Annihilus has at various times been the ruler of the Negative Zone, controlling its inhabitants via his powerful Cosmic Control Rod.[2] He first encountered the Fantastic Four after Reed Richards discovered how to travel to the Negative Zone from Earth.[3] Over the years he clashed with the Fantastic Four on many occasions, often with the group foiling his plans to invade Earth. He is often the partner of Blastaar, who started out as a rival to Annihilus' rule of the Negative Zone before becoming an ally.[4]
The character first appeared in Fantastic Four Annual #6 (1968), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[6][4] He had a recurring role in the series, including issues #108–110, #140–141, #181–183, #251–256, #289–290, and Fantastic Four Unlimited #3.
The character was the main antagonist in Annihilation, appearing in the prologue, the second issue of the Silver Surfer mini-series, and all six issues of the main title. He was killed in issue six, but has since been reborn. He appeared as an infant in War of Kings: Ascension #2.
Fictional character biography
The first appearance of Annihilus. Cover to Fantastic Four Annual #6. Art by Jack Kirby
Annihilus first encounter the Fantastic Four when they enter the Negative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treat Sue's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus's minions capture the heroes, but they escape and temporarily steal his Control Rod to harness its antimatter particles.[7][8]
Annihilus was challenged by a research scientist, Janus the Nega-Man, who developed a module capable of harnessing antimatter energy within the Negative Zone. Annihilus defeated Janus, forcing the Nega-Man to lead him to Earth, but Janus was instead seemingly killed in the exploding atmosphere where matter meets antimatter.[9] Annihilus nearly crossed over to Earth through one of Mister Fantastic's portals, but was driven back by the Avengers.[10] Annihilus battled the Frightful Four, and once again attempted to escape the Negative Zone, but was foiled by Spider-Man and the Human Torch.[11]
Sensing great power within Franklin Richards, Annihilus abducted him, along with the Fantastic Four, Medusa, Wyatt Wingfoot, and Agatha Harkness into the Negative Zone. He used a machine to prematurely release the child's full power potential, hoping to transfer the expended energies into himself. The Four defeated Annihilus and escaped back to Earth.[12] Annihilus later allied with Mr. Fantastic against the Mad Thinker.[13]
Blastaar, a fellow Negative Zone warlord, stole the Control Rod and left Annihilus to die.[14] Desperate, Annihilus tried to escape to Earth. He was defeated by the Avengers and Fantastic Four before returning to the Negative Zone.[15] Annihilus was revived by Blastaar and regained his Control Rod.[16]
Annihilus attacked the dimension of Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, but was repelled by King Odin.[17] Annihilus later kidnapped a sleeping Odin, transporting him to the Negative Zone to steal his power. Annihilus was defeated by Thunderstrike.[18]
Soon after, Annihilus and Blastaar joined forces with fellow Negative Zone warlord Syphonn. During a confrontation with Adam Warlock, Annihilus and Blastaar betrayed Syphonn, allowing him to be defeated.[19]
Annihilus began leading the Annihilation Wave, a fleet of Negative Zone battleships, ostensibly claiming to have the goal of conquering the universe. He claims that the universe is expanding into areas of the Negative Zone, making the universe his territory. His forces destroy the Kyln, an intergalactic power station and maximum security prison, and the planet Xandar, headquarters of the Nova Corps.[20][21] He allies with Thanos[22] and two beings that were trapped in the Kyln by Galactus, Tenebrous, and Aegis.[23] Tenebrous and Aegis defeat Galactus and the Silver Surfer, and the two are connected to a giant mechanism in Annihilus' starship.[24] Annihilus' goal is actually creating a massive Power Cosmic bomb that will destroy the Universe and the Negative Zone, leaving Annihilus the only survivor.[25]Drax and the Silver Surfer free Galactus, who destroys the Annihilation Wave while Nova battles and kills Annihilus.[26][21] Annihilus is later reborn as an infant while retaining his memories.[26][4]
In War of Kings, the Negative Zone is invaded by Darkhawk and his ally Talon. They discover the infant Annihilus and his Cosmic Control Rod have been placed under the care of a lesser lord of the Negative Zone, Catastrophus. Catastrophus had been using the Cosmic Control Rod to stunt the development of the infant Annihilus, hoping to prolong his own rule. Talon kills Catastrophus and seizes the Rod, before calling out to the infant Annihilus and asking it to remember in the future that he had spared the creature's life.[27]
During a later incursion into the Negative Zone, Johnny Storm discovers that Annihilus's forces have been rebuilt to "pre-Crunch assault levels," but are currently embroiled in a struggle with Blastaar's forces. Central to that struggle is a city built from the remains of the Negative Zone Prison Alpha. The war is further complicated by the involvement of the Universal Inhumans.[28]
The Human Torch dies stopping a horde of aliens from the Negative Zone.[29] Later, when Reed Richards opens a window to the Negative Zone and menaces Annihilus with the Ultimate Nullifier, Annihilus in return brandishes Johnny's uniform to Reed.[30][31][32][33]
Annihilus uses regenerative surgery to revive the Human Torch, turning him into a gladiator when he refuses to reopen the portal from the Negative Zone.[34][4]
Annihilus is contacted by an alternative version of Reed Richards (one of the last survivors of the Council of Reeds) via the Cult of the Negative Zone, a religious movement worshipping Annihilus. As part of a plan to orchestrate an event known as the "War of Four Cities", Richards offers to open a massive portal between the Negative Zone and Earth, allowing the Annihilation Wave to pass through. Annihilus agrees, and sends forces to attack the Baxter Building and secure its Negative Zone gateway.[35]
Johnny Storm learns of the plan and enlists the Inhumans Light Brigade in an uprising, attacking Annihilus' forces as they prepare to cross over. With the aid of Light Brigade member Kal Blackbane, Johnny wrests the Cosmic Control Rod away from Annihilus, and takes control of the Annihilation Wave armada, using it to battle the Kree fleet as well as the Mad Celestials. Annihilus is captured and a leash is placed around his neck.[36]
After a rebellion breaks out for free elections in the Negative Zone, Annihilus wins as a write-in candidate for new leader of the Negative Zone, receiving 14 trillion votes.[37]
During the Infinity storyline, Annihilus appears as a member of the Galactic Council.[38]
It is later revealed that Annihilus is still trapped in a child form, and has been using a mechanized stand-in for public appearances. Seeking to return to a more impressive size, he abducts Bruce Banner and harnesses his power to mutate into a monstrous form.[39] With this new form, Annihilus and his army make another attempt to conquer the universe. They are successful, ravaging many worlds and killing most of Earth's heroes.[40] However, with help from Above-All-Others, Thanos and Adam Warlock travel back in time and prevent Annihilus' invasion. Warlock then devolves Annihilus into a primitive insect, which Thanos steps on.[41]
Annihilus, now back to a more standard form, later begins kidnapping and enslaving shipwreck survivors on a desolate world. Using the Nega-Bands to open a portal out of the Negative Zone, Annihilus plots to destroy Earth and the rest of the universe by using a powerful energy cannon. However, he is thwarted by the All-New, All-Different Avengers, who steal the Nega-Bands and destroy the weapon.[42][43]
Powers and abilities
Annihilus is capable of self-propelled flight and can withstand the vacuum of space. He possesses an insectoid exoskeleton with armored components that grants him resistance to most forms of injury.[4] He has superhuman physical abilities. He is able to breathe in the vacuum of empty space, and can fly at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.[44]
Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, a weapon of great power. It slows his aging process and enables him to manipulate energy and matter.[4][45] Though not always engaging himself in direct combat, Annihilus has proved to be a very formidable opponent, and was able to defeat the Thing,[46] Thor, Nova Prime, Quasar, and Blastaar in individual fights with relative ease.[47][43] Annihilus also sometimes wields energy pistols based on Tyannan technology that he has modified.
In Annihilation: Nova, Annihilus kills Quasar and obtains his Quantum Bands.[48][4][21] By using these in combination with most of his stored power reserves Annihilus was able to withstand a massive blast from Galactus in the Annihilation series. While the blast destroyed his entire army, along with several solar systems, Annihilus was able to survive.[49] Even as an adolescent, he could withstand the Human Torch's hottest flame with little effort.[50]
Annhilus also leads an elite personal guard, the Centurions, who have occasionally wielded portions of the Rod's power.[43]
Fantastic Four #600 reveals that Annihilus can continuously resurrect after being killed.[51]
Reception
In 2018, CBR.com ranked Ahmyor 12th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.[52]
In 2022, GamesRadar+ ranked Annihilus third in their "Best Fantastic Four Villains" list.[53]
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a member of a resistance against Blastaar who was previously rendered amnesiac, assumed a humanoid form, and took the identity of Ahmyor. While fighting Blastaar alongside Blink, he regains his memories and returns to his original form before leaving her to battle Blastaar.[54][55][56][57][58]
Heroes Reborn (2021)
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-21798 appears in Heroes Reborn. This version is the leader of the Bottled Hive of Annihilation, a race of small but powerful insects from the Negative Zone.[59]
Mangaverse
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-2301 appears in Marvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four #1. This version is a kaiju-like monster.[60]
Ultimate Marvel
Nihil, a character from Earth-1610 inspired by Annihilus, appears in Ultimate Fantastic Four. He is the ruler of a space station composed of the remains of alien spaceships that orbits a dying red dwarf star. After learning of the Ultimate Universe, he attempts to travel to it to escape the Negative Zone's eventual decay, only to be killed by the Fantastic Four.[61][62][63]
In other media
Television
Annihilus (bottom right) as depicted in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.
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