Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Self-Assured 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 the Marvel universe? This exploration covers:
- Amadeus Cho's Identity
- Amadeus Cho's Hulk-Related Abilities
- Amadeus Cho's Comic Book Origins
- Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Images
7 Images
Who is Amadeus Cho?
Despite his youth and formidable competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature often lead him into legal trouble, resulting in a life partly spent evading authorities. He displays a strong affinity for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, readily defending his 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, a powerful force for good.
Amadeus Cho's Hulk Powers and 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 intense mental activity often leaves him ravenous.
His transformation into the Hulk granted him immense physical strength, comparable to his mental prowess. At his peak, he possessed the Hulk's full strength, regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the classic Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality during transformations, avoiding the rage-monster persona.
Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a slightly less powerful version of his Hulk form, capable of fully transforming when necessary.
Amadeus Cho Cheat Sheet
- First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15 (2005)
- Creators: Greg Pak & Takeshi Miyazawa
- Aliases: Mastermind Excello, Hulk, Brawn, Prince of Power
- Current Team: Agents of Atlas (formerly Champions, God Squad, Avengers)
- Recommended Reading: Incredible Hercules - The Complete Collection Vols. 1-2, The Totally Awesome Hulk Vols. 1-4, Champions: Because the World Still Needs Heroes
Amadeus Cho's 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 (1962), introduced characters with significant Marvel Universe potential. Amadeus quickly became the book's standout character.
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 assassination to maintain his sixth-place ranking. After his family's death, Amadeus fled with only a coyote pup, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus's prominence resurfaced during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, where they faced numerous challenges. This collaboration produced an iconic meme image:
Amadeus and Hercules eventually became established heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Their partnership dissolved, leading to a new chapter. After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, Amadeus became the new Hulk, his adventures documented in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-founded a new iteration of the Champions team.
Currently, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a powerful and brilliant hero.
Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics
Amadeus has appeared in Marvel's animated and video game projects, especially after his comic book 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 (2017) featured him as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).
In the latest Spider-Man series, 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 series' pattern of using comic book heroes and villains as inspiration, it's likely.
Amadeus's MCU debut is anticipated. His mother, Helen Cho (played by Claudia Kim in Avengers: Age of Ultron), suggests a long-laid foundation for his introduction.
For more on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, see IGN's Season 1 review and how the series reimagines Peter Parker.
