Beast

Origin and Early Life

Hank McCoy’s father was exposed to radiation when working at the nuclear power plant. Because of this, it seems to be the reason why Hank had unusually large feet and hands and a high I.Q. Because of his irregular proportions, his schoolmates teased him and gave him the nickname of "Magilla Gorilla" and "Beast".

All Beast, no blue

During his teen years, his mutant abilities started to show themselves and allowed him to become a super sports star and excel in the academic side of school. However, this caused jealously amongst his classmates. Fortunately for him, Professor Charles Xavier approached Hank, offering a spot for him in his school (Xavier Institute for Higher Learning). The school was a haven for mutants and also the headquarters of the mutant team, the X-Men. Hank took advantage of the offer, mainly in order to further his academic intelligence and ended up completing his doctorate in biophysics at Xavier's. There, he received the codename "Beast."

Hank went on to work as a genetic researcher at a corporation called "Brand Corporation." When trying to stop his mentor's evil scheme, Hank developed an experimental extract he was working on that would temporarily increase his mutant abilities. However, he had the extract in him for too long, therefore leaving him permanently transformed. This would enhance his agility, stamina and strength. Other side effects were the growth of fangs, pointed ears, claws, enhanced senses, a healing factor and blue fur that covered his entire body. Hank then completed his doctorate in genetics and is one of the world's experts on mutations and human biology.

Time with the Avengers

After his transformation, Hank became a member of the super group, the Avengers and becomes the best of friends with Wonder Man, though sometimes he would leave to help with the X-Men when they were in need help and to make space for new recruits. His time with the team was short-lived

Gray Beast

Defenders and X-Factor

He later joins the Defenders and is one of the surviving members of the defunct group. Fellow Defenders Iceman and Angel are contacted by Jean Grey and Cyclops and they form the group called X-Factor. On one of their missions, Hank is kidnapped by Captain Okada' father for experimentation to find a "cure" for Artie's mutation. Beast's appearance changes back to his normal state and is infected with a disease. His body fights off this disease though at the cost of his intellect. The more he uses his strength, the lower his I.Q. will fall. He is finally incapable of taking care of himself when he kisses Infectia and falls into a coma. While on X-Factor’s sentient spacecraft Ship, he changes back once again to his mutated form, his intelligence intact. Later on, he goes back to the X-Men where he remains.

Back to Basics and Xavier's School

Feline mutation

When he was a member of the X-Treme X-Men, Hank was almost killed by a villain named Vargas. Teammate Sage used one of her Deus Ex Machina abilities which allowed Beast's body to mutate further. Beast became bigger and had a more feline appearance but he saw this as devolution, having to relearn his fine motor skills. When he heard of a "cure" that would take him back to normal state, Wolverine convinced him not to take it, as that would send a negative message across other mutants. Hank returned to the Xavier Institute becoming the resident scientist and teacher at the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning.

Astonishing X-Men

Cyclops formed a new X-Men, and Beast was drafted onto the team along with other X-Men/Women like Wolverine and Kitty Pryde. On their first mission, the team dealt with Ord of the Breakworld and the "cure" for mutants. After a brief encounter with Ord, Beast went to visit his old friend, Dr. Kavita Rao to get a sample of the "cure". He takes it back to the Institute, and begins to study it. Wolverine then comes to his lab, telling Beast that Emma told him that his mind was basically screaming it out that he wanted to take the cure. Wolverine tells him to flush it but Beast refuses to do so, and the two fight it out, until Emma stops them telepathically and threatens to make them tango. When he finds out that Rao had been testing the cure on corpses of other mutants, he helps stop her and Ord, and he and the X-Men destroy the base.

After a confrontation with Danger, Cassandra Nova psionically attacks the team. She strips Beast of all his morality, intelect and basically his mind, leaving him as basically, a feral beast. He attacked Wolverine and bit off some flesh on his leg (obviously it grew back). Luckily, the student Blindfold used a "sensory stimulant", something the Professor and Beast invented, just in case of a situation like this. The stimulant was in a form of a ball of string. Beast then used a special magnet he'd created to stop Danger and Ord.

The X-Men, Ord and Danger are teleported away to SWORD, and travel to the Breakworld. Beast is one of the X-Men taken with them. Later, he and Abigail Brand are seperated from the main squad, and almost freeze to death but Agent Brand manages to save them by generating heat to keep them warm (no one knows how she did this yet). She later dives in front of a laser to save him, believing that he is the one with the best chance to save Earth.

Astonishing!!

AS Beast team doubles back to their ship he finds Agent Brand who survived the laser blast and they pick up their antagonistic banter with each other. When Beast accuses Brand of still keeping things from him and after he persisted she admits that she is really attracted to him.

Once back on Earth Brand takes a walk with Henry and waits for his response on the job with SWORD that she has offered him, as she believes him to be qualified both professionally and personally and states as much.

Beast is later shown with Brand and several X-students in a lab both him and Brand looking pleased.

Endangered Species

Since the events of M-Day Beast has tirelessly tried to reverse their effects and avoid mutant extinction. Dr. McCoy sought the help of some of the Marvel U's most brilliant scientist and heroes in order to find a solution. Making little progress Beast then extended his plea for help to some of the most intelligent and ruthless villains such as Mr. Sinister, Doctor Doom, and the High Evolutionary. After receiving little assistance from most of the villains, Beast made his way to the now defunct mutant concentration camp, Neverland. While searching Neverland for anything that could aid his research, he was confronted by Dark Beast and offered his help. Beast apprehensively agreed, and the two have formed a strained partnership. After the two research for a while, they begin to fight about each others ways. After research with others, Beast went to see the Scarlet Witch, who remembers nothing about her former life. After a lengthy discussion, he returns home.

During this time, he also fought the Hulk along with the other X-Men as a part of World War Hulk.

Messiah CompleX and Divided We Stand

In X-men Divided We Stand 2 of 2, Beast was dropped of at the Xavier instiute by Logan.

Beast spent his time in the subbasement destroying all the student and teacher files fearing what would happen if they fell into the wrong hands.

He then emailed the information for Stryfe's Legacy Virus to five scientist he trust thinking that no matter what happens to him, the anti virus would always be safe. Beast then took Martha Johansson and left the instiute putting a No Admittence sign on the gates.

When Professor X discovers the Baby Mutant, Beast is present in Cerebra, and helps fix it. He's there throught the multiple other events and then, with the help of Prodigy, saves Hellion from dying by performing surgery on him. He then takes part in the final battle on Muir Island.

Characteristics

Gender - Male

Height - 5'11"

Weight - 402 lbs

Eyes - Blue

Hair - Originally grey, now bluish-black in furry form

Unusual Features : Covered in blue fur, large extremeties, fangs and claws

Powers and Abilities

Displaying his simian abilities

Beast has superhuman strength, agility, endurance, and speed. He has strong fingers and toes and can scale walls. He has razor sharp claws on his hands and his feet and a thick blue fur all over his body. Hank has great manual and pedal dexterity and can perform several complicated tasks using both his hands and feet such as tying knots with his feet. He has long apendages that allow to him to walk on all fours. Beast can run for short sprints at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. He has enhanced senses such as night-vision and a sense of smell that can track a human and also has a slight healing factor. Furthermore he is extremely intelligent.

Later on, when he has taken on a secondary mutation, his smelling, strength, sight and reflexes are enhanced even further. The secondary mutation gave him the a feline appearance. The downside to this mutation is that Hank has lost his super human dexterity.

Alternate Realities

Earth-295

For Beast's counterpart in the Age of Apocalypse reality, see: Dark Beast.

Earth-1610

In the Ultimate universe Beast was an X-Man who at first appeared to be a human with apelike proportions, strength and agility. He has a severe inferiority complex

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Later, it was revealed that Beast was still alive (after being revived at a hospital) and working with S.H.I.E.L.D for a Legacy Virus cure. He has reversed his physique back to human-ish.

Earth-15104

In the Here Comes Tomorrow reality Beast was possessed by Sublime, and was the world's greatest villain.

Earth-1298

For beast in the Mutant X reality, see: Brute.

Earth-311

In the 1602 reality Beast was known as Hal McCoy and was a member of Carlos Javier's group of witchbreeds. He appeared in his furless simian form.

Earth-398

In this reality Beast was known as Kreature and was a member of Queen's Vengeance.

Earth-58163

In the House of M, Hank is working with Hank Pym and Forge, and all of them are working of Iron Man. He feels superior from humans because of his mutation. He has a human appearance in the universe.

Earth-2149

Zombie Beast is working with Zombie Mr. Fantastic to rewire cerebro to detect humans. They found a lot of them in Doctor Doom's castle and he is also seen in attacking his home with the other zombie superheroes.

He is later shown arguing with Colonel America (this universe's version of Captain America) and is killed by him when he got his cosmic powers.