| Zzzax | |
|---|---|
Zzzax battles the Hulk on the cover of Hulk #183 (Jan. 1975). Art by Herb Trimpe. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Incredible Hulk #166 (Aug. 1973) |
| Created by | Steve Englehart Herb Trimpe |
| In-story information | |
| Notable aliases | General "Thunderbolt" Ross, The Living Dynamo |
| Abilities | Electrical manipulation Super-strength and durability Ability to supposedly gain intellect |
Zzzax is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Incredible Hulk #166 (August 1973) and was created by Steve Englehart and Herb Trimpe.
Contents |
Debuting in the title The Incredible Hulk,[1] Zzzax is a humanoid creature formed from electricity by an act of sabotage at a Con Ed nuclear power plant in New York City. A group of terrorists destroying the dynamos started a chain reaction that causes a rapid build in energy, which takes on a life of its own and absorbs the minds of the terrorists and several engineers. By using the electrical energy from their brains, the entity is able to achieve humanoid form and sentience. Calling itself Zzzax, the entity fights the Hulk and the hero Hawkeye before being defeated.[1]
The character returns to the title Hulk and repeats its behavior at a research center in Chicago. The Hulk battles the entity to a standstill before several scientists shut down the process that creates Zzzax.[2] Zzzax reappears in the title Luke Cage, Power Man, and hunts the men responsible for its last defeat. Cage defeats the entity, but not before it kills one of the scientists.[3] Zzzax returns in the title Hulk to confront an intelligent version of the monster (possessing the intelligence of Bruce Banner), but is quickly defeated.[4] Mephisto later reforms the entity in the limited series Secret Wars II, although it is defeated by Fantastic Four member the Thing.[5] In the title West Coast Avengers the character Zzzax teams with fundamental force villains Graviton; Quantum and Halflife, but is shortcircuited by Hawkeye.[6]
The title Hulk details how Zzzax is eventually captured and contained by the spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D., who transport it to Gamma Base. General Thunderbolt Ross, long-time foe of the Hulk, arranges for his mind to be transferred into Zzzax's body and battles a new version of the Hulk, Rick Jones.[7] Ross relinquishes control of the entity soon after saving his daughter Betty Ross Banner, realizing that his actions had risked lives.[8] Zzzax battles hero Iron Man in the title Marvel Comics Presents[9] and outsider Cable in the self-titled series.[10]
The entity reappears in the title New Avengers and participates in the mass escape by super-villains from holding facility The Raft.[11] The second volume of the title She-Hulk reveals the character has been contained by S.H.I.E.L.D. After briefly escaping and turning the defence systems of the organisation's Helicarrier against its agents, it is recaptured by heroine She-Hulk.[12]
The Mighty Avengers later apprehend Zzzax when he was attacks New Delhi.[13]
Zzzax later appears in the services of MODOK Superior when it comes to him attacking Red Hulk.[14]
During the Fear Itself storyline, Zzzax was with MODOK Superior when it comes to competing against Zero/One and Black Fog into getting to Red Hulk first.[15]
As a being of pure electricity, Zzzax is capable of absorbing and discharging powerful currents of electricity; manipulating nearby electrical fields and equipment, and flying. The character's size and strength increases in proportion to the amount of electricity absorbed. This control of electrical current extends to the human nervous system, as Zzzax has been shown controlling the Hulk. Zzzax is also dependent upon brain electricity, and when killing prey will temporarily take on the personality traits of the victim. Zzzax has been shown generating intense heat, to the point whereby water - a previous weakness - evaporates before touching it.