LIVING ROCK

Classification: Terrestrial, possible natural phenomenon

Creator: Unrevealed, possibly inapplicable

User/Possessors: Formerly Grotesk, Basallo, Jinku and the Lava Men

Aliases: The Living Stone

First Appearance: Avengers I#5 (May, 1964)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Living Rock grows larger and larger, releasing powerful shock-waves (or sound-waves) as it does so. Eventually it would reach critical mass and explode, allegedly with enough force to devastate the entire surface world. When struck, it releases devastating bursts of concussive force, which are more powerful the larger the Rock is. It retains one small location, only inches in diameter, at which it can be struck to cause it to implode. After imploding, it is still possible for a tiny remnant to remain inert and to be reactivated by other means, allowing it to begin growing once again.

History: The origins of the Living Rock are unknown.

(Avengers I#5(fb)) - Some sort of "atomic upheaval" within the Earth caused a powerful explosion on the outskirts of Subterranea. Investigating, the Lava Men, found a small rock, which in the process of investigation released a powerful sonic blast that destroyed an island in the Pacific Ocean. The fragment gradually continued to grow, causing periodic devastation. The Lava Men name it the Living Rock.

(Avengers I#5) - Based on the recommendations of the witch doctor Jinku, Basallo (king of the Lava Men) had them build a machine to push the the Living Rock to the surface of the Earth, where it would destroy the people of the surface world, leaving the Lava Men unharmed. They did so and the Living Rock erupted through the surface of the American Southwest. The destruction caused by the sonic vibrations released by the Rock attracted the attention of the Avengers, as well as the US Air Force, including Gen. "Thunderbolt" Ross and civilian scientist Dr. Bruce Banner. Giant-Man, at ant-size, examined the surface of the Rock in detail and found a small spot that, if struck with sufficient force, would destroy the Rock without causing outward destruction. They planned to have Thor strike the spot, but he was reverted back to human form by Jinku. However, the Hulk soon arrived on the scene, and the other Avengers goaded him into striking that exact spot, and the Living Rock was apparently destroyed.

(Thor I#481 (fb) - BTS) - Grotesk located the Lava Men, who were nearly decimated by the death of their god, Cha'sa'dra. He somehow restored their intelligence and power of speech to several of them, including Basallo. Together, they located the inert remnant of the Living Rock, causing it to begin growing anew. They rebuilt their machine and pushed it towards the surface of Manhattan, New York City.

(Thor I#481) - The Living Rock erupted through the surface of Manhattan, attracting the attention of Thor. Thor found that its previous spot of weakness had relocated itself. Eventually, he was joined by his allies at the time, the Godpack, who assisted him against Grotesk and the Lava Men. Riger, one of the members of the Godpack, managed to relocate the weak spot in the Living Rock, and Thor hurled Grotesk into that spot, causing it to implode. The Rock shrunk to the point that it vanished from sight.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Clarifications: No connection to:

• Spragg the Living Hill, xt mutate @ Journey into Mystery I#68
• Rock, aka. Karl Serr @ Sub-Mariner I#42
• Living Diamond, Cyclops foe @ X-Men I#39
• any other The Living ______ (insert noun here)