Dark Beast (Marvel Comics)
| Dark Beast | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | X-Men: Alpha #1 (February 1995) |
| Created by | Scott Lobdell Roger Cruz |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Henry Phillip McCoy |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Team affiliations | Morlocks Brotherhood of Mutants X-Men (infiltrated) Dark X-Men |
| Abilities | Same as Beast |
Dark Beast (Henry Phillip McCoy) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is alternative reality version of Beast.
Publication history
[edit]Dark Beast debuted in of X-Men: Alpha #1 (1995),[1] created by Scott Lobdell and Roger Cruz. He appeared in 1986 X-Factor series.[2] He appeared in 2004 Astonishing X-Men series.[3]
Fictional character biography
[edit]Dark Beast was first introduced during the "Age of Apocalypse", which depicted a dystopian timeline in which Professor X was killed before formed the X-Men. Dark Beast taking after his mentor Mister Sinister, became a mad scientist and geneticist known for conducting inhumane experiments. He was among few characters to survive the destruction of his universe as he escaped to Earth-616 by traveling through the M'Kraan Crystal.[4]
After abducting the original Beast and impersonating him on the X-Men for several months, Dark Beast's identity was revealed. He clashed with various X-Men team for years, temporarily allied with Beast and also joined Dark X-Men. Following his apparent death, he was reconstructed by Mister Sinister, who gave him a cybernetic body.[4][5]
X-Men apprehended Dark Beast and forced him to serve as their scientific expert. While he cured them of the Transmode Virus and saved Cyclops, he also sabotaged the vaccine to be lethal to mutants. When the X-Men confronted Dark Beast, he confessed and Magik decapitated him by her teleporting discs. Later it is revealed that Dark Beast's head was retrieved and kept alive/preserved in a tube by Mister Sinister.[4][6]
Reception
[edit]- In 2019, CBR ranked Dark Beast 3rd in "All Of The Dark X-Men" list.[7]
- In 2020, CBR ranked Dark Beast 2nd in "X-Men: Every Version Of Beast" list. [8]
- In 2025, CBR ranked Dark Beast 4th in "The 6 Best Obscure X-Men Villains" list.[9]
In other media
[edit]Video games
[edit]- Dark Beast appears as a boss in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.[10]
Merchandise
[edit]- In 1997, Toy Biz released a Dark Beast action figure.[11][12]
- In 2018, HeroClix released a Dark Beast miniature model.[13] In 2021, another miniature model was released.[14]
- In 2019, Hasbro released a Dark Beast action figure, as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ Harn, Darby (October 19, 2021). "X-Men: Ranking All The #1 Issues". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (May 8, 2021). "Dark Beast, Skrull Wolverine & Other Imposters Who Replaced Heroes". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Zachary, Brandon (May 26, 2023). "Marvel's Original X-Men Have All Become Villains". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c Webber, Tim (June 20, 2019). "The X-Men Just Executed Their Most Twisted Enemy". CBR. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Phillips, Dan (May 11, 2012). "Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1 Review". IGN. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Schlesinger, Alex (December 12, 2022). "X-Men Just Disproved A Popular Fan Theory About Beast's Villain Turn". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Kirsten (May 8, 2019). "All Of The Dark X-Men, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Harn, Darby (September 13, 2020). "X-Men: Every Version Of Beast, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Pishny, Maxwell (February 26, 2025). "The 6 Best Obscure X-Men Villains, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Aihoshi, Richard (November 16, 2005). "X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Team Q&A #1". IGN. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
- ^ Goellner, Caleb (October 25, 2010). "'90s Marvel Monster Mashup Toys Were Wonderfully Ridiculous". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (March 26, 2017). "The 15 Strangest X-Men Action Figures". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (January 30, 2018). "X-Men Xavier's School HeroClix Unboxing". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (June 2, 2021). "Marvel X-Men Rise and Fall HeroClix Previews: Havok, Mr. Sinister, Dark Beast, and More". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Tyler (November 5, 2019). "The Age of Apocalypse Has Arrived with New Marvel Legends Figures". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "X-MEN LEGENDS 6IN DARK BEAST AF CS (DEC198155)". Previews World. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- Marvel Comics American supervillains
- Marvel Comics American superheroes
- Comics characters introduced in 1995
- Alternative versions of comics characters
- Fictional physicians
- Fictional geneticists
- Fictional murderers
- Fictional mad scientists
- Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
- Marvel Comics characters with superhuman senses
- Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
- Marvel Comics mutants
- X-Men members
- Marvel Comics scientists
- Characters created by Scott Lobdell
- X-Men supporting characters