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. Supporting characters are often 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 significant teen hero in Marvel's recent history? Let's explore this brilliant, yet self-absorbed character.
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Amadeus Cho: The Genius Hulk
Despite his youth and the intense competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature have often led him into legal trouble, resulting in a life partly spent evading authorities. He's known for his affinity for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules and his unwavering loyalty to friends.
Amadeus's strength eventually matched his intellect. He briefly became the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Even with the classic Hulk's return, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn, showcasing his immense power and unwavering commitment to justice.
Amadeus Cho's Abilities
Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranking as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though his actual ranking might be higher). He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations, though this often leaves him ravenous.
His time as the Hulk granted him superhuman strength, regeneration, and durability. Unlike the classic Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality during transformations, avoiding the rage-fueled persona.
Currently operating as Brawn, his power is slightly less than his Hulk form, but he can still unleash his full Hulk potential 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 promising new Marvel characters. Amadeus quickly became 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 ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus's prominence grew during the 2007 World War Hulk crossover. He teamed up with Hercules, leading to their series, The Incredible Hercules. This collaboration produced memorable moments, such as:
Amadeus and Hercules eventually became established heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Their partnership dissolved, leading to Amadeus's transformation into the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation (detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk). He also co-founded a new iteration of 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 hero with exceptional intellect.
Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics
Amadeus's presence in Marvel's animated and video game projects has grown, especially after his Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and features 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 marks his first appearance as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).
Currently in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. His potential superhero transformation remains to be seen, but given the comic book origins of other characters in the show, it's likely. His eventual MCU debut is also anticipated, considering his mother's appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
For more on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, explore IGN's Season 1 review.
