ANNIHILUS

 

ANNIHILUS

Real Name: Annihilus

First Appearance: Fantastic Four Annual (Vol. 1) #6, November 1968

Powers: Annihilus, The Living Death That Walks, is an organic insectoid being who evolved from life-spores used by Tyannan scientists to seed life on the world Arthros. Annihilus adopted the technology of his creators for his own ends, amplifying his intelligence and accelerating his evolution. His entire body is encased in a pseudo-metallic exoskeleton which is directly linked to his nervous system. He possesses Class 50 strength, superhuman speed, agility, endurance, and reflexes. His reinforced body is capable of withstanding a considerable amount of injury, and protecting him from the vacuum of space. Large, leathery wings extending from his back enable him to fly. Annihilus is capable of vast regenerative feats, regrowing entire bodies for himself after being destroyed.

On several occasions, Annihilus has basically re-birthed himself, with a small fetal version emerging from the corpse of the larger Annihilus. On another occasion, his exoskeleton was destroyed and his internal organic structure flowed out onto the ground, slowly restructuring raw earth and concrete into a perfect recreation of his original form. Annihilus also has certain enhanced senses that enable him to detect nearby sources of energy and gauge their level of power. The Cosmic Control Rod that Annihilus wears on his throat draws on and processes cosmic energy from the environment, creating an age-retarding effect which greatly increases his lifespan and may actually provide him with true immortality. Besides ambient energy, the rod can also absorb directed energy attacks, shielding him from additional harm. Annihilus can focus the rod's energy as blasts of concussive and explosive force, create magnetic pulses to move metallic objects from a distance, create additional propulsion to increase his flight speed, and rearrange molecular structures. Generally, he only applies the last ability to turn people into lifeless statues or disintegrate matter entirely.