| Graviton | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Avengers #158 (April 1977) |
| Created by | Jim Shooter (writer) Sal Buscema (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego |
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| Species | Human mutate |
| Team affiliations | A.I.M. Army of Evil Masters of Evil West Coast |
| Notable aliases | Master of the Fundamental Force |
| Abilities |
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Graviton (Franklin Hall) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created by writerJim Shooter and artistSal Buscema, he first appeared inThe Avengers #158, dated April 1977.[1] Over the years, he has mainly opposedthe Avengers in their various incarnations.
Originally agravity researcher, Franklin Hall gains the ability to control gravity. Corrupted by this power, he becomes a supervillain using the name "Graviton". He is confronted and defeated by the Avengers as he tried to destroy the facility where he did his original research. In subsequent appearances, Graviton seems to struggle with control of his powers and often loses because of this. More than one storyline has depicted Graviton's apparent death, only for him to return subsequently through various means. He later becomes part ofAdvanced Idea Mechanics' High Council as "Minister of Science".
Graviton has appeared in Marvel television series, such asThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, voiced byFred Tatasciore. Additionally, Franklin Hall appeared in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed byIan Hart, while the Graviton identity is filled byGlenn Talbot, portrayed byAdrian Pasdar.
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Graviton first appeared inThe Avengers #158 (April 1977) and was created byJim Shooter andSal Buscema.
Franklin Hall is a Canadian[2] physicist involved in an experiment in a private research facility in theCanadian Rockies. A mistake in Hall's calculations causes graviton particles to be merged with his own molecules, and Hall later discovers that he can mentally control gravity.[3] Hall at first tries to hide his newfound ability, but becomes tempted by the potential power, and donning a costume adopts the alias "Graviton".[4]
When Graviton takes over the research facility and forbids all communications with the outside world, a fellow scientist sends a distress signal to theAvengers. Graviton lifts the facility thousands of feet into the sky and threatens to kill the scientist. The Avengers arrive and attack, but are trapped in a gravity field. Graviton brings the facility to New York and demands theUnited Nations to hand over world power or he will destroy the world's cities. Thor and Black Panther, having been on leave from the Avengers, learn of these events and manage to free the Avengers. Graviton defeats the Avengers again, but is tricked into thinking a fellow scientist he cares for has committed suicide. Graviton panics and causes the facility to collapse on him, forming a giant stone sphere that is dropped into a river by the Avengers.[5]
Graviton later reappears, although is suffering fromamnesia and is flickering in and out of existence. Somehow guided to the female scientist he has feelings for, Graviton attempts to abduct her but is stopped by theThing andBlack Bolt. During the battle, Graviton describes himself as becoming a "living black hole" and morphs into a colossal humanoid. Graviton is attacked until he loses concentration, implodes, and is presumed dead.[6] Graviton reforms his body and decides to seek a bride. Elevating aBloomingdale's store into the sky, he takes several women hostage until he is tricked by Thor, who maroons Graviton in another dimension.[7]
Graviton is able to return when an anomaly opens a portal to Earth. Arriving inLos Angeles, Graviton attempts to unite all criminal elements under his leadership, but is defeated by theWest Coast Avengers.[8]
Graviton attacks the Avengers again, but is defeated when they overload his powers, banishing him to another dimension.[9] He then sends out a distress signal, which is noticed by the villainsTechno andHelmut Zemo. Graviton is eventually freed and attacks theThunderbolts andGreat Lakes Avengers, but is persuaded byMoonstone to rethink his priorities.[10] Desiring still more power, Graviton recruits a team of criminals and lootsSan Francisco until he is defeated by the Thunderbolts with the use of gravity-negating technology fromMachine Man.[11]
Graviton is driven insane by his constant defeats and exile from Earth, and returns with the goal of total world conquest. He is accompanied by M'reel, an alien belonging to the P'tah species. Seeking revenge on the Thunderbolts, Graviton storms their headquarters to discover they have disbanded and been replaced by theRedeemers. Graviton nearly kills the entire team before being defeated by the reassembled Thunderbolts. After discovering that M'reel intended to have the P'tah invade Earth, Graviton apparently dies stopping the alien invasion and saves the Thunderbolts.[12]
Under unrevealed circumstances, Graviton returns to Earth once more and is rendered powerless long enough to be imprisoned on theRaft with other superhuman criminals. WhenElectro shorts out the Raft's defenses to freeSauron, Graviton and dozens of other inmates escape, only to be confronted by the heroes who would soon organize as theNew Avengers. Graviton is recaptured and sustains a head injury that dampens his powers.[13]
Graviton battlesIron Man, having been framed for murder by an associate of theMandarin who possessed similar gravity-manipulating powers to his own. He uses his powers to trigger a fatal aneurysm in his brain, concluding that he will never receive a fair trial and wanting to end things on his terms.[14]
Graviton appears alive as part of the new High Council ofAdvanced Idea Mechanics, serving as the group's Minister of Science.[15] When the Secret Avengers attempted to assassinate Andrew Forson, Graviton attacks them, but is quickly stopped by an attack by sentientIron Patriot armors led by theHulk.[16]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Graviton is one of several villains who escape from the Raft. He battles the Avengers until the Superior Avengers arrive. When the Avengers and the Superior Avengers battle each other, Iron Man subdues Graviton.[17] When it is discovered that the Superior Avengers' Ghost is really a drone used byDoctor Octopus, the Superior Avengers'Onslaught freezes the Avengers and Graviton in place before leaving.[18]
Franklin Hall was a normal human until empowered by an explosion that intermingled his molecules with sub-nuclear graviton particles generated by a nearby particle generator, which gave him the ability to manipulate gravity. He can immobilize others by increasing their gravity, levitate himself by lowering his own gravity, and generate concussive energy blasts. Graviton's abilities are potent enough to move islands and reshape mountains.[10][11][12]
Graviton appears inAvengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher.[20]
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