Annihilus

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Annihilus in Annihilation - Scourge: Alpha v1 #1.

Annihilus is a male extraterrestrial supervillain who features in Marvel Comics.

Contents

Biography

Origin

Encountering Annihilus in Fantastic Four v1 #109.

Annihilus was an extraterrestrial being native to the other-dimensional realm known as the Negative Zone. It was said that his origins were traced to around one thousand years ago from a world in the core of the Negative Zone. On this planet, the primordial surface was dominated by non-sapient nightmarish beasts that preyed on each other. During this time, a sentient being emerged that developed intelligence where he began to question existence and what made him different from the other natives of the planet. This saw him preyed upon by the beasts leading to the young Annihilus constantly on the run in fear for his life as he was subject to their hatreds. In his travels, he found a crashed spacecraft that belonged to the highly advanced inhabitants of Tyanna with the crew all dead. Annihilus entered the craft and found a helmet which he wore that downloaded the knowledge of the entire race into his mind. With this knowledge, he learnt that his origins were seeded on the planet by the people of Tyanna when they crashed on the planet. Annihilus thus came to use their technology which he turned against the beasts that hunted him and fashioned the Cosmic Control Rod where he began a reign of terror in the Negative Zone. (Fantastic Four v1 #140)

Modern

Battling the four in Fantastic Four v1 #256.

Annihilus later came to attack a helpless world that fell before his might where he dispatched his Scavengers to track down any survivors. They came upon three members of the Fantastic Four who had journeyed into the Negative Zone in search for anti-particles that were going to be used to help treat the Invisible Woman's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. However, the heroes were captured and taken captive where they were brought onto Annihilus's ship. Taking an interest in the humans, he came to take Mister Fantastic out of his cell only for the hero to attack Annihilus but he was easily dealt with by the power of the Cosmic Control Rod. The villain then had Mister Fantastic placed in a containment cell holding his comrades the Thing and the Human Torch. In there, Annihilus decided to perform experiments on them for his amusement as he sought to destroy them. This saw him test them using numerous tools in order to gauge their power. However, the Fantastic Four managed to break the cell leaving Annihilus unconscious in the wreckage. Reed Richards then stole the Cosmic Control Rod whilst he and his compatriots made their escape. Upon awakening, Annihilus came to be furious at the theft of his treasured relic and he dispatched the Borers against the heroes. After those beasts failed, he decided the chase against the humans on-board his fast gunship. With it, he managed to destroy the stolen ship but the Fantastic Four survived with Annihilus being forced to pursue when his own craft was destroyed at the edges of the Negative Zone. Both sides though were stranded in the turbulent area where they had to work together to survive. Richards came to siphon some off the need negative particles before returning the Rod to Annihilus who chased after it whilst the Fantastic Four returned to Earth in their own dimension. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6)

He came to find the drifting Super-Adaptoid within the Negative Zone and took the artificial being to his palace. Placed within an invigorator, he intended to turn the robotic entity into one of his subjects. Around this time, his stronghold came under attack from Blastaar who was a fellow warlord of the Negative Zone. The Baluurian looked to form an alliance where he wanted the aid of Annihilus to help conquer his homeworld. The insectoid agreed though secretly planned to dispose of his 'ally' once he conquered his homeworld. (Marvel Two-In-One v1 #75)

Afterwards, Annihilus came to encounter the long-lost Tyannans who had fallen under the control of the Brute. Along with Blastaar and Reed Richards, Annihilus defeated the Brute and freed the Tyannans. However, the Tyannans then set up a barrier around their world in order to protect themselves from the other inhabitants of the Negative Zone. (Fantastic Four Unlimited v1 #3) Later on, another power-hungry despot named Syphonn gained prominence in the Negative Zone. He had created a Conqueror Wheel that was a device that allowed easy passage to the positive matter universe. Forming an alliance with Blastaar and Syphonn, Annihilus gathered his forces unaware that Syphon planned to betray him by destroying the positive matter universe and using its energy to become a god rather than opening a passage to enable an invasion. Before they could 'attack' though, Adam Warlock came to destroy the Conqueror Wheel. (Warlock v4 #4)

Annihilation

In time, he claimed that the normal positive universe had begun to expand into areas of the Negative Zone. As a result, he believed that this meant that the universe now rightfully belonged to him. Thus, he assembled a massive army from the Negative Zone known as the Annihilation Wave that had the goal of conquering the universe. After entering the positive universe, his forces destroyed the intergalactic station known as the Kyln that served as a prison for Tenebrous and Aegis. These two Proemial Gods aided in the defeat of Galactus and his Herald the Silver Surfer who were both imprisoned in a giant mechanism on Annihilus's flagship. The reason for their capture was to use them to create a massive bomb made from the Power Cosmic that would be used to destroy all of reality leaving Annihilus the only survivor.

Thanos's efforts came to be a success as he managed to turn Galactus into a living collector of cosmic energy by using him to destroyed worlds then harvest the power with only a small amount used to sustain him. The great majority was used to be collected for Annihilus who began to feed on it. Unknown to the Mad Titan, Annihilus was actually turning Galactus into a living bomb which he intended to destroy the entire universe with himself as the only survivor. (Annihilation v1 #4)

The plan was thwarted when Drax had freed the Silver Surfer who in turn freed Galactus from his restraints. The World Devourer then proceeded to decimate a large section of the Annihilation Wave whereupon he departed the wreckage he left behind. From the ruined flagship, Annihilus had emerged having survived the attack though his power was depleted. He intended to return to the Negative Zone and marshal his forces anew to continue his invasion. However, he was confronted by the Nova Richard Rider along with Starlord and Phyla-Vell. Nova intended to end the threat of Annihilus and battled the insectoid warlord one-on-one but his foe proved stronger until Phyla-Vell engaged him whereupon the Quantum Bands joined with her. Though Annihilus managed to knock her out, Nova managed to plunge his arm into the Negative Zone villains throat and pulled out his organs thus killing him. Leadership of the Annihilation Wave passed to Ravenous who signed a peace treaty to end hostility but territory was seeded to his forces. From one of the Annihilation Wave's Queens, Annihilus was reborn as an egg and awaited to mature back to his fill form. (Annihilation v1 #6) The pupa along with the Cosmic Control Rod were placed in the care of one of his lieutenant lords named Catastrophus who was to serve as regent until his master was reborn. However, Catastrophus intended for a long reign and the Insect Lord used the Cosmic Control Rod's power to stunt the growth of the pupae thus freezing it in this state for a length of time preventing his masters rebirth. Such a plan would have succeeded by agents from the Fraternity of Raptors came into the Negative Zone where they killed Catastrophus. Talon took the Cosmic Control Rod for his own plans but sent a message into the mind of the developing Annihilus to note how the Raptor had aided him and that they expected a return of this favour. (War of Kings: Ascension v1 #2)

Reborn

The newly born Annihilus came to reach adulthood where he resumed control over his armies and domain in the Negative Zone. Eventually, he planned for the conquest of the positive matter universe once again with his target being Earth itself. To accomplish this, he made use of his agents to establish the Cult of the Negative Zone among humanity. The Cult of the Negative Zone made their way into the Baxter Building and breached the portal to the Negative Zone. Once inside, the cult managed to unleash what seemed to be an endless army of Annihilus Insectoid Soldiers upon Johnny, the currently powerless Ben, and the kids of the Future Foundation. Franklin revealed that he had his powers back by destroying the army and the group pushed into the Negative Zone, where the only way to hold the army off from getting through the door was to lock the door from their side and randomize the code so no one could get in or out. Ben was prepared to make the sacrifice, but Johnny threw him through the portal as he regained his powers. Johnny used his nova flame, but still couldn't burn the whole army and was captured. Annihilus demanded that Johnny opened the portal to Earth, but he refused and faced certain death. (Fantastic Four v1 #600)

With the doorway closed, Annihilus confronted the Human Torch who used all his might and power in fighting the Negative Zone army but the hero was defeated. Annihilus then had him tortured and interrogated as he sought a means of invading Earth but the portal was sealed preventing his invasion. Storm was sent to battle in the arena a number of times where each grievous fatal injury was repaired and he was sent back into the gladiatorial matches. Around this time, he was contacted by an alternate version of Reed Richards who wanted to return to his own universe. He provided the schematics for beacons that could open the portal to Earth allowing for Annihilus's invasion. The devices were constructed but he was informed that Earth was under attack from the Kree with Annihilus calling for the Annihilation Wave horde to begin the invasion. Before the portal could be opened, the Human Torch along with his fellow gladiators in the Light Brigade broke free where they attacked Annihilus. Despite his power, Johnny Storm defeated the lord of the Negative Zone and claimed leadership over his army. (Fantastic Four v1 #600)

Annihilus was summoned by Doctor Doom and Kid Immortus who promised Annihilus to retrieve the Cosmic Control Rod so he could join their alliance. (FF v2 #8) They began observing the Future Foundation, whilst Kid Immortus was pressured into merging themselves together so they could defeat the Fantastic Four, but Doom remained unconvinced. They forced Alex Power to sabotage the FF's portal so the superheroes would wound up in Doom's nation of Latveria. (FF v2 #12) Instead, it transported them on the moon, due to Ant-Man being aware of their plans with the help of Impossible Man redirected the portal. When the FF began preparing their attack on Latveria, Doom was able to retrieve the Cosmic Control Rod with the assistance of his Council of Doom. (FF v2 #13) However, when the FF came, Doom refused to merge with Immortus and Annihilus, deeming them inferior, and instead absorbed the rod into himself and incapacitated Immortus, Annihilus and the FF. (FF v2 #14) Ultimately, the FF defeated Doom and Annihilus got his Cosmic Control Rod back. (FF v2 #16)

He came to acquire one half of the Nega-Bands where he used its power to open portals into the positive matter universe. With this, he was able to abduct people from that dimension and forced them into slave labour where he intended to use open a portal large enough for him to use a giant cannon to set hat universe ablaze. One of those that fell through these portals were the Avengers who worked to thwart Annihilus's schemes. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #11)

After the death of Thanos, he came into possession of the severed head of the Mad Titan which Hela along with the Black Order sought to reclaim to revive him. He battled her but was wounded by the Asgardian death goddess who demanded the return of Thanos's head. (Guardians of the Galaxy v5 #3)

Within the Negative Zone, Annihilus continued his war against Blastaar but then their forces were attacked by a mysterious new foe. This turned out to be forced of the Many-Angled Ones of the Cancerverse. They had reformed and began their invasion of the Negative Zone thus forcing Annihilus to ally with Blastaar against a common foe. Despite their efforts, they were unable to stem the tide and in desperation the pair decided to send Annihilus into the positive-matter universe to recruit allies from amongst their heroes with the wounded Arthosian being discovered by the Nova Richard Rider. (Annihilation: Scourge Alpha v1 #1)

Overview

Personality and attributes

From within his mouth could merge a pair of chattering mandibles that he could use to tear into flesh. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #11) Among the titles he was known by included Annihilus the Annihilator. (Guardians of the Galaxy v4 #1) He was also known as He Who Annihilates and as the Living Death That Walks. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) Annihilus had also referred to himself as the Lord of the Negative Zone. (Fantastic Four v1 #109)

He sought to prove himself supreme and that by destroying can he be forever reborn. Annihilus believed in securing his treasure and that to do so he crush anything that lived. As such, he eliminated all other forms of life in an attempt to secure his immortality. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) Annihilus believed that he was the only true life form and that all others needed to be eliminated with him embarking on plans to destroy all life except himself. (Annihilation v1 #4) He felt that those capable of dying were the lucky ones. (Fantastic Four v1 #600)

The Cosmic Control Rod was a priceless treasure for Annihilus where he crushed any living being that threatened to take it. If stolen, he would go to any lengths to get it back and would devastate half a world in the process. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6)

Thanos had remarked that Annihilus was an unskilled tactician as he was always thinking that the usage of an 'overwhelming force' could solve all of his problems. (Thanos: The Infinity Relativity v1 #1)

Powers and abilities

Annihilus was a superhuman being who was an inhabitant of the Negative Zone. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) He was noted for having his origins from insectoid roots with his body composed of a hard glistening chitinous shell. (Fantastic Four v1 #140) Even as a partially-grown adolescent, he was capable of withstanding the Human Torch's hottest flame with little effort, claiming that not even all the suns in the sky would be enough to burn him. (Fantastic Four v1 #600) His body chemistry and wings allowed him to resist the anti-matter pulls that exited within the Negative Zone. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) For speech, he utilised an instantaneous translator device allowing him to converse with other life forms. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) It was said that he was part of a cycle of endless resurrection where he was always reborn when he was killed. (Fantastic Four v1 #600)

A priceless treasure in his possession was the Cosmic Control Rod. Through this cosmic power, he was made immortal that he considered a priceless gift. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) He went through a cycle of endless resurrections with him being unable to stop living. (Fantastic Four v1 #600)

On its lowest output, the Control Rod was able to generate blasts that could knock out a superhuman. He was able to regulate its power where he could completely disintegrate a target and leave no remains of them behind. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6)

As the ruler of an entire dimension, he had millions of willing subjects under his command. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #11) He was served by numerous creatures such as the Scavengers that were green-skinned bat-like humanoids that brought him life forms. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) Other servitor creatures that served him were the bipedal insecto-trolls who feared failure as their master would eliminate them for defeat. (Thor v1 #435) Other servants of his empire included the Proctors that were bipedal soldiers wearing armor that resembled their master who enforced his rule among worlds in his dominion. (Fantastic Four v3 #19) One of his servants was Sascra that was a giant monstrous octopus-like creature who was considered Annihilus's unconquerable executioner and similar to many of his subjects was slithering strangler with no intelligence. (Marvel Two-In-One v1 #75)

One weapon within his arsenal was the negato gun that was a pistol-like device. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6) Within his arsenal was a giant cannon called the Techtronicon that could be used to set worlds ablaze. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #11)

At one point, he cam to claim the Quantum Bands for himself after murdering Quasar. (Annihilation: Nova v1 #4) With them, he was able to survive a powerful blast from Galactus that destroyed Annihilus's army. (Annihilation v1 #6)

Notes

  • Annihilus was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby where he made his first appearance in Fantastic Four Annual v1 #6 (November, 1968).

Alternate Versions

  • In X-Men v2 #41 (1995), an alternate version of Annihilus appeared in the Age of Apocalypse reality that was designated as Earth-295 in the Multiverse. This altered timeline saw a human looking Annihilus suffering from amnesia and taking on the identity of a freedom fighter named Ahymor who joined the rebellion in the Negative Zone that sought to depose the warlord Blastaar. Blink would encounter him where the two would exchange fists rather than greetings at first, though the battle would end in a stalemate. Once Ahmyor realized she meant him no harm, the two called a truce and he began to explain to her his situation. The people wanted to restore control to their previous ruler, Annihilus, who was also malevolent, but the lesser of two evils in this case. For some time, Ahmyor had been haunted by visions of their tortured leader Annihilus who had been made undone in his quest for order through domination. He could feel his gnawing need for power, the endless struggle that drove him to madness, but blue-clad interlopers called the Fantastic Four would inevitably see to his end. Despite not having any memories of herself, the girl found the spirit of rebellion to be a familiar one and joined his cause. Over the course of a week, Ahmyor would fall in love with this angel. She made him extremely happy as both a warrior and as a man and helped restore his soul. Eventually, the couple was captured and taken to Blastaar who revealed that Ahmyor was actually Annihilus. Blink felt betrayed as she believed she had done the honorable thing by aiding in a rebellion, but it appeared that she was only helping a dictator reclaim his empire. Ahmyor explained that he was amnesiac just like Blink was and had no recollection of his former life. When he was removed from power, he regressed to an earlier, humanoid stage in his being. However, his knowledge of the truth caused him to begin reverting into his insectoid form. Blastaar had previously acquired the Annihilation Cannon, a deadly invention made by Annihilus that could not be fired without the Cosmic Control Rod joined to the form of its creator. With Ahmyor/Annihilus now in his clutches, Blastaar finally had the key to active this ultimate weapon and he planned on using it to destroy Earth. Suddenly, Blink with a renewed dedication to her beloved and found him bound to the Annihilation Cannon. She moved quickly to free him, but discovered that the device had been altered so that it would explode if Annihilus was removed from it. Ahmyor's transformation into Annihilus was nearly complete and he urged her to leave him and the Negative Zone as he was no longer the man she loved. With tears in her eyes, Blink teleported Ahmyor away, sent the Annihilation Cannon to Blastaar's position, and teleported herself back home where the X-Men had been frantically searching for her. Subsequently, Annihilus was once again himself. An image fluttered across his mind's eye, causing him to pause, and giving him a moment's worth of peace. It was an image of the only being ever to reach him, the only one he ever loved. However, it faded just as quickly as it had come and was replaced with rage that burned in his heart as thoughts of revenge boiled within him.
  • In Ultimate Fantastic Four v1 #15 (2005), an alternate version of the character named Nihil appeared in the Ultimate Marvel reality designated as Earth-1610 in the Multiverse.
  • In Red Skull (2015), a version of Annihilus was shown to reside on Battleworld. On this planet, he was the ruler of the Annihilation Wave that populated the Deadlands outside the Shield wall. Red Skull regularly bartered with him in order to continue his own life and involved him in the scheme to bring down the wall.

In other media

Television

  • In Fantastic Four, Annihilus appeared as an antagonist in the 1994 animated series in the episode "Behold the Negative Zone" where he was voiced by actor Clyde Kusatsu. He was native to the Negative Zone where he was lord of the planet Tyanna and a bitter enemy of Blastaar. When Mister Fantastic discovered the Negative Zone, a tear opened into that dimension due to an accident allowing Annihilus to arrive on Earth. After learning the planet's language, he declared his claim on the planet and immediately attempted to form a nest whilst eliminating his challengers. Blastaar later arrived on Earth as well with the two foes engaging in ritual combat with the victor gaining Earth. However, the Fantastic Four managed to capture the pair and sent them back into the Negative Zone.
  • In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Annihilus appeared as an antagonist in the episode "Assault on 42" but had no speaking lines. He was an inhabitant of the Negative Zone that along with the horde of insectoids at his command assaulted Prison 42.
  • In Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Annihilus appeared as an antagonist in several episodes where he was voiced by actor Robin Atkin Downes.

Video games

  • In Fantastic Four, Annihilus appeared as a boss antagonist in the 2005 video game where he was voiced by actor Lex Lang. He battled Mister Fantastic and the Thing in an underground laboratory that was mutated by cosmic radiation.
  • In Marvel: War of Heroes, Annihilus appeared as multiple playable cards in the video game.
  • In Marvel: Contest of Champions, Annihilus appeared as a playable character in the setting of the mobile video game.
  • In Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Annihilus appeared as a boss antagonist in DLC expansion content in the video action-adventure video game where he was voiced by actor Robin Atkin Downes. Earth's superheroes were banished to the Negative Zone by Doctor Doom where they came under attack from Annihilus and his insectoids. They were only saved by the intervention of the Fantastic Four who managed to capture the Negative Zone warlords Cosmic Control Rod. Using its power, they opened a portal back to Earth allowing them to escape Annihilus and continue their fight against Doctor Doom.

Appearances

Annihilus in Thanos vs. Hulk v1 #4.
  • Fantastic Four Annual v1: (1968)
  • Fantastic Four v1:
  • Marvel Two-In-One v1:
  • Annihilation v1:
  • War of Kings: Ascension v1:
  • FF v1:
  • Annihilation v1:
  • Thanos vs. Hulk v1:
  • Guardians of the Galaxy v5:
  • All-New, All-Different Avengers v1:
  • Annihilation: Scourge Alpha v1:
  • Fantastic Four v6:

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