| Abner Jenkins | |
|---|---|
 Abner Jenkins as MACH-VII, as depicted inThe Superior Foes of Spider-Man #2 (October 2013). Art bySteve Lieber. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | As Beetle: Strange Tales #123 (August 1964)[1][2] As Mach-1: The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #449 (January 1997) As Mach-2: Thunderbolts #37 (April 2000) As Mach-3: Thunderbolts #57 (December 2001) As Mach-IV: New Thunderbolts #1 (December 2004) As Mach-V: Thunderbolts (vol. 2) #144 (July 2010) As Mach-VII: The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #2 (October 2013) As Mach-X: Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #1 (July 2016) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Carl Burgos (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Abner Ronald Jenkins |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Commission on Superhuman Activities Thunderbolts Masters of Evil Sinister Syndicate Sinister Six |
| Partnerships | Collector Justin Hammer Gladiator |
| Notable aliases | Beetle, MACH-1, MACH-2, MACH-3, MACH-IV, MACH-VII, MACH-X |
| Abilities |
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Abner Jenkins, also known as theBeetle,MACH-1,MACH-2,MACH-3,MACH-IV,MACH-V,MACH-VII andMACH-X, is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created by writerStan Lee and artistCarl Burgos, he debuted inStrange Tales #123 (August 1964) as the original Beetle, asupervillain wearing an armor plated, mechanical suit he had designed himself after growing frustrated with his ordinary job as an aircraft mechanic and deciding to turn to crime. Although in his first appearance he fought theHuman Torch and theThing of theFantastic Four, later storylines established Jenkins as a recurring foe ofSpider-Man, usually working as a henchman for various criminal organizations opposing the hero. Jenkins later formed his own criminal organization known as theSinister Syndicate.
After abandoning his Beetle persona, Jenkins was recruited into theThunderbolts—a supervillain team assembled byHelmut Zemo to pose assuperheroes to gain access to the technology of theFantastic Four and theAvengers, groups which had both seemingly perished while fightingOnslaught.[3] Jenkins became known as "MACH-1", using a modified version of his Beetle armor that was designed for faster flight and higher altitude. The Thunderbolts were introduced inIncredible Hulk #449 (January 1997), and although they originally went along with Zemo's plan, later storylines depicted them as disobeying him due to enjoying the attention and adulation they received as heroes. Seeking redemption, Jenkins was convinced to give himself over to authorities to serve out an outstanding prison sentence in exchange for the Thunderbolts being granted immunity. During his time in jail, Jenkins helped the authorities out, which led to him working for the government after his release from prison. He later began working at theRaft prison as head of security and re-joined the Thunderbolts, now a team of reformed criminals trying to earn time off their sentence by working for the government.
The character has been adapted from the comics into several other forms of media, such asanimated television series andvideo games.
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Abner Jenkins first appeared as the original incarnation of theBeetle inStrange Tales #123 (August 1964), and was created byStan Lee andCarl Burgos. As MACH-1, he later joined the supervillain team, theThunderbolts, who were masquerading as superheroes to conceal their true goals, inThe Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #449 (January 1997). In subsequent storylines, all members of the team, including Jenkins, became disillusioned with their leader,Baron Helmut Zemo, and decided to reform and become heroes. After some time away from the team, Jenkins appeared as a regular character inThunderbolts since issue #144, and has appeared as a supporting character since the title transitioned into theDark Avengers beginning with issue #175. During his time with the Thunderbolts, Jenkins made numerous upgrades to his armor, resulting in various iterations, from MACH-2 all the way to MACH-X.
Born inBaltimore, Maryland, Abner Jenkins was a master mechanic at an aircraft parts factory who became dissatisfied with his boring, low paying job. Using his considerable mechanical knowledge, Jenkins built an armor-plated, strength-augmenting suit, a pair of wings, suction-fingered gloves, and acybernetic control helmet. Calling himself the "Beetle", Jenkins decided to use his battle-suit for fame, wealth, and adventure, becoming an enemy of Spider-Man.[4] He later joinsEgghead'sMasters of Evil and founds theSinister Syndicate, a team of mercenaries.[5][6]
When most of Earth's heroes, including the Avengers andFantastic Four, are seemingly killed battlingOnslaught,Helmut Zemo recruits Jenkins and a number of other villains to posing as a superhero team called theThunderbolts. Jenkins adopted the guise of "MACH-1".[7] However, the Thunderbolts' members begin to enjoy heroism and convert the group into a legitimate team.[8][9]
When the Thunderbolts uncover and thwart aCommission on Superhuman Activities (CSA) conspiracy to exterminate superhumans, Hawkeye blackmails the CSA into pardoning the Thunderbolts in exchange for the group's silence. CSA agentHenry Peter Gyrich insists that he will not go along with the deal unless Hawkeye is imprisoned for hisvigilante activities. Hawkeye agrees despite the protests of his teammates and surrenders to federal custody.
Most of the rest of the Thunderbolts, including MACH-2 andSongbird, are pardoned and released. However, they are forbidden from public use of superhuman powers or costumed identities. MACH-2 andSongbird turn their equipment over to authorities and move to Burton Canyon,Colorado, where Abner Jenkins finds work as atech support specialist.[10][11]
Later,Graviton launches his latest attempt at world conquest in Burton Canyon, reshaping Earth in his image. Despite their reluctance to risk their freedom, Jenkins and Songbird join Helmut Zemo in attacking Graviton as part of a new team of Thunderbolts. Graviton is defeated and Earth saved, but MACH-3 and the other Thunderbolts disappear in an explosion created by Graviton's power.[12]
The Thunderbolts are transported toCounter-Earth, where they establish themselves as heroes due to the planet lacking any.[13] The Thunderbolts return to Earth via awhite hole and encounter Hawkeye and Songbird, who had formed their own version of the Thunderbolts. The two teams of Thunderbolts join forces to close the white hole. Despite their feelings for each other, Jenkins leaves Songbird, remanding himself to police custody to serve the remainder of his sentence.[volume & issue needed]
Following the "Avengers: Standoff!" event, Abner Jenkins joinsWinter Soldier's Thunderbolts as MACH-IX.[14] InSecret Empire, Jenkins is seemingly killed when Baron Zemo attacks the Thunderbolts.[15]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, one of the members ofDoctor Doom's Fulgar Victoris is MACH-Doom. Doom claims that MACH-Doom is aDoombot who possesses Jenkins' spirit.[16][17][18] During a battle between the Thunderbolts and the Fulgar Victoris, Songbird uses her powers on MACH-Doom to shut it down to honor the memory of Jenkins.[19]
Abner Jenkins has no superhuman powers, but has extensive knowledge of mechanics and engineering.
As the Beetle, he designed and wore a suit of full bodypowered armor that granted him superhuman strength and durability and artificial winged flight.[3] The suit's gloves contained pneumatic suction-grippers, enabling him to cling to walls or lift things with his fingertips. The suit could also create an electrostatic energy discharge referred to as the "electro-bite". On the back of the suit are a set of mylar wings powered by super efficient micro-motors which enable him to fly. Antennae built into the suit's helmet allowed reception and efficient conversion of microwaves, providing the suit with a constantly replenishing power supply. A mini-computer built into the chest-plate feeds data to ahead-up display in the helmet, providing him with constantly updated tactical analysis of his opponent's movements.
As MACH-I through MACH-IV, Jenkins designed a new suit of power armor which granted superhuman strength and durability, and flight as his Beetle suit did. This new suit contains a variety of different weapon systems instead of the insect-themed powers of the previous armor.
An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins from Earth-58163 appears inHouse of M. This version is a member of theHowling Commandos.[20]
An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins / Mach-I from Earth-2149 appears inMarvel Zombies: Dead Days, where he is killed by theHuman Torch.[21]
An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins / Mach-I from Earth-807128 appears inOld Man Hawkeye. This version is a member of the Thunderbolts who previously betrayedHawkeye, resulting in the deaths of theAvengers. Years later, Jenkins is working in aDoombot factory in Kree Haven before Hawkeye kills him.[22]
TheOld Man Logan incarnation of Abner Jenkins appears in theMarvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye episode "Cards Up", voiced byRon Canada.[26]
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