Annihilus

Publication history

The character first appeared in Fantastic Four Annual #6 (1968), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He had a recurring role in the series, including issues #108–110, #140–141, #181–183, #251–256, #289–290, and Fantastic Four Unlimited #3.

He played a small role in the Kree–Skrull War issues of Avengers, #89, 96–97. Other appearances include The Avengers #233, Marvel Team-Up #2, Marvel Two-in-One #75, and Thor #404–405, #434–435.

The character was the main antagonist in Annihilation, appearing in the prologue, the second issue of the Silver Surfer mini-series, and all six issues of the main title. He was killed in issue six, but has since been reborn. He appeared as an infant in War of Kings: Ascension #2.

Fictional character biography

Annihilus first encounters the Fantastic Four when they enter the Negative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treat Sue Storm's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus's minions capture the heroes, but they escape, stealing his Cosmic Control Rod. They return the Rod after siphoning off the needed anti-particles and return to Earth.

Annihilus is challenged by a research scientist, Janus the Nega-Man, who develops a module capable of harnessing antimatter energy. Annihilus defeats Janus, forcing the Nega-Man to lead him to Earth, but Janus is instead seemingly killed in the exploding atmosphere where matter meets antimatter. Annihilus nearly crosses over to Earth through one of Mister Fantastic's portals, but is driven back by the Avengers. Annihilus battles the Frightful Four, and once again attempts to escape the Negative Zone, but is foiled by Spider-Man and the Human Torch.

Annihilus begins leading the Annihilation Wave, an enormous fleet of Negative Zone battleships, ostensibly claiming to have the goal of conquering the universe. He claims that the universe is expanding into areas of the Negative Zone, making the universe now rightfully his territory. His forces destroy the Kyln, an intergalactic power station and maximum security prison, and the planet Xandar, headquarters of the Nova Corps. In reality, Annihilus intends to create a massive Power Cosmic bomb that will destroy the universe and the Negative Zone, leaving him the only survivor. Drax and the Silver Surfer manage to free Galactus, who destroys the Annihilation Wave. Nova battles and kills Annihilus, who is reborn as an infant while retaining his memories. Annihilus is placed under the care of Catastrophus, a lord of the Negative Zone who uses the Cosmic Control Rod to stunt Annihilus' growth.

The Human Torch dies stopping a horde of aliens from the Negative Zone. Annihilus uses regenerative surgery to revive the Human Torch and forces him to work as a gladiator when he refuses to reopen the portal from the Negative Zone.

It is later revealed that Annihilus is still trapped in a child form, and has been using a mechanized stand-in for public appearances. Seeking to return to a more impressive size, he has his agents arrange the abduction of Bruce Banner. After his scientists study Banner's physiology and learn what allows him to transform into the Hulk, Annihilus is mutated into a gigantic, more monstrous form. With this new form, Annihilus and his army make another attempt to conquer the universe. They are successful, ravaging many worlds and killing most of Earth's heroes. However, Thanos and Adam Warlock travel back in time and prevent Annihilus' invasion from ever occurring. Warlock devolves Annihilus into a primitive insect, which is then stepped on by Thanos.

Annihilus, now back to a more standard form, later begins kidnapping and enslaving shipwreck survivors on a desolate world. Using the Nega-Bands to open a portal out of the Negative Zone, Annihilus plots to destroy Earth and the rest of the universe by using a powerful energy cannon. However, he is thwarted by the All-New, All-Different Avengers, who steal the Nega-Bands and destroy the weapon.

In the "Annihilation - Scourge" event, the Negative Zone is attacked by forces from the Cancerverse, collectively known as the Scourge and led by the Void. Annihilus and Blastaar work together to fight the Scourge. The Silver Surfer reunites the Void with his other half, Sentry, while Nova sacrifices himself to stop the Scourge. However, he is resurrected by Annihilus soon after.

During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Annihilus leads the Annihilation Wave in attacking Washington D.C. They are repelled by Doctor Doom's Superior Avengers.

Powers and abilities

Annihilus is capable of self-propelled flight and can withstand the vacuum of space. He possesses an insectoid exoskeleton with armored components that grants him resistance to most forms of injury. He has superhuman physical abilities. He is able to breathe in the vacuum of empty space, and can fly at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.

Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, which slows his aging process and enables him to manipulate energy and matter. Though not always engaging himself in direct combat, Annihilus has proved to be a formidable opponent, and was able to defeat the Thing, Thor, Nova Prime, Quasar, and Blastaar in individual fights with relative ease.

Annihilus also leads an elite personal guard, the Centurions, who have occasionally wielded portions of the Cosmic Control Rod's power.

Annihilus can continuously resurrect himself if he is killed.

Reception

• In 2018, CBR.com ranked Ahmyor 12th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.
• In 2022, GamesRadar+ ranked Annihilus third in their "Best Fantastic Four Villains" list.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

An alternate universe version of Annihilus from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a member of a resistance against Blastaar who was previously rendered amnesiac, assumed a humanoid form, and took the identity of Ahmyor. While fighting Blastaar alongside Blink, Annihilus regains his memories and returns to his original form. Annihilus begs Blink to leave the Negative Zone, as he is no longer the man she loved.

''Heroes Reborn'' (2021)

An alternate universe version of Annihilus from Earth-21798 appears in Heroes Reborn. This version is the leader of the Bottled Hive of Annihilation, a race of small but powerful insects from the Negative Zone.

Mangaverse

An alternate universe version of Annihilus from Earth-2301 appears in Marvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four #1. This version is a kaiju-like monster.

Ultimate Marvel

Nihil, a character from Earth-1610 inspired by Annihilus, appears in Ultimate Fantastic Four. He is the ruler of a space station composed of the remains of alien spaceships that orbits a dying red dwarf star. After learning of the Ultimate Universe, Nihil attempts to travel to it to escape the Negative Zone's decay, only to be killed by the Fantastic Four.

In other media

Television

• An illusionary Annihilus makes a cameo appearance in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Prison Plot".
• Annihilus appears in the Fantastic Four (1994) episode "Behold the Negative Zone", voiced by Clyde Kusatsu.
• Annihilus appears in Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes, voiced by Scott McNeil.
• Annihilus appears in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Double Negation at the World's End!", voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
• Annihilus appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Assault on 42".
• Annihilus appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.
• Annihilus appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Contest of Champions", voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes.

Film

Annihilus was originally intended to appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but was ultimately replaced with the High Evolutionary.

Video games

• Annihilus appears as a boss in Fantastic Four (2005), voiced by Lex Lang.
• Annihilus was originally intended to appear as a boss in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but was cut from the final release for unknown reasons.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, voiced by Charlie Adler.
• Annihilus appears as an alternate skin for the Human Torch in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes. He is available via the "Shadow of Doom" DLC.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel Contest of Champions.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel Snap.
• Annihilus appears in Marvel: Cosmic Invasion, voiced by Matthew Mercer.

Miscellaneous

Annihilus appears in Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game via the "Annihilation" expansion set.

Merchandise

• An Annihilus figure was released in series 3 of Toy Biz's Marvel Super Heroes action figure line.
• An Annihilus figure was released in series 3 of Toy Biz's Fantastic Four (1994) tie-in toy line.
• Annihilus served as a build-a-figure for the "Annihilus Series" of Hasbro's Marvel Legends line and a Wal-mart exclusive repaint.
• An Annihilus figure was released in series 5 of Hasbro's Marvel Super Hero Squad line.
• Annihilus was added to HeroClix in 2013 after winning a fan poll in 2012.

References

References

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2. Rovin, Jeff. (1987). "[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]]". Facts on File.
3. Wells, John. (2014). "American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969". TwoMorrows Publishing.
4. [http://comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/94.html Annihilus is number 94] {{webarchive. link. (May 9, 2009 [[IGN]]. Retrieved May 10, 2009.)
5. (2019). "The Marvel Encyclopedia". DK Publishing.
6. Allan, Scoot. (March 1, 2019). "Annihilus: 10 Things To Know About Marvel's Cosmic Villain".
7. ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book). Fantastic Four]]'' Annual #6 (November 1968)
8. (2017). "Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History". DK Publishing.
9. ''Fantastic Four'' #108 (March 1971)
10. ''Fantastic Four'' #109 (April 1971)
11. ''[[The Avengers (comic book). The Avengers]]'' #89 (June 1971)
12. ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' #2 (May 1972)
13. ''Annihilation: Prologue'' one-shot (May 2006)
14. ''Annihilation'' #4
15. ''[[Annihilation (comics). Annihilation]]'' #6 (March 2007)
16. White, Chris. (May 27, 2019). "Annihilation: The 10 Most Unforgettable Moments Of Marvel's Space Epic".
17. ''[[War of Kings. War of Kings: Ascension]]'' #2 (July 2009)
18. ''Fantastic Four'' #587 (January 2011)
19. ''Fantastic Four'' #588 (February 2011)
20. ''Fantastic Four'' #600 (January 2012)
21. ''Thanos vs. Hulk'' #3 (April 2015)
22. ''Thanos: The Infinity Relativity'' (August 2015)
23. ''Thanos: The Infinity Finale'' (June 2016)
24. ''[[All-New, All-Different Avengers]]'' #10-12 (August - September 2016)
25. ''Annihilation - Scourge Omega'' one-shot (February 2020)
26. ''Superior Avengers'' #1 (April 2025)
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28. Dodge, John. (July 27, 2021). "Thanos vs Annihilus: Which Tyrant Is Marvel's Ultimate Cosmic Threat?".
29. Stanford, Jerry. (May 13, 2020). "5 Reasons Why Annihilus Is A Bigger Threat To The Marvel Universe Than Thanos (& 5 Why He Never Will Be)".
30. ''Fantastic Four'' #290 (May 1986)
31. Lealos, Shawn S.. (September 16, 2018). "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World".
32. Marston, George. (April 7, 2022). "Best Fantastic Four villains".
33. ''[[Blink (character). Blink]]'' #1 - 4 (March - June 2001)
34. ''[[Heroes Reborn (2021 comic). Heroes Reborn]]'' #2 (July 2021)
35. ''[[Marvel Mangaverse. Marvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four]]'' #1 (January 2002)
36. ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' #15 - 18 (January - May 2005)
37. "Annihilus Voices (Fantastic Four)". Behind The Voice Actors.
38. "I saw you mentioned Annhilius as a possible villain for Vol 3. Was he also going to be a candidate for Rockets creator?".
39. Stone, Sam. (April 4, 2019). "Marvel Contest of Champions Welcomes Fantastic Four Villain Annihilus".
40. Steel, Tom. (November 21, 2023). "Marvel Snap: How To Use This Week's Spotlight Cache Cards (11/21)".
41. (October 29, 2021). "How to Beat Annihilus in Marvel Legendary Annihilation Expansion (2-Player Strategy)".