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| Captain Ultra | |
|---|---|
 Captain Ultra | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #177 (December 1976) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas (writer) George Pérez (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Griffin "Griff" Gogol |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Team affiliations | Revengers Defenders Initiative |
| Notable aliases | Captain Ultra |
| Abilities |
|
Captain Ultra (Griffin Gogol) is asuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byRoy Thomas,George Pérez, andJoe Sinnott, the characterfirst appeared inFantastic Four #177 (December 1976).[1][2] Captain Ultra has been a member of theRevengers at various points in his history.[3][4]
Roy Thomas asserted, "Captain Ultra was aparody character thatGeorge Perez and I made up for FF #177, in our own spoof ofDC's auditions for theLegion of Super-Heroes (it had that quasi-legion of rejected heroes, remember?). We deliberately gave him what I've always called a "church-window" costume... one that has a zillion design pieces, and nearly as many colors, with nothing to really focus the eye. But of course, since he was a virtualSuperman, we had to give him a "Kryptonite," so we made it fire, as a sort of homage to theMartian Manhunter. The joke was that theFrightful Four, if they had let him join, would have been going up against theFantastic Four--with its Human Torch--aided by a man who passed out in the presence of any kind of flame."[5]
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Captain Ultra debuted inFantastic Four #177 (December 1976), and was created byRoy Thomas,George Pérez, andJoe Sinnott.[6]
Griffin Gogol is a plumber who underwent psychological treatment and hypnosis to cure his smoking habits. Unbeknownst to him, his psychologist is an alien, and the hypnosis unlocks his innate superhuman abilities. Donning a clashing, colorful costume, Gogol became the superhero Captain Ultra. However, it is revealed he suffers from severepyrophobia (fear of fire) as a side-effect.
Captain Ultra subsequently applies to join theFrightful Four. They eagerly accept him, but reject him after he faints in the presence of amatch.[7] Ultra also works with theDefenders in New York, but never considers joining them.[8]
Soon after, he moves to Chicago. He has since had a minor career as a solo superhero, often teaming up with heroes likeThor to battle minor villains.[9]
Ultra overcomes his pyrophobia after undergoing therapy withDoc Samson and becomes a comedian.[10] His comedy career takes him across the country. Superheroics interfere with this, such as when the underground dirt creature Mud Pi kidnaps the citizens of Wash Basin,Texas. Captain Ultra manages to rescue them all.[11]
Captain Ultra becomes the leader for theNebraska team of theInitiative program, part of a government-controlled superhero program. After his teammatesParagon and Gadget are killed, Captain Ultra briefly fightsIron Man to protect the rest of his group.[12] He is seen investigating the circumstances of Paragon and Gadget's deaths with Samson and Iron Man. During their investigation, it is revealed that there are two new Initiative recruits in the process of being fast-tracked to the Nebraska team, although Captain Ultra expresses irritation at the prospect of having to "babysit the punks".[13]
Captain Ultra is recruited byWonder Man to join hisRevengers. During the Revengers' attack onAvengers Mansion, he is scared off whenDoctor Strange uses an illusion spell to make him believe he is on fire.[14] He and the rest of the Revengers are defeated by all three Avengers teams and remanded to theRaft. It is revealed that Captain Ultra joined the Revengers because he resents being disrespected despite having as much power as an Avenger.[15]
Captain Ultra acquired a range of superpowers through hypnosis by an alien. He possessessuperhuman attributes, such as superhuman strength, speed, durability, and stamina. He also gained the psionic ability to become intangible at will, see through substances (X-ray vision), and the ability to project his breath forward with great concussive force — among others. Captain Ultra has the power of flight.
Daniel Jurlan ofComic Book Resources ranked Captain Ultra 4th in their "15 Obscure Marvel Characters Who Deserve Their Own Movie" list.[16]
