Masked Marvel (Marvel Comics)
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| Masked Marvel | |
 Art by David Hahn |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | X-Men vol.2 #187 |
| Created by | Karl Kesel David Hahn |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Adam Austin |
| Abilities | Flight, "Atomic punch", Force field generation |
The Masked Marvel (Adam Austin), is a fictional satirical superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by writer Karl Kesel. Austin first appeared in X-Men #187, where he debuted in "The Masked Marvel" - an additional mini-comic which appeared at the end of the issue.
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[edit] Publication history
[edit] Self-Parody
In many ways the Masked Marvel is a device used to open up a universe where Marvel writers can parody their own creations. In the Masked Marvel shorts, real life editors such as Tom Brevoort are featured in situations involving their interaction with versions of their Marvel superheroes. An example of this is indignant in Electro's attack on Marvel office to punish the real life Brian Michael Bendis for how he portrayed his character or how Fantastic Four's Reed Richards uses the Postal service to send a pair of "Power Dampening Cuffs" to Marvel HQ for use by the artists of the Fantastic Four comic.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
[edit] Origin
"The Masked Marvel" is first presented in a comic book pitch where Adam Austin and his partner, artist Eddie Ward, attempt to convince a Marvel Comic executive that the superhero is worth investing in. In this short sequence the two list the Masked Marvel's powers - attempting to sell the idea, which initially fails due to Marvel's apparent policy of only writing comics about real life superheroes. However this is interrupted when Electro, usually an antagonist of Spider-Man, appears and within the satirical trend, demands those responsible for his fainting in a previous Marvel comic be brought before him. Adam Austin, having disappeared before this, appears as the Masked Marvel and proceeds to apprehend the super-villain. The crisis over, Adam Austin re-appears, and the two would-be failed writers speak to Tom Brevoort, who promises to commission a Masked Marvel comic with the two as the creating team. "The Masked Marvel" later appears in a second comic-short at the back of X-Men #189.
[edit] Civil War/The Initiative
Adam has been identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear on the cover of the comic book Avengers: The Initiative #1. [1]
Adam is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
[edit] Powers and abilities
The powers and abilities of Masked Marvel are as listed:
1. Flight (possibility due to an energy sphere providing anti-gravity qualities)
2. The ability to manipulate a force field
3. An atomic punch, which can apparently break through walls.
No explanation is given as to how Adam Austin came about obtaining these powers.
