Saturday, October 8, 2022

Saturday Showcase: Man-Thing



Has you seen the Disney+, Marvel Studios Holiday Special Werewolf by Night yet?  If you haven't, do yourself a favor and watch it now.  Then you will realize why my showcase today is on Man-Thing.  

As the story goes, a young biochemist, Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis, is working in the Everglades as part of Dr. Wilma Calvin's Project: Gladiator.  Her team, which includes Dr. Barbara Morse and her fiancé Dr. Paul Allen, and an assistant named Jim.  The team is attempting to recreate the Super-Soldier Serum that had created Captain America. In Web of Spider-Man it is revealed that Sallis at one point treated and worked alongside Dr. Curtis Connors shortly after Connors' arm was amputated, driving the research that would eventually transform Connors into the Lizard.

Though warned that the technological terrorist group Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.) has been operating in the area, Sallis breaches security by bringing with him his lover, Ellen Brandt. He destroys his notes to his formula, don't worry, he memorized them. Later, he is ambushed by two thugs and learns that Brandt has betrayed him. Fleeing with the only sample of his serum, he injects himself with it in hopes of saving himself. However, he crashes his car into the swamp where scientific and, as Man-Thing #1 later explained, magical forces combine to instantly transform him into a slow-moving plant-matter creature with large, solid red eyes. He is unable to speak, and with dim memories, he attacks the ambushers and Brandt, burning and scarring part of her face with an acid that he now secretes in the presence of negative emotions. The Man-Thing then wanders away into the swamp.

He surfaces from time to time, to help those in need.  Even though the memories of Theodore Sallis are believed to be gone, the Man-Thing can control who he hurts with his abilities, therefore leading the readers to believe that  there is good and him and he is not the monster that people make him out to be.

He has fought with many heroes and battled many foes in his lifetime.  One thing that is always certain is that he always returns to the swamp.  Because of his appearance and the fear that it brings, he would rather live a life of solitude than being hunted like a creature. The heroes of the world know that if they need Ted's help, he will be there but they also know he would rather be left alone.

Powers & Abilities

  • Superhuman Strength, Durability and Stamina
  • Empathic Senses
  • Chlorokinetic Regeneration
  • Size Alteration
  • Corrosive-Chemical Secretion
  • Teleportation
  • Portal Creation
  • Fear Empowerment
  • Reality Guardianship
  • Plant Manipulation

Publication Information

Publisher:  Marvel Comics

First Appearance: Savage Tales #1 (May 1971)

Created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, & Gray Morrow

Alter Ego:  Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis

Species: Swamp Monster/Human Mutate

Team Affiliations:
  • Nexus of All Realities
  • Midnight Sons
  • Thunderbolts
  • Daydreamers
  • Legion of Monsters
  • Avengers of the Supernatural
  • Ancient Order of the Shield
  • S.T.A.K.E.
Partnerships:  Howard the Duck

Notable Aliases:  Vorgornus Koth

Until next time, get your READ on!

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