The Beast

Real Name:

Hank McCoy

Location:

New York City

First Appearance:

Uncanny X-Men #1 (1963)

Created By:

Len Wein and Dave Cockrum

The Beast, like his namesake, has many animalistic qualities. He has superhuman strength and agility and can perform amazing acrobatic feats. His feet are as agile as his hands and can be used to perform any action his hands are able to. He is also able to rapidly heal himself from injuries.

The Beast is also extremely intelligent, and is considered to have an intellect that rivals many of the elite thinkers in the Marvel universe. He has a doctorate from the Xavier Institute and is well versed in the areas of genetics and biochemistry.

Team Affiliations:

X-Men, Ultimate X-Men

Currently Seen In:

Astonishing X-Men, Ultimate X-Men

The Beast’s blue fur and animalistic features are because Hank McCoy tested an unknown chemical on himself.

Hank McCoy grew up with over-sized hands and feet that were early proof that he was a mutant. He made up for these deformities by becoming a star athlete, but as his mutant powers emerged and became known, he was asked to leave his school. Even his parents were cold to him and regarded him with suspicion and fear since his father worked at a local nuclear power plant and it was assumed that Hank’s mutations were because of this.

Professor X approached Hank and asked him to come as a student to the Xavier Institute where he would be free from prejudice, have an advanced education, and could work out in a highly advanced danger room. Hank quickly agreed. He became one of the first to graduate the school.

Later, Hank worked for the Brand Corporation and there discovered a chemical that induced mutations. He found that his invention was going to be stolen and used it on himself to prevent this. The results truly make Hank McCoy a beast, with gray fur that later became blue, fangs, claws, and pointed ears. Despite this setback, Hank kept a happy-go-lucky outlook on life. He even worked with the Avengers, led the super hero team The Defenders, and helped to start X-Factor. Hank eventually returned to The X-Men.

It wasn’t until later that a second mutation brought about a more catlike appearance, and completely shook Hank’s belief in himself. Hank could feel his feral instincts wanting to come forth and he worries that he is becoming more beast than man. Even through all of this Hank McCoy continues to be easygoing and joyful around his teammates, often using his rapier wit to mask his fears.

Hanks is the current scientist in residence at the Xavier Institute. No matter what the future holds for him, Hank knows that he will always have an accepting home with The X-Men as they continue to fight to make the world a safe place for both mutants and humans.