Graviton (comics)

Graviton
Graviton confronts the Thunderbolts on the cover of Thunderbolts #17 (Aug. 1998). Art by Mark Bagley.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Avengers #158 (April 1977)
Created by	Jim Shooter (writer) Sal Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Franklin Hall
Team affiliations	A.I.M.
Notable aliases	Master of the Fundamental Force
Abilities	Gravity manipulation Genius level intellect

Graviton (Franklin Hall) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Avengers #158, dated April 1977. He was created by writer Jim Shooter and artist Sal Buscema. Over the years he has mainly opposed the Avengers in their various incarnations.

Originally a gravity researcher Franklin Hall gains the ability to control gravity, corrupted by the power he becomes a supervillain using the name "Graviton". He is confronted and defeated by the Avengers as he tried to destroy the facility where he did his original research. In subsequent appearances Graviton seems to struggle with control of his powers and often loses because of this. Graviton has appeared to have died on more than one occasion, but has returned each time through various means. He later becomes part of Advanced Idea Mechanics' High Council as "Minister of Science".

Graviton has appeared in the The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon series and Franklin Hall (played by Ian Hart), Graviton's alter ego, appeared on an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. where he researched "Gravitonium".

Graviton first appears in Avengers #158 (April 1977) and was created by Jim Shooter and Sal Buscema.

Franklin Hall is a Canadian physicist involved in an experiment in a private research facility in the Canadian Rockies. A mistake in Hall's calculations causes graviton particles to merge with his own molecules, and Hall later discovers that he can mentally control gravity. Hall at first tries to hide his newfound ability, but becomes tempted by the potential power, and donning a costume adopts the alias "Graviton."

When Graviton takes over the research facility and forbids all communications with the outside world, a fellow scientist sends a distress signal to the superhero team the Avengers. A furious Graviton then lifts the facility several thousands of feet into the sky and threatens to kill the scientist. The Avengers then arrive and attack but are all defeated when trapped in a gravity field. At Avengers Mansion a returning Black Panther learns of their plight and joins with the thunder god Thor, currently also on leave from the team, and the two head to the facility. As the Panther frees the captive Avengers, Thor battles Graviton to a standstill until he is tricked into thinking a fellow scientist he cares for has committed suicide. Graviton then panics and causes the entire facility to collapse on him, forming a giant stone sphere that is dropped into a river by the Avengers.