| The Living Monolith | |
|---|---|
.png) The Living Monolith as depicted inX-Men (vol. 2) #94 (November 1999). Art byAlan Davis. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The X-Men #54 (March 1969) |
| Created by | Arnold Drake Don Heck |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Ahmet Abdol |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Team affiliations | Cult of the Living Monolith The Twelve |
| Partnerships | Plasma |
| Notable aliases | Living Pharaoh Living Planet |
| Abilities | Energy absorption and projection Superhuman strength, durability and longevity Size and mass manipulation Telepathy |
TheLiving Monolith (Ahmet Abdol) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He was created by writerArnold Drake and artistDon Heck, and first appeared inThe X-Men #54 (March 1969).[1]
Abdol is theLivingPharaoh while in his normal appearance, but once he obtained enough cosmic energy, he would increase in mass, size, and power, thus becoming the LivingMonolith.[2]
Abdol has mainly been an X-Men villain, usually usingHavok to become the Living Monolith. He has also used other superheroes, including theFantastic Four (who gained their super powers from exposure to cosmic rays). He even killed his own daughter to achieve his goal.
Ahmet Abdol was born inCairo,Egypt. He is a professor ofEgyptology and archeologist who possesses the ability to manipulate cosmic energy, mainly by absorbing it and projecting it as energy blasts. Deciding to use his powers for his own personal gain, Abdol creates a cult around himself as themessiah, the Cult of the Living Pharaoh, and becomes a supervillain, intending to rule all of Earth.[3]
Abdol discovers that another mutant,Havok (Alex Summers, brother toScott Summers also known as Cyclops) could absorb and project cosmic energy more easily than him. Abdol kidnaps Havok and uses him to increase his power, then battles theX-Men.[4][5] He transforms into the Living Monolith and battles the X-Men in this form.[6] He is captured bySentinels, but escapes.[7]
Later, Abdol abductsMister Fantastic, theInvisible Woman, and theHuman Torch to absorb cosmic radiation from their bodies, growing to a massive size. Thor throws Abdol into outer space, where he becomes a "Living Planet," similar toEgo.[8]
It is later revealed that Abdol's formerly dormant mutant powers were activated by a procedure performed on him byMister Sinister. Sinister spliced genes from Alex Summers into hisgenome, thus giving Abdol the ability to absorb cosmic energy. Since his powers were modified to become genetically similar to Havok's, this explained why their abilities symbiotically interfered with one another's.[volume & issue needed]Abdol is found byBishop andDeathbird floating in space. Deathbird betrays Bishop and brings Abdol to Apocalypse, who uses his body as an energy container duringThe Twelve story arc.[9][10]
When the Crimson Gem ofCyttorak reappears on Earth and sends out a call to individuals suitable to become a newJuggernaut, Abdol hears the call and makes his way to the Temple of Cyttorak. Amidst conflict between demonic guardians of the Gem, the X-Men, and several prospective and former candidates for the Juggernaut's power, Abdol manages to claim the Gem. He loses his powers when Cyttorak returns his power to his former host, Cain Marko.[11][12]
Ahmet Abdol possesses the mutant ability to absorb cosmic energy, transforming him into the Living Monolith. After genetically augmenting himself, he gains the additional ability to empower himself by absorbing energy and psychic abilities that enable him to read and control the minds of others.[12] Additionally, he is a skilled scientist specializing in archaeology, genetics, and radiation.