Noh-Varr

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Marvel Boy

Noh-Varr (center) on the cover to Marvel Boy #1
Art by J.G. Jones
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Marvel Boy Mini-series #1 (August 2000)
Created by Grant Morrison
J.G. Jones
In story information
Alter ego Noh-Varr
Species Kree
Team affiliations Plex
Kree Empire
18th Kree Diplomatic Gestalt
Abilities Enhanced reflexes, strength, speed, and stamina; knowledge of advanced Kree technology and weaponry

Noh-Varr is a fictional alien appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. His first appearance was in Marvel Boy #1 (August 2000), and he was created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones. He recently appeared in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways and the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series.

Contents

[edit] Publication history

[edit] Marvel Boy (2000-2001)

Marvel Boy was a 6-issue limited series published from August 2000 to March 2001, as part of the experimental Marvel Knights line. The series was written by Grant Morrison, illustrated by J.G. Jones (with Sean Parsons) and colored by Matt Milla of Avalon Studios. In a 2000 interview, Morrison described his stylistic intentions for the book:

“ Not only am I working with one of the best comics artists ever [Jones], the colouring gauntlet has been thrown down once again with the most incredible video game lighting and atmospherics. The whole thing really becomes something new with issue 3, however, which I'm unusually proud of. ... [T]hat was the issue I really began to utilise J.G. Jones' preposterous genius to its best effects and decided to rethink the prevailing vogue for cinematic/money shot panel structures and page layouts. Marvel Boy's visual style becomes more like MTV and adverts; from #3 on it's filled with all kinds of new techniques; rapid cuts, strobed lenticular panels, distressed layouts, 64 panel grids, whatever. We've only started to experiment but already MARVEL BOY looks like nothing else around. Some of the stuff J. G. is doing is like an update of the whole Steranko Pop Art approach to the comics page. Instead of Orson Welles, op art and spy movies, J.G.'s using digital editing effects, percussive rhythms, cutting the action closer and harder, illuminated by the frantic glow of the image-crazed hallucination of 21st century media culture and all that. Comics don't need to be like films. They don't need to look like storyboards. ... I wanted to go back and explore some of the possibilities of comics as music.[1] ”

Writing in 2006, journalist Tom Spurgeon praised the series:

“ What the series resembles most closely is the later, Kirby-dominated and slightly tossed-off seeming issues of Fantastic Four. Like Kirby, Morrison focuses on the weirdness of the superhero concept itself, leaving many of the out-there science fiction ideas, the bizarre combat technologies and hints of radical, identity-focused politics, to sizzle at the perimeter of the page. [1] ”

[edit] Fictional character biography

Noh-Varr serves as an ensign aboard the 18th Kree Diplomatic Gestalt interstellar schooner the Marvel, which transverses millions of alternate dimensions on its way home. The ship is drawn toward a universe similar to the Marvel Universe (Earth-616) and shot down by the forces of Dr. Midas, a multi-trillionare obsessed with gaining powers through the absorption of cosmic rays. Midas blasts the Marvel out of the sky in an attempt to acquire the ship's cosmic ray-powered engines. His friends and comrades killed, Noh-Varr emerges as the only survivor.

Upon escaping Midas' prison, Noh-Varr rampages in New York City. Using the telepathic powers of Plex, he herds the populace to avoid any loss of innocent life and uses his advanced Kree weaponry to carve an enormous message in the surrounding area. Upon observing the letters from space, members of S.H.I.E.L.D. note that Noh-Varr has written "Fuck You." Although S.H.I.E.L.D. sends three Banner-Men, (bio-engineered Super Soldiers with the powers of Wolverine, the Hulk and Captain America), against Noh-Varr, he easily defeats the psychologically infantile opponents.

Noh-Varr then encounters the sentient corporation known as Hexus. Accidentally released from a containment cell when the Marvel crashed, Hexus begins to take over world-wide commerce in an attempt to subjugate the human population and ultimately control Earth. Noh-Varr invades the control center of Hexus and ultimately destroys the "social parasite" by releasing all of its trade secrets to its competitors.

Noh-Varr finds himself pursued by Dr. Midas and his minions, and upon striking an alliance with Midas' daughter Oubliette, Noh-Varr defeats the megalomaniac. After the battle, agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. capture Noh-Varr and incarcerate him in a seemingly inescapable prison known as the Cube. While in custody, Noh-Varr declares war on Earth and the human race.

[edit] New Avengers: Illuminati

Noh-Varr is the main point of attention of the Illuminati members in New Avengers: Illuminati #4. Its members: Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Namor are worried about the fact Noh-Varr has declared war on the entire planet and try to change his mind. They visit him at the Cube and tell him to earn his way out of prison instead of fighting.

[edit] Civil War

In Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways, part of Marvel Comics' "Civil War" crossover event, a brainwashed Noh-Varr is ordered to capture the Runaways by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Maria Hill.

After being released for his mission by the cruel warden of the Cube, Noh-Varr brutally attacks his targets as well as the Young Avengers. When the warden of the Cube feels the mission has finished successfully, he orders Noh-Varr's retrieval. As the Young Avengers and the Runaways assault The Cube, he engages them in battle. After a brief fight, Noh-Varr is defeated and the Vision reverses the Cube's mental control over him. He is seen taking control of the Cube, declaring it to be the capital city of the new Kree Empire.

[edit] Secret Invasion

When the alien virus the Skrulls upload release all the prisoners within the Cube, Noh-Varr announces that it is, "Time to go."

[edit] Powers and abilities

Noh-Varr on the cover to Marvel Boy #2, Art by J.G. Jones
Noh-Varr on the cover to Marvel Boy #2, Art by J.G. Jones

Noh-Varr is a Kree who has been enhanced with insect DNA. He has demonstrated enhanced reflexes, speed, strength, and endurance well beyond that capable of a normal human. He is able to re-route his neurological impulses so that he can avoid experiencing physical pain, and even suppress any stimulus he doesn't want to experience, making him a deadly opponent in battle : in Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways he's seen performing a "White run", blotting out everything unrelated to the fight from his mind and allowing him to defeat Xavin, Karolina Dean, Wiccan and Hulkling within seconds.

In addition, Noh-Varr is "triple jointed," allowing extreme feats of contortion and the ability to survive what would otherwise be crushing forces. Noh-Varr can also scale even the smoothest surfaces, including vertical walls, glass windows, and ceilings.

When needed, he can digest any organic substance without adverse effects. As a result, he can eat rotting or poisonous food as well as non-food stuffs (e.g., cardboard, paper, etc.). He uses this ability to recover from wounds or extreme stress.

Noh-Varr's saliva contains nanotechnology that invades the minds of those whose skin it touches. This causes hallucinations and allows Noh-Varr a degree of mind-control. His thumb nail can grow into a deadly crystalline spike. Noh-Varr can insert this nail into an opponent and leave it to explode, killing both the target as well as causing extensive damage to the surrounding area.

Noh-Varr also has access to a wide variety of advanced Kree technology, including high-tech weaponry such as self-replicating grenades, plasma guns and a "pocket battlefield" that can simulate unique battle environments for combatants.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] References

  1. ^ Comic Book Resources - Comic Book News, Reviews and Commentary - Updated Daily!