Masked Marvel (Marvel Comics)

Masked Marvel
File:Mmarvelxmen189.jpg Art by David Hahn
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men vol.2 #187
Created by	Karl Kesel David Hahn
In-story information
Alter ego	Adam Austin
Abilities	Flight, a powerful "Atomic punch", Anti-Gravity force-field

The Masked Marvel (Adam Austin), is a fictional satirical superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by writer Karl Kesel. Austin first appeared in X-men #187, where he debuted in "The Masked Marvel" - an additional mini-comic which appeared at the end of the issue.

Origin

File:Mmarvelxmen189a.jpg

Adam Austin as The Masked Marvel
Art by David Hahn

"The Masked Marvel" is first presented in a comic book pitch where Adam Austin and his partner, artist Eddie Ward, attempt to convince a Marvel Comic executive that the superhero is worth investing in. In this short sequence the two list the Masked Mavel's powers - attempting to sell the idea, which initially fails due to Marvel's apparent policy of only writing comic's about real life superheroes. However this is interrupted when Electro, usually an antagonist of Spiderman, appears and within the satirical trend, demands those responsible for his fainting in a previous Marvel comic be brought before him. Adam Austin, having disappeared before this, Appears as the Masked Marvel and proceeds to apprehend the super-villan. The crisis over, Adam Austin re-appears, and the two would-be failed writer's speak to Tom Brevoort, who promises to commission a Masked Marvel comic with the two as the creating team. "The Masked Marvel" Later appears in a second Comic-Short at the back of X-Men #189.

Powers and Abilities

The Powers and abilities of Masked Marvel are listed as:
1. Flight (possibility due to an energy sphere providing anti-gravity qualities)
2. The ability to manipuate a Force-field
3. An Atomic punch, which can apparently break through walls.
No explanation is given as to how Adam Austin came about obtaining these powers

Self-Parody

In many ways the Masked Marvel is a device used to open up a universe where marvel writers can parody their own creations. In the Masked Marvel shorts, real life editors such as Tom Brevoort feature in situations involving their interaction with versions of their Marvel Superheroes. An example of this is an indignant Electro's attack on Marvel office to punish the real life Brian Bendis for how he portrayed his character. Or how Fantastic Four's Reed Richards uses the Postal service to send a pair of "Power Dampening Cuffs" to Marvel HQ for use by the artists of the Fantastic Four comic.