GEORGE CLINTON
GEORGE CLINTON
Real Name: Dr. George Clinton
Identity/Class: Human, advanced technology developer
Occupation: Former Scientist Supreme of A.I.M.;
former professor at unspecified university
Group Membership: A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics; notably Bernard Worrell, and presumably Lyle Getz; possibly Count Bornag Royale; possibly Alvin Tarleton and/or Monica Rappaccini (see comments))
Affiliations: Bernard Worrell;
presumably other former graduate students;
involved in the creation of the Cosmic Cube/Kubik, and the transformation/empowerment of MODOK (George Tarleton)
Enemies: Hate-Monger (Adolf Hitler clone), MODOK, MODOK's A.I.M. faction, Red Skull (Johann Shmidt) and his agents, Arnim Zola
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: "Doktor" (from Hate-Monger and Red Skull)
Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
last seen on the Island of the Exiles, Sargasso Sea;
formerly unrevealed blue A.I.M. faction base;
formerly the unrevealed A.I.M. base in which MODOC was created (see comments);
formerly an unidentified university
Education: Presumably Ph.D. in unspecified scientific field(s)
First Appearance: (BTS, unidentified, retcon) Captain America I#133 (January, 1971);
Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (March, 1980)
Powers/Abilities: George Clinton is a genius in unspecified fields, presumably including quantum physics and other areas.
He was involved in the creations of MODOK and the Cosmic Cube, at
least, although his specific contributions are unrevealed. He had the
knowledge of how to form the shielding/casing for a Cosmic Cube but not
how to capture the reality-manipulating energies from the
dimension of the Beyonders.
Height:
Unrevealed (he isn't shown side-by-side with characters of known
height, but he appeared to be at least average height if not slightly
taller compared to the Red Skull's men, who are presumably not petite;
perhaps 5'9" to 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 170-180 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: White (male pattern baldness; previously dark gray and presumably darker (brown or black) in youth)
History:
(Captain America Annual#7
(fb) - BTS) - Clinton was a professor at an unspecified university, and he worked alongside graduate student Bernard Worrell.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - Clinton was a founding member of A.I.M., hoping to remake the world in science's image. Worrell followed Clinton in founding A.I.M.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z#1: A.I.M.) - Clinton was A.I.M.'s Scientist Supreme (see comments).
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#115 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#133 (fb) - BTS / Captain America Annual#7 (fb) - BTS / Fantastic Four I#319 (fb) - BTS / MODOK: Head Games#4 (fb) - BTS) - George Clinton (alongside Bernard Worrell and possibly Alvin Tarleton) was part of the A.I.M. group that transformed George Tarleton into the giant biological computer MODOC (Mental Organism Designed Only from Computation) in order to manipulate the myriad variables necessary to form the Cosmic Cube, which allow them to manipulate reality.
(Captain America I Annual#7 (fb) - BTS) - After M.O.D.O.C. had the A.I.M. organization work on punching
a hole in the fabric of
space-time itself, A.I.M. succeeded in creating a meta-singularity, a grey hole,
from which an unidentified "x-element" (actually intelligent energy from
the Beyonders) emerged.
(Captain America I Annual#7 (fb)) - By collapsing
force screens, A.I.M. succeeded in trapping the unidentified element
within a cube of force, dubbed the Cosmic Cube. The organization then
began testing the nature of the Cosmic Cube as it tentatively settled,
changed and developed, unaware that they had drawn the attention of the
Kree Supreme Intelligence, who had been created after the Kree attempted to
create their own Cosmic Cube in response to an earlier effort by the
alien Skrulls (which led to the Shaper of Worlds). (Tales of Suspense I#79/2) - While visiting the headquarters of A.I.M., Count Bornag Royale was tasked with keeping Col. Nick Fury out of A.I.M.'s business but before he left, A.I.M. agents showed him the Cosmic Cube, which they considered the most potent device in existence. Royale told the agents to keep the Cosmic Cube well guarded, warning that it should not be allowed to fall into the hands of a madman like the Red Skull, but the agents told Royale to mind his own matters.
(Avengers I#289 (fb) - BTS) - A.I.M. removed a sliver of the Cosmic Cube and implanted it within their Super-Adaptoid creation, granting it the ability to duplicate any other being.
(Tales of Suspense I#80/2 (fb) - BTS) - Having read
about A.I.M.'s Cosmic Cube, the Red Skull devised a way to obtain the
Cosmic Cube. A short time later, at a THEM
meeting, the Red Skull shook hands with A.I.M.'s keeper of the Cosmic
Cube, secretly placing the keeper in his complete hypnotic control
using a miniaturized Neuro Brain-Tap device. He then ordered the A.I.M.
keeper to bring him the Cosmic Cube.
(Tales of Suspense I#80/2) - Under the Red Skull's control, the keeper of the Cosmic Cube turned against A.I.M. and departed to bring the Cosmic Cube to the Red Skull as ordered. A.I.M. agents were sent against the keeper, but ultimately he delivered it to the Red Skull, who banished the keeper into another dimension and then tested the Cube further by levitating a rock out of his way, unaware Captain America was regaining his composure.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - The enormity of the task of creating the Cosmic Cube drove MODOC mad.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#133 (fb) - BTS / Captain America Annual#7 (fb))
- Adopting the new alias MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for
Killing), Tarleton slew most of the A.I.M. members who transformed him
and took over A.I.M..
George Clinton and
Bernard Worrell (and possibly Alvin Tarleton) were the only A.I.M.
founders (and at least among the few A.I.M. members involved with
MODOC/MODOK and the Cosmic Cube) who escaped MODOK's wrath.
(Captain America Annual#7 (fb)) - Having seen the ruins of their dream and foreseeing worse to come, Clinton and Worrell hid themselves as flunkies in the A.I.M. hierarchy. As A.I.M. went to levels they never expected, Clinton and Worrell bided their time.
(Captain America Annual#7 (fb)) -Thanks to MODOK's many reverses as A.I.M.'s leader, Clinton and Worrell managed to splinter off and re-establish the blue faction of A.I.M., which they considered to be the original A.I.M., true to its founding principals.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - Years later, seeking Clinton's aid in creating a new Cosmic Cube, the Red Skull and Hate-Monger sent armed warriors to raid the A.I.M. base from which Clinton worked. Capturing Clinton, the Skull's agents brought him to the Island of the Exiles.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17) - When the Hate-Monger mockingly greeted Clinton, noting it was nice to have a founding member of A.I.M. visit them, Clinton replied that an armed raid was a most effective invitation. Taking this as a compliment, the Red Skull offered Clinton his hospitality, as Clinton had much to offer them in return. Continuing the false amenities, the Red Skull asked Clinton if he would be so kind as to accompany he and his allies to their underground laboratories, and Clinton advised the Skull (addressing him as "Nazi") that if any of them were kind, none of them would be there. Acknowledging this, the Skull countered that as George was the final part of their grand design, they had to insist.
In the underground laboratory, the Hate-Monger told Clinton he may find much of their equipment familiar, as they were duplicating a project A.I.M. once undertook, the creation of a Cosmic Cube. Clinton was horrified at the thought, but he confirmed the Hate-Monger's statement that only he remained of those who had shaped the Cube. After discussing this creation, Clinton noted how the Skull had squandered the Cube's power, comparing the Skull's use of the Cube to that of Thanos. Clinton concluded that Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)'s severing Thanos' link to the Cosmic Cube, seemingly shattering it, was the last A.I.M. had learned of the Cube.
The Hate-Monger then explained that they were building a second cube,
and rather than risk another MODOK, they were using normal human brains
hooked in series as their bio-computer. When Clinton argued that the
information load would fry the normal humans' brains and they would
burn out, the Skull revealed their slave pens and noted they had an
adequate stock of replacement parts.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - Clinton was hooked into Arnim Zola's computers.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17) - When the Hate-Monger checked on Zola's status, Zola showed how Clinton was just now "volunteering" his information.
(Captain America I Annual#7 (fb)) - Clinton's mind was drained of all information.
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 - BTS) - With information gained from Clinton, Zola prepared the Cosmic Cube's outer shell.
(Super-Villain
Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - Ultimately, however, without MODOK's input
and perhaps due to the Red Skull desiring a means to dominate an
imminent conflict with the Hate-Monger, the "X-element" of the Cosmic
Cube (the energies of the Beyonders), was not found. 
(Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (fb) - BTS) - Seeking to usurp the Cosmic Cube's power, the Hate-Monger had Zola transfer his mind into the Cube; however, as the Cube lacked the desired energies, it served merely as a prison to the Hate-Monger/Hitler.
(Captain America I Annual#7 (fb) - BTS) - When the project failed, Clinton was "...killed."
Comments: Created by Peter Gillis, Arvell Jones, and Bruce Patterson.
I am not sure of the exact origins of A.I.M.; the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z hardcover (and softcover) says:
A.I.M. originated as the body of chief scientists who served Baron (Wolfgang) von Strucker, founder of subversive group Hydra. These scientists were instrumental in setting up Hydra’s technological resources and arming their men in preparation for the day when Strucker would send Hydra into battle. Strucker directed the combined activities of Hydra, A.I.M., and the Secret Empire under the auspices of THEM, using the identity of the Grand Imperator. The leader of A.I.M.’s own ruling council was titled Scientist Supreme, a tradition which continues to the present day.
What is confusing is that AIM was a branch of
Hydra/THEM dating back to World War II according to some sources, such
as the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: A.I.M. entry.
That may have been fine for Clinton in a story in 1980, where he may
have been 60 years old and still been 25 years old in 1945 (that's
young, but earning a Ph.D. by 25 years-old and earning a teaching
position is certain possible). Forty-plus years later, as this proile
was written in 2021, the sliding timescale would be make George Clinton
101 years old in the Super-Villain Team-Up story giving the same age
estimation. 101 is certainly not impossible (especially for someone
with access to advanced science), but as tying him to World War II
makes him a year older every year, it becomes less plausible without an
explanation of him using some means to retard his aging.
The OHotMU Deluxe Edition and subsequent handbooks have not defined the
origins of A.I.M. as being tied to World War II, and I think it makes
the most sense to have A.I.M. having its earliest origins in Hydra's
science division, which eventually progressed to its own organization
in the modern era.
I don't know why there's a dramatic pause in front of the killed when Worrell details Clinton's fate. Perhaps Worrell was still a little choked up over the loss of his mentor and friend...or perhaps Clinton isn't dead, and Worrell just said that because he couldn't think of a more accurate/appropriate description. Maybe Clinton's memories, at least, were preserved in Zola's computers...
Clinton's involvement in the blue faction of A.I.M. was retcon information from Captain America I Annual#7. Obviously, in his first appearance, he was shown in A.I.M.'s classic yellow uniform.
I'm going to profile Alvin Tarleton (aka A.I.M. "Agent 001") from the MODOK: Head Games series. Certainly the information about MODOK having been created on Boca Caliente is incorrect because A.I.M. didn't clA.I.M. Boca Caliente until around Iron Man I#207 (1986). The idea of some machine just randomly converting animals, etc. into MODOK-types seems a little off as MODOK was a big deal for them to develop, but I don't know that there is anything to specifically contradict it.
I couldn't find my copy of Captain America Annual I#7, and it's not digitally available yet. Thanks to Loki for providing the scans of the relevant pages!
George Clinton was referenced a Scientist Supreme for AIM in the
All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: A to Z: Update 2
(2007) and again in Official
Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z hardcover#1.
I was
sure George Clinton was referenced as Scientist Supreme in the original
stories, but as far as I can see, he was identified only as a founding
member. I was also pretty sure he was referenced in the original
handbook, or at least the Deluxe Edition, as the Scientist Supreme...but not that I saw...
The original story in Captain America I#133 has MODOK slaying a
Scientist Supreme who was not George Clinton (or Alvin Tarleton), and
the A.I.M. Deluxe Edition profile notes that MODOK slew A.I.M.'s
Scientist Supreme when he seized control of A.I.M. That Scientist
Supreme was identified as Lyle Getz in the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: A to Z: Update 2 (2007) and again in Official
Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z hardcover#1.
Based on that information, Clinton was apparently only Scientist
Supreme of one of the rebel/blue factions of AIM that splintered away
from MODOK's group.
I
also found that Monica Rappaccini's profile says: "When the AIM
Scientist Supreme (Lyle Getz) was slain by his own renegade creation,
MODOK, Monica became head of the splinter faction of AIM that remained
independent from MODOK’s control."
Obviously,
Clinton had previously been credited with heading the rival AIM faction
that split from MODOK, so either he worked with Monica, or she headed
her own rival faction. I think the latter is more likely. But I guess I
need to profile Monica as well...
As best as I can tell with the various ret-cons,
Lyle Getz was the Scientist Supreme at the time George Tarleton was
transformed into MODOC. It seems to fit that Alvin Tarleton volunteered
his son, or at least facilitated his involvement, as the subject for
experimentation. George Clinton, Bernard Worrell, and Alvin Tarleton
were involved in the project, and perhaps Clinton was the one seeking
to create the Cosmic Cube, and he may have proposed the development of
MODOC. Getz and Alvin Tarleton were specifically present at the time of
George Tarleton's transformation into MODOC. Monica Rappaccini was an
A.I.M. agent at the time, but I don't know that she was specifically
involved with the creation of MODOC.
After MODOC became MODOK
and slew the Scientist Supreme (Getz) and many others involved with the
project, George Clinton and Bernard Worrell, Monica Rappaccini, and
Alvin Tarleton escaped separately, each with their own group of A.I.M.
agents, and each formed separate factions of A.I.M. independent of
MODOK.
Or, possibly, Alvin Tarleton's involvement was not part of Earth-616 continuity.
Regardless, I do need to review Monica Rappaccini's stories and do a profile on her.
I stated this in the clarifications, George Clinton has the same name as the leader of the band(s) Parliament-Funkadelic/P-Funk, and and Bernard Worrell shares the name with their keyboardist (Bernie Worrell). Once may have been a coincidence, but twice is clearly an homage!
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
George Clinton should be distinguished from:
Appearances:
Tales of Suspense I#79/1 (July, 1966) - Stan Lee (writer), Jack Kirby
(pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Captain America I#133 (January, 1971) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Gene Colan (penciler), Dick Ayers (inker)
Super-Villain Team-Up I#17 (March, 1980) - Peter Gillis (writer), Arvell Jones (penciler), Bruce Patterson (inker), Jim Salicrup (editor)
Captain
America Annual#7 (October, 1983) - Peter Gillis (writer), Brian Postman
(penciler), Kim DeMulder (inker), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
Fantastic Four I#319 (October, 1988) - Steve Englehart (writer), Keith
Pollard (pencils), Joe Sinnott (finishes), Ralph Macchio (editor)
All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: A to Z: Update 2: A.I.M entry (June, 2007) - Jeff Christiansen (head writer/coordinator), Sean McQuaid, Ronald Byrd, Michael Hoskin, Mark O'English, Mike
Fichera, Stuart Vandal, Eric J. Moreels, Chris Biggs, Madison
Carter, Anthony Flamini, Al Sjoerdsma, Rich
Green
(writers), Michael Short & Cory Levine (assistant editors), Mark D. Beazley (associate editor), Jeff Youngquist &
Jennifer Grunwald (editors)
Official
Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z hardcover#1: A.I.M entry (March,
2008) - Jeff Christiansen (head writer/coordinator), Mike
Fichera, Stuart Vandal, Sean McQuaid, Madison
Carter, Michael Hoskin, Ronald Byrd, Eric J. Moreels, David Wiltfong,
Chad Anderson, Anthony Flamini, Jacob Rougemont, Gabriel Shechter, Rich
Green, Chris Biggs, Al Sjoerdsma, David Sexton, Bill Lentz, Barry
Reese, Jonathan Couper-Smartt, Mike Raicht, & Stephen Faulkner
(writers), Brian Overton (copy editor), John Denning & Cory Levine (assistant editors), Mark D. Beazley (editor, special projects), Jeff Youngquist &
Jennifer Grunwald (editors)
MODOK:
Head Games#4 (June, 2021) - Jordan Blum & Patton Oswalt (writers),
Scott Hepburn (artist), Annalise Bissa & Lauren Amaro (assistant
editors), Jordan D. White (editor)
First posted: 10/12/2021
Last updated: 01/21/2022
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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