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Quote1 I hope that lady luck is among the pulsating patrons of today's game! Quote2
Beast (Hank McCoy)

Appearing in "Birth of the Beast!"

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Synopsis for "Birth of the Beast!"

The Beast speaks to and explains to the reader about his origins, recounting his birth as a mutant and how he came to become a member of the X-Men.

Appearing in "A Beast Is Born"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #49

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  • Wedding Party (Unnamed)
  • Paul A. Marlin (Nuclear Plant Manager)
  • John (Nuclear Plant Employee)
  • Doctor (Unnamed)
  • Nurse (Unnamed)

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Synopsis for "A Beast Is Born"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #49
Quote1 These extraordinary hand and feet! Yes, they're developed far beyond those of a newborn child! I wonder what else time will tell us about him! Quote2
—A doctor inspecting newborn Hank

Telling the origins of the Beast, our story begins with Norton and Edna McCoy. Recently married, the couple have relocated to a new home provided by Norton's employers an atomic energy plant. One day some of the carbon rods be lowered due to the fact that there is a short in the electrical systems.

Ordered to get the chief electrical engineer, Norton disobeys orders to manually lower the rods. Although in a protective suit, the radiation is intense and although Norton manages to save the day he passes out due to his exposure to the rods radioactivity. Norton survives and after a brief stay at the hospital he is released.

Sometime later in a new home and new job Norton and Edna conceive a child, however the doctors are worried about the state of the child given Norton's previous exposure to radiation. However months later, when their boy -- named Henry -- is born, the only odd thing about the boy is his large hands and feet. When Hank's Uncle Bob comes to visit, he responds to his uncles cooing by punching him in the chin. Marvelling at the boys strength, Bob tells them that the boy could be the next heavyweight champ and field kicker.

Appearing in "This Boy -- This Bombshell!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #50

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  • Jennifer Nyles (Unnamed) (First appearance)
  • Unnamed coach and football players
  • Three unnamed thieves
  • Unnamed policemen

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Synopsis for "This Boy -- This Bombshell!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #50
Quote1 I hope Lady Luck is among the pulsating patrons of today's game! Quote2
Hank

The young Hank McCoy is raised by his parents Norton and Edna McCoy, who find that raising a mutant child with superior strength and agility is difficult, but they still raise a well-rounded boy. Reaching his high school years, the academic Hank is pressured by the football captain to kick a ball, trying to show his team that a lowly freshman can play better football than them. To everyone's surprise, Hank's mutant nature makes him adept at playing football and he's soon invited to join the team. Hank does and becomes a football sensation.

During one of his games, the box office is robbed by a gang of crooks who try to steal the money from ticket sales. Witnessing the robbery, Hank uses his mutant abilities to knock out all the crooks, his daring actions are televised on national television, attracting the attention of a costumed villain known as the Conquistador, who seeks to exploit Hank for his own criminal ends.

Appearing in "The Lure of the Beast-Nappers!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #51

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Synopsis for "The Lure of the Beast-Nappers!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #51

Continued from last issue...

The costumed villain known as the Conquistador has kept an eye on the Beast ever since he used his mutant powers to stop a robbery at a football game. Watching the boy’s football career, the Conquistador has decided to focus his army on capturing the boy as part of his plans to conquer the world.

Sending out his agents to capture the lad, one soldier attempts to run him down, however Hank manages to jump out of the way of his oncoming path. However, Hank lands near a number of the Conquistador's troops whom he manages to fight off. The Conquistador, however, arrives to personally deal with Hank by using his sword which fires a powerful electrical jolt that knocks Hank out.

Having heard of Hank's mutant nature, Professor Xavier sends Iceman to go and offer Hank membership in the X-Men, however, he finds that Hank's home is empty and there is evidence of a struggle. Reporting back to the Professor, Charles is left to ponder what may have transpired.

When Hank awakens sometime later in the secret base of the Conquistador, his captor offers him an ultimatum, aid in the Conquistador's plan of global domination, or his parents will die.

This story is continued next issue...

Appearing in "The Crimes of the Conquistador!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #52

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Synopsis for "The Crimes of the Conquistador!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #52

Continued from last issue...

Henry McCoy has been captured by the Conquistador who wishes to exploit the mutant for his plans for world domination. To ensure Hank's compliance, the Conquistador has captured Hank's parents and threatens to kill them if Hank should refuse to help.

Seeking to recruit Hank into his school for mutants, the Professor sends Iceman to visit with the young mutant but they learn that Hank and his parents have gone missing. The Professor goes to his study where he operates his first version of Cerebro to try and track down the McCoy family. Locating them, he orders Cyclops, Angel, and Iceman to get ready for action.

The Conquistador meanwhile, has forced Hank to use his powers to break into a government facility to steal an experimental new nuclear reactor. Hank succeeds in his task, but still manages to set off the alarm; however, he manages to escape thanks to his mutant abilities. Giving the reactor to the Conquistador, Hank asks if he and his family can be set free. The Conquistador strikes Hank and tells him that he will only be allowed to go once he is no longer useful to the Conquistador's cause.

This story is continued next issue...

Appearing in "Welcome to the Club, Beast!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #53

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Synopsis for "Welcome to the Club, Beast!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
X-Men #53

Continued from last issue....

The Conquistador has his operative Chico install the energy generator which he forced Hank McCoy to steal for him to power his doomsday weapon for which he plans on threatening the entire world. When Hank revives from a previous blow dealt to him by the Conquistador, he attempts to attack his captor, however, he bounces off his electrified shield.

Dodging blasts from the Conquistador's electrified sword, Hank tries to escape the room but ends up running into a door closed by Chico. Before the Conquistador can punish Hank; Cyclops, Angel and Iceman burst through the door to rescue him. With Hank's help, the three costumed mutants manage to fight off the Conquistador's men.

Before they can stop the Conquistador from activating his device, the mutants are ordered to retreat by the Professor. Just as they do, the Conquistador's device explodes seemingly killing him. Outside, the Professor meets with his charges and explains that he used his mental powers to overload the weapon. Returning to the McCoy house, the Professor asks Hank to join his school, an offer that Hank accepts. Dawning his costume, the group welcomes him to the team and rechristens him the Beast.

Appearing in "Epilogue"

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Synopsis for "Epilogue"

Concluding his tale, Hank bids farewell to the reader telling them that he has to go, but tells them that he will be back.

Solicit Synopsis

Special! The origin of the blockbustin' Beast!

Notes

  • Sequence 1 Birth of the Beast! Starlin is credited as Starling.
  • Aside from a two page framing sequence, this issue reprints the Origins of the X-Men stories from X-Men #49X-Men #53.
  • This issue does not contain a letters page. In its place is a full page cover reproduction ad for Spoof #4.

See Also

Links and References

  • The Grand Comics Database: Amazing Adventures Vol II [1]

References

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