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. 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 the Marvel universe? Let's explore this brilliant, yet self-absorbed character.
Who is Amadeus Cho?
Despite his youth and formidable competition, Amadeus Cho is one of the smartest individuals in the Marvel Universe. His intellect and rebellious nature often lead him into legal trouble, resulting in a life partly spent evading authorities. He has a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and fiercely protects his friends.
Amadeus's strength eventually matched his intellect. He temporarily became 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 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. His pattern recognition and mental calculation skills are unparalleled. Ironically, this intense mental activity often leaves him ravenous.
His time as the Hulk granted him immense physical strength, mirroring his mental prowess. At his peak, he possessed the Hulk's full strength, regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the Hulk, Amadeus retained his intelligence and personality during transformations, 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: 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 potential future Marvel stars, with Amadeus becoming 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 assassination to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.
Amadeus's prominence grew during the 2007 World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules (a fugitive hero from Civil War). Their adventures formed the basis of The Incredible Hercules series.
After becoming the Hulk, his exploits were documented in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-led 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 unmatched intellect.
Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics
Amadeus has appeared in various Marvel 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 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 marked his first appearance 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 to be seen, but given the series' pattern of using comic book characters, it's highly likely.
Amadeus's MCU debut is also anticipated. His mother, Helen Cho (Claudia Kim in Avengers: Age of Ultron), suggests the MCU has been laying groundwork for his introduction.
