Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Powerful Teen Hero
While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man centers on 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 significant teen hero in Marvel's recent history? Let's explore this brilliant, yet self-absorbed, character.
Who is Amadeus Cho?
Despite his youth and the abundance of competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and disregard for authority have often led him to evade legal trouble. He displays a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, readily defending his friends.
Amadeus has recently acquired strength to match his intellect, briefly becoming 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 alias, Amadeus Cho is a powerful force for good.
Amadeus Cho's Powers and Abilities
Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though potentially higher). He excels in pattern recognition and complex mental calculations, although this often leaves him ravenous.
As the Hulk, Amadeus gained immense strength, along with Hulk's regenerative abilities 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 diminished 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 debut of Spider-Man in the original Amazing Fantasy #15, introduced several potential Marvel Universe stars, with Amadeus becoming a breakout 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 death to maintain his ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus's prominence increased during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, a series that spawned memorable moments. They eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi.
After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation, Amadeus became the Hulk, his adventures detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-founded a new iteration of the Champions team.
Now, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a hero combining power and intellect.
Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics
Amadeus has become a recurring character 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 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 features him 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. His future as a super-powered hero remains uncertain, but given the series' pattern of using comic book characters, it's likely. His mother's appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron suggests the MCU may introduce him soon.
