Vermin (comics)
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Vermin is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character's first appearance was in Captain America #272 (August 1982).
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Edward Whelan was a genetecist working for Baron Zemo II and Arnim Zola. In an experiment with Arnim Zola he was transformed into his present state.
Vermin is not a typical villain in that he is usually a pawn controlled by another super villain. He has the intellect of a child, and would probably never be a threat to anyone were it not for the ease with which he is manipulated. He has often turned on the villains who have attempted to use him as a weapon against Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine, as when he injured Zemo or when he turned on Bloodscream in the sewers beneath New York.
At certain points, he was returned to his original human form only to be kidnapped and reverted back into his present state. Despite a name that approximates nuisance, Vermin has caused serious problems for Spider-Man and Captain America and is not easily beaten.
It has been revealed that Edward Whelan suffured from extensive and traumatic physical and psychological abuse during his childhood, (from 'The Child Within' 7-parter), which explains why it is so difficult for his human persona to gain control of his animal side. Vermin is a cannibal, and is arachnophobic.
Eventually, under psychiatric care, Whelan was able to permanently recover and rid himself of the Vermin persona. This was made possible only when Spider-Man stopped him from beating Baron Zemo to death, for it was letting go of his hate that allowed Vermin to truly "die."
Unfortunately, the recovery didn't last long and Whelan fully gave into his Vermin state once again. This was confirmed when he teamed up with Bloodscream when they fought Wolverine together.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Vermin's strength was enhanced by the mutagenic process forced upon him. His agility, reflexes, and durability are roughly equivalent to the absolute peak attainable for the human body but, unlike his strength and speed, they do not reach superhuman levels. He has enhanced senses, particularly his sense of smell.
Vermin has the ability to control rats and stray dogs within a two mile radius of his person. It has not been clearly explained how he does this but some writers have implied it might be hyper-sonic communication.
Though Vermin has no formal martial arts training, he utilizes animal cunning and instincts which make him a very formidable hand-to-hand combatant. He once bested Spider-Man in a physical struggle, but was prevented from killing him by Kraven the Hunter.
[edit] Special Skills
Before being altered by Zola, Whelan was an accomplished geneticist. As Vermin, his intellect is reduced to a child-like (yet cunning) level and he suffers from paranoid delusions.
[edit] Trivia
- Although Edward Whelan is African-American, Vermin is usually depicted as having a light pinkish fur color, very similar to the skin tone of Caucasian characters.
