MEGATON
Real Name: Jules Carter
Identity/Class: Human mutate
Occupation: Nuclear Research scientist
Group Membership: Formerly led a nuclear research team in the Arctic Circle
Affiliations: Gypsy Moth (Sybil Dvorak)
Enemies: Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Doctor Voodoo (Jericho Drumm), Kobik, S.H.I.E.L.D.
Known Relatives: Christine (presumably ex-wife), Raymond Osworth (brother-in-law)
Aliases: The Nuclear Man, the Living H-Bomb
Base of Operations: Formerly East Manhattan, New York; an arctic research station
First Appearance: Captain Marvel I#22 (September, 1972)
Powers: Megaton is filled with raging nuclear energy, which builds and builds, increasing him in size and power to uncertain levels. However, he is also at risk of achieving critical mass and exploding. He possesses superhuman strength (Class 10-25) and durability. He can project blasts of nuclear energy.
History:
(Captain Marvel I#23(fb)/22(fb)) - Jules Carter led a nuclear research team on an Arctic expedition to investigate a reactor with reduced power output. Correctly deducing that some unknown source was draining its power, he directed his team to stay behind, while he entered an underground cavern below the reactor. He encountered an outpost of the Kree, abandoned at the start of the Kree/Skrull war. Exploring the outpost, Carter unwittingly broke an invisible beam, which activated the Psycho-Tron. The device uncovered his deepest phobias, and exposed his mind to them in ever increasing levels.
At some point, the rest of the expedition followed him into the outpost, and broke him out of the Pyscho-Tron's hold. However, his mind had nearly unraveled under the grip of terror, and he was surrounded by a strange glow. They left the outpost, but hadn't made it too far before the reactor exploded. Just like in real life, Carter was mutated by the radioactive energies--his skin had hardened to an armor-like shell and his body seethed with the same energies which had caused the change. The explosion did not help his sanity. The fate of the other members of the expedition is unknown. Megaton, however, decided that the whole world must feel the same fear that he had, and that everything--everywhere--must be destroyed! DESTROYED!
Carter returned to New York and checked in to the Gardenia Hotel, where he sat around, mutated more, and didn't get any saner.
(Captain Marvel I#22-23) - Eventually, Megaton burst from his apartment and went on a rampage. He encountered Captain Mar-Vell, and had an even struggle until some security people or high tech cops from who-knows-where showed up and doused him with some "liqui-latex" which dampened his powers and caused him to collapse. He woke up a short time later in prison, but he soon broke out. As his energies continued to build, he grew in size and power. He realized that he was potentially building towards critical mass, and sought to gain enough power to take the whole world with him. He attempted to drain the photon energy from Mar-Vell, but Mar-Vell flew Megaton up into the sky, and tossed him out into the atmosphere, where he exploded (for the most part) harmlessly.
SECRET WARS III HAPPENED (...he got better?)
(All-New, All-Different Avengers#8 (fb) - BTS) - Megaton ended up imprisoned by S.H.I.E.L.D. in Pleasant Hill where his reality was rewritten by the young Cosmic Cube known as Kobik. He eventually woke up from her fake reality.
(All-New, All-Different Avengers#8) - Megaton and Gypsy Moth observed and saw members of the Avengers and Unity Squad at a farm in Pleasant Hill. Megaton ordered Gypsy Moth to spread the word about their presence. A short time later Megaton attacked Doctor Voodoo.
Comments: Created by Gerry Conway and Wayne Boring.
Marv Wolfman wrote the second half of his story and modified him slightly. There was no Kree, or reason given for his madness (he was just a negligent jerk) in his original origin, @ #22--the reactor just blew up unexpectedly. However, the two can be fit together well enough.
So, let me see if I get his straight: A guy named Megaton ends up blowing up? Huh, who'd a thunk it?
44 years later Megaton was among the villains imprisoned in Pleasant Hill.
--Markus Raymond
Luis Olava Dantas pulled out a piece of trivia, that I wouldn't normally include, but I've got to credit him for knowing such an obscure fact: "... technically speaking, he (or rather, his double on an alternate timeline) did appear for a whole panel on the What If issue which asked what would happen if Rick Jones became the Hulk." (What If I#12. nice job Luis! --Snood)
Also, Prime Eternal pointed out that Megaton's form is one of those used by Skragg and/or the Super-Skrull, in Captain Marvel I#25.
Profile by Snood. Update by Markus Raymond.
CLARIFICATIONS: Ah, there's a bunch of Mega-somethings. Megaton only appeared in these two issues, to the best of my knowledge.
images: (without ads)
Captain Marvel I#22, p17, pan1 (main)
Captain Marvel I#23, p8, pan6 (head shot)
Captain Marvel I#23, p1 (second costume)
All-New, All-Different Avengers#8, p14, pan1 (in Pleasant Hill)
Appearances:
Captain Marvel I#22 (September, 1972) - Gerry Conway (writer), Wayne Boring (pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Captain Marvel I#23 (November, 1972) - Marv Wolfman (writer), Wayne Boring (pencils), Frank McLaughlin (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
All-New, All-Different Avengers#8 (June, 2016) - Mark Waid (writer), Adam Kubert (artist), Tom Brevoort & Wil Moss (editors)
First Posted: 03/17/2002
Last updated: 05/07/2023
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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