| 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:
|
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 theNegative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treatSue Storm's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus's minions capture the heroes, but they escape, stealing his Cosmic Control Rod. They return the Rod after siphoning off the needed anti-particles and return to Earth.[7][8]
Annihilus is challenged by a research scientist, Janus the Nega-Man, who develops a module capable of harnessing antimatter energy. Annihilus defeats Janus, forcing the Nega-Man to lead him to Earth, but Janus is instead seemingly killed in the exploding atmosphere where matter meets antimatter.[9][10] Annihilus nearly crosses over to Earth through one of Mister Fantastic's portals, but is driven back by theAvengers.[11] Annihilus battles theFrightful Four, and once again attempts to escape the Negative Zone, but is foiled bySpider-Man and theHuman Torch.[12]
Annihilus begins leading theAnnihilation Wave, an enormous fleet of Negative Zone battleships, ostensibly claiming to have the goal of conquering the universe. He claims that the universe is expanding into areas of the Negative Zone, making the universe now rightfully his territory. His forces destroy theKyln, an intergalactic power station and maximum security prison, and the planetXandar, headquarters of the Nova Corps.[13] In reality, Annihilus intends to create a massive Power Cosmic bomb that will destroy the universe and the Negative Zone, leaving him the only survivor.[14]Drax and theSilver Surfer manage to free Galactus, who destroys the Annihilation Wave.Nova battles and kills Annihilus, who is reborn as an infant while retaining his memories.[15][16][6] Annihilus is placed under the care of Catastrophus, a lord of the Negative Zone who uses the Cosmic Control Rod to stunt Annihilus' growth.[17]
TheHuman Torch dies stopping a horde of aliens from the Negative Zone.[18] Annihilus uses regenerative surgery to revive the Human Torch and forces him to work as a gladiator when he refuses to reopen the portal from the Negative Zone.[19][20]
It is later revealed that Annihilus is still trapped in a child form, and has been using a mechanized stand-in for public appearances. Seeking to return to a more impressive size, he has his agents arrange the abduction ofBruce Banner. After his scientists study Banner's physiology and learn what allows him to transform into the Hulk, Annihilus is mutated into a gigantic, more monstrous form.[21] With this new form, Annihilus and his army make another attempt to conquer the universe. They are successful, ravaging many worlds and killing most of Earth's heroes.[22] However, Thanos andAdam Warlock travel back in time and prevent Annihilus' invasion from ever occurring. Warlock devolves Annihilus into a primitive insect, which is then stepped on by Thanos.[23]
Annihilus, now back to a more standard form, later begins kidnapping and enslaving shipwreck survivors on a desolate world. Using the Nega-Bands to open a portal out of the Negative Zone, Annihilus plots to destroy Earth and the rest of the universe by using a powerful energy cannon. However, he is thwarted by theAll-New, All-Different Avengers, who steal the Nega-Bands and destroy the weapon.[24]
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 andBlastaar 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.[25]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Annihilus leads the Annihilation Wave in attacking Washington D.C. They are repelled byDoctor Doom's Superior Avengers.[26]
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.[27]
Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, which slows his aging process and enables him to manipulate energy and matter.[6][28] 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.[29][9][30]
Annihilus also leads an elite personal guard, the Centurions, who have occasionally wielded portions of the Cosmic Control Rod's power.[29]
Annihilus can continuously resurrect himself if he is killed.[20]
An alternate universe version 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. Annihilus begs Blink to leave the Negative Zone, as he is no longer the man she loved.[33]
An alternate universe version 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.[34]
An alternate universe version of Annihilus from Earth-2301 appears inMarvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four #1. This version is akaiju-like monster.[35]
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.[36]
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Annihilus was originally intended to appear inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but was ultimately replaced with theHigh Evolutionary.[38]
Annihilus appears inLegendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game via the "Annihilation" expansion set.[41]
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