AMALGA-BEAST
Classification: Composite lifeform
Creator: Sub-Mariner (via the Cosmic Cube)
User/Possessors: Sub-Mariner
Enemies: Goliath (Henry Pym), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Wasp (Janet Van Dyne)
First Appearance: Avengers I#40 (May, 1967)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: Formed with the energy of the Cosmic Cube, the Amalga-Beast was a gestalt of various aquatic creatures (see comments). Standing about 10 feet tall, this amphibious biped had four tentacles with suction tips, and two arms with pincer claws.
History:
(Avengers I#40) - Seeking retribution for the perceived incursion of a nuclear submarine into his undersea realm, the Sub-Mariner invaded a U.S. naval base on the Caribbean island of Puerto Nuevo. Coincidentally, the Avengers (Goliath, Hawkeye, Hercules and Wasp) were flying overhead on a search for the Cosmic Cube (see comments) and detected Namor on their scanning monitor. Mistakenly believing the Atlantean prince was also there seeking the Cube, the team went into action. During the course of the battle, Hercules blurted out a remark about the Cosmic Cube to the Sub-Mariner, so Namor swam off to find the Cube for himself.
(Avengers I#40 - BTS) - Namor found the Cosmic Cube, reshaped it into a pendant around his neck (so his hands would be free for fighting), then used the Cosmic Cube's power to combine the bodies of diverse sea creatures to form the Amalga-Beast.
(Avengers I#40) - The Sub-Mariner returned to the naval base with the Amalga-Beast. While Namor pitted his strength against Hercules, he sent the Amalga-Beast to keep the other Avengers occupied. The monster used its tentacles to ensnare Goliath, but the giant man managed to grab hold of its pincer arms and applied leverage, then threw the creature into the sea; afterward, Hawkeye shot a blast arrow that struck the Amalga-Beast and apparently finished it off with an explosion.
Comments: Created by Roy Thomas (writer), Don Heck (pencils) and George Bell (inker).
Namor never elaborated on exactly which of his "finny subjects" he used to create the Amalga-Beast, but judging by its physical characteristics--and assuming he didn't use any of the more exotic of his undersea creatures (such as Giganto, Hypno-Fish, etc.), and only used "real" animals--I'm gonna guess that this critter was formed from an octopus, a crab, a frog, a large school of fish (to give it bulk), and maybe a shark or two.
In regards to the Avengers' quest for the Cosmic Cube: Concurrent with the events in this Avengers story, the Red Skull was coercing Captain America's cooperation by threatening New York City with his Plastic Bubble Projector (@ Tales of Suspense I#s 88-91). Cap managed to sneak away from the Red Skull for a few minutes and radioed his fellow Avengers. After reassuring his teammates that he really wasn't in league with the villain, Cap warned them about the all-powerful Cosmic Cube, which had been buried on the sea floor (@ Tales of Suspense I#81), and sent the Avengers to retrieve it (presumably so the Red Skull wouldn't be able to get his hands on it again); Captain America told them they would find its approximate location on file in his private quarters in Avengers Mansion.
In regards to the Cosmic Cube's fate at the end of this story: The Wasp--correctly guessing that the pendant around Namor's neck was the transformed Cube--used her sting to break the pendant's chain. The Cube returned to its normal shape, fell into a bottomless crevice at Namor's feet, and dropped down into Subterranea. Some time later, it was found by the Mole Man, but thinking the Cube was merely a child's building block, the Mole Man tossed it aside and walked on...
And a BIG Thank You to James Sharpe for the scans!
Profile by John Kaminski.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Amalga-Beast has no known connections to:
images:
(without ads)
Avengers I#40, p16, pan6 (main image)
Other Appearances: None.
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Last Updated: 01/14/10
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