Annihilus () is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily as an adversary to the Fantastic Four. The character debuted in Fantastic Four Annual #6, which was published in November 1968. Annihilus was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and was notably featured in the "Annihilation" event.
Annihilus has at various times been the ruler of the Negative Zone, controlling its inhabitants via his powerful Cosmic Control Rod.Jeff Rovin (1987). 081601356X, Facts on File. 081601356X
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Annihilus has appeared in a number of Marvel media, including several Fantastic Four shows, as well as The Super Hero Squad Show, , Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. and Ultimate Spider-Man. In 2009, Annihilus was ranked as IGN's 94th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[ Annihilus is number 94 IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2009.]
Publication history
The character
first appearance in
Fantastic Four Annual #6 (1968), and was created by
Stan Lee and
Jack Kirby.
He had a recurring role in the series, including issues #108–110, #140–141, #181–183, #251–256, #289–290, and
Fantastic Four Unlimited #3.
He played a small role in the Kree–Skrull War issues of Avengers, #89, 96–97.
The character was the main antagonist in Annihilation, appearing in the prologue, the second issue of the Silver Surfer mini-series, and all six issues of the main title. He was killed in issue six, but has since been reborn. He appeared as an infant in War of Kings: Ascension #2.
Fictional character biography
Annihilus first encounters the
Fantastic Four when they enter the Negative Zone seeking anti-particles needed to treat
Invisible Woman's cosmic ray-related pregnancy complications. Annihilus's minions capture the heroes, but they escape and temporarily steal his Cosmic Control Rod to harness its
antimatter particles.
[ Fantastic Four Annual #6 (November 1968)] Annihilus then becomes a recurring enemy of the Fantastic Four.
In the "Annihilation" event, Annihilus leads the Annihilation Wave, a fleet of battleships, ostensibly claiming to have the goal of conquering the universe. Annihilus attempts to destroy the universe, but is killed by Nova while Galactus destroys the Annihilation Wave.[ Annihilation #6 (March 2007)]
Annihilus is later reborn as an infant while retaining his memories.[ #2 (July 2009)] Annihilus later returns to his normal appearance after harnessing the Hulk's power.[ Thanos vs. Hulk #3 (April 2015)]
In the "Annihilation - Scourge" event, the Negative Zone is attacked by forces from the Cancerverse, collectively known as the Scourge and led by the Void. Annihilus and Blastaar work together to fight the Scourge. The Silver Surfer reunites the Void with his other half, Sentry, while Nova sacrifices himself to stop the Scourge. However, he is resurrected by Annihilus soon after.[ Annihilation - Scourge Omega one-shot (February 2020)]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Annihilus led his Annihilation Wave into attacking Washington DC. They were repelled by Doctor Doom's Superior Avengers.[ Superior Avengers #1 (April 2025)]
Powers and abilities
Annihilus is capable of self-propelled flight and can withstand the vacuum of space. He possesses an insectoid
exoskeleton with armored components that grants him resistance to most forms of injury.
He has superhuman physical abilities. He is able to breathe in the vacuum of empty space, and can fly at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Annihilus wields the Cosmic Control Rod, which slows his aging process and enables him to manipulate energy and matter.[ Fantastic Four #108 (March 1971)][ Fantastic Four #290 (May 1986)]
Annihilus also leads an elite personal guard, the Centurions, who have occasionally wielded portions of the Cosmic Control Rod's power.
Fantastic Four #600 reveals that Annihilus can continuously resurrect if he is killed.[ Fantastic Four #600 (January 2012)]
Reception
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In 2018, CBR.com ranked Ahmyor 12th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.
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In 2022, GamesRadar+ ranked Annihilus third in their "Best Fantastic Four Villains" list.
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-295 appears in
Age of Apocalypse. This version is a member of a resistance against
Blastaar who was previously rendered amnesiac, assumed a humanoid form, and took the identity of
Ahmyor. While fighting Blastaar alongside Blink, Annihilus regains his memories and returns to his original form before leaving her to battle Blastaar.
[ Blink #1 - 4 (March - June 2001)]
Heroes Reborn (2021)
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-21798 appears in
Heroes Reborn. This version is the leader of the Bottled Hive of Annihilation, a race of small but powerful insects from the Negative Zone.
[ Heroes Reborn #2 (July 2021)]
Mangaverse
An alternate universe variant of Annihilus from Earth-2301 appears in
Marvel Mangaverse: Fantastic Four #1. This version is a
kaiju-like monster.
[ #1 (January 2002)]
Ultimate Marvel
Nihil, a character from Earth-1610 inspired by Annihilus, appears in
Ultimate Fantastic Four. He is the ruler of a space station composed of the remains of alien spaceships that orbits a dying red
dwarf star. After learning of the Ultimate Universe, Nihil attempts to travel to it to escape the Negative Zone's decay, only to be killed by the Fantastic Four.
[ Ultimate Fantastic Four #15 - 18 (January - May 2005)]
In other media
Television
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An illusionary Annihilus makes a cameo appearance in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Prison Plot".
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Annihilus appears in the Fantastic Four (1994) episode "Behold the Negative Zone", voiced by Clyde Kusatsu.
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Annihilus appears in , voiced by Scott McNeil.
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Annihilus appears in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Double Negation at the World's End!", voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
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Annihilus appears in episode "Assault on 42".
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Annihilus appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.
[ A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.]
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Annihilus appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Contest of Champions", voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes.
Film
Annihilus was originally intended to appear in
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but was ultimately replaced with the High Evolutionary.
Video games
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Annihilus appears as a boss in Fantastic Four (2005), voiced by Lex Lang.
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Annihilus was originally intended to appear as a boss in , but was cut from the final release for unknown reasons.
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Annihilus appears in , voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
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Annihilus appears in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
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Annihilus appears as an alternate skin for the Human Torch in .
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Annihilus appears in , voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes.
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Annihilus appears in Marvel Contest of Champions.
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Annihilus appears in Marvel Snap.
Miscellaneous
Annihilus appears in
via the "Annihilation" expansion set.
Merchandise
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An Annihilus figure was released in series 3 of Toy Biz's Marvel Super Heroes action figure line.
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An Annihilus figure was released in series 3 of Toy Biz's Fantastic Four (1994) tie-in toy line.
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Annihilus served as a build-a-figure for the "Annihilus Series" of Hasbro's Marvel Legends line and a Wal-mart exclusive repaint.
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An Annihilus figure was released in series 5 of Hasbro's Marvel Super Hero Squad line.
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Annihilus was added to HeroClix in 2013 after winning a fan poll in 2012.
External links
