| MODOK | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Tales of Suspense #94[1] (October 1967) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | George Tarleton |
| Species | Human mutate-cyborg |
| Team affiliations |
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| Partnerships |
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| Notable aliases |
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| Abilities |
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MODOK (/ˈmoʊdɒk/MOH-dok; also written asM.O.D.O.K.; anacronym for Mental/Mobile/Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) is afictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byStan Lee andJack Kirby, the character first appeared inTales of Suspense #93 (September 1967).[2] The first MODOK isGeorge Tarleton, a former employee ofAdvanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), an arms-dealing organization specializing in futuristic weaponry, who undergoes substantialmutagenic medical experimentation originally designed to increase his intelligence. While successful, the experiments result in him developing an oversized head and a stunted body, causing the character's signature look and use of a hoverchair for mobility. After the experiments, he kills his creators and takes control of A.I.M. InHulk (2010),Amadeus Cho returns Tarleton to his human form, after which a MODOK clone dubbedMODOK Superior is created to replace him.
Debuting in theSilver Age of Comic Books, MODOK has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity, and starred in theminiseriesSuper-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5 (Sept.–Dec. 2008), the self-titledone-shotM.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay #1 (Nov. 2009) and theminiseriesM.O.D.O.K.: Head Games #1–4 (Dec. 2020–April 2021), the last of which was released as a promotion for the eponymousanimated seriesM.O.D.O.K. (2021), in which MODOK (and his younger alternate self,the Anomaly) was voiced byPatton Oswalt.
A different depiction of the character made his live-action debut in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), portrayed byCorey Stoll asDarren Cross.
MODOK first appeared inTales of Suspense #93–94 (Sept.–Oct. 1967), and became a recurring foe for thesuperheroCaptain America, where he was created byStan Lee andJack Kirby.[3][4] WriterMike Conroy stated "Inevitably, he (MODOK) returned to plague Captain America, whose physical perfection he so resented."[5] MODOK reappeared inCaptain America #117–120 (Sept.–Dec. 1969), 124 (April 1970) and 130–133 (Oct. 1970–Jan. 1971). The character also featured in a storyline inSub-Mariner (vol. 2) #47–49 (March–May 1972), before becoming the major villain in an extended storyline inThe Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #167–170 (Sept.–Dec. 1973). MODOK also participated in "The War of the Super-Villains" storyline inIron Man #74–75 (May–June 1975). MODOK had a series of encounters with the superheroineMs. Marvel inMs. Marvel #5 (May 1977), 7 (July 1977) and 9–10 (Sept.–Oct. 1977). Constant battles against the Marvel heroes followed, includingIron Man Annual #4 (Dec. 1977);Marvel Team-Up #104 (April 1981) andMarvel Two-in-One #81–82 (Nov.–Dec. 1981). Following a failed bid to use fellow Hulk foe theAbomination to achieve his ends inThe Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #287–290 (Sept.–Dec. 1983), MODOK is assassinated by theSerpent Society inCaptain America #313 (Jan. 1986). The character's body makes a ghoulish return inIron Man #205 (April 1986).
During theTaking A.I.M. storyline inAvengers #386–387 (May–June 1995),Captain America #440 (June 1995),The Avengers #388 (July 1995) andCaptain America #441 (July 1995), MODOK is resurrected. More typical attempts to better the character's situation followed inIron Man/Captain America Annual 1998;TheDefenders (vol. 2) #9–10 (Nov.–Dec. 2001);Wolverine (vol. 2) #142–143 (Sept.– Oct. 1999);Captain America and theFalcon #9 (Jan. 2005) andCable & Deadpool #11 (March 2005). The character then made three humorous appearances, inWha...Huh? #1 (Sept. 2005);Marvel Holiday Special 2006 (Jan. 2007) andGLA-Xmas Special #1 (Feb. 2006). After appearing briefly in themutant titlesX-Men #200 (Aug. 2007) andTheUncanny X-Men #488 (Sept. 2007), MODOK was featured inMs. Marvel (vol. 2) #14–17 (June–Sept. 2007) and appeared in two miniseries:Marvel 1985 #1–6 (July–Dec. 2008) andSuper-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5 (Aug.–Dec. 2008). MODOK also featured inThe Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #600 (Sept. 2009);Astonishing Tales (vol. 2) #2 (May 2009) and the one-shot issueM.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay #1 (Nov. 2009).
MODOK later gained a counterpart and successor in MODOK Superior, who first appeared inHulk (vol. 2) #29 and was created byJeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman, who is depicted as the archenemy ofGwendolyn "Gwen" Poole inThe Unbelievable Gwenpool #1–25 (June 2016–April 2018),West Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #4 (Feb. 2019), andM.O.D.O.K.: Head Games #1–4 (Dec. 2020–March 2021).

George Tarleton was atechnician for the scientific criminal organizationAdvanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), founded by his father, Alvin.[6] He was born inBangor, Maine. Having recently created theCosmic Cube, the A.I.M. scientists used advancedmutagenics to alter Tarleton and created the super-intelligent man-mind originally namedMODOC (an acronym for "Mental Organism Designed Only for Computing") to study and improve upon the object, alongside the JOD1E program.[6] MODOC, however, becomes ambitious, kills his creators and takes control of A.I.M. Renaming himselfMODOK (an acronym for "Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing"), he comes into conflict with the heroCaptain America, who is intent on rescuingS.H.I.E.L.D. agentSharon Carter from A.I.M.[7][8] MODOK becomes a recurring foe for Captain America, battling the hero on three more occasions, with the third and last encounter revealing the villain's origin.[9] MODOK also battlesNamor the Sub-Mariner andDoctor Doom, with the latter intent on claiming the Cosmic Cube for himself.[10] MODOK reappears and abductsBetty Ross, changing her into theHarpy with gamma radiation at a higher level than that which turned Bruce Banner into theHulk in a bid to destroy the monster. MODOK then follows the Hulk and the Harpy to a floating aerie, where Banner cures Ross of her condition. MODOK and a team of A.I.M. agents arrive in time to kill the creature known as theBi-Beast, the guardian of the aerie, but not before activating aself-destruct mechanism, forcing everyone on board to flee.[11] MODOK also accepts the offer of the extra-dimensional mystic theBlack Lama to participate in the latter's War of the Super-Villains,[a] but fails to gain the prize – a golden globe that is supposed to give the winner of the war ultimate power – after being defeated byIron Man.[12]
A.I.M. becomes dissatisfied with the lack of scientific advancement under MODOK's leadership and MODOK's obsession with seeking revenge againstmetahumans, finally deposing him from power as a result. MODOK attempts to regain control of the organization and prove his worth by unleashing anerve agent onNew York City, which is prevented byMs. Marvel and theVision.[13] MODOK next seeks revenge against Ms. Marvel, first attempting tomentally control the heroine[14] and then hiring theShi'ar assassinDeathbird to kill her;[15] Ms. Marvel overcomes both of these obstacles and defeats both Deathbird and MODOK.[16] MODOK's ambitions grow and he seeks world domination, but is thwarted by Iron Man and the superhero team theChampions.[17] After an attempt to plunder the resources of theSavage Land and a battle withKa-Zar and the Hulk,[18] the character develops a newbiological agent called Virus X. MODOK's attempts to test the agent on the homeless is prevented by theThing, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America, although the villain escapes and the Thing almost dies when he is exposed to the virus.[19]
Abandoned by A.I.M. for these failures, MODOK resurrects theAbomination, planning to use him against his former organization. The plan fails when the Abomination is revealed to be mentally unstable to the point of sheer cowardice whenever he even hears the Hulk's name mentioned, although during the course of the storyline MODOK transformsKatherine Waynesboro into Ms. MODOK, a female counterpart (the first) of himself. Horrified by MODOK's callous disregard for life, Waynesboro demands to be returned to human form and MODOK willingly complies.[20] Wishing to disassociate themselves from MODOK for good, A.I.M. hires theSerpent Society to assassinate the villain. They succeed, withDeath Adder striking the killing blow.[21] The Serpent Society returns MODOK's corpse to A.I.M., with the organization using it as asupercomputer. A rogue A.I.M. agent remotely operates MODOK's corpse in a bid to destroy Iron Man, with the battle ending with the corpse's destruction.[22] Although MODOK had died, A.I.M. temporarily replaced him with his more loyal, and in some ways more effective, second female counterpartMODAM.[23]
During theTaking A.I.M. storyline, MODOK is resurrected solely because A.I.M. needs him to assist in the creation of another Cosmic Cube. In one of the attempts to create the Cube, MODAM is killed (or at least disappears). Eventually it is revealed that MODOK has actually been stranded in an alternate dimension, but manages to return to Earth with the unintended help of the supervillain team theHeadmen.[24] After attempting to steal a device that boosts mental power,[25] MODOK agrees to aid the Headmen in their plans of conquest, but after taking control of A.I.M. once again he reneges on the agreement to avoid an encounter with the superhero non-team theDefenders.[26] MODOK next clashes with theCanadian superhero teamAlpha Flight[27] before being captured by a group composed ofU.S. Naval Intelligence and adrug cartel. MODOK is thenlobotomized and employed to infiltratespy satellites and manipulate thestock market, but he recovers from the lobotomy and exploits the situation to his own benefit until he is captured and taken into custody byS.H.I.E.L.D.[28]
InGLX-Mas Special #1, MODOK and A.I.M. foughtDum Dum Dugan and his S.H.I.E.L.D. squad, but were defeated bySquirrel Girl and hersquirrel sidekick Tippy-Toe.[29] MODOK then seeks a sample of thecybernetic species thePhalanx,[30] and after brief encounters with themutant superhero team theX-Men,[31] battles Ms. Marvel once again, with the heroine this time aided by fellowAvengerWonder Man during an elaborate scheme by renegade A.I.M. branches to kill MODOK, with one of the rogue A.I.M. agents being MODOK's long-lost son, who seeks revenge for his abandonment.[32] Employing an elaborate scheme anddouble-cross involving several supervillains, MODOK restores his personal wealth and power and re-establishes himself as the leader of A.I.M. once again.[33][34] MODOK was then seen inPuerto Rico attempting to create an army of genetically enhanced monkeys called A.I.Monkeys to eliminate the recession in A.I.M., until he was defeated byMister Fantastic, theInvisible Woman and the rookie Puerto Rican superhero known as El Vejigante.[35] It is revealed that MODOK was involved in the creation of both theRed Hulk and theRed She-Hulk and is a member of theIntelligencia, a secret organization of genius-level supervillains.[36]
During the "Fall of the Hulks" storyline, the Intelligencia captures some of the smartest men in the world and brought about the events that would lead up to the "World War Hulks" storyline. When several heroes are subjected by the Intelligencia to the Cathexis ray, which can transferradiant energy from one subject to another,Amadeus Cho is affected as well. Cho gains the ability to warp reality within a 10-foot radius and restores MODOK's human form, leaving him amnesiac.[37]

Unknown to everyone, the doomsday plans left behind by MODOK actually serve as a distraction. The plans themselves are coordinated by a "cluster" of brains cloned from MODOK's own who act as one non-sentientsupercomputer. This cluster is destroyed by the Red Hulk and the doomsday plans are stopped. However, one of the cloned brains, rather than being utilized as an organic computer, is allowed to develop naturally and then uploaded with MODOK's mind. This new MODOK calls himselfMODOK Superior and prepares to make hisown mark on the world independent of his predecessor.[38] Cooperating with the Intelligencia once again, MODOK Superior and the Intelligencia attempt to study the body of aSpaceknight, which had crashed on Earth for unknown reasons. When the Avengers attempt to stop them, the body is revealed to be the latest vessel for the artificial consciousness of Ultron. In the battle with the Avengers, MODOK Superior takes on Thor, claiming he has the power of a god – and is immediately struck down as a result.[39]
During the "Fear Itself" storyline, MODOK Superior reviews the attacks by Skadi and tells his followers that she is actually theRed Skull's daughterSin, who has tapped into the powers of theAsgardians. He then views from his surveillance that the Red Hulk is fighting the Thing (in the form of Angrir: Breaker of Souls). When he learns that Zero/One and the Black Fog are also after the Red Hulk, MODOK Superior plans to get to the Red Hulk first.[40] MODOK Superior prevents the Black Fog from killing the Red Hulk. MODOK Superior becomes intangible to keep himself from getting attacked by Angrir (who shoots down Zero/One's Helicarrier). MODOK Superior has his encounter with Zero/One and both of them declare a truce to help fight the soldiers of the Serpent. During that time, MODOK Superior starts to develop a crush on Zero/One.[41]
In the prologue to theAvengers vs. X-Men storyline, MODOK Superior targets an ex-A.I.M. scientist named Dr. Udaku who was being escorted to the Pentagon by Wakandan forces. Before MODOK Superior could kill Dr. Udaku, theScarlet Witch arrives and fights MODOK Superior, while smaller MODOK pawns surround the Scarlet Witch. In the nick of time,Ms. Marvel andSpider-Woman arrive and help to defeat MODOK Superior and A.I.M.[42] MODOK Superior and some rogue A.I.M. agents joined up with S.H.I.E.L.D. to make a deal to take downAndrew Forson, the then-current leader of A.I.M.[43]
After a brief retirement, MODOK Superior returned and organized a group of assassins called the Agents of MODOK (Mercenary Organization Dedicated Only to Killing) where they killed evil people. However, he made the mistake of recruitingGwen Poole when she killed his top assassin and took credit for his kills.[44] When he found out that she was not a superhuman and had no special training, he attempted to eliminate her, but she turned on him and sent him into outer space with an injured eye and damaged equipment.[45] She then took over his organization for a brief time, but when her plans defeated a group of alien arms dealers and did not get them any money (having turned the client, an oldDoombot who escaped from a fight in the past with Squirrel Girl, against them) the organization was disbanded and everyone went their separate ways.[46] After reuniting, the organization faces off against MODOK Superior when he returns from outer space, who decides to flee rather than fight them.[47]
MODOK Superior and a group of A.I.M. members attacked aHydra airship to captureShiklah, who was in its custody.Deadpool saved her and stole MODOK Superior's Doomsday Chair.[48] MODOK Superior was taken to the hospital, where he vowed vengeance on Deadpool for stealing his Doomsday Chair.[49]
During the "Secret Empire" storyline, MODOK Superior appears as a member of the Army of Evil and took part in the attack on Manhattan in retaliation for what happened at Pleasant Hill during the "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline.[50]
MODOK Superior resurfaced in a new form during a confrontation withthe newest incarnation of theWest Coast Avengers (of which Gwen Poole is now a member), appearing as an attractive, long-haired man, calling himselfBRODOK (Bio-Robotic Organism Designed Overwhelmingly for Kissing) and insisting that he was now reformed.[51] The team eventually exposed his scheme to turn various citizens ofLos Angeles into giant mindless monsters[52] and defeated him, reverting him back to the traditional appearance that George Tarleton once had.[53]
During the "Iron Man 2020" story arc, the War Machine was about to be experimented on by some Deathloks on Lingares when he is saved by someone. When the War Machine catches up to the rest of Force Works and gives them their equipment, they discover that his rescuer is MODOK Superior. He states that he wants to add his brainpower to Force Works as its newest member.[54] It turns out that MODOK Superior was the one behind the Deathloks of Lingares and manipulated Force Works into taking out Ultimo's head so that he can take control of it and ultimately becomeUlti-MODOK. After the bearded Deathlok was beheaded by theU.S. Agent, the War Machine temporarily turned into a Deathlok to control the remaining Deathloks into fighting Ulti-MODOK. When Quake briefly opened a lava-filled chasm, Ulti-MODOK fell into it, with the Deathloks following him down into it as well.[55]
In the four-issue miniseriesM.O.D.O.K.: Head Games, MODOK Superior begins to have vivid hallucinations of a family life with a human wife and son, named Jodie and Lou, and a similarly robot daughter named Melissa. Believing that he is malfunctioning, and his life threatened byMonica Rappaccini and the rest of A.I.M., MODOK Superior sets out to "fix" himself. After being briefly killed and resurrected by Gwen Poole, his search for answers leads him to his childhood home, where he is reunited with his father and A.I.M.'s true founder, Alvin Tarleton. Alvin reveals to MODOK Superior that he forced his son George to undergo the process of becoming the original MODOK against his will as, contrary to his origin, George was a rather inept employee at A.I.M. His wife Jodie was a manifestation of a program called JOD1E that was meant to sequester him. Now empowered with the knowledge of his true upbringing, MODOK Superior traps his father's consciousness inside his phone and uses the bodies of leftover Super-Adaptoids to create solidified and weaponized versions of his imaginary family.[56]
George Tarleton was subjected to a mutagenic process that granted him hyper-intelligence, thus sacrificing his body in exchange for the world's most humungous brain.[57] He possessed highly enhanced intuition, pattern solving, information storage/retrieval, and logical/philosophical structuring. MODOK's unique ability to predict probable outcomes of tactical andstrategic scenarios was so extraordinary that it bordered onprecognition. His hunches were heightened to the degree that they were almost always correct. He could recall every moment with his perfect memory. However, his creativity remained at an average human level.
Courtesy of A.I.M. technology, MODOK wore a headband on his forehead that enabled him to focus his mental power into devastating energy beams variously known as "Brain-Beams"[14] or "Mind-Beams".[58] He had vast psionic abilities, allowing him to contact others throughtelepathy, mentally control individuals or large groups, and generateforce fields strong enough to withstand minor nuclear explosions. A side effect of this mutation was also the enormous growth of Tarleton's head to the extent that his own body could no longer support its weight without assistance; thus, he relied on an exoskeleton and a hoverchair called the Doomsday Chair for support as well as movement. The Doomsday Chair was also equipped with destructive weapons, including missiles and lasers. Twice in his career, MODOK employed a large mechanical android body specially made so he could fit inside its head for greater mobility.[59]
His internal organs also wore out quickly, necessitating the use of harvested clones which were utilized to sustain his life.[60] As the leader ofA.I.M., MODOK had advanced technology, vast resources, and a personal army at his disposal.
MODOK's successor, MODOK Superior, also has the same appearance, intellect, and powers as Tarleton did, but apparentlynone of his weaknesses.
A version called MODOC (Mental Organism Designed Only for Conquest) appears in the titleMarvel Adventures: The Avengers, briefly turning the Avengers into (superior) versions of itself before being defeated.[65]
Over the course of her two comic book series,Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) had several interactions with both A.I.M. and MODOK; among others, she was both saved from being disincorporated by 24 embryonic MODOCs who had been outfitted with reality-altering powers when working in unison and separated into two separate entities to fulfill her fondest wish.[66] Also, reference was made by A.I.M. personnel to many actual MODOCs who, apparently, reallydid function in the way that MODOK was originally supposed to have done (namely, as docile organic supercomputers).[67]
MODOT (Mobile Organism Designed Only for Talking), formerlyNobel Prize hopefulDimitri Smirkov, appears inHoward the Duck (vol. 4) #1-4 (Nov. 2007-Feb. 2008) and, unlike his predecessor MODOK, can walk without the aid of a hoverchair. He had no designs of world conquest, but instead was only interested in making money; this may be because the branch of A.I.M. that created him did so specifically so he couldtalk the head office into increasing their budget. He ended up practically ruling the airwaves, influencing millions of viewers through 100 android hosts, anchormen and reporters, all controlled directly by him.[68]
Iron Man has an encounter withMODOG (Mobile Organism Designed Only for Genocide) inThe Invincible Iron Man (vol. 2) #2. Iron Man dispatches him with ease, dumping him into outer space.[69]
The miniseriesU.S. War Machine, published under the mature-audienceMAX imprint, showcases another version of MODOK salvaged by S.H.I.E.L.D. when it is discarded by A.I.M., apparently a victim ofracial prejudice.[70]
TheUltimate Marvel version of the character features in the titleUltimate Vision, experimenting with aGah Lak Tus probe on an A.I.M. space station. Although he starts the story as the amoral cyborg genius George Tarleton, after he is infected by the Gah Lak Tus probe, he is eventually reduced to a disembodied head.[71]
Another version of MODOK appeared inUltimate Armor Wars #2, whenDoctor Faustus revealed that he, too, was a cyborg and harbored a tiny MODOK inside his head.[72]
At least four versions of MODOK, apparently based aroundElvis Presley, were created by theBeyond Corporation to defend their secret weapons factory, State 51. They were defeated by theNextwave Squad. Their principal mode of attack seemed to involve shooting cheeseburgers at their target.[73]
The following issue revealed that the Beyond Corporation was being run by a disguised infantMODOK Junior, apparently conceived by a MODOK and a MODAM. This MODOK escapes the Nextwave Squad, but it is subsequently killed by its master,Devil Dinosaur.[74]
A version of the character features inIron Lantern #1, a one-shot issue (one of 24) that is part of theAmalgam Comics imprint, which is itself part of the four-issue miniseriesDC vs. Marvel. MODOK is crossed with theDC Comics characterHector Hammond to formH.E.C.T.O.R. (Highly Evolved Creature Totally Oriented for Revenge), who is the leader of the Weaponers of A.I.M. (a cross between DC'sWeaponers of Qward and Marvel's A.I.M.)[75]
AMarvel Zombies MODOK is seen being eaten by zombified versions of theShe-Hulk andHawkeye. Later, it is discovered that this universe'sAsh Williams had watched this MODOK being devoured.[76]
An alternate version of MODOK appeared inEarth X. In recent history, MODOK, like every other telepath on the planet, was killed when theRed Skull's powers first manifested. MODOK's Doomsday Chair, ironically, was later recovered by the Skull's army and the Skull used it as his personal throne.[77]
In the pages ofAvengers of the Wastelands, which takes place on Earth-21923 and serves as a sequel toOld Man Logan, MODOK is among the villains that attack Danielle Cage's group in Osborn County. He was killed byViv Vision.[78]
ADazzler-centered story, "Disco Highway", in issue #4 of the miniseriesX-Men: Serve and Protect, released in February 2011, features a character namedMODORD (Mental Organism Designed Only for Roller Derby).[79]
During theSecret Wars storyline, theBattleworld domain of Killville is based on a reality where MODOK killed every known superhero, which resulted in its citizens being in constant danger from every supervillain and murderer in Killville.[80]
In the pages ofSpider-Gwen, which takes place on Earth-65, Captain America fights againstMODAAK (Mental Organism Designed As America's King).[81] The author based this character on the then-U.S. Presidential candidateDonald Trump.[82]
Multiple original incarnations of MODOK appear or were considered to appear in media set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU):
| Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 | Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5 | February 20, 2008 | 978-0785119920 |
| M.O.D.O.K.: Assassin | M.O.D.O.K.: Assassin #1–5 | January 7, 2016 | 978-0785198765 |
| M.O.D.O.K.: Head Trips | Captain America #133;Incredible Hulk #287–290;Iron Man Annual #4;Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5;Fantastic Four in...Ataque del M.O.D.O.K.! #1;Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9;M.O.D.O.K.: Assassin #1–5; material fromTales of Suspense #93–94 | December 10, 2019 | 978-1302920746 |
| M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games | M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games #1–4;M.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay #1;Fall of the Hulks: M.O.D.O.K. #1 | May 20, 2021 | 978-1302924904 |
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