Amadeus Cho: Marvel's iQ-Hero Redefined

Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Powerful Teen Hero

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man features a fresh take on Peter Parker, the animated series delves deep into the Marvel Universe. Many supporting characters are based on comic book heroes and villains, including Amadeus Cho, Peter's Oscorp intern. But who is Amadeus Cho, and why is he a significant teen hero in Marvel's recent history? Let's explore this brilliant, yet self-absorbed character.

Who is Amadeus Cho?

Despite his youth and the abundance of competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature have often led him to evade legal authorities. He has a strong affinity for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and bravely defends his friends.

Amadeus's strength now matches his intellect. He briefly became the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Even with the classic Hulk's return, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn. Regardless of his moniker, Amadeus Cho is a formidable force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though possibly higher). He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations, although this intense mental activity often leaves him ravenous.

His time as the Hulk granted him immense physical strength, matching his mental capabilities. At his peak, he possessed all the Hulk's powers – regeneration, durability, and more. Unlike the Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality in his transformed state, avoiding the rage-monster persona.

Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, slightly less powerful than his Hulk form, but still capable of unleashing his full Hulk potential when necessary.

Amadeus Cho Cheat Sheet

• First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15 (2005)
• Creators: Greg Pak & Takeshi Miyazawa
• Aliases: Mastermind Excello, Hulk, Brawn, Prince of Power
• Current Team: Agents of Atlas (formerly Champions, God Squad, Avengers)
• Recommended Reading: Incredible Hercules - The Complete Collection Vols. 1-2, The Totally Awesome Hulk Vols. 1-4, Champions: Because the World Still Needs Heroes

Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History

Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. This issue, mirroring the original Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962), introduced characters with significant Marvel Universe potential, and Amadeus became its breakout star.

He gained recognition as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. However, the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus for death to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, befriending a coyote pup and eventually the Hulk, forging a lifelong bond with the Jade Giant.

Amadeus's prominence grew during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, where they faced numerous challenges and even saved the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. After their partnership dissolved, Amadeus absorbed Bruce Banner's gamma radiation, becoming the new Hulk, detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also joined the Champions alongside Ms. Marvel, Nova, Viv Vision, and a time-displaced Cyclops.

Now, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a powerful hero with exceptional intellect.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has appeared in Marvel's animated and video game projects, especially after his comic book Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and features in LEGO Marvel games.

In animation, he appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man and Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled, voiced by Eric Bauza as Iron Spider. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2017) featured him as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).

Currently, Aleks Le voices Amadeus in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, portraying him as a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. While his superhero destiny remains uncertain, his presence alongside other comic-book-inspired characters suggests a future transformation. His mother's appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron hints at a potential MCU debut.