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Vermin (character)

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Vermin
Vermin as depicted in Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1 (May 2011). Art by Mike McKone (penciler/inker) and Jeremy Cox (colorist).
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceCaptain America #272 (August 1982)[1]
Created byJ. M. DeMatteis
Mike Zeck
In-story information
Alter egoEdward Whelan
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsNew Revengers
Sewer Enclave
PartnershipsBaron Zemo
Armin Zola
Abilities
  • Accomplished geneticist

As Vermin:

  • Superhuman strength, speed and stamina
  • Peak level agility, durability and reflexes
  • Extremely acute senses
  • Razor sharp teeth
  • Inch-long claw-like fingernails
  • Ability to control rats and stray dogs and revert to human form at will

Vermin (Edward Whelan) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of Captain America and Spider-Man. A geneticist working for Baron Zemo and Arnim Zola, Edward Whelan was subjected to an experiment that mutated him into a humanoid rat, gaining superhuman abilities, as well as the predatory instincts of a rat. The character's most notable appearance was in the storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt".

Publication history

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The character's first appearance was in Captain America #272 (August 1982).[2] He was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.[3]

He became a Spider-Man villain as well in Marvel Team-Up #128 (April 1983), fighting both Captain America and Spider-Man.[4]

Fictional character biography

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Edward Whelan suffered severe physical and sexual abuse as a child from his father.[5] As an adult, he became a geneticist working for Helmut Zemo and Primus, who later experiment on him and transform him into a cannibalistic, humanoid rat. Vermin is defeated by Captain America and turned over to S.H.I.E.L.D.[6] He escapes S.H.I.E.L.D., however, and returns to the service of Zola and Zemo.[7]

Vermin eventually escapes the asylum, and attacks his parents at their home in Scarsdale. He is captured by Spider-Man and returned to psychiatric care. Whelan returns to his human form after being treated by Ashley Kafka,[5] but later returns to his Vermin form.[8]

In All-New, All-Different Marvel, Vermin appears as a member of Maker's New Revengers.[9]

During the "Hunted" storyline, Lizard and Taskmaster were able to defeat Vermin who was attacking some civilians while they were en route to Central Park.[10] Upon becoming a prisoner of Arcade, Vermin bites Arcade in the finger and mentions that Lizard and Taskmaster are working against him. Arcade then injects Vermin with a serum that causes him to spawn clones of himself.[11] When the Vermin clones attack Spider-Man, he is saved by Kraven the Hunter.[12]

After a Norman Osborn sin-induced Spider-Man injects Kraven the Hunter with a compound that contained some pheromones, he enters the sewer where he is attacked by Vermin and his clones. Kraven the Hunter defeats most of them before being knocked out.[13]

During the "Gang War" storyline, Vermin and his clones attack the F.E.A.S.T. building amidst the gang wars. They are repelled by Spider-Boy.[14]

Vermin was later brought into the Sewer Enclave by Miles Morales' clone Shift.[15]

Powers and abilities

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Vermin's strength was enhanced by the experimental mutagenic process designed by Arnim Zola, and forced upon him. He resembles a humanoid rat and possesses enhanced strength, durability, senses, and agility.

Vermin has the ability to control rats and dogs within a two-mile (3 km) radius of himself.[16]

Reception

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In 2021, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Vermin 5th in their "Marvel: 10 Characters Baron Zemo Created In The Comics" list.[17]

Other versions

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Earth-71290

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An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan from Earth-71290 appears in Spider-Society #2. This version works as an assistant to Ashley Kafka at Ravencroft.[18]

Ultimate Marvel

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An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan / Vermin from Earth-1610 appears in All-New Ultimates #7. This version previously worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. until it was dissolved. Following this, he took to living in a sewer system where he developed a psychic connection to Agent Crock and become tyrants until they encountered the Young Ultimates. In the ensuing fight, Shadowcat kills Crock, which kills Vermin as well due to their connection.[19]

In other media

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References

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  1. ^ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  2. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 393. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  3. ^ Johnson, Dan (August 2009). "In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt". Back Issue! (#35). TwoMorrows Publishing: 5.
  4. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Manning, Matthew K. (2012). Spider-Man Chronicle: Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. DK Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-0756692360.
  5. ^ a b The Spectacular Spider-Man #178-184 (July 1991 - January 1992). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Captain America #272 (August 1982). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Captain America #275-278 (November 1982 - February 1983)
  8. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #403 (July 1995). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ New Avengers (vol. 4) #7 (April 2016). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 #19.HU. Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 #20.HU. Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 #21. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6 #33. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Spider-Man Unlimited Infinity Comic #19-24. Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Spectacular Spider-Men #11. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #12 (March 2010)
  17. ^ Allan, Scoot (November 1, 2021). "Marvel: 10 Characters Baron Zemo Created In The Comics". CBR. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  18. ^ Spider-Society #2 (November 2024). Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ All-New Ultimates #7 (October 2014). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Winfrey, Lorenzo (June 17, 2012). "Meet The Villains Of The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game". Archived from the original on August 17, 2018.
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