Vermin (character)

Vermin (Edward Whelan) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of Captain America and Spider-Man. A geneticist working for Baron Zemo and Arnim Zola, Edward Whelan was subjected to an experiment that mutated him into a humanoid rat, gaining superhuman abilities, as well as the predatory instincts of a rat. The character's most notable appearance was in the storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt".

Publication history

The character's first appearance was in ''Captain America'' #272 (August 1982). He was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

He became a Spider-Man villain as well in ''Marvel Team-Up'' #128 (April 1983), fighting both Captain America and Spider-Man.

Fictional character biography

Edward Whelan suffered severe physical and sexual abuse as a child from his father.''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' #178-184 (July 1991 - January 1992). Marvel Comics. As an adult, he became a geneticist working for Helmut Zemo and Primus, who later experiment on him and transform him into a cannibalistic, humanoid rat. Vermin is defeated by Captain America and turned over to S.H.I.E.L.D. He escapes S.H.I.E.L.D., however, and returns to the service of Zola and Zemo.

Vermin eventually escapes the asylum, and attacks his parents at their home in Scarsdale. He is captured by Spider-Man and returned to psychiatric care. Whelan returns to his human form after being treated by Ashley Kafka, but later returns to his Vermin form.

In ''All-New, All-Different Marvel'', Vermin appears as a member of Maker's New Revengers.

During the " Hunted" storyline, Lizard and Taskmaster were able to defeat Vermin who was attacking some civilians while they were en route to Central Park. Upon becoming a prisoner of Arcade, Vermin bites Arcade in the finger and mentions that Lizard and Taskmaster are working against him. Arcade then injects Vermin with a serum that causes him to spawn clones of himself. When the Vermin clones attack Spider-Man, he is saved by Kraven the Hunter.

After a Norman Osborn sin-induced Spider-Man injects Kraven the Hunter with a compound that contained some pheromones, he enters the sewer where he is attacked by Vermin and his clones. Kraven the Hunter defeats most of them before being knocked out.

During the " Gang War" storyline, Vermin and his clones attack the F.E.A.S.T. building amidst the gang wars. They are repelled by Spider-Boy.

Vermin was later brought into the Sewer Enclave by Miles Morales' clone Shift.

Doctor Tramma later dispatches Vermin to go after Spider-Girl. He attacks her at the Red Snow martial arts studio that she is attending. During the fight, Spider-Girl is surprised that Vermin knows her true identity as more Vermin clones arrive. She manages to copy Vermin's powers enough that she orders the Vermin clones to take Vermin back to his home and "rat off". Spider-Girl then starts to figure out that a woman who is doing experiments had sent Vermin.

Powers and abilities

Vermin's strength was enhanced by the experimental mutagenic process designed by Arnim Zola, and forced upon him. He resembles a humanoid rat and possesses enhanced strength, durability, senses, and agility.

Vermin has the ability to control rats and dogs within a two-mile (3 km) radius of himself.

Reception

In 2021, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Vermin 5th in their "Marvel: 10 Characters Baron Zemo Created In The Comics" list.

Other versions

Earth-71290

An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan from Earth-71290 appears in ''Spider-Society'' #2. This version works as an assistant to Ashley Kafka at Ravencroft.

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Edward Whelan / Vermin from Earth-1610 appears in ''All-New Ultimates'' #7. This version previously worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. until it was dissolved. Following this, he took to living in a sewer system where he developed a psychic connection to Agent Crock and become tyrants until they encountered the Young Ultimates. In the ensuing fight, Shadowcat kills Crock, which kills Vermin as well due to their connection.

In other media

* Vermin was originally meant to appear in ''Spider-Man'' (1995).
* Vermin appears as a boss in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (2012), voiced by Steve Blum. This version is an ordinary rat who was transformed into a humanoid form by Oscorp scientists as part of their experiments with "cross-species".

References

External links

Vermin
at Marvel.com


at Spiderfan.org

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vermin (Comics)
African-American characters in comics
Characters created by J. M. DeMatteis
Comics characters introduced in 1982
Fictional cannibals
Fictional geneticists
Fictional victims of child sexual abuse
Genetically engineered characters in comics
Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
Marvel Comics characters with superhuman senses
Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
Marvel Comics hybrids
Marvel Comics male supervillains
Marvel Comics mutates
Marvel Comics scientists
Spider-Man characters