first=Trevor |date=2019-01-17 |title=The Definitive Ranking Of The Hulk's 20 Most Powerful Enemies |url=https://www.cbr.com/hulk-powerful-villains-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==Against the Thunder God== | |||
A short time later Loki retrieved Creel from space, and then revealed to Creel how he had obtained his "absorbing" powers. After being humbled by Loki, Creel agreed to act as his agent and attacked Thor on Earth once more. The battle was deadlocked until Loki transported Creel back to Asgard, and directed him to take the city. Despite the efforts of the Asgardian legions, the Absorbing Man ploughed through them as if they were nothing, and eventually confronted ] himself. Odin was amazed at this mortal's presumption but also horrified as he discovered that Creel was absorbing each of his offensives and becoming even stronger. Thor attempted to intervene, but Odin advised his son that he must win the day alone - having been challenged in his very throne room. Creel then absorbed the properties of Asgard itself and towered over Odin as Loki arrived to gloat. Loki and Creel were then beaten by trickery: once given Odin's Rod of Rulership the two quarrelled over it and found they could not let go. Odin then advised them that his power lay not in a mere object, but deep within himself. The pair were then banished to space, and would not return for some time. <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #121 - 123</ref> | |||
The Absorbing Man eventually returns on a comet and battles the ]. Bruce Banner had been sent to divert the comet, as it was feared it was radioactive, but the Absorbing Man leaped aboard and began absorbing the Hulk's strength. He tries to bury the Hulk under a mountain, but when the Hulk turns back to human form, the Absorbing Man is unable to support the great weight and was buried.<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' vol. 2 #125. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
==Fighting the Marvels== | |||
The Absorbing Man eventually returned, and went on to battle many of the other heroes in the Marvel Universe such as the ]; ]; ] and ]. Creel was one of the villains selected to participate in the ] and also developed a relationship with the villianess ], whom he later married. | |||
However, Creel goes on to battle many other heroes, such as the ],<ref>''The Avengers'' #183–184 (May–June 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> ],<ref>''Daredevil'' #360 (Jan. 1997). Marvel Comics.</ref> the ],<ref name="Dazzler #18 August 1982">''Dazzler'' #18 (Aug. 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> the Hulk,<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' vol. 2 #208–209 (Feb.–March 1977), #347–348 (Sept.–Oct. 1988) and #457 (October 1997), and ''The Incredible Hulk'' vol. 2 Annual #18 (1992). Marvel Comics.</ref> and ].<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #13–18 (June–Nov. 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> He is one of the villains who participates in the Secret Wars, and also develops a romantic relationship with the super-strong villainess ].<ref>''Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars'' #1–12 (May 1984–April 1985). Marvel Comics.</ref> The pair also join the reformed fourth version of the ].<ref>''The Avengers'' #270, 273, 275 (Aug., Nov. 1986, Jan. 1987). Marvel Comics.</ref> Creel has several more battles with Thor<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #375–376 (Jan.–Feb. 1987); ''The Mighty Thor'' vol. 2 #14 (Aug. 1999). Marvel Comics.</ref> (and the ])<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #446 (April 1992). Marvel Comics.</ref> and a skirmish with the cosmic hero ].<ref>''Quasar'' #5 (December 1989). Marvel Comics.</ref> Although he assisted ] in a plan to attack ], when Absorbing Man learned that Crossbones intended to detonate a bomb in New York, he absorbed the properties of ] to contain the blast, declaring that he was not a murderer.<ref>''Captain America'' vol. 3 #24. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
==Powers and abilities== | |||
] | |||
Crusher Creel has the power to absorb the physical properties of anything he touches. This also extends to the ball and chain that Creel was wearing when the liquid he drank took effect. For example, if Creel were to touch and hold a piece of ], the tissues of his body and his ball and chain would take on the appearance and properties of titanium. Creel also retains his intellect and capacity for speech and full physical movement regardless of the material he absorbs. Creel's overall power increases in direct proportion to the strength of the material absorbed, and as such Thor is careful not to bring his hammer ] into direct contact with him. There appears to be no limit to what Creel can absorb, as he has absorbed the properties of: | |||
Creel is later incarcerated in an experimental prison called the Big House, where all prisoners are shrunken via ]'s "Pym Particles". An escape attempt is thwarted by ].<ref>''She-Hulk'' #10 (Feb. 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
* Steel <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #114</ref> | |||
* Silk <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #115</ref> | |||
* Bronze <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #115</ref> | |||
* Rock, wood and soil <ref>Journey Into Mystery Vol. 1, #115</ref> | |||
* Glass <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #121</ref> | |||
* Spikes <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #122</ref> | |||
* Cosmic bolt (from Odin) <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #123</ref> | |||
* Cyclonic Storm (from Odin) <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #123</ref> | |||
* Asgard itself <ref>''Journey Into Mystery'' Vol. 1, #123</ref> | |||
* Water <ref>''Avengers'' Vol. 1, #184</ref> | |||
* Light <ref>''Dazzler'' Vol. 1, #18</ref> | |||
* Uru (Creel's most powerful form to date) <ref>''Thor'' Vol. 1, #376</ref> | |||
* Diamond <ref>''Daredevil'' Vol. 1 #360</ref> | |||
* Cocaine <ref>''Marvel Knights Spider-Man'' #16</ref> | |||
The Absorbing Man escapes prison and allies with the ] as an enforcer,<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #13. Marvel Comics.</ref> but finds himself opposed by Spider-Man and new hero ] (later revealed to be a disguised ]). He is briefly trapped and converted into a new form of cocaine by one of the Owl's operatives when they become frustrated with his unprofessional approach,<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref> with the new drug briefly giving those who snort him a degree of his powers, but he reassembles himself and goes after the Owl for revenge.<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #17. Marvel Comics.</ref> Spider-Man defeats Creel by tricking him into running a gauntlet where he absorbs multiple objects thrown at him, culminating in Creel absorbing two different chemicals that cause him to explode.<ref>''Marvel Knights: Spider-Man'' #18. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
Creel's one great weakness, however, is that like the ], he is something of a thug and not a thinker. As such, several of the heroes have outsmarted Creel - on one occasion ] allows Creel to absorb the properties of a diamond, and with the use of his radar sense attacked the flaws in Creel's diamond form, thereby defeating him. | |||
The Absorbing Man later battles and is apparently killed by the hero Sentry during the events of '']''.<ref name="Civil War 2007">''Civil War: The Return'' #1 (Jan. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> However, he later appears at the funeral of ].<ref>''Punisher War Journal'' vol. 2 #4 (April 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
==Appearances in other media== | |||
Creel and Titania later come into conflict with the heroine She-Hulk and her Skrull partner ] after they attempt to arrest Creel's cousin ].<ref>''She-Hulk'' vol. 2 #22–23 (Nov.–Dec. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
'''Television''' | |||
During the '']'' storyline, Creel joins a new version of the ] led by the ].<ref>''Lethal Legion'' #1–3 (Aug.–Oct. 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref> After a defeat, Creel escapes prison and absorbs a shard of the ].<ref>''The Mighty Avengers'' #32 (Dec. 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
Absorbing Man made an appearance in an episode of the ] ] (voiced by Jim Cummings) and faced the Grey Hulk ("Joe Fixit"). | |||
The Absorbing Man suffers a setback when villain ] uses an enchanted sword—provided by Loki—to remove his absorbing powers completely.<ref>''The Mighty Avengers'' #33 (Jan. 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
Absorbing Man also appears as a member of the ] in the short-lived animated series '']''. | |||
Creel is also revealed to be the father of the hero ].<ref>''Secret Warriors'' #12 (Jan. 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
'''Film''' | |||
Creel regains his powers and storms ] to recover his ball and chain. He is defeated by Avengers' coordinators ], ], and ] after absorbing the latter's cold.<ref>''Age of Heroes'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
Although the Creel character did not appear in the ] ], the character David Banner (played by ]) acquired powers almost identical to the Absorbing Man. He then attempted to absorb the Hulk's power for his own, but was defeated when the Hulk's unlimited power proved too much to absorb and David lost control. He was then destroyed by General ], who used a gamma missile. | |||
During the "]" storyline, Creel and Titania encounter two of the divine hammers that contain the essences of the Worthy, generals to Odin's brother and adversary, ]. Coming into contact with the hammers, Titania and Creel were transformed into Skirn: Breaker of Men<ref name="FearItself#2">{{Cite comic|writer=Matt Fraction|penciller=Stuart Immonen|inker=Wade von Grawbadger|story=The Worthy|title=Fear Itself|volume=|issue=#2|date=July 2011|publisher=Marvel Comics|page=|panel=}}</ref> and Greithoth: Breaker of Wills,<ref>{{Cite comic|writer=Christos Gage|penciller=]|inker=Scott Hanna and Andrew Hennessy|story=No Unwounded Soldiers|title=]|volume=|issue=#15|date=Aug. 2011|publisher=Marvel Comics|page=|panel=}}</ref> respectively. They later went on a rampage depicted in a number of ''Fear Itself'' tie-in issues, most prominently ''Avengers Academy'' #15–19 and '']'' #5–6, as well as that storyline's core miniseries. | |||
==Alternate versions== | |||
During the "]" storyline, Absorbing Man appears as a member of Magneto's unnamed supervillain group during the fight against ]'s ] form.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> He is briefly converted to heroism when everyone on the island experiences a moral inversion as ] and ] attempt to bring out the ] in Red Skull, joining the new Astonishing Avengers assembled by Steve Rogers and Spider-Man to oppose the inverted heroes.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> Absorbing Man later reverts to villainy when the inversion is undone.<ref>''Avengers & X-Men: AXIS'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===Earth X=== | |||
When Absorbing Man and Titania were robbing an armored car, the ] appeared to thwart their plans. Upon meeting the female Thor, Creel mocked her for being a woman and for having taken Thor's name for herself, which she answered by breaking his jaw. Titania then appeared to confront her but, in respect for what she was doing, she knocked out her husband with his own weapon and surrendered.<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' vol. 4 #5. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
In ], Creel is one of the most powerful beings in this alternate universe. He attempts to absorb something he never had before: knowledge. After absorbing the knowledge of the current ], he is able to remember all of the things he absorbed and to turn into them at will. With this new power, he kills most of the Avengers in Washington D.C. and is finally defeated when the ] infects him with a computer virus. Creel would later return and save the planet by becoming ]. | |||
During the "]" storyline of 2015, Absorbing Man is among the villains attending ]'s viewing party of the incursion between ] and ].<ref>''Secret Wars'' #1 (2015). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
During the "]" storyline, Absorbing Man was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D. Using Kobik, S.H.I.E.L.D. transformed Absorbing Man into a man named Harold.<ref>''Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> During his time as Harold, Absorbing Man ran an ice cream parlor and was in love with Sheriff Eva. When ] and ] restored the memories of the inmates, Absorbing Man joined in on their uprising with ]. ] members ] and ] arrived at Pleasant Hill to retrieve Absorbing Man. Although he was shaken from having a S.H.I.E.L.D.-induced normal life, Absorbing Man sides with the Illuminati as they work to assemble the other inmates to get revenge on S.H.I.E.L.D.<ref>''Illuminati'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
In the "]" storyline, Absorbing Man is recruited by Baron Helmut Zemo to join the Army of Evil.<ref>''Captain America: Steve Rogers'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
At some point, Absorbing Man was imprisoned in a deep space torture prison. He was defeated by ] in combat.<ref>''Black Bolt'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Absorbing Man later made an acquaintance with Black Bolt and fellow inmates Blinky, ], and Raava.<ref>''Black Bolt'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> Upon taking in Black Bolt's sonic scream, Absorbing Man seemingly sacrifices himself to help destroy the torture prison's Jailer, enabling Black Bolt and the other inmates to escape.<ref>''Black Bolt'' #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> Later, Titania visits Parkwood Cemetery, where Absorbing Man suddenly emerges from his grave.<ref>''Black Bolt'' #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Absorbing Man and Titania helped Black Bolt fight a Jailer-possessed Blinky until they managed to drive Jailer out of him.<ref name=":0">''Black Bolt'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
After Absorbing Man was imprisoned for another crime, his lawyer convinced him to join the U.S. Hulk Operations as an alternative to getting incarcerated for life. He gets injected with a Bannerman Gene-Enhancement Package that turned him into a gamma mutate able to absorb gamma radiation, at the cost of turning his skin a bright red color. When Absorbing Man - under the alias of '''Red Dog''' - fought Hulk at Los Diablos Missile Base, an entity, the ] entered his body after he absorbed most of the Hulk's gamma energy. The One Below All taunted Red Dog's astral body before ripping his physical one in half.<ref name=":1">''The Immortal Hulk'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref> Absorbing Man, still controlled by The One Below All, continues fighting Hulk. Absorbing Man ran off when Jackie McGee, ], and ] showed up. When the One Below All successfully opened the door to the Below Place, the lowest point of Hell, the entirety of New Mexico gets transported there as Absorbing Man weeps.<ref>''The Immortal Hulk'' #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> With the help of Puck, Creel was able to transfer the gamma energy he had absorbed back into Hulk, who used his thunder clap to disperse the One Below All's cloud form and transport New Mexico back to Earth. Creel has since been freed of the One Below All's influence, having transferred the gamma radiation back to the Hulk, joining ] in the process.<ref name="Gamma Flight #1–5">Gamma Flight #1–5</ref> | |||
==Powers, abilities, and equipment== | |||
Carl Creel has the ability to mimic the matter or strength of anything nearby or anyone he is near.<ref name="Mystery' 1965">''Journey into Mystery'' #114 (March 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2021-02-28 |title=Thor: 10 Most Dangerous Villains He's Ever Fought |url=https://www.cbr.com/thor-most-dangerous-villains-fought/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> Most commonly, the Absorbing Man uses his powers to duplicate the qualities of anything that he touches—solids, liquids, gases, or even energy sources. This transformation also extends to the items that Creel was wearing and carrying when Loki's ] took effect (for example, if Creel touches the metal ], his body, clothes, and wrecking ball takes on its appearance and properties). He can absorb sufficient mass from a large object (e.g., a building) to attain the same height. While in different alternate forms, he still maintains his intellect, capacity for speech, and full physical movement (although his first attempt at absorbing water temporarily cost Creel's sanity when he tried to keep himself from drifting apart in the ocean).<ref name="Avengers #184 July 1979" /> His body was able to reform itself after being broken or damaged,<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' Vol 2 #456-457 (September–October 1997)</ref> especially a severed arm which ] cuts off during the '']''.<ref>''Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars'' #7 (Nov. 1984). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
Creel's overall power increases in direct proportion to the material he duplicates. There seems to be almost no limit to what Creel absorbs, as he have mimicked the properties of bronze;<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #114 (April 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref> ]'s Cosmic Bolt and later cyclonic storm;<ref name="Journey Into Mystery' 1965">''Journey into Mystery'' #123 (Dec. 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref> ];<ref name="Daredevil #360 July 1997">''Daredevil'' #360 (July 1997). Marvel Comics.</ref> ];<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #121 (Oct. 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref> ];<ref name="Dazzler #18 August 1982" /> ], ], ];<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #115 (April 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref> spikes;<ref>''Journey into Mystery'' #122 (Nov. 1965). Marvel Comics.</ref> ];<ref name="Mystery' 1965"/> Thor's uru hammer ];<ref>''Thor'' #376 (Feb. 1987). Marvel Comics.</ref> ];<ref name="Avengers #184 July 1979">''The Avengers'' #184 (July 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> and even the whole realm of ] itself,<ref name="Journey Into Mystery' 1965" /> although draining the ]'s energies proved too much for Creel, causing him to become overloaded with it and nearly killing him.<ref name="Civil War 2007"/> Creel is also now capable of combining previously absorbed abilities.<ref>''She-Hulk'' vol. 2 #23 (Dec. 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
==Reception== | |||
===Critical response=== | |||
Drew Atchison of '']'' included Absorbing Man their "Hulk's Main Comic Book Villains, Ranked Lamest To Coolest" list, writing, "Teaming up with the Inhuman king, Black Bolt, to siding with Gamma Flight to take on the Immortal Hulk, Carl's been through a lot and deserves to return to the MCU."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atchison |first=Drew |date=2021-05-01 |title=Hulk's Main Comic Book Villains, Ranked Lamest To Coolest |url=https://screenrant.com/hulk-main-comic-book-villains-ranked-lamest-to-coolest/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> '']'' ranked Absorbing Man 3rd in their "10 Strongest Marvel Henchmen" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2021-10-02 |title=10 Strongest Marvel Henchmen, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/strongest-marvel-henchmen/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 4th in their "10 Villains Fans Hope To See In Marvel’s She-Hulk Series" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=2019-09-09 |title=10 Villains Fans Hope To See In Marvel's She-Hulk Series |url=https://www.cbr.com/she-hulk-marvel-comic-villains-disney-plus-series/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 4th in their "10 Best B-List Avengers Villains" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2022-08-04 |title=The 10 Best B-List Avengers Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-avengers-best-b-list-villains-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 5th in their "Top 10 She-Hulk Villains" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaudreau |first=Jared |date=2022-02-23 |title=The Top 10 She-Hulk Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/top-she-hulk-villains-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 5th in their "10 Strongest Marvel Human Villains" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2021-07-04 |title=10 Strongest Marvel Human Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/strongest-marvel-human-villains/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 6th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |date=2018-09-16 |title=Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World |url=https://www.cbr.com/age-of-apocalypse-characters-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 7th in their "Hulk’s 10 Most Powerful Villains" list,<ref name=":2" /> 8th in their "Marvel: 10 Villains Who Keep Getting Stronger" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2022-04-03 |title=Marvel: 10 Villains Who Keep Getting Stronger |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-villains-getting-stronger/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> 9th in their "Thor: 10 Most Dangerous Villains He's Ever Fought" list,<ref name=":4" /> and 12th in their "Hulk's 20 Most Powerful Enemies" list.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
==Other versions== | |||
===Age of Apocalypse=== | ===Age of Apocalypse=== | ||
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-295 appears in '']''. This version works as a prison camp warden in Mexico.<ref>''Tales from the Age of Apocalypse'' #1 (Dec. 1996)</ref> | |||
===Earth X=== | |||
In the ], the Absorbing Man aligned himself with ], who was not above recruiting altered humans such as Creel. Creel served as a warden in Apocalypse's prison camps in the Aztec ruins of Mexico alongside ]. Creel fought against ] and managed to injure him, but was then killed by ] when she absorbed his powers. | |||
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-9997 appears in '']''.<ref>''Earth X'' #0-12 (March 1999-April 2000). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===House of M=== | |||
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-58163 appears in '']''. This version is a member of the ]'s ].<ref>''House of M: Masters of Evil'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===JLA/Avengers=== | |||
Absorbing Man appears in '']'' as a brainwashed minion of ].<ref>''JLA/Avengers'' #4. DC Comics/Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===Marvel Apes=== | |||
An alternate universe variant of Absorbing Man from Earth-95019 appears in '']''. This version is a ] called '''Absorbing Mandrill''' and a member of the Master Brotherhood of Evil Apes.<ref>''Marvel Apes: Amazing Spider-Monkey Special'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===Marvel Zombies=== | |||
A zombified alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-2149 appears in '']''.<ref>'']'' #3 (2009). Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
===Old Man Logan=== | |||
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-807128 appears in '']''.<ref>''Wolverine'' vol. 3 #67. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Wolverine'' Vol. 3 #70. Marvel Comics.</ref> A gang inspired by him called the '''Creel Gang''' also appears.<ref>''Wolverine'' vol. 3 #66. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Dead Man Logan'' #7. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Avengers of the Wastelands'' #3-4. Marvel Comics.</ref> | |||
==In other media== | |||
===Television=== | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'', voiced by Tom Harvey.<ref name="btva12">{{Cite web |title=Absorbing Man Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Absorbing-Man/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} 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.</ref> | |||
* Carl Creel / Absorbing Man appears in '']'' (1996) episode "They Call Me Mr. Fixit",<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2009 |title=Make Mine Marvel: The 1990s Hulk Cartoon |url=http://marvel.com/news/tv/6660/make_mine_marvel_the_1990s_hulk_cartoon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026020134/http://marvel.com/news/tv/6660/make_mine_marvel_the_1990s_hulk_cartoon |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=November 3, 2016 |publisher=]}}</ref> voiced by ].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} This version is an enforcer for crime boss Miss Allure. | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'' episode "Command Decision",<ref>"," Marvel Toonzone. Retrieved November 3, 2016</ref> voiced by Oliver Becker.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} This version is a member of Baron ]'s ]. | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'',<ref>"," The Robot's Voice. Retrieved November 3, 2016</ref> voiced by ].<ref name="btva12" /> This version's powers are derived from ]. | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in the '']'' four-part episode "Contest of Champions", voiced by ].<ref name="btva12" /> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'',<ref>"," Biff Bam Pop. Retrieved November 3, 2016</ref> initially voiced again by Jonathan Adams and subsequently by ].<ref name="btva12" /> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listings - MARVEL'S HULK AND THE AGENTS OF S.M.A.S.H. on DISNEY XD - TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20131031disneyxd28/ |access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref> voiced again by Jonathan Adams.<ref name="btva12" /> | |||
* Carl Creel appears in television series set in the ] (MCU). | |||
** Creel primarily appears in '']'', portrayed by ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=August 21, 2014 |title='Agents of SHIELD' Casts Villain Absorbing Man |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-casts-villain-absorbing-726832/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ching |first=Albert |date=August 21, 2014 |title="Agents of SHIELD" Season Premiere to Introduce the Absorbing Man |url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-of-shield-season-premiere-to-introduce-the-absorbing-man/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He first appears in the ] episodes "]" and "]" as a ] operative.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Shadows |episode-link=Shadows (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=September 23, 2014 |season=2 |number=1 |credits=Misiano, Vincent (director); Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon (writer)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Heavy is the Head |episode-link=Heavy Is the Head (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=September 30, 2014 |season=2 |number=2 |credits=Bochco, Jesse (director); Paul Zbyszewski (writer)}}</ref> As of the ] episode "]", Creel defected to the U.S. government and became ]'s bodyguard.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Inside Man |episode-link=The Inside Man (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=March 15, 2016 |season=3 |number=12 |credits=Terlesky, John (director); Craig Titley (writer)}}</ref> In the ], Creel reluctantly rejoins HYDRA in their plot to save the world from ], only to be absorbed by Talbot via gravitonium.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=All the Comforts of Home |episode-link=All the Comforts of Home |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=March 2, 2018 |season=5 |number=11 |credits=Woods, Kate (director); Drew Z. Greenberg (writer)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raymond |first=Charles Nicholas |date=February 14, 2018 |title=Absorbing Man Returns In New Agents of SHIELD Episode |url=https://screenrant.com/agents-shield-absorbing-man-returns/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Devil Complex |episode-link=The Devil Complex |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=March 23, 2018 |season=5 |number=14 |credits=Lopez-Corrado, Nina (director); Matt Owens (writer)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Inside Voices |episode-link=Inside Voices |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=April 6, 2018 |season=5 |number=16 |credits=Richardson-Whitfield, Salli (director); Mark Leitner (writer)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=All Roads Lead... |episode-link=All Roads Lead... |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=April 20, 2018 |season=5 |number=18 |credits=Lynch, Jennifer (director); George Kitson (writer)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Force of Gravity |episode-link=Shadows (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |series-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=] |date=May 11, 2018 |season=5 |number=21 |credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer)}}</ref> | |||
** Creel is mentioned in a flashback in the '']'' episode "]", which is set in the 1990s while he was at the height of his boxing career. He is set to have a match with ], with the latter being expected to drop in the fifth round at ]'s "suggestion". Instead, Jack chooses to set a better example for his son ], and wins the fight off-screen via knockout.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Cut Man |episode-link=Cut Man |series=Marvel's Daredevil |series-link=Daredevil (TV series) |network=] |date=April 10, 2015 |season=1 |number=2 |credits=Abraham, Phil (director); Drew Goddard (writer)}}</ref> Series producer ] confirmed that this is the same Creel that appears in ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' before gaining his abilities.<ref name="IGN8Apr2015">{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Max |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Jeph Loeb Confirms Daredevil's Connection to an Agents of SHIELD Villain |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/08/jeph-loeb-confirms-daredevils-connection-to-an-agents-of-shield-villain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412021914/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/08/jeph-loeb-confirms-daredevils-connection-to-an-agents-of-shield-villain |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinbeiser |first=Andrew |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Marvel Confirms Daredevil and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Connection |url=https://comicbook.com/news/marvel-confirms-daredevil-and-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-connection/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'', voiced by ].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in the '']'' episode "Screwball Live", voiced again by Gregg Berger.<ref name="btva12" /> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'', voiced by ].<ref name="btva12" /> | |||
===Film=== | |||
The Absorbing Man was featured in several scrapped scripts for '']'', with one seeing him being reimagined as computer engineer '''Robert Creel'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hulk screenplay by John Turman |url=https://archive.org/details/vdocuments.mx_hulk-screenplay-by-john-turmans-hulk-screenplay-by-john-turman-based-on-the-marvel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UGO |url=http://screenwriting.ugo.com/film/incrediblehulkbyhayter.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015052834/http://screenwriting.ugo.com/film/incrediblehulkbyhayter.php |archive-date=2008-10-15}}</ref> | |||
===Video games=== | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'' (1994).{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears as a boss in '']'', voiced by ].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=NYCC 2013: Marvel Adds More Characters To LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES Game |url=http://www.newsarama.com/19216-nycc-2013-marvel-adds-more-characters-to-lego-marvel-super-heroes-game.html |access-date=13 October 2014 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=October 12, 2013 |title=Lego Marvel Super Heroes demo coming next week |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/10/12/4832048/lego-marvel-super-heroes-demo-coming-next-week |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> voiced again by John DiMaggio.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']''.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashimoto |first=Marika |date=January 9, 2023 |title=Marvel Contest of Champions v37.2 Release Notes Introduce the Masters of Evil |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-contest-of-champions-v37-2-release-notes-introduce-the-masters-of-evil |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gose |first=Lance |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Marvel Contest of Champions Announces Baron Zemo and Absorbing Man, Roadmap for 2023 |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-contest-of-champions-baron-zemo-absorbing-man-2023-roadmap/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=August 14, 2017 |title=Best iPhone Game Updates: 'Hearthstone', 'Marvel Future Fight', 'Dungeons of Chaos', 'Panmorphia', and More |url=http://toucharcade.com/2017/08/14/best-iphone-game-updates-hearthstone-marvel-future-fight-dungeons-of-chaos-panmorphia-and-more/ |website=]}}</ref> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2016 |title=Characters |url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-avengers/Characters |access-date=February 1, 2018 |website=IGN Database}}</ref> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Weekly Blog: The Masters of Evil |url=https://marvelstrikeforce.com/en/updates/blog-update-1-20-23 |website=Marvel Strike Force}}</ref> | |||
* The Absorbing Man appears in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sandoval |first=Andrea |date=2023-02-27 |title=10 Best Marvel Snap Cards In Pool 3 |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-great-pool-3-cards/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaptan |first=Doruk |date=2022-12-08 |title=Marvel Snap: Every Pool 4 Card, Ranked |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-snap-best-pool-4-cards-ranked/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Notes == | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
== |
==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> | |||
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</div> | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* at Marvel.com | |||
* | |||
{{Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)}} | |||
* | |||
{{Hulk}} | |||
{{She-Hulk}} | |||
{{Thor}} | |||
{{Stan Lee}} | |||
{{Jack Kirby}} | |||
] | ] | ||
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Latest revision as of 00:02, 8 January 2025
Marvel Comics fictional character Comics characterAbsorbing Man | |
---|---|
The Absorbing Man (background) on the cover of Thor #376 (February 1987). Art by Walt Simonson. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Journey into Mystery #114 (March 1965) |
Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Carl "Crusher" Creel |
Species | Human mutate |
Team affiliations | They Who Wield Power Astonishing Avengers Legion Accursed Lethal Legion Worthy Gamma Flight |
Partnerships | Titania |
Notable aliases | Lightningbolt Greithoth Rocky Davis Red Dog Harold |
Abilities |
|
The Absorbing Man (Carl "Crusher" Creel) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #114 (cover dated March 1965), in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Carl Creel has the power to absorb and become any material he touched. Originally a supervillain, in later years, he has reformed into more of an antihero.
Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise such as trading cards. He appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed by Brian Patrick Wade.
Publication history
The Absorbing Man debuted in Journey into Mystery #114 (March 1965), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He appeared in the 2017 Black Bolt series, by Saladin Ahmed.
Fictional character biography
Carl "Crusher" Creel was a boxer and jailed criminal who becomes the Absorbing Man when he drinks a liquid which the Asgardian god Loki laced with a mystical potion. Discovering that he could absorb the properties of anything he touched, Creel escapes prison by absorbing metal from the guards' bullets and goes on to battle Thor. When he escapes, he takes with him the ball and chain to which he was shackled, and uses the ball and chain as a weapon. Although he is only mortal, Creel's fantastic abilities make him a worthy opponent for Thor, who is later forced to end the battle due to Loki's kidnapping of Jane Foster. Creel then breaks into a house and attacks the occupants. Thor comes to the rescue and tricks Creel into changing his atomic structure into pure helium. Thor accomplishes this by using his hammer's powers to transform the ground's molecular makeup. As Creel is acquiring additional mass from direct contact with the Earth when this happens, he drifts harmlessly into the atmosphere.
A short time later, Loki retrieves Creel from space using Asgardian technology after he has knocked out an Asgardian warlock and sends Creel back to battle Thor. After Creel is nearly beaten due to Thor's fighting skill, Loki transports him to Asgard and reveals the true source of his "absorbing" powers. After being humbled by Loki, Creel agrees to act as his agent, and he is directed to take over the city. The Absorbing Man defeats the Asgardian legions without too much trouble and eventually confronts Odin himself. Creel absorbs Odin's attacks and then the properties of Asgard itself, hoping to rule the universe, and he towers over Odin as Loki arrives to gloat. Thor is ordered by Odin not to keep attacking. Loki and Creel are then beaten by trickery; once given Odin's Rod of Rulership the two quarrel over it, with the Absorbing Man trying to absorb the rod, and the two find that they cannot let go. Odin then advises them that his power lies not in a mere object, but deep within himself. The pair are then banished into outer space.
The Absorbing Man eventually returns on a comet and battles the Hulk. Bruce Banner had been sent to divert the comet, as it was feared it was radioactive, but the Absorbing Man leaped aboard and began absorbing the Hulk's strength. He tries to bury the Hulk under a mountain, but when the Hulk turns back to human form, the Absorbing Man is unable to support the great weight and was buried.
However, Creel goes on to battle many other heroes, such as the Avengers, Daredevil, the Dazzler, the Hulk, and Spider-Man. He is one of the villains who participates in the Secret Wars, and also develops a romantic relationship with the super-strong villainess Titania. The pair also join the reformed fourth version of the Masters of Evil. Creel has several more battles with Thor (and the Eric Masterson Thor) and a skirmish with the cosmic hero Quasar. Although he assisted Crossbones in a plan to attack Captain America, when Absorbing Man learned that Crossbones intended to detonate a bomb in New York, he absorbed the properties of Captain America's shield to contain the blast, declaring that he was not a murderer.
Creel is later incarcerated in an experimental prison called the Big House, where all prisoners are shrunken via Hank Pym's "Pym Particles". An escape attempt is thwarted by She-Hulk.
The Absorbing Man escapes prison and allies with the Owl as an enforcer, but finds himself opposed by Spider-Man and new hero Ethan Edwards (later revealed to be a disguised Skrull). He is briefly trapped and converted into a new form of cocaine by one of the Owl's operatives when they become frustrated with his unprofessional approach, with the new drug briefly giving those who snort him a degree of his powers, but he reassembles himself and goes after the Owl for revenge. Spider-Man defeats Creel by tricking him into running a gauntlet where he absorbs multiple objects thrown at him, culminating in Creel absorbing two different chemicals that cause him to explode.
The Absorbing Man later battles and is apparently killed by the hero Sentry during the events of Civil War. However, he later appears at the funeral of Stilt-Man.
Creel and Titania later come into conflict with the heroine She-Hulk and her Skrull partner Jazinda after they attempt to arrest Creel's cousin Rockwell "Hi-Lite" Davis.
During the Dark Reign storyline, Creel joins a new version of the Lethal Legion led by the Grim Reaper. After a defeat, Creel escapes prison and absorbs a shard of the Cosmic Cube.
The Absorbing Man suffers a setback when villain Norman Osborn uses an enchanted sword—provided by Loki—to remove his absorbing powers completely.
Creel is also revealed to be the father of the hero Stonewall.
Creel regains his powers and storms Avengers Tower to recover his ball and chain. He is defeated by Avengers' coordinators Maria Hill, Sharon Carter, and Victoria Hand after absorbing the latter's cold.
During the "Fear Itself" storyline, Creel and Titania encounter two of the divine hammers that contain the essences of the Worthy, generals to Odin's brother and adversary, Cul Borson. Coming into contact with the hammers, Titania and Creel were transformed into Skirn: Breaker of Men and Greithoth: Breaker of Wills, respectively. They later went on a rampage depicted in a number of Fear Itself tie-in issues, most prominently Avengers Academy #15–19 and Iron Man 2.0 #5–6, as well as that storyline's core miniseries.
During the "AXIS" storyline, Absorbing Man appears as a member of Magneto's unnamed supervillain group during the fight against Red Skull's Red Onslaught form. He is briefly converted to heroism when everyone on the island experiences a moral inversion as Doctor Doom and Scarlet Witch attempt to bring out the Charles Xavier in Red Skull, joining the new Astonishing Avengers assembled by Steve Rogers and Spider-Man to oppose the inverted heroes. Absorbing Man later reverts to villainy when the inversion is undone.
When Absorbing Man and Titania were robbing an armored car, the female Thor appeared to thwart their plans. Upon meeting the female Thor, Creel mocked her for being a woman and for having taken Thor's name for herself, which she answered by breaking his jaw. Titania then appeared to confront her but, in respect for what she was doing, she knocked out her husband with his own weapon and surrendered.
During the "Secret Wars" storyline of 2015, Absorbing Man is among the villains attending Kingpin's viewing party of the incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610.
During the "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline, Absorbing Man was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D. Using Kobik, S.H.I.E.L.D. transformed Absorbing Man into a man named Harold. During his time as Harold, Absorbing Man ran an ice cream parlor and was in love with Sheriff Eva. When Helmut Zemo and Fixer restored the memories of the inmates, Absorbing Man joined in on their uprising with Whirlwind. Illuminati members Hood and Titania arrived at Pleasant Hill to retrieve Absorbing Man. Although he was shaken from having a S.H.I.E.L.D.-induced normal life, Absorbing Man sides with the Illuminati as they work to assemble the other inmates to get revenge on S.H.I.E.L.D.
In the "Secret Empire" storyline, Absorbing Man is recruited by Baron Helmut Zemo to join the Army of Evil.
At some point, Absorbing Man was imprisoned in a deep space torture prison. He was defeated by Black Bolt in combat. Absorbing Man later made an acquaintance with Black Bolt and fellow inmates Blinky, Metal Master, and Raava. Upon taking in Black Bolt's sonic scream, Absorbing Man seemingly sacrifices himself to help destroy the torture prison's Jailer, enabling Black Bolt and the other inmates to escape. Later, Titania visits Parkwood Cemetery, where Absorbing Man suddenly emerges from his grave. Absorbing Man and Titania helped Black Bolt fight a Jailer-possessed Blinky until they managed to drive Jailer out of him.
After Absorbing Man was imprisoned for another crime, his lawyer convinced him to join the U.S. Hulk Operations as an alternative to getting incarcerated for life. He gets injected with a Bannerman Gene-Enhancement Package that turned him into a gamma mutate able to absorb gamma radiation, at the cost of turning his skin a bright red color. When Absorbing Man - under the alias of Red Dog - fought Hulk at Los Diablos Missile Base, an entity, the One Below All entered his body after he absorbed most of the Hulk's gamma energy. The One Below All taunted Red Dog's astral body before ripping his physical one in half. Absorbing Man, still controlled by The One Below All, continues fighting Hulk. Absorbing Man ran off when Jackie McGee, Walter Langkowski, and Puck showed up. When the One Below All successfully opened the door to the Below Place, the lowest point of Hell, the entirety of New Mexico gets transported there as Absorbing Man weeps. With the help of Puck, Creel was able to transfer the gamma energy he had absorbed back into Hulk, who used his thunder clap to disperse the One Below All's cloud form and transport New Mexico back to Earth. Creel has since been freed of the One Below All's influence, having transferred the gamma radiation back to the Hulk, joining Gamma Flight in the process.
Powers, abilities, and equipment
Carl Creel has the ability to mimic the matter or strength of anything nearby or anyone he is near. Most commonly, the Absorbing Man uses his powers to duplicate the qualities of anything that he touches—solids, liquids, gases, or even energy sources. This transformation also extends to the items that Creel was wearing and carrying when Loki's magic potion took effect (for example, if Creel touches the metal titanium, his body, clothes, and wrecking ball takes on its appearance and properties). He can absorb sufficient mass from a large object (e.g., a building) to attain the same height. While in different alternate forms, he still maintains his intellect, capacity for speech, and full physical movement (although his first attempt at absorbing water temporarily cost Creel's sanity when he tried to keep himself from drifting apart in the ocean). His body was able to reform itself after being broken or damaged, especially a severed arm which Wolverine cuts off during the Secret Wars.
Creel's overall power increases in direct proportion to the material he duplicates. There seems to be almost no limit to what Creel absorbs, as he have mimicked the properties of bronze; Odin's Cosmic Bolt and later cyclonic storm; diamond; glass; light; rock, silk, soil; spikes; steel; Thor's uru hammer Mjolnir; water; and even the whole realm of Asgard itself, although draining the Sentry's energies proved too much for Creel, causing him to become overloaded with it and nearly killing him. Creel is also now capable of combining previously absorbed abilities.
Reception
Critical response
Drew Atchison of Screen Rant included Absorbing Man their "Hulk's Main Comic Book Villains, Ranked Lamest To Coolest" list, writing, "Teaming up with the Inhuman king, Black Bolt, to siding with Gamma Flight to take on the Immortal Hulk, Carl's been through a lot and deserves to return to the MCU." Comic Book Resources ranked Absorbing Man 3rd in their "10 Strongest Marvel Henchmen" list, 4th in their "10 Villains Fans Hope To See In Marvel’s She-Hulk Series" list, 4th in their "10 Best B-List Avengers Villains" list, 5th in their "Top 10 She-Hulk Villains" list, 5th in their "10 Strongest Marvel Human Villains" list, 6th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list, 7th in their "Hulk’s 10 Most Powerful Villains" list, 8th in their "Marvel: 10 Villains Who Keep Getting Stronger" list, 9th in their "Thor: 10 Most Dangerous Villains He's Ever Fought" list, and 12th in their "Hulk's 20 Most Powerful Enemies" list.
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version works as a prison camp warden in Mexico.
Earth X
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-9997 appears in Earth X.
House of M
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-58163 appears in House of M. This version is a member of the Hood's Masters of Evil.
JLA/Avengers
Absorbing Man appears in JLA/Avengers as a brainwashed minion of Krona.
Marvel Apes
An alternate universe variant of Absorbing Man from Earth-95019 appears in Marvel Apes. This version is a mandrill called Absorbing Mandrill and a member of the Master Brotherhood of Evil Apes.
Marvel Zombies
A zombified alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-2149 appears in Marvel Zombies.
Old Man Logan
An alternate universe variant of Carl Creel from Earth-807128 appears in Old Man Logan. A gang inspired by him called the Creel Gang also appears.
In other media
Television
- The Absorbing Man appears in The Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Tom Harvey.
- Carl Creel / Absorbing Man appears in The Incredible Hulk (1996) episode "They Call Me Mr. Fixit", voiced by Jim Cummings. This version is an enforcer for crime boss Miss Allure.
- The Absorbing Man appears in The Avengers: United They Stand episode "Command Decision", voiced by Oliver Becker. This version is a member of Baron Helmut Zemo's Masters of Evil.
- The Absorbing Man appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, voiced by Rick D. Wasserman. This version's powers are derived from gamma radiation.
- The Absorbing Man appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man four-part episode "Contest of Champions", voiced by Jonathan Adams.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Avengers Assemble, initially voiced again by Jonathan Adams and subsequently by Gregg Berger.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., voiced again by Jonathan Adams.
- Carl Creel appears in television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
- Creel primarily appears in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed by Brian Patrick Wade. He first appears in the second season episodes "Shadows" and "Heavy is the Head" as a Hydra operative. As of the third season episode "The Inside Man", Creel defected to the U.S. government and became Glenn Talbot's bodyguard. In the fifth season, Creel reluctantly rejoins HYDRA in their plot to save the world from Thanos, only to be absorbed by Talbot via gravitonium.
- Creel is mentioned in a flashback in the Daredevil episode "Cut Man", which is set in the 1990s while he was at the height of his boxing career. He is set to have a match with "Battlin' Jack" Murdock, with the latter being expected to drop in the fifth round at Roscoe Sweeney's "suggestion". Instead, Jack chooses to set a better example for his son Matt, and wins the fight off-screen via knockout. Series producer Jeph Loeb confirmed that this is the same Creel that appears in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before gaining his abilities.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, voiced by Yasuhiko Kawazu.
- The Absorbing Man appears in the Spider-Man episode "Screwball Live", voiced again by Gregg Berger.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Marvel Super Hero Adventures, voiced by Michael Dobson.
Film
The Absorbing Man was featured in several scrapped scripts for Hulk, with one seeing him being reimagined as computer engineer Robert Creel.
Video games
- The Absorbing Man appears in The Incredible Hulk (1994).
- The Absorbing Man appears as a boss in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by John DiMaggio.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced again by John DiMaggio.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Marvel Avengers Alliance.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Marvel Contest of Champions.
- The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.
- The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers.
- The Absorbing Man appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.
- The Absorbing Man appears in Marvel Snap.
Notes
- In Marvel comics, the term "mutate" is used as a noun to designate characters that received superpowers from an external source, as opposed to Marvel's mutants.
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External links
- Absorbing Man at Marvel.com
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