Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy and 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, Peter's Oscorp intern. 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.
Who is Marvel's Amadeus Cho?
Despite his youth and the abundance of competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature have often led him to evade legal authorities. He has a soft spot for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and bravely defends his friends.
Amadeus's strength now matches his intellect. He briefly became the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Though the classic Hulk has returned, Amadeus continues to fight for justice as Brawn. Regardless of his moniker, Amadeus Cho is a powerful force for good.
Amadeus Cho's 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. The only drawback is the intense mental exertion often leaves him ravenous.
After becoming the Hulk, Amadeus gained immense physical strength, matching his mental prowess. At his peak, he possessed the Hulk's full strength, regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality when transformed, avoiding the rage monster aspect.
Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, slightly less powerful than his Hulk form, but still capable of unleashing his full Hulk strength when necessary.
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 (Spider-Man's debut), introduced characters with significant Marvel Universe potential, with Amadeus becoming the breakout star.
Amadeus 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 with only a coyote pup, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus returned to prominence during the 2007 World War Hulk crossover, assisting the Hulk and partnering with Hercules (a fugitive hero who refused the Superhuman Registration Act). Their adventures led to The Incredible Hercules series.
Amadeus and Hercules eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, Amadeus became the Hulk, his adventures chronicled 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 become a recurring character 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, Amadeus 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 Amadeus as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).
In Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. While his superhero future is uncertain, his character's comic book origins suggest a transformation is likely. His mother, Helen Cho, appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron, hinting at the MCU's long-term plans for the character.
