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, 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's known for his affinity for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and his unwavering loyalty to 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 alias, Amadeus Cho is a powerful force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (potentially even higher). His pattern recognition and mental calculation skills are extraordinary. 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 strength, regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality when transformed, avoiding the rage monster aspect.

Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, slightly less powerful than his Hulk form, but still capable of fully transforming 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 characters with significant Marvel Universe potential, 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 death to maintain his ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus went into hiding, eventually befriending the Hulk.

Amadeus's prominence grew during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, leading to iconic moments. They eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi.

After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, Amadeus became the new Hulk, detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-founded a new iteration of 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 and brilliant hero.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has appeared 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 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, in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. His future as a super-powered hero remains uncertain, but given the series' pattern of using comic book characters, it's likely. An MCU appearance is also anticipated, considering his mother's role in Avengers: Age of Ultron.