Superhero Origins: Beast

Superhero Origins: Beast

He possesses Ape-like superhuman strength and a brilliant scientific mind. Welcome to Watchmojo.com, and today we will explore the origins of Beast, one of the original members of the X-Men.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline, which unfolded in the 1963’s “The Uncanny X-Men”, Amazing Adventures and X-Men Origins: Beast.

Henry McCoy is the son of a nuclear power plant worker who was exposed to massive amounts of radiation during an accident. As a result, he began to show signs of mutation early on in life. These features included large hands and feet as well as advanced intellect. As he reached his teenage years he developed advanced agility, reflexes and superhuman strength.

Becoming a star football player as a teenager, he tried to hide his mutation, until it became too obvious and he was expelled from school.

It wasn’t long until his remarkable abilities attracted the attention of Professor Charles Xavier, who was in the process of forming the original X-Men team. Approaching the young man, Xavier offered Hank unlimited academic opportunities at his School for Gifted Youngsters.

Unfortunately, a costumed criminal named “El Conquistador” also took notice of Hank’s unique abilities and captured McCoy’s parents in order to force his help in carrying out diabolical schemes.

With the help of Professor Xavier’s mutants, Hank defeated the kidnapper, saved his parents, and joined the X-Men as its fourth member. There he took on the field codename of “Beast,” and helped the team face various enemies, including Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants.

After several years on the team, he left on his 20th birthday to become a scientist at the Brand Corporation, a genetics research facility. There he discovered a way to make anyone take on temporary mutant abilities.

Using the serum to change his appearance, he went undercover to stop an attempt to steal his research. Waiting too long to reverse the process, he began growing gray fur, which later turned blue, all over his body. Not only that, but he developed claws, fangs, sharp ears, feral tendencies, and the ability to run on walls and ceilings.

Depressed about his new monstrous appearance, he left the research facility and publically revealed his dual identity. Recruited by the Avengers, he occasionally rejoined the X-Men to lend a helping hand. Eventually, he returned to Xavier’s school as the resident tech and medical genius, and started a career as a political activist for mutant rights.

Appearing on the silver screen in “X-Men 3: The Last Stand”, Beast’s introduction to the X-Men was finally explored in 2011’s prequel “X-Men: First Class.”