Marvel's Amadeus Cho Explained: Who Is the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Character?

Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy, Powerful Teen Hero

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man features 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 the Marvel universe? This exploration covers his origins, powers, comic book history, and appearances beyond the comics.

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Who is Amadeus Cho?

Despite his youth, Amadeus Cho is among the Marvel Universe's most intelligent individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature often lead him into legal trouble. He has a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules and bravely defends his friends.

Amadeus gained immense strength, becoming the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Although the classic Hulk has returned, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn. He's a powerful force for good, regardless of his alias.

Amadeus Cho's Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe. His pattern recognition and mental calculation skills are extraordinary, though intense mental activity leaves him ravenous.

As the Hulk, he gained superhuman strength, regeneration, and durability. Unlike the classic Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality when transformed, avoiding the rage-fueled persona.

Currently operating as Brawn, he's slightly less powerful than his Hulk form but can still unleash his full Hulk strength when needed.

Amadeus Cho Cheat Sheet

• First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15 (2005)
• Creators: Greg Pak & Takeshi Miyazawa
• Aliases: Mastermind Excello, Hulk, Brawn, Prince of Power
• Current Team: Agents of Atlas (formerly Champions, God Squad, Avengers)
• Recommended Reading: Incredible Hercules - The Complete Collection Vols. 1-2, The Totally Awesome Hulk Vols. 1-4, Champions: Because the World Still Needs Heroes

Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History

Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. He became known as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. Tragedy struck when the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus, leading to his family's death and forcing him into hiding. A chance encounter with the Hulk forged a lasting friendship.

Amadeus played a crucial role in 2007's World War Hulk crossover, teaming up with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, where they faced numerous challenges and even saved the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi.

After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation, Amadeus became the Hulk, his exploits documented in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-founded a new iteration of the Champions team.

Now, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a powerful hero with exceptional intellect.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus's popularity has led to appearances in Marvel's animated and video game projects. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and appears 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 features him as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).

In Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, he's a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. His future as a super-powered hero remains to be seen, but his presence suggests a potential future collaboration with Spider-Man.

Amadeus's mother, Helen, appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron, hinting at the MCU's long-term plans for the character. His MCU debut is highly anticipated.

For more on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, check out IGN's review of Season 1.