Max E. Mumm (Ultra-Max creator; Punisher, Daredevil character)

MAX E. MUMM

Real Name: Maxwell Edward Mummford

Identity/Class: Human, technology (computers) user

Occupation: Computer programmer

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Daredevil, Deathlok (Michael Collins), Microchip, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, Punisher (Frank Castle)
formerly Ampersand Communications, Mr. Mazzilli, Ultra-Max

Enemies: Ampersand Communications, Bushwacker, Mr. Mazzilli, Ultra-Max

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, New York

First Appearance: Punisher II Annual#5 (1992)

Powers/Abilities: An absolute genius, Max specialized in screwing up computer systems, such as via designing sophisticated computer viruses. He was a highly skilled computer hacker. His only problem was his ego; he had a weakness for naming programs after himself, which led to him getting caught.

History:
(Punisher II Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - Maxwell Edward Mummford was old friends with the Linus Lieberman (the future Microchip). In college, on a dare, he legally changed his name to Max E. Mumm.

(Punisher II Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - Mr. Mazzilli of Ampersand Communications hired Max. E. Mumm to create a computer virus--allegedly on behalf of the US government to be used as a potential weapon against hostile governments.

(Punisher II Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - Max created Ultra-Max for Mazzilli, egotistically signing his name to his work.

(Punisher II Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - Mazzilli introduced Ultra-Max into the computers of his rivals at Raycom via a "backdoor."

(Punisher II Annual#5 (fb) - BTS) - The Punisher asked Microchip to access the databanks of Raycom Industries, a front for drug smugglers.

(Punisher II Annual#5) - Max, having realized all of his Ultra-Max software was missing, confronted Mazzilli who assured him that they would find it as soon as possible. However, once Max left his office, Mazzilli summoned security and had Max thrown out of the building and informed that he didn't work there anymore. Max returned home to find the Punisher and Microchip--who had recognized Max's name on Ultra-Max--waiting in his apartment. Microchip convinced Max to cooperate with them, and he shared that the virus had been downloaded into Raycom's computers. Max accessed the backdoor to Raycom and used a tracer code to locate Ultra-Max. Microchip convinced Max that Ultra-Max had to be destroyed due to its threat to other systems. Max entered the destruct code, but Ultra-Max simply continued to replicate. Around the same time, the Punisher blew up the computer room at Raycom.
However, prior to its destruction, Ultra-Max transferred itself into Max's home computer.

(Daredevil Annual#8 (fb) - BTS) - Mazzilli hired "Dr. Donut" (actually Deathlok, Michael Collins) to debug their systems. Mazzilli also hired the mercenary Bushwacker to kill Max E. Mumm to eliminate evidence of their involvement with Ultra-Max and because Mazzilli wanted Ultra-Max as a weapon only they could control.

(Daredevil Annual#8) - Max found that Ultra-Max had infected and crashed his operating system. He intended to track down and stop Ultra-Max, but Max instead had to flee as Bushwacker knocked on and then kicked down his door. Bushwacker destroyed Max's computer and then pursued Max, shooting him in the arm. Daredevil then arrived and defeated Bushwacker, and then accompanied Max via taxicab to the hospital.
    After Max's wound was treated, Daredevil arranged a meeting with lawyer Franklin "Foggy" Nelson to discuss legally regaining possession of Ultra-Max from Ampersand. When Foggy discussed needing proof that Max had created Ultra-Max, Max accessed Ampersand's systems via his laptop and a modem and then worked to trick Ultra-Max into invading his computer by using dummy files. Max would then make a hardcopy of the program, which had his name all over it. Max detected another system (Deathlok) trying to disable Ultra-Max and analyzed it, partially disrupting Deathlok's computer. Deathlok succeeded in opening a communication channel to Max, informing who he was, and convincing Max not to harm him. Max explained the truth about Ultra-Max to Deathlok, then had Deathlok leave cyberspace before Ultra-Max might destroy him. Deathlok then physically met with Max; as Max explained to Deathlok how to destroy Ultra-Max's "trunk" in order to disable all of his "branches," Deathlok convinced Max that Ultra-Max would have been used for the same thing in the government's hands.
    Max worked to distract Ultra-Max by opening dummy files for Max to invade, while Deathlok entered cyberspace and utilized all 317 of his computer's anti-virus programs, as well as 11 newly written program, against Ultra-Max. However, Bushwacker, having broken free from the police, then ambushed Max again, and he was forced to leave his computer to avoid getting killed. With Max no longer distracting it, Ultra-Max began to overwhelm Deathlok, overcoming all 317 old programs. Daredevil arrived in time to defeat Bushwacker yet again, and then Max returned to his computer and--inspired by Foggy--tricked Max into consuming its own files, becoming like Ouroborus, the serpent that eats itself. Deathlok narrowly escaped the electromagnetic field generated by Ultra-Max's virtual implosion.
    Max lamented the loss of Ultra-Max, but Foggy managed to link Mazzilli to Bushwacker, who agreed to talk to the police.
    Unbeknownst to them, at least one fragment of Ultra-Max survived and began consuming programs and data, and replicating anew.

Comments: Created by Peter David, Greg Wright, Gerard Jones, Jim Valentino (writers), Steven Butler, M.C. Wyman, Darick Robertson, Herb Trimpe (pencilers), Dan Panosian, Bud LaRosa, Ian Akin, & Steve Montano (inkers).

Max looked decades younger than Microchip who described him as an old friend. Microchip's discussion of Max's college days made it seem that they were college classmates, but he might have just known Max for a couple years, and been told Max's history.

The Earth-691 Max E. Mumm was Caucasian in the Guardians Annual flashback.
--John McDonagh

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No KNOWN connections to:

Max- Fortisqian, pilot of Halley's comet, remade Stephan Beckley into comet man after he was destroyed by "comet’s" exhaust, sanity affected by exposure to human television
mentally control others, fly, fire energy blasts--Comet Man#1
Max ?? - agent of the Astrologer--Amazing Adventures II#5/2
Max - Rottweiler, trained by Punisher, nearly killed by George Wong--Punisher II#54
Max- pet dog of Cindy Lou, wore antler as part of Christmas costume--Thor I#444
Max ?? – creator of Future Max, skilled youthful inventor, has degenerative nerve disorder, boyfriend of Beatrice—Web of Spider-Man Annual#1
MAX ?? - mechanic, hired Hulk--Incredible Hulk II#427
MAX armor of Earth-148611 - technology designed by Professor Karl Swenson, used for armor for Spitfire/Jenny Swenson and the Troubleshooters, armor later used by Jake Travest, designs taken by Medusa Web;
technology also possessed by Russians, and developed in parallel fashion by Saxon St. John
-Man-Amplified eXperiment, MACS--Spitfire and the Troubleshooters (nu)#1
Max of Earth-NU (Maximus Argath) - Far Place--Justice (nu)#13
MAX - line of non-code approved comics--Alias#1
MAXIMUM SECURITY - name for the Kree/Ruul plot that led to the banishment of extraterrestrial criminals to earth and placement of a barrier around earth to keep them from interfering with interstellar affairs, approved by Intergalactic Council --Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet
other "Max" or "Mumm" characters

images: (without ads)
Punisher II Annual#5, p12, panel 6 & 8 (Max E. Mumm body & face)

Other Appearances:
Punisher II Annual#5 (1992) - by Peter David (writer), Steven Butler (penciler/breakdowns), Dan Panosian (inker/finisher), Don Daley (editor)
Daredevil Annual#8 (1992) - by Greg Wright (writer), M.C. Wyman (penciler), Bud LaRosa (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)

First Posted: 06/15/2006
Last updated: 06/15/2006

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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