| Annihilus | |
|---|---|
 Annihilus as depicted inAnnihilation #1 (October 2006). Art byGabriele Dell'Otto. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four Annual #6 (November 1968)[1] |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Arthrosian |
| Place of origin | The planet Arthros, in Sector 17A of theNegative Zone |
| Team affiliations | Annihilation Wave |
| Partnerships | Blastaar |
| Notable aliases | Lord of the Negative Zone, the Living Death that Walks, Ahmyor |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility and reflexes Chitinousexoskeleton grants increased durability Flight Wields Cosmic Control Rod:
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Annihilus (/əˈnaɪ.ələs/) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics, primarily as an adversary to theFantastic Four. The character debuted inFantastic Four Annual #6, which was published in November 1968. Annihilus was created by writerStan Lee and artistJack Kirby, and was notably featured in the "Annihilation" event.
Annihilus has at various times been the ruler of theNegative Zone, controlling its inhabitants via his powerful Cosmic Control Rod.[2] He first encountered the Fantastic Four afterReed Richards discovered how to travel to the Negative Zone from Earth.[3] Over the years he clashed with the Fantastic Four on many occasions, often with the group foiling his plans to invade Earth. He is often the partner ofBlastaar, who started out as a rival to Annihilus' rule of the Negative Zone before becoming an ally.
Annihilus has appeared in a number of Marvel media, including several Fantastic Four shows, as well asThe Super Hero Squad Show,The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes,Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. andUltimate Spider-Man. In 2009, Annihilus was ranked asIGN's 94th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[4]
The characterfirst appeared inFantastic Four Annual #6 (1968), and was created byStan Lee andJack Kirby.[5][6] He had a recurring role in the series, including issues #108–110, #140–141, #181–183, #251–256, #289–290, andFantastic Four Unlimited #3.
He played a small role in theKree–Skrull War issues ofAvengers, #89, 96–97.[6] Other appearances includeThe Avengers #233,Marvel Team-Up #2,Marvel Two-in-One #75, andThor #404–405, #434–435.
The character was the main antagonist inAnnihilation, appearing in the prologue, the second issue of theSilver Surfer mini-series, and all six issues of the main title. He was killed in issue six, but has since been reborn. He appeared as an infant inWar of Kings: Ascension #2.
Annihilus first encounters theFantastic Four when they enter the Negative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treatSue's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus's minions capture the heroes, but they escape and temporarily steal his Cosmic Control Rod to harness itsantimatter particles.[7][8] Annihilus then becomes a recurring enemy of the Fantastic Four.
In the "Annihilation" event, Annihilus leads theAnnihilation Wave, a fleet of battleships, ostensibly claiming to have the goal of conquering the universe. Annihilus attempts to destroy the universe, but is killed byNova whileGalactus destroys the Annihilation Wave.[9][10]
Annihilus is later reborn as an infant while retaining his memories.[9][6] He is placed under the care of Catastrophus, a lord of the Negative Zone who uses the Cosmic Control Rod to stunt Annihilus' growth.[11] Annihilus later returns to his normal appearance after harnessing theHulk's power.[12]
In the "Annihilation - Scourge" event, the Negative Zone is attacked by forces from theCancerverse, collectively known as the Scourge and led by the Void. Annihilus and Blastaar work together to fight the Scourge. The Silver Surfer reunites the Void with his other half,Sentry, while Nova sacrifices himself to stop the Scourge. However, he is resurrected by Annihilus soon after.[13]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Annihilus led his Annihilation Wave into attacking Washington DC. They were repelled byDoctor Doom's Superior Avengers.[14]
Annihilus is capable of self-propelled flight and can withstand the vacuum of space. He possesses an insectoidexoskeleton with armored components that grants him resistance to most forms of injury.[6] He has superhuman physical abilities. He is able to breathe in the vacuum of empty space, and can fly at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.[15]
Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, which slows his aging process and enables him to manipulate energy and matter.[6][16] Though not always engaging himself in direct combat, Annihilus has proved to be a formidable opponent, and was able to defeat theThing,Thor,Nova Prime,Quasar, andBlastaar in individual fights with relative ease.[17][18][19]
Annihilus also leads an elite personal guard, the Centurions, who have occasionally wielded portions of the Cosmic Control Rod's power.[17]
Fantastic Four #600 reveals that Annihilus can continuously resurrect if he is killed.[20]
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-295 appears inAge of Apocalypse. This version is a member of a resistance againstBlastaar who was previously rendered amnesiac, assumed a humanoid form, and took the identity ofAhmyor. While fighting Blastaar alongsideBlink, Annihilus regains his memories and returns to his original form before leaving her to battle Blastaar.[23]
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-21798 appears inHeroes Reborn. This version is the leader of the Bottled Hive of Annihilation, a race of small but powerful insects from the Negative Zone.[24]
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-2301 appears inMarvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four #1. This version is akaiju-like monster.[25]
Nihil, a character from Earth-1610 inspired by Annihilus, appears inUltimate Fantastic Four. He is the ruler of a space station composed of the remains of alien spaceships that orbits a dying reddwarf star. After learning of the Ultimate Universe, Nihil attempts to travel to it to escape the Negative Zone's decay, only to be killed by the Fantastic Four.[26]
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Annihilus was originally intended to appear inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but was ultimately replaced with theHigh Evolutionary.[28]
Annihilus appears inLegendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game via the "Annihilation" expansion set.[31]
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