Vermin (Marvel)
Vermin is a male comic supervillain who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Edward Whelan
At some point, he was picked up off the streets by Baron Zemo, the son of a Nazi scientist, and Arnim Zola, the master Nazi geneticist, and subjected to a process that bestowed upon him various ratlike traits and attributes. (Captain America v1 #272)
Able to command rats and other wild beasts, Vermin was dispatched by the pair to stalk and kill their long-time enemy Captain America. After randomly slashing a cab driver to attract attention, Vermin encountered Captain America in a rundown area of Harlem, and despite unleashing a pack of rats against the Avenger, Vermin was overpowered. (Captain America v1 #272)
Returning to New York City, Vermin once again prowled the city streets, finally going on a rampage during the San Gennaro Festival in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. He was apprehended by Captain America and Spider-Man and turned over to local authorities. (Marvel Team-Up v1 #128)
Ravencroft Institute
Edward was eventually pronounced mentally well and excused of the crimes he committed as Vermin. He returned the favor to Doctor Kafka by taking a position as her aide at the Ravenscroft Institute. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #390)
However, Edward was still occasionally abused by various villains during the outbreaks and riots at Ravencroft, such as when Judas Traveller triggered the re-emergence of his Vermin persona. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #403)
Vermin attacked the new Kraven the Hunter for intruding on his tunnels and was beaten by her very severely. He escaped outside and ran into Spider-Man, who was wearing a Daredevil costume. Not recognizing his old foe, Vermin attacked, overwhelming him, and taking a bite out of his shoulder. Up close, Vermin was able to identify Spider-Man's scent. Appealing to the last shred of humanity within Vermin, Spider-Man convinced him to reveal where Kraven was. Vermin later attacked Kraven again but was defeated and captured by her. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #567)
He was later recruited by the Maker to join the ranks of the New Revengers. (New Avengers v4 #12)
Hunted
Whilst in captivity, he was studied by Arcade's scientists with Vermin revealing that Taskmaster was working with the Lizard. After setting off the alarm, Arcade decided to use a serum on Vermin causing his body to split into a number of duplicates that were set free into the preserve. (Amazing Spider-Man v5 #20.HU)
Overview
Personality and attributes
After his transformation, he no longer considered himself a man and said that he was death itself. Vermin claimed to be an animal and that other humans were soft physically as well as emotionally. Some had said that Vermin was animal with no shred of humanity in his soul. It was said that Vermin was the embodiment of all diseases and all the deaths of the streets which he had haunted. (Captain America v1 #272)
He was shown to not be a fool and was able to tell when someone was attempting to goad him. (Captain America v1 #272)
According to Sandy Sanderson, Vermin was described as being a tortured soul whose life had dealt him severe and unusual psychological blows. (Captain America v1 #275) Spider-Man believed that Vermin might had been the most vicious opponent he had ever faced. (Spectacular Spider-Man v1 #178)
Vermin claimed the streets to be his kingdom where he grew up in them alone. He said he had no family or friends except for the rats that he kept as company. (Captain America v1 #272)
Powers and abilities
Originally, he was an ordinary human being until he was subjected to experiments by Arnim Zola that genetically altered him into a person that gained rat-like traits and abilities. His agility, reflexes, and durability are roughly equivalent to the absolute peak attainable for the human body but, unlike his strength, speed and stamina, they do not reach superhuman levels. He had extremely acute senses, particularly his sense of smell. Vermin had inch-long claw-like fingernails, razor-sharp pointed teeth, and fur covering most of his body, giving him the appearance of a humanoid rat. (Captain America v1 #272)
Vermin was shown to hold some degree of control over rats that he could command to aid him. (Captain America v1 #272)
After being kidnapped by Kraven, he was injected with a special serum by Arcade. This had the effect of growing clones out of Vermin's own body. (Amazing Spider-Man v5 #20.HU)
Notes
- Vermin was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck where he made his first appearance in Captain America v1 #272 (August, 1982).
Alternate Versions
- In All-New Ultimates v1 #7 (2014), an alternate version of Vermin appeared in the setting of the Ultimate Marvel reality set on Earth-1610 in the Multiverse.
In other media
Video games
- In The Amazing Spider-Man, Vermin appeared in the 2012 video game-tie to the live-action film where his vocal effects were provided by actor Steven Blum. This version was an ordinary rat that was injected with the Cross-Species Virus by Oscorp scientist Edward Whelan thus transforming Vermin into a humanoid rat-creature.
Appearances
- Captain America v1: (1982)
- Spectacular Spider-Man v1:
- New Avengers v4:
- Amazing Spider-Man v5:
External Links
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