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Abner Jenkins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"MACH-1 (comics)" redirects here. For the 2000 AD character, see M.A.C.H. 1. For other uses, see Mach 1 (disambiguation).
Abner Jenkins
Abner Jenkins as MACH-VII, as depicted in The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #2 (October 2013).
Art by Steve Lieber.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAs Beetle:
Strange Tales #123 (August 1964)[1][2]
As Mach-1:
Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997)
As Mach-2:
Thunderbolts (vol. 1) #37 (April 2000)
As Mach-3:
Thunderbolts (vol. 1) #57 (December 2001)
As Mach-IV:
New Thunderbolts #1 (December 2004)
As Mach-V:
Thunderbolts (vol. 2) #144 (July 2010)
As Mach-VII:
The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #2 (October 2013)
As Mach-X:
Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #1 (July 2016)
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Carl Burgos (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoAbner Ronald Jenkins
Team affiliationsCommission on Superhuman Activities
Thunderbolts
Masters of Evil
Sinister Syndicate
Sinister Six
PartnershipsCollector
Justin Hammer
Gladiator
Notable aliasesBeetle, MACH-1, MACH-2, MACH-3, MACH-IV, MACH-VII, MACH-X
Abilities
  • Highly intelligent
  • Extensive knowledge of mechanics and engineering
  • Powered armor grants:
    • Superhuman strength and durability
    • Flight via artificial wings
    • Variety of weapons systems

Abner Jenkins, also known as the Beetle, MACH-1, MACH-2, MACH-3, MACH-IV, MACH-V, MACH-VII and MACH-X, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Carl Burgos, he debuted in Strange Tales #123 (August 1964) as the original Beetle, a supervillain wearing an armor plated, mechanical suit he had designed himself after growing frustrated with his ordinary job as an aircraft mechanic and deciding to turn to crime. Although in his first appearance he fought the Human Torch and the Thing of the Fantastic Four, later storylines established Jenkins as a recurring foe of Spider-Man, usually working as a henchman for various criminal organizations opposing the hero. Jenkins later formed his own criminal organization known as the Sinister Syndicate.

After abandoning his Beetle persona, Jenkins was recruited into the Thunderbolts—a supervillain team assembled by Helmut Zemo to pose as superheroes to gain access to the technology of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, groups which had both seemingly perished while fighting Onslaught.[3] Jenkins became known as "MACH-1", using a modified version of his Beetle armor that was designed for faster flight and higher altitude. The Thunderbolts were introduced in Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997), and although they originally went along with Zemo's plan, later storylines depicted them as disobeying him due to enjoying the attention and adulation they received as heroes. Seeking redemption, Jenkins was convinced to give himself over to authorities to serve out an outstanding prison sentence in exchange for the Thunderbolts being granted immunity. During his time in jail, Jenkins helped the authorities out, which led to him working for the government after his release from prison. He later began working at the Raft prison as head of security and re-joined the Thunderbolts, now a team of reformed criminals trying to earn time off their sentence by working for the government.

The character has been adapted from the comics into several other forms of media, such as animated television series and video games.

Publication history

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Abner Jenkins first appeared as the original incarnation of the Beetle in Strange Tales #123 (August 1964), and was created by Stan Lee and Carl Burgos. As MACH-1, he later joined the supervillain team, the Thunderbolts, who were masquerading as superheroes to conceal their true goals, in Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997). In subsequent storylines, all members of the team, including Jenkins, became disillusioned with their leader, Baron Helmut Zemo, and decided to reform and become heroes. After some time away from the team, Jenkins appeared as a regular character in Thunderbolts since issue #144, and has appeared as a supporting character since the title transitioned into the Dark Avengers beginning with issue #175. During his time with the Thunderbolts, Jenkins made numerous upgrades to his armor, resulting in various iterations, from MACH-2 all the way to MACH-X.

Fictional character biography

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Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Abner Jenkins was a master mechanic at an aircraft parts factory who became dissatisfied with his boring, low paying job. Using his considerable mechanical knowledge, Jenkins built an armor-plated, strength-augmenting suit, a pair of wings, suction-fingered gloves, and a cybernetic control helmet. Calling himself the "Beetle", Jenkins decided to use his battle-suit for fame, wealth, and adventure, becoming an enemy of Spider-Man.[4] He later joins Egghead's Masters of Evil and founds the Sinister Syndicate, a team of mercenaries.[5][6]

When most of Earth's heroes, including the Avengers and Fantastic Four, are seemingly killed battling Onslaught, Helmut Zemo recruits Jenkins and a number of other villains to posing as a superhero team called the Thunderbolts. Jenkins adopted the guise of "MACH-1".[7] However, the Thunderbolts' members begin to enjoy heroism and convert the group into a legitimate team.[8][9]

When the Thunderbolts uncover and thwart a Commission on Superhuman Activities (CSA) conspiracy to exterminate superhumans, Hawkeye blackmails the CSA into pardoning the Thunderbolts in exchange for the group's silence. CSA agent Henry Peter Gyrich insists that he will not go along with the deal unless Hawkeye is imprisoned for his vigilante activities. Hawkeye agrees, despite the protests of his teammates, and surrendered to federal custody.

Most of the rest of the Thunderbolts, including MACH-2 and Songbird, are pardoned and released. However, they are forbidden from public use of superhuman powers or costumed identities. MACH-2 and Songbird turn their equipment over to authorities and move to Burton Canyon, Colorado, where Abner Jenkins finds work as a tech support specialist.[10][11]

Later, Graviton launches his latest attempt at world conquest in Burton Canyon, reshaping Earth in his image. Despite their reluctance to risk their freedom, Jenkins and Songbird join Helmut Zemo in attacking Graviton as part of a new team of Thunderbolts. Graviton is defeated and Earth saved, but MACH-3 and the other Thunderbolts disappear in an explosion created by Graviton's power.[12]

The Thunderbolts are transported to Counter-Earth, where they establish themselves as heroes due to the planet lacking any.[13] The Thunderbolts return to Earth via a white hole and encounter Hawkeye and Songbird, who had formed their own version of the Thunderbolts. The two teams of Thunderbolts combined forces to close the white hole. Despite their feelings for each other, Jenkins leaves Songbird, once more remanding himself to police custody to serve the remainder of his sentence.[volume & issue needed]

Following the "Avengers: Standoff!" event, Abner Jenkins joins Winter Soldier's Thunderbolts as MACH-IX.[14] In Secret Empire, Jenkins is seemingly killed when Baron Zemo attacks the Thunderbolts.[15]

Jenkins returns in the miniseries Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, part of the One World Under Doom event, where he is revealed to have been resurrected by Doctor Doom and converted into a cyborg.[16][17][18]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Abner Jenkins has no superhuman powers, but has extensive knowledge of mechanics and engineering.

Equipment

[edit]

As the Beetle, he designed and wore a suit of full body powered armor that granted him superhuman strength and durability and artificial winged flight.[3] The suit's gloves contained pneumatic suction-grippers, enabling him to cling to walls or lift things with his fingertips. The suit could also create an electrostatic energy discharge referred to as the "electro-bite". On the back of the suit are a set of mylar wings powered by super efficient micro-motors which enable him to fly. Antennae built into the suit's helmet allowed reception and efficient conversion of microwaves, providing the suit with a constantly replenishing power supply. A mini-computer built into the chest-plate feeds data to heads-up displays in the helmet, providing him with constantly updated tactical analysis of his opponent's movements.

As MACH-I through MACH-IV, he designed a new suit of power armor which granted superhuman strength and durability, and flight as his Beetle suit did. This new suit contains a variety of different weapon systems, however, instead of the insect-themed powers of the previous armor.

Other versions

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House of M

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An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins from Earth-58163 appears in House of M. This version is a member of the Howling Commandos.[19]

Marvel Zombies

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins / Mach-I from Earth-2149 appears in Marvel Zombies: Dead Days, where he is killed by the Human Torch.[20]

Old Man Logan

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of Abner Jenkins / Mach-I from Earth-807128 appears in Old Man Hawkeye. This version is a member of the Thunderbolts who previously betrayed Hawkeye, resulting in the deaths of the Avengers. Years later, Jenkins is working in a Doombot factory in Kree Haven before Hawkeye kills him.[21]

In other media

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Television

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Video games

[edit]

Miscellaneous

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The Old Man Logan incarnation of Abner Jenkins appears in the Marvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye episode "Cards Up", voiced by Ron Canada.[25]

Merchandise

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  • Abner Jenkins as Beetle received an action figure in the Spider-Man (1994) tie-in toyline.
  • Abner Jenkins as MACH-I received a figure in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line.

References

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  1. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 22–23. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  2. ^ Conroy, Mike (2004). 500 Comicbook Villains. Collins & Brown. ISBN 1-84340-205-X.
  3. ^ a b 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. 220. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  4. ^ Strange Tales #123 (August 1964)
  5. ^ The Avengers #228-229 (February - March 1983)
  6. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #280-281 (September - October 1986)
  7. ^ Thunderbolts Annual (August 1997)
  8. ^ Thunderbolts #21-23 (December 1998 - February 1999)
  9. ^ Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #3 (July 1991)
  10. ^ Thunderbolts #50 (May 2001)
  11. ^ Thunderbolts: Life Sentences one-shot (July 2001)
  12. ^ Thunderbolts #59 (February 2002)
  13. ^ Thunderbolts #66 (August 2002)
  14. ^ Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #1 (July 2016)
  15. ^ Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #12 (April 2017)
  16. ^ Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 (May 2025)
  17. ^ Brooke, David (January 23, 2025). "Full Marvel Comics April 2025 solicitations: Godzilla rises and Spider-Man gets new". AIPT Comics. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  18. ^ Jennings, Collier (April 30, 2025). "Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 is a long-awaited matchup with devastating fallout". AIPT Comics. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  19. ^ New Thunderbolts #11 (October 2005)
  20. ^ Marvel Zombies: Dead Days one-shot (July 2007)
  21. ^ Old Man Hawkeye #4 (June 2018)
  22. ^ a b c d e "Beetle Voices (Spider-Man)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 1, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  23. ^ "Mach IV Voice - Avengers Assemble (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 24, 2025. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  24. ^ "Lego Avengers DLC Season Pass Detailed - GameSpot". GameSpot.
  25. ^ Marvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye "Chapter 2: Cards Up"
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