Master Man (Marvel Comics)

Master Man
Master Man battles World War II superhero team the Invaders on the cover of Invaders #16 (May 1977). Art by Jack Kirby.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975) (I) Namor the Sub-Mariner #11 (Feb. 1991) (II)
Created by	Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins (I) John Byrne (II)
In-story information
Alter ego	Wilhelm Lohmer (I) Axl Nacht (II)
Team affiliations	Super-Axis
Abilities	Superhuman strength, stamina and durability

Master Man is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Master Man (Wilhelm Lohmer) first appears in the title Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975) and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins. The second version (Axl Nacht), first appears in Namor the Sub-Mariner #11 (Feb. 1991) and was created by John Byrne, and a third version ("Max Lohmer") debuts in "Captain America" #18 (July, 2006) by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.

Publication history

Wilhelm "Willie" Lohmer first appears in the title Giant-Size Invaders. Portrayed as a physically frail American Bundist^[1] and Nazi sympathiser, Lohmer agrees to participate in an experiment in which he is subjected to the Nazi version of the Super-Soldier Serum. Endowed with physical abilities that exceed those of Captain America, the character is given a costume and the alias Master Man, with Lohmer to be the first of a new Aryan "master race". As Master Man, Lohmer battles the Allied superheroes the Invaders, but is defeated when his new abilities prove to be temporary.^[2]

The character reappears in a two part story in the title Marvel Two-In-One, and with Nazi allies Brain Drain, U-Man and Skyshark plans to sabotage New York City with a new super weapon. The plan, however, is foiled by time travelling Fantastic Four member the Thing and the Liberty Legion.^[3]

A revitalised Master Man, now possessing even greater abilities, reappears in the title Invaders and ambushes the superteam while they are flying over Europe. During the course of a multi-issue storyline involving the Invaders' incarceration and eventual escape from a prison in the German city of Berlin, Master Man meets Julia Koenig, who courtesy of an accident gains abilities similar to his own and becomes the Nazi heroine Warrior Woman. At the insistence of Adolf Hitler, leader of the Third Reich, the two are to be married, his logic being that they are the progenitors of a new race. The ceremony, however, is interrupted when the priest is killed by rubble from a building damaged during a battle between the Invaders and German troops. Master Man and Warrior Woman retreat when confronted by the Human Torch, who becomes enraged when his ward Toro is wounded by gunfire.^[4]

Master Man continues to be a perennial foe for the Invaders, battling the team while disguised as the hero the Destroyer^[5] and as part of a team formed by the Japanese spy Lady Lotus, the Super-Axis.^[6]

It is revealed in flashback in the title Namor the Sub-Mariner that near the end of World War II, Nazi Baron Strucker placed Master Man and Warrior Woman in suspended animation in a hidden laboratory, thereby "preserving" the Nazi dream for use at a later time. Master Man is revived by scientist Axl Nacht, and at Nacht's direction, the character abducts the original Human Torch and Ann Raymond (Toro's widow) - their blood being necessary to help revive Warrior Woman, who had suffered brain damage. Nacht betrays Master Man when it is revealed that his father first cared for the two superbeings while in suspended animation, and unknowingly instilled in the younger Nacht an obsession with Warrior Woman. When Namor the Sub-Mariner, former founding member of the Invaders, finds the laboratory, he battles Master Man, until the Nazi loses his abilities and reverts back to Wilhelm Lohmer. Nacht steals Master Man's abilities for himself, and has apparently also won the affections of the revived but unstable Warrior Woman. Namor rescues the prisoners as Lohmer destroys the laboratory, although no bodies are found in the wreckage.^[7]

Lohmer reappears in the title Cable, now an old man living in Switzerland and wishing to make amends for his past actions. The character dies when shielding Cable from a bullet fired by a member of the organization the Hellfire Club.^[8]

The nephew of Lohmer, Max Lohmer, appears in the fifth volume of Captain America. Lohmer leads a gang of Neo-Nazis called the Master Men, who are empowered with a weaker version of the Super-Soldier Serum by arch villain the Red Skull. The gang embark on a rampage in London until defeated by Captain America and heroes Union Jack and Spitfire.^[9]

Powers and abilities

Wilhelm Lohmer was a frail human until exposed to the Nazi variation of Professor Erskine's Super-Soldier Serum, and receives enhanced physical abilities. The Nazi version of the process is amplified and as a result Lohmer receives greater abilities than those of Captain America, including superior strength; stamina; durability; speed and flight. The Serum, however, was unstable and at times Lohmer would revert back to his normal self.

References

1. ^ Giant Size Invaders identifies him as a Bundist, suggesting he is American; Captain America: Medusa Effect confirms it, identifying him as coming from Yorkville, New York
2. ^ Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975)
3. ^ Marvel Two-in-One Annual #1 (Jan. 1976) & Marvel Two-In-One #20 (Oct. 1976)
4. ^ Invaders #16 - 21 (May - Oct. 1977)
5. ^ Invaders #34 (Nov. 1978)
6. ^ Invaders #41 (Sep. 1979)
7. ^ Namor the Sub-Mariner #9 - 12 (Dec. 1990- Mar. 1991)
8. ^ Cable #52 (Mar. 1998)
9. ^ Captain America vol. 5, #20 (Sep. 2005)