Molecule Man
| Molecule Man | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #20 (November 1963) |
| Created by |
Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Owen Reece |
| Partnerships | Volcana |
| Abilities | Multiversal scale reality warping |
Molecule Man (Owen Reece) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is often portrayed as a supervillain, but sometimes takes the role of a reformed outlaw or reluctant hero.
The character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #20.
Owen Reece was a timid child from Brooklyn, New York who obsessively clung to his mother. He grew into a weak-willed adult, made bitter and lonely by his mother's death, and full of fear and hatred of what he regarded as a deeply unfriendly world. Reece became a lowly laboratory technician working at a nuclear plant owned by the Acme Atomics Corporation. He was disgruntled by his job's long hours and low pay. One day, Reece accidentally activated an experimental particle generator, which bombarded him with an unknown form of radiation. The radiation had a mutagenic effect on Reece, releasing his potential for psionic powers on a cosmic scale. Reece could now control all matter, even down to the molecular level, and all energy. The radiation also left markings resembling lightning bolts across Reece's face. Reece named himself the "Molecule Man" after his power to control molecules.
The tremendous forces released by the accident also opened a wormhole between Earth's dimension and the dimension containing the immensely powerful entity later known as the Beyonder. During the following years, the Beyonder observed Earth and its multiverse through the interdimensional pinhole.
The day after the accident, the president of Acme Atomics fired Reece for his carelessness, not even knowing his name after his twelve years of work there. Angered, Molecule Man covered the president and his desk with ice that he formed from molecules in the air. Reece became a criminal and set out to use his powers to take revenge on a world he believed had belittled and persecuted him. However, Reece's self-doubt, fear, and self-hatred subconsciously restricted his powers. He believed he was unable to affect organic molecules, and that his power resided in a metal wand.
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Wikipedia