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Abner Jenkins, also known as the Beetle, MACH-1, MACH-2, MACH-3, MACH-IV, MACH-V, MACH-VII and MACH-X, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Carl Burgos, he debuted in Strange Tales #123 (August 1964) as the original Beetle, a supervillain wearing an armor plated, mechanical suit he had designed himself after growing frustrated with his ordinary job as an aircraft mechanic and deciding to turn to crime. Although in his first appearance he fought the Human Torch and the Thing of the Fantastic Four, later storylines established Jenkins as a recurring foe of Spider-Man, usually working as a henchman for various criminal organizations opposing the hero. Jenkins later formed his own criminal organization known as the Sinister Syndicate.
After abandoning his Beetle persona, Jenkins was recruited into the Thunderbolts—a supervillain team assembled by Helmut Zemo to pose as to gain access to the technology of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, groups which had both seemingly perished while fighting Onslaught. (2025). 9781465478900, DK Publishing. ISBN 9781465478900 Jenkins became known as "MACH-1", using a modified version of his Beetle armor that was designed for faster flight and higher altitude. The Thunderbolts were introduced in Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997), and although they originally went along with Zemo's plan, later storylines depicted them as disobeying him due to enjoying the attention and adulation they received as heroes. Seeking redemption, Jenkins was convinced to give himself over to authorities to serve out an outstanding prison sentence in exchange for the Thunderbolts being granted immunity. During his time in jail, Jenkins helped the authorities out, which led to him working for the government after his release from prison. He later began working at the Raft prison as head of security and re-joined the Thunderbolts, now a team of reformed criminals trying to earn time off their sentence by working for the government.
The character has been adapted from the comics into several other forms of media, such as Animated series and .
When most of Earth's heroes, including the Avengers and Fantastic Four, are seemingly killed battling Onslaught, Helmut Zemo recruits Jenkins and a number of other villains to posing as a superhero team called the Thunderbolts. Jenkins adopted the guise of "MACH-1". Thunderbolts Annual (August 1997) However, the Thunderbolts' members begin to enjoy heroism and convert the group into a legitimate team. Thunderbolts #21-23 (December 1998-February 1999) The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #3 (July 1991)
When the Thunderbolts uncover and thwart a Commission on Superhuman Activities (CSA) conspiracy to exterminate superhumans, Hawkeye blackmails the CSA into pardoning the Thunderbolts in exchange for the group's silence. CSA agent Henry Peter Gyrich insists that he will not go along with the deal unless Hawkeye is imprisoned for his vigilante activities. Hawkeye agrees despite the protests of his teammates and surrenders to federal custody.
Most of the rest of the Thunderbolts, including MACH-2 and Songbird, are pardoned and released. However, they are forbidden from public use of superhuman powers or costumed identities. MACH-2 and Songbird turn their equipment over to authorities and move to Burton Canyon, Colorado, where Abner Jenkins finds work as a tech support specialist. Thunderbolts #50 (May 2001) Thunderbolts: Life Sentences one-shot (July 2001)
Later, Graviton launches his latest attempt at world conquest in Burton Canyon, reshaping Earth in his image. Despite their reluctance to risk their freedom, Jenkins and Songbird join Helmut Zemo in attacking Graviton as part of a new team of Thunderbolts. Graviton is defeated and Earth saved, but MACH-3 and the other Thunderbolts disappear in an explosion created by Graviton's power. Thunderbolts #59 (February 2002)
The Thunderbolts are transported to Counter-Earth, where they establish themselves as heroes due to the planet lacking any. Thunderbolts #66 (August 2002) The Thunderbolts return to Earth via a white hole and encounter Hawkeye and Songbird, who had formed their own version of the Thunderbolts. The two teams of Thunderbolts join forces to close the white hole. Despite their feelings for each other, Jenkins leaves Songbird, remanding himself to police custody to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Following the "" event, Abner Jenkins joins Bucky Barnes's Thunderbolts as MACH-IX. Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #1 (July 2016) In Secret Empire, Jenkins is seemingly killed when Baron Zemo attacks the Thunderbolts. Thunderbolts (vol. 3) #12 (April 2017)
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, one of the members of Doctor Doom's Fulgar Victoris is MACH-Doom. Doom claims that MACH-Doom is a Doombot who possesses Jenkins' spirit. Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 (April 2025) During a battle between the Thunderbolts and the Fulgar Victoris, Songbird uses her powers on MACH-Doom to shut it down to honor the memory of Jenkins. Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #5 (May 2025).
As MACH-I through MACH-IV, Jenkins designed a new suit of power armor which granted superhuman strength and durability, and flight as his Beetle suit did. This new suit contains a variety of different weapon systems instead of the insect-themed powers of the previous armor.
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