GUNTHER

Real Name: Gunther

Identity/Class: Animal (Panthera tigris)

Occupation: Pet

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom)

Enemies: Fantastic Four (Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Woman/Susan Richards, Mister Fantastic/Reed Richards, Thing/Ben Grimm)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Castle Doom, Doomstadt, Latveria;
    formerly Castle Doom, Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#5 (July, 1962)

Powers/Abilities: Gunther is a powerful large cat of the panthera tigris family. Like all tigers, he can run faster than the average human, has sharp fangs and strong jaws, and claws in each of his feet. He was trained to obey Doctor Doom's orders. Although Gunther is an old tiger and no longer as fit as in his prime, Doom boasts that Gunther's mind is as sharp as ever. Doom also claims that Gunther is a great judge of character.

Length: Unrevealed (approximately 150'0")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 600 lbs.)
Eyes: Yellow
Fur: Orange and white with black stripes

History: (Fantastic Four I#5) - When Doctor Doom engaged in his first battle against the Fantastic Four he took the Invisible Girl as a prisoner and brought her to his castle in the Adirondack Mountains so that by threatening her life he could coerce the other members of the team into seeking out Merlin's gems for him. Doom placed the Invisible Girl under the watch of his pet tiger in the throne room of his castle. When the Thing, Mister Fantastic and Human Torch met with Doom to arrange the Invisible Girl's release, the Thing suggested they simply attack Doom rather than bargain with him. However, Doom observed that as the Invisible Girl was being guarded by his tiger they couldn't hope to react faster than his swift pet, who would surely maul the Invisible Girl before they could stop him. Doom then explained his demand for the heroes to journey into the past and recover the gems for him and sent the trio on their way.

(Fantastic Four VII#33) - As Doctor Doom was preparing for his royal wedding to Zora Vukovic, he invited the Fantastic Four to Latveria to attend the ceremony. As the Fantastic Four arrived, they were greeted by Doom, flanked by Gunther and another tiger. The Thing took exception to the tigers' presence, suggesting the animals were against the spirit of the occasion. The Invisible Woman recognized one of the tigers as the animal whom Doom had threatened her with during their first battle against him. Doom introduced the tiger as Gunther and explained that although he was not as fast as he once was, his mind remained very sharp. Doom also claimed Gunther was a great judge of character and could sense that the four heroes were troubled about the wedding. This prompted the heroes to remonstrate about Doom setting his wedding on the same date as Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman's anniversary and for interrupting the Thing's wedding to Alicia Masters. As they settled this affair, Doom sent them on to Castle Doom.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.

Doom's castle in Fantastic Four I#5 also had alligators in the moat. We're still waiting to learn their names, I guess.

Gunther's name was revealed in Fantastic Four VII#33.

A tiger?! In Latveria?! It doesn't sound very likely.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Gunther should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Fantastic Four VII#33, page 6, panel 1 (main)
Fantastic Four I#5, page 8, panel 1 (at throne)
Fantastic Four VII#33, page 6, panel 3 (head)

Appearances:
Fantastic Four I#5 (July, 1962) - Stan Lee (script, editor), Jack Kirby (plot, pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks)
Fantastic Four VII#33 (August, 2021) - Dan Slott (writer), R. B. Silva (artist), Luca Maresca (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)

First posted: 07/18/2022
Last updated: 07/18/2022

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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