Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Powerful Teen Hero
While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man features a fresh take on Peter Parker, the animated series delves deep into the Marvel Universe. Many supporting characters are based on comic book heroes and villains, including Amadeus Cho, one of Peter's Oscorp interns. But who is Amadeus Cho, and why is he a prominent teen hero in Marvel's recent history? Let's explore this brilliant, yet self-absorbed character.
Amadeus Cho: A Marvel Genius
Despite his youth and the abundance of competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's smartest individuals. His intellect, however, often leads him into conflict with authority, resulting in a life partially spent evading the law. He has a soft spot for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, readily defending his friends.
Amadeus's strength now matches his intellect. He briefly became the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Although the classic Hulk has returned, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn. Regardless of his moniker, Amadeus Cho is a powerful force for good.
Amadeus Cho's Abilities
Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though potentially higher). He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations, though this often leaves him ravenous.
His time as the Hulk granted him immense physical strength, along with Hulk-like regeneration and durability. Unlike the classic Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality in his transformed state, avoiding the rage monster persona.
Currently operating as Brawn, his power level is slightly reduced compared to his Hulk form, but he can still fully transform when necessary.
Amadeus Cho: A Comic Book History
Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. This issue, mirroring the original Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man's debut), introduced several potential Marvel Universe stars, with Amadeus becoming a standout.
He gained recognition as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. However, the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus for death to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus's prominence grew during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, teaming up with Hercules (a fugitive hero from Civil War). Their adventures in The Incredible Hercules series led to iconic imagery:
They eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Their partnership dissolved, leading to Amadeus's transformation into the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's radiation, detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also joined the Champions alongside Ms. Marvel, Nova, Viv Vision, and a time-displaced Cyclops.
Now, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a powerful and brilliant hero.
Beyond the Comics
Amadeus's presence has grown in Marvel's animated and video game projects, especially after his Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and appears in LEGO Marvel games.
In animation, he appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man and Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled, voiced by Eric Bauza as Iron Spider. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man marked his first appearance as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee), and now, voiced by Aleks Le, he's a confident scientist and intern at Oscorp. His future as a superhero remains to be seen.
A future MCU appearance seems likely, considering his mother's minor role in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
For more on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, check out IGN's review.
