Masked Marvel (Marvel Comics)

Masked Marvel
Art by David Hahn
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men vol.2 #187
Created by	Karl Kesel David Hahn
In-story information
Alter ego	Adam Austin
Abilities	Flight, "Atomic punch", Force field generation

The Masked Marvel (Adam Austin), is a fictional satirical superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by writer Karl Kesel. Austin first appeared in X-Men #187, where he debuted in "The Masked Marvel" - an additional mini-comic which appeared at the end of the issue.

Publication history

Self-Parody

In many ways the Masked Marvel is a device used to open up a universe where Marvel writers can parody their own creations. In the Masked Marvel shorts, real life editors such as Tom Brevoort are featured in situations involving their interaction with versions of their Marvel superheroes. An example of this is indignant in Electro's attack on Marvel office to punish the real life Brian Michael Bendis for how he portrayed his character or how Fantastic Four's Reed Richards uses the Postal service to send a pair of "Power Dampening Cuffs" to Marvel HQ for use by the artists of the Fantastic Four comic.

Fictional character biography

Origin

"The Masked Marvel" is first presented in a comic book pitch where Adam Austin and his partner, artist Eddie Ward, attempt to convince a Marvel Comic executive that the superhero is worth investing in. In this short sequence the two list the Masked Marvel's powers, attempting to sell the idea. (Ward also tries to pitch a partner character for the Masked Marvel, but the idea is shot down because of Marvel's policy of only writing about real superheroes). The meeting is interrupted when Electro, usually an antagonist of Spider-Man, appears and within the satirical trend, appears and demands those responsible for writing a scene in which he fainted in a previous Marvel comic be brought before him. Adam Austin, having disappeared before this, appears as the Masked Marvel and proceeds to apprehend the super-villain. The crisis over, Adam Austin re-appears, and in the end Marvel commissions them to create a Masked Marvel comic.

"The Masked Marvel" later appears in a second comic-short at the back of X-Men #189.

Civil War/The Initiative

Adam has been identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative #1. ^[1]

Adam is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.^[2]

Powers and abilities

The powers and abilities of Masked Marvel are as listed:
1. Flight (possibility due to an energy sphere providing anti-gravity qualities)
2. The ability to manipulate a force field
3. An atomic punch, which can apparently break through walls.
No explanation is given as to how Adam Austin came about obtaining these powers.

References

1. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #1 Character Map
2. ^ Anthony Flamini & Ronald Byrd (w), Scott Kolins (p), Scott Kolins (i). Civil War: Battle Damage Report 1 (March 2007), Marvel Comics

External links

• http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/maskedmarvelbu.htm