Amadeus Cho: The Friendly Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe

Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Powerful Teen Hero

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man centers on 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, one of Peter's Oscorp interns. 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 intense competition, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature have led to frequent run-ins with the law, resulting in a life partly spent on the lam. He's known for his affinity for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and his unwavering loyalty to his friends.

Amadeus's strength now rivals 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 alias, Amadeus Cho is a powerful force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranking as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though his actual ranking may be higher). He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations. The only drawback is the intense mental exertion often leaves him ravenous.

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

Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a slightly less powerful iteration of his Hulk form, though he can still fully transform when necessary.

Amadeus Cho: A 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 (Spider-Man's debut), introduced promising new characters to the Marvel Universe, with Amadeus becoming a standout.

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 assassination to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.

Amadeus reappeared during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, teaming up with Hercules (a fugitive hero who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act). Their partnership led to The Incredible Hercules series, filled with numerous adventures.

After regaining respectability, they even saved the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. The duo eventually parted ways, leading to a new chapter in Amadeus's life. Absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, he became the new Hulk, documented 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 unmatched intelligence.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has become a recurring character in Marvel's animated and video game projects, especially after his Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and appears 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) marked his debut as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).

Currently, he's a supporting character in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, portrayed as a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. While his superhero destiny remains uncertain, his presence, alongside other comic-based characters, suggests a future transformation. His mother's appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron hints at a potential MCU debut.