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

Marvel's *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* introduces a fresh take on Peter Parker, but the animated series cleverly incorporates a vast array of Marvel characters. Even Peter's Oscorp colleagues, including Amadeus Cho, are based on comic book heroes and villains. But who is Amadeus Cho, and why is he such a significant teen hero in the Marvel Universe? Let's delve into this brilliant, yet self-assured character.

This article covers:

• Who is Marvel's Amadeus Cho?
• Amadeus Cho's Hulk Powers and Abilities
• Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History
• Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

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Who Is Marvel's Amadeus Cho?

Despite his youth and the abundance of exceptionally gifted individuals in the Marvel Universe, Amadeus Cho ranks among its most intelligent. Ironically, his brilliance and rebellious nature often lead him to clash with authority, resulting in a life spent evading the law. He displays a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, bravely defending his friends.

Amadeus has recently acquired strength to match his intellect, having briefly become the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. While the classic Hulk has returned, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn, a powerful force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Hulk Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe, a ranking potentially even higher. He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations, although this intense mental activity 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 full strength, regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the Hulk, however, 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 unleashing his full Hulk strength when necessary.

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 (Previously 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 Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. This issue, mirroring the significance of the original Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962), introduced several potential Marvel Universe stars, with Amadeus becoming a breakout character.

He gained recognition as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. Tragically, the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus for assassination to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled, eventually befriending the Hulk.

Amadeus returned to prominence during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, teaming up with Hercules. Their adventures led to the Incredible Hercules series, showcasing their many misadventures. This era birthed an iconic meme:

Amadeus and Hercules eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Their partnership dissolved, leading to a new chapter. After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, Amadeus became the Hulk, his exploits chronicled in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also joined 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).

In Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is a confident scientist and Peter Parker's intern at Oscorp. While his transformation into a super-powered hero remains uncertain, the series' pattern suggests it's only a matter of time.

A future MCU appearance seems likely, considering his mother, Helen Cho (played by Claudia Kim in Avengers: Age of Ultron), lays the groundwork for his introduction.

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