BRAND CORPORATION
Membership: Barney, Garrison Busey, Fisher, Dr. Kapany, Mitchell, Newman, Perkins, Director White, others;
formerly Alvarado, Dr. Everett Burgos (scientist), Christina Garvey (sales rep), Herbert Landon (scientist, former CEO), Joey (security guard), Micromax (former security chief), two Quintronic Men
Purpose: The Brand Corporation is a genetics research facility.
Affiliations: Formerly briefly partnered with Sphinx, U-Man.
Note: There was a previous iteration of the Brand Corporation which had been owned by the Roxxon Energy Corporation, and which has long-since closed. Though Herbert Landon, the "new" Brand's first CEO, did work for the original Brand, to date there is no evidence connecting this Brand to that one or to Roxxon (the original's parent corporation), and their histories should not be confused.
Enemies: Beast, Defenders (Atlas, Junta, Nighthawk, Paladin), Hobgoblin (Macendale), Krang, Mosaic (Morris Sackett), Spider-Man (Parker)
Bases of Operations:
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man Annual#26 (1992) History: (Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#2 (fb)) - Herbert Landon, a former scientist/researcher at the original Brand Corporation (a former subsidiary of Roxxon), gathered investors and opened a new corporation under the name Brand; Landon operated the new company as CEO. Working with his old compatriot Dr. Everett Burgos, the pair worked on developing a "genetic bath" which they believed could cure mutants of their powers. (Amazing Spider-Man Annual#26, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual#12, Web of Spider-Man Annual#8, New Warriors Annual#2) - Unidentified representatives of the Brand Corporation were involved in the Sphinx's project to kidnap young superhumans and steal/duplicate their powers scientifically. (Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#1) - At Brand's new corporate headquarters, the four billion dollar "Brand Pavilion," both Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and the Beast (Hank McCoy) independently attended a conference on Brand's work with mutation. Brand's CEO, Landon, began the talk by (falsely) stating that Brand has cracked the genetic code and could create its own mutants, but the Hobgoblin attacked the building, interrupting the lecture before proceeded beyond the introduction. (Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#2) - The Hobgoblin invaded Brand's research facility, copying all their mutation research onto a disc and inserting a virus to erase their information from Brand's computers. Brand security engaged the Hobgoblin, Spider-Man, and the Beast. The Hobgoblin attempted to blackmail Landon with the information that they couldn't really create mutants, but Spider-Man intervened and was knocked out, while the Beast was captured elsewhere. (Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#3) - The captured Spider-Man and Beast were taken to a secret lab near LaGuardia, where Landon and Dr. Everett Burgos decided to test their anti-mutation bath on both of them. Hobgoblin again intervened, and Spider-Man and the Beast were both freed, though Landon was dunked in the bath, which unexpectedly mutated him into a monstrous super-human form. Landon was taken into custody. (Excalibur I#125) - Excalibur's Micromax acted as Chief of Security for Brand in New Jersey until being let go. (Spider-Man Unlimited I#22) - Roxxon's Henshaw stated that the new Brand is unaffiliated with Roxxon. (She-Hulk II#6) - Christina Garvey, a married traveling Brand sales representative (and mother of three children), had a fling with Starfox and sued him, accusing him of using his superpowers to sexually assault her. (Last Defenders I#3) - Brand acquired two Quintronic Men. Following the destruction of Atlantis, Brand partnered with Meranno (U-Man) to place an oil platform at longitude 45.4, latitude 39.2 to facilitate drilling near Atlantis, claiming they sought exclusive access to indigenous mineral compounds there. Alvarado oversaw the operation, and was present when the Defenders (Nighthawk, Atlas, Paladin, Junta) and Warlord Krang assaulted the platform and defeated the two Quintronic Men stationed there to defend it. (Mosaic#2 (fb) - BTS) - Brand went into the private security factor and ran deadly ops around the world. Brand Corporation did kidnap and rescue work around the world, including some dangerous work in Iraq. (Mosaic#6 (fb) - BTS) - Brand launched the Upsweep program, where they would work on harvesting superhuman DNA from some subjects while experimenting on others, though many failed. (Mosaic#5 (fb) - BTS) - Mason Sackett reached out to Brand Corporation, wanting to have his own son, Morris, tested for Upsweep. (Mosaic#2 (fb) - BTS) - Years later, when Morris was revealed to be an Inhuman, Mason reached out to Brand to come and harvest him. They took over security at the hospital Morris' body was kept. (Mosaic#4 (fb) - BTS) - Garrison Busey was put in charge of the op by Director White. (Mosaic#1 (fb) - BTS) - Dr. Kapany monitored his Morris, using the best technology available. (Mosaic#1) - Kapany, with Mason and Tia, saw the cocoon crack open, and Morris emerged as a black psychic being crackling with green energy. (Mosaic#2) - When Kenny (called Cap) snuck into the building, possessed by Mosaic, security agents went after him, and Perkins and Mitchell were told to watch out. With Mason Sackett and Dr. Kapany watching, agents shocked Cap multiple times, inadvertently driving out Mosaic's form form his body. (Mosaic#3) - Cap woke up bound and was questioned by Brand Corporation about his actions, but he had no memory of being there even when they showed him video footage. Later, Tia's assistant, CC, called Mr. Busey at Brand to pick up a potential stalker, Fife, she had knocked unconscious. When Brand went to pick up Fife, CC collapsed strangely. (Mosaic#4 (fb) - BTS) - Busey had Fife, Cap, and CC all kept in cells and questioned as he began to realize that Morris had powers to possess others. (Mosaic#5) - Busey prepared to harvest Morris Sackett's body for the Upsweep program, then he called in security agents, but Morris managed to defeat them all before possessing Busey himself, learning all about Upsweep. Morris detonated a reactor, destroying the building. (Mosaic#6) - The Brand building burnt down. (Mosaic#7) - Brand made plans to capture and experiment on Moloids. (Marvel's Voices#1/9 (fb) - BTS) - Determined to find his body, Mosaic possessed Director White of Brand to gain access to her memories. Comments: Created by David Michelinie (writer), Scott McDaniel (pencils) & Keith Williams (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor).
Brand Pavilion, New York.
Secret underground laboratory near LaGuardia.
Unidentified New Jersey facility.
The Hobgoblin, who had investigated Herbert Landon, and Roxxon's Henshaw have both stated that the "new" Brand has no relation to Roxxon. This may or may not be true.
As noted in the affiliations above: there was a previous iteration of the Brand Corporation which had been a subsidiary of the Roxxon Energy Corporation, and which has long-since closed. Though Herbert Landon, the "new" Brand's first CEO, did work for the original Brand, to date there is no evidence connecting this Brand to that one or to Roxxon (the original's parent corporation), and their histories should not be confused. For more on that Brand Corporation, follow the link in the Affiliations above.
In the juvenile novel Iron Man: Steel Terror (1996) by Dean Wesley Smith, Iron Man and the Vision ended up defending a Brand nuclear research facility, located just outside New York City, from an assault by Tess-One, trying to steal fissionable materials. To protect those materials, Iron Man had the scientists manually hide small portions around the Brand facility, at great risk to their own health. Presumably this New York area Brand base would be associated with the second Brand Corporation, the one which presumably has no affiliation with Roxxon. This novel has not been included in the history above as many novels do not take place in the 616 universe. If it is subsequently referenced in Marvel proper, it will be moved up into Brand's chronology.
Adam-Troy Castro's novel Spider-Man: Secret of the Sinister Six (March, 2002), pg 335, noted that Brand owns Hanger B at the Zachary Mosely Corporate Air Center in Lynbrook, Long Island, a few miles west of JFK. This novel has also not been included in the history above, and is probably highly unlikely to ever be declared in continuity. As above, if it is subsequently referenced in Marvel proper, it will be moved up into Brand's chronology.
Hmmm. This may be coincidence, but Bill Everett and Carl Burgos were two early influential Marvel creators, responsible for the Sub-Mariner and Human Torch, respectively. Dr. Everett Burgos seems likely to be a tribute of sorts.
Herbert Landon was used as a recurring villain in the 90s Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
--Markus Raymond
Profile by SQUEAK . Update (Mosaic) by Chadman.
CLARIFICATIONS:
This Brand Corporation has no known connection to
Dr. Everett Burgos was a scientist who came into the employ of Brand CEO Herbert Landon. Working at an underground lab near LaGuardia airport, the two drew on the research of Henry McCoy at an earlier incarnation of Brand and created a genetic bath which they believed could remove mutants' powers. After Landon captured Spider-Man and Beast and brought them there, Landon fell in the bath and mutated into a monstrous creature which then attacked Burgos, but Spider-Man and the Beast rescued him.
--Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#2 (3
Herbert Landon was an up and coming genetics researcher at the original Brand, a friend of Henry McCoy. After McCoy vanished, Landon became convinced the Beast killed him. As time passed, Landon worked more and more on research to create super-powers; his work earned him enough money that after Brand closed he purchased the name (with the support of investors) and opened a new Brand Corporation with himself as CEO. At an underground lab near LaGuardia, Landon and scientist Everett Burgos developed a genetic bath to remove mutant powers.
At their Brand Pavilion, Landon hosted a mutation pavilion, announcing that Brand could merge human and non-human DNA, allowing them to mutate others at will. The Hobgoblin (Macendale) attacked the conference, and the Beast and Spider-Man came to its defense; both were captured by Brand personnel and Landon had them taken to LaGuardia for study. The Hobgoblin intervened, and Landon inadvertently fell into the bath, mutating into a rock monster form. He was captured and taken into custody; the ability to cure him uncertain.
--Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#1 (2-3
images:
Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#1, p15, pan1 (Brand Complex)
Mosaic#4, p1, pan1 (Brand logo)
Mosaic#6, p2-3, pan1 (Brand Corporation building burning)
Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#2, p22, pan5 (Burgos)
Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#2, p16, pan1 (Landon)
Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#3, p21, pan1 (Landon, mutated)
Amazing Spider-Man Annual#26 (1992) - David Michelinie (writer), Scott McDaniel (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
Spectacular Spider-Man Annual#12 (1992) - David Michelinie (writer), Scott McDaniel (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
Web of Spider-Man Annual#8 (1992) - David Michelinie (writer), Scott McDaniel (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
New Warriors Annual#2 (1992) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Brandon Peterson (pencils), Keith Williams, Mark Stegbauer, Al Milgrom & Jimmy Palmiotti (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
Spider-Man: The Mutant Agenda#1-3 (March-May, 1994) - Steven Grant (writer), Scott Kolins (pencils), Sam DeLaRosa (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
Excalibur I#125 (October, 1998) - Ben Raab (writer), Dave Eaglesham (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Frank Pittarese (editor)
Spider-Man Unlimited I#22 (November, 1998) - Mark Bernardo (writer), Mike Deodato Jr. (pencils), Joe Pimentel (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
She-Hulk II#6 (May, 2006) - Dan Slott (writer), Will Conrad (artist), Aubrey Sitterson (editor)
Last Defenders#3 (July, 2008) - Joe Casey (writer), Jim Muniz (pencils), Cam Smith (Inks), Stephen Wacker (editor)
Mosaic#1-2 (December, 2016 - January, 2017) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Khary Randolph (artist), Nick Lowe (editor)
Mosaic#3 (February, 2017) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Khary Randolph, Thony Silas (artists), Nick Lowe (editor)
Mosaic#4 (March, 2017) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Khary Randolph, Thony Silas (artists), Nick Lowe (editor)
Mosaic#5 (April, 2017) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Khary Randolph, Thony Silas (artists), Nick Lowe (editor)
Mosaic#6-7 (May-June, 2017) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Bruno Oliveira (artist), Nick Lowe (editor)
Marvel's Voices#1/9 (April, 2020) - Geoffrey Thorne (writer), Khary Randolph (artist), Chris Robinson (editor)
First Posted: 01/31/2008
Last updated: 12/20/2020
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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