Impossible Man: Difference between revisions

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=== 1960s ===
=== 1960s ===
When the Impossible Man first appeared, he was different from previous guest stars in that he was not a villain. The team first meet him at the Flamingo restaurant when they are summoned there to investigate a disturbance.  Written by Lee to be a [[Practical joke|prankster]] and [[hedonist]], the Impossible Man claimed to belong to the alien race of [[List of Marvel Comics alien races#P|Poppupians]] from planet Poppup in the "Tenth Galaxy", who all share a [[collective consciousness]] and the ability to shapeshift, as their planet is so dangerous they have the ability to evolve very quickly.<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=184}}</ref> Seeking amusement, the character visits Earth for a vacation by turning himself into a spaceship, talking of a Poppup Tourist Bureau. After finding the [[superhero]] team the Fantastic Four and realizing nobody else on Earth has his power (therefore concluding he is the most powerful being on Earth), he constantly harasses them until they decide to ignore him and tell other people to do the same, forcing the Impossible Man to leave as he finds Earth so boring, and saying Earth will never get their tourist business. He gets his name after the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] claims he is "impossible".<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #11 (February 1963)</ref>
When the Impossible Man first appeared, he was different from previous guest stars in that he was not a villain. The team first meet him at the Flamingo restaurant when they are summoned there to investigate a disturbance.  Written by Lee to be a [[Practical joke|prankster]] and [[hedonist]], the Impossible Man claimed to belong to the alien race of [[List of Marvel Comics alien races#P|Poppupians]] from planet Poppup in the "Tenth Galaxy", who all share a [[collective consciousness]] and the ability to shapeshift, as their planet is so dangerous they have the ability to evolve very quickly.<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=184}}</ref> Seeking amusement, the character visits Earth for a vacation by turning himself into a spaceship, talking of a Poppup Tourist Bureau. After finding the [[superhero]] team the Fantastic Four and realizing nobody else on Earth has his power (therefore concluding he is the most powerful being on Earth), he constantly harasses them until they decide to ignore him and tell other people to do the same, forcing the Impossible Man to leave as he finds Earth so boring, and saying Earth will never get their tourist business. He gets his name after the [[Thing (Marvel Comics)|Thing]] claims he is "impossible".<ref>''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #11 (February 1963)</ref>


=== 1970s ===
=== 1970s ===
The character does not appear again until 1976. Acting as a ''[[deus ex machina]]'' in a storyline involving the cosmic entity and world-devourer [[Galactus]], the Impossible Man convinces him to consume Poppup instead of Earth, causing Galactus to seemingly die from 'cosmic indigestion'. Since the Poppupians were a shared consciousness they were happy to sacrifice their planet to stop Galactus, knowing that their culture would live on in the embodiment of its most adventurous member.<ref name=FF175>''Fantastic Four'' #175 (October 1976)</ref> The Impossible Man then makes a humorous appearance at the offices of Marvel Comics, where he causes havoc until Stan Lee promises to give him his own title.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #176 (November 1976)</ref>
The character does not appear again until 1976. Acting as a ''[[deus ex machina]]'' in a storyline involving the cosmic entity and world-devourer [[Galactus]], the Impossible Man convinces him to consume Poppup instead of Earth, causing Galactus to seemingly die from 'cosmic indigestion'. Since the Poppupians were a shared consciousness they were happy to sacrifice their planet to stop Galactus, knowing that their culture would live on in the embodiment of its most adventurous member.<ref name=FF175>''Fantastic Four'' #175 (October 1976)</ref> The Impossible Man then makes a humorous appearance at the offices of Marvel Comics, where he causes havoc until Stan Lee promises to give him his own title.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #176 (November 1976)</ref>


He offers peripheral assistance to the Fantastic Four when they are trapped in the [[Negative Zone]] by the [[Frightful Four]], a team of their enemies.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #177-178 (December 1976-January 1977)</ref> The Impossible Man impersonates [[Jimmy Carter]] on the day of his [[Inauguration of Jimmy Carter|inauguration]]. The Impossible Man briefly takes Carter's place to foil an attempt to enslave him during an adventure with the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] and the cyborg [[Deathlok]].<ref>''Marvel Two-In-One'' #27 (May 1977)</ref> He later saves the [[Invisible Woman]] from a fall and becomes fascinated with Earth movies.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #183 (June 1977)</ref><ref>''Fantastic Four'' #184-185 (July - August 1977)</ref> When returning to the [[Baxter Building]], headquarters of the Fantastic Four, the Impossible Man is surprised and defeated by the villain Klaw, who, in an alliance with the [[Molecule Man]], attempts to kill the Fantastic Four.<ref name="Fantastic Four' 1977">''Fantastic Four'' #186 (September 1977)</ref> During the course of the storyline, the character recovers and, courtesy of his abilities, mimics and defeats Klaw in turn<ref name=":0">''Fantastic Four'' #187 (October 1977)</ref> and assists the Fantastic Four in stopping the Molecule Man.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #188 (November 1977)</ref> The character continued his trend of general disruption during a visit to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] with the Invisible Girl.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #193-195 (April-July 1978)</ref>
He offers peripheral assistance to the Fantastic Four when they are trapped in the [[Negative Zone]] by the [[Frightful Four]], a team of their enemies.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #177-178 (December 1976-January 1977)</ref> The Impossible Man impersonates [[Jimmy Carter]] on the day of his [[Inauguration of Jimmy Carter|inauguration]]. The Impossible Man briefly takes Carter's place to foil an attempt to enslave him during an adventure with the [[Thing (Marvel Comics)|Thing]] and the cyborg [[Deathlok]].<ref>''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #27 (May 1977)</ref> He later saves the [[Invisible Woman]] from a fall and becomes fascinated with Earth movies.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #183 (June 1977)</ref><ref>''Fantastic Four'' #184-185 (July - August 1977)</ref> When returning to the [[Baxter Building]], headquarters of the Fantastic Four, the Impossible Man is surprised and defeated by the villain Klaw, who, in an alliance with the [[Molecule Man]], attempts to kill the Fantastic Four.<ref name="Fantastic Four' 1977">''Fantastic Four'' #186 (September 1977)</ref> During the course of the storyline, the character recovers and, courtesy of his abilities, mimics and defeats Klaw in turn<ref name=":0">''Fantastic Four'' #187 (October 1977)</ref> and assists the Fantastic Four in stopping the Molecule Man.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #188 (November 1977)</ref> The character continued his trend of general disruption during a visit to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] with the Invisible Girl.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #193-195 (April–July 1978)</ref>


=== 1980s ===
=== 1980s ===
After helping the Thing defeat several villains at a party, the Impossible Man observes the Thing with his partner [[Alicia Masters]] and becomes lonely. The character then decides to reproduce - here an asexual process - by splitting in two. This creates fellow Poppupian the '''Impossible Woman'''.<ref>''Marvel Two-In-One'' #60 (February 1980)</ref> The pair later attempt to recreate their race and create the ''Impossible Kids'', with the entire "family" visiting the Thing.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #86</ref> When the Impossible Woman is missing, the character hires private investigator [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]] to locate her,<ref>''Spider-Woman'' #45 (August 1982)</ref> and has an encounter with the mutant [[X-Men]] after stealing artifacts from Earth to settle a supposed ''family dispute'' with the other members of his race.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' Annual #7 (December 1983)</ref>
After helping the Thing defeat several villains at a party, the Impossible Man observes the Thing with his partner [[Alicia Masters]] and becomes lonely. The character then decides to reproduce - here an asexual process - by splitting in two. This creates fellow Poppupian the '''Impossible Woman'''.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #60 (February 1980)</ref> The pair later attempt to recreate their race and create the Impossible Kids, with the entire "family" visiting the Thing.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #86 (April 1982)</ref> When the Impossible Woman is missing, the character hires private investigator [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]] to locate her,<ref>''[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]'' #45 (August 1982)</ref> and has an encounter with the mutant [[X-Men]] after stealing artifacts from Earth to settle a supposed family dispute with the other members of his race.<ref>''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' Annual #7 (December 1983)</ref>


More comedic adventures followed, with the Impossible Man engaging in a shapeshifting competition with [[Warlock (New Mutants)|Warlock]],<ref name=autogenerated1>''The New Mutants'' Annual #3 (January 1987)</ref> causing havoc on an alternate universe version of Earth,<ref name=":1">''Excalibur'' #14 (November 1989)</ref> and trying to obtain the movie rights to the [[autobiography]] of professional sidekick [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]].<ref>''Avengers Spotlight'' #25 (November 1989)</ref>
More comedic adventures followed, with the Impossible Man engaging in a shapeshifting competition with [[Warlock (New Mutants)|Warlock]],<ref name="autogenerated1">''[[The New Mutants (comic book)|The New Mutants]]'' Annual #3 (January 1987)</ref> causing havoc on an alternate universe version of Earth,<ref name=":1">''[[Excalibur (comic book)|Excalibur]]'' #14 (November 1989)</ref> and trying to obtain the movie rights to the [[autobiography]] of professional sidekick [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]].<ref>''[[Avengers Spotlight]]'' #25 (November 1989)</ref>


=== 1990s ===
=== 1990s ===
The Impossible Man finds and teases the cosmic being the [[Silver Surfer]] on two occasions, pleading for him to develop a sense of humor before battling the titan [[Thanos]].<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #33 (January 1990) & #36 (April 1990)</ref> The character returns to Earth and causes more mischief,<ref>''Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular'' #1 & 2 (August 1990 & 1991)</ref> encounters the hero [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] while looking for a lost child,<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #91 (December 1991)</ref> starts a bar fight,<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #97 (June 1992)</ref> watches the [[Eternals (comics)|Eternal]] [[Makkari (comics)|Makkari]] win a galactic [[marathon]],<ref>''Quasar'' #58 (May 1994)</ref> and invites various otherwise un-contacted heroes and supervillains to the wedding of Rick Jones.<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' (vol. 2) #417 (June 1994)</ref>
The Impossible Man finds and teases the cosmic being the [[Silver Surfer]] on two occasions, pleading for him to develop a sense of humor before battling the titan [[Thanos]].<ref>''[[Silver Surfer (comic book)|Silver Surfer]]'' (vol. 3) #33 (January 1990) & #36 (April 1990)</ref> The character returns to Earth and causes more mischief,<ref>''Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular'' #1 & 2 (August 1990 & 1991)</ref> encounters the hero [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] while looking for a lost child,<ref>''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #91 (December 1991)</ref> starts a bar fight,<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #97 (June 1992)</ref> watches the [[Eternals (comics)|Eternal]] [[Makkari (character)|Makkari]] win a galactic [[marathon]],<ref>''[[Quasar (Wendell Vaughn)|Quasar]]'' #58 (May 1994)</ref> and invites various otherwise un-contacted heroes and supervillains to the wedding of Rick Jones.<ref>''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #417 (June 1994)</ref>


After a brief encounter with the young superhero team the [[New Warriors]],<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #162 (September 1994)</ref> the character enlists the aid of mutant team [[X-Force]] to instill some pride in his children,<ref>''X-Force & Cable'' Annual (December 1995)</ref> and enters into a wager with the alternate universe [[imp]] [[Mister Mxyzptlk]].<ref>''Silver Surfer/Superman'' (November 1996)</ref>
After a brief encounter with the young superhero team the [[New Warriors]],<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #162 (September 1994)</ref> the character enlists the aid of mutant team [[X-Force]] to instill some pride in his children,<ref>''X-Force & Cable'' Annual (December 1995)</ref> and enters into a wager with the alternate universe [[imp]] [[Mister Mxyzptlk]].<ref>''Silver Surfer/Superman'' (November 1996)</ref>
Line 60: Line 60:
The Impossible Man and the Poppupians make a cameo appearance in [[Noh-Varr]]'s origin story.<ref>''Marvel Boy'' #5 (December 2000)</ref>
The Impossible Man and the Poppupians make a cameo appearance in [[Noh-Varr]]'s origin story.<ref>''Marvel Boy'' #5 (December 2000)</ref>


The Impossible Man returns to Earth disguised as the Silver Surfer, and after teasing the hero [[Spider-Man]] warns of an alien invasion. The Impossible Man's race are also revealed to have survived, with their consciousness stored inside the character. With the aid of the Fantastic Four, the aliens and the newly reborn Poppupians are transported off world, merging into one race on Spider-Man's suggestion.<ref>''[[Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four]]'' #1-4 (May-August 2007)</ref>
The Impossible Man returns to Earth disguised as the Silver Surfer, and after teasing the hero [[Spider-Man]] warns of an alien invasion. The Impossible Man's race are also revealed to have survived, with their consciousness stored inside the character. With the aid of the Fantastic Four, the aliens and the newly reborn Poppupians are transported off world, merging into one race on Spider-Man's suggestion.<ref>''[[Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four]]'' #1-4 (May–August 2007)</ref>


=== 2010s ===
=== 2010s ===
Later during the [[Chaos War (comics)|Chaos War]], the Impossible Man confronts Mikaboshi, trying to humor and reason with him while shapeshifting in various forms to divert him, but the Chaos King tires of him and brutally dispatches him. Impossible Man's last words are "I thought we were just playing around..."<ref>''Chaos War: Chaos King'' #1</ref>
Later during the [[Chaos War]], the Impossible Man confronts [[Amatsu-Mikaboshi (character)|Amatsu-Mikaboshi]], trying to humor and reason with him while shapeshifting in various forms to divert him, but the Chaos King tires of him and brutally dispatches him. Impossible Man's last words are "I thought we were just playing around..."<ref>''Chaos War: Chaos King'' one-shot (January 2011)</ref>


Impossible Man returns to Earth where he witnesses a battle between [[Hulk]], [[Thunderbolt Ross|Red Hulk]], and [[Xemnu]] and uses the Valizian Compounder to fuse the former two into the Compound Hulk. Impossible Man watches as the Compound Hulk fights Xemnu's minion Kluh, a smart version of the Gray Hulk.<ref>''Hulk'' (vol. 2) #30 (April 2011)</ref>
Impossible Man returns to Earth where he witnesses a battle between [[Hulk]], [[Thunderbolt Ross|Red Hulk]], and [[Xemnu]] and uses the Valizian Compounder to fuse the former two into the Compound Hulk. Impossible Man watches as the Compound Hulk fights Xemnu's minion Kluh, a smart version of the Gray Hulk.<ref>''Hulk'' (vol. 2) #30 (April 2011)</ref>


Impossible Man is later shown to have a son named Adolf Impossible who has many of his father's fantastic powers and a more introverted personality. This causes Impossible Man to label Adolf as "entirely too possible" and plead with the [[Future Foundation]] to accept him and allow him to grow as a person.<ref>''FF'' (vol. 2) #11</ref>
Impossible Man is later shown to have a son named Adolf Impossible, who has many of his father's fantastic powers and a more introverted personality. This causes Impossible Man to label Adolf as "entirely too possible" and plead with the [[Future Foundation]] to accept him and allow him to grow as a person.<ref>''FF'' (vol. 2) #11 (October 2013)</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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* Impossible Man appears in the ''[[Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)|Fantastic Four]]'' (1994) episode "Hopelessly Impossible", voiced by [[Jess Harnell]].<ref name="btva" />
* Impossible Man appears in the ''[[Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)|Fantastic Four]]'' (1994) episode "Hopelessly Impossible", voiced by [[Jess Harnell]].<ref name="btva" />
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Terry Klassen]].<ref name="btva" />
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes]]'', voiced by [[Terry Klassen]].<ref name="btva" />
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'', voiced again by Jess Harnell.<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Impossible Man Voices (Fantastic Four) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fantastic-Four/Impossible-Man/ |access-date=December 20, 2019 |work=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref>
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'', voiced again by Jess Harnell.<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Impossible Man Voices (Fantastic Four) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fantastic-Four/Impossible-Man/ |access-date=December 20, 2019 |work=Behind The Voice Actors |type=A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref>
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].<ref name="btva" /> This version possesses expanded transformation abilities that enable him to summon other entities and objects at will.
* Impossible Man appears in ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'', voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].<ref name="btva" /> This version possesses expanded transformation abilities that enable him to summon other entities and objects at will.
* Impossible Man appears in the ''[[Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.]]'' episode "Mission Impossible Man", voiced again by Tom Kenny.<ref>{{cite web |title=February 2014 premieres on Disney Channel / Disney XD |url=http://www.toonzone.net/forums/disney-pixar-forum/312163-february-2014-premieres-disney-channel-disney-xd.html#.UuFzauc8KSM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174325/http://www.toonzone.net/forums/disney-pixar-forum/312163-february-2014-premieres-disney-channel-disney-xd.html |archive-date=2014-02-02 |website=www.toonzone.net}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version possesses expanded transformation abilities that enable him to teleport as well as fuse others by teleporting them together.
* Impossible Man appears in the ''[[Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.]]'' episode "Mission Impossible Man", voiced again by Tom Kenny.<ref>{{cite web |title=February 2014 premieres on Disney Channel / Disney XD |url=http://www.toonzone.net/forums/disney-pixar-forum/312163-february-2014-premieres-disney-channel-disney-xd.html#.UuFzauc8KSM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174325/http://www.toonzone.net/forums/disney-pixar-forum/312163-february-2014-premieres-disney-channel-disney-xd.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |website=www.toonzone.net}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version possesses expanded transformation abilities that enable him to teleport as well as fuse others by teleporting them together.


===Video games===
===Video games===
Impossible Man appears as a mini-boss in ''[[Super Hero Squad Online]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=June 30, 2014 |title=''Marvel Super Hero Squad Online'' Celebrates Recharged Release |url=https://comicbook.com/news/marvel-super-hero-squad-online-celebrates-recharged-release/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=Comicbook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* Impossible Man appears as a mini-boss in ''[[Super Hero Squad Online]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=June 30, 2014 |title=Marvel Super Hero Squad Online Celebrates Recharged Release |url=https://comicbook.com/news/marvel-super-hero-squad-online-celebrates-recharged-release/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=Comicbook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 13:56, 16 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". The Impossible Man is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #11 (February 1963), and was created by writer Stan Lee and writer/artist Jack Kirby.[1] The Impossible Man has been featured in other Marvel-endorsed products such as action figures, arcade and video games, animated television series, and merchandise such as trading cards.

The Impossible Man is a Poppupian from the planet Poppup and has shape-changing abilities. The character is primarily used for comedy, as he is portrayed as a lonely, attention-seeking alien that often annoys those around him, especially the Fantastic Four. Over the years, the Impossible Man created a wife called The Impossible Woman and also had a son named Adolf Impossible.

The Impossible Man has made various appearances in Marvel animated series, such as the 1978 and 1994 Fantastic Four series as well as Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes.

Publication history

The Impossible Man first appeared in Fantastic Four #11 (February 1963), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. According to Lee in a 1970 interview, this "was the worst-selling Fantastic Four we've ever had". In Lee's opinion, the green alien on the cover was "too unusual and too frivolous."[2]

After a long absence, Impossible Man returned in Fantastic Four #175 (October 1976) and visited the Marvel Comics office. At the end of the story, he was adopted by the Fantastic Four. This time, the character became popular.[3] He remained a regular part of the comic until #195 (June 1978), when Sue told him that she was tired of him, and he turned into a bee and flew away.

Originally, there were no limits to Impossible Man's transforming abilities - he convincingly imitated Sue Richards in Fantastic Four #175 (October 1976) and Jimmy Carter in Marvel Two-in-One #27 (May 1977). The New Mutants Annual #3 (September 1987) introduced the limitation that all of his transformations share his default color scheme of green and purple.[4]

Fictional character biography

1960s

When the Impossible Man first appeared, he was different from previous guest stars in that he was not a villain. The team first meet him at the Flamingo restaurant when they are summoned there to investigate a disturbance. Written by Lee to be a prankster and hedonist, the Impossible Man claimed to belong to the alien race of Poppupians from planet Poppup in the "Tenth Galaxy", who all share a collective consciousness and the ability to shapeshift, as their planet is so dangerous they have the ability to evolve very quickly.[5] Seeking amusement, the character visits Earth for a vacation by turning himself into a spaceship, talking of a Poppup Tourist Bureau. After finding the superhero team the Fantastic Four and realizing nobody else on Earth has his power (therefore concluding he is the most powerful being on Earth), he constantly harasses them until they decide to ignore him and tell other people to do the same, forcing the Impossible Man to leave as he finds Earth so boring, and saying Earth will never get their tourist business. He gets his name after the Thing claims he is "impossible".[6]

1970s

The character does not appear again until 1976. Acting as a deus ex machina in a storyline involving the cosmic entity and world-devourer Galactus, the Impossible Man convinces him to consume Poppup instead of Earth, causing Galactus to seemingly die from 'cosmic indigestion'. Since the Poppupians were a shared consciousness they were happy to sacrifice their planet to stop Galactus, knowing that their culture would live on in the embodiment of its most adventurous member.[7] The Impossible Man then makes a humorous appearance at the offices of Marvel Comics, where he causes havoc until Stan Lee promises to give him his own title.[8]

He offers peripheral assistance to the Fantastic Four when they are trapped in the Negative Zone by the Frightful Four, a team of their enemies.[9] The Impossible Man impersonates Jimmy Carter on the day of his inauguration. The Impossible Man briefly takes Carter's place to foil an attempt to enslave him during an adventure with the Thing and the cyborg Deathlok.[10] He later saves the Invisible Woman from a fall and becomes fascinated with Earth movies.[11][12] When returning to the Baxter Building, headquarters of the Fantastic Four, the Impossible Man is surprised and defeated by the villain Klaw, who, in an alliance with the Molecule Man, attempts to kill the Fantastic Four.[13] During the course of the storyline, the character recovers and, courtesy of his abilities, mimics and defeats Klaw in turn[14] and assists the Fantastic Four in stopping the Molecule Man.[15] The character continued his trend of general disruption during a visit to Hollywood with the Invisible Girl.[16]

1980s

After helping the Thing defeat several villains at a party, the Impossible Man observes the Thing with his partner Alicia Masters and becomes lonely. The character then decides to reproduce - here an asexual process - by splitting in two. This creates fellow Poppupian the Impossible Woman.[17] The pair later attempt to recreate their race and create the Impossible Kids, with the entire "family" visiting the Thing.[18] When the Impossible Woman is missing, the character hires private investigator Jessica Drew to locate her,[19] and has an encounter with the mutant X-Men after stealing artifacts from Earth to settle a supposed family dispute with the other members of his race.[20]

More comedic adventures followed, with the Impossible Man engaging in a shapeshifting competition with Warlock,[21] causing havoc on an alternate universe version of Earth,[22] and trying to obtain the movie rights to the autobiography of professional sidekick Rick Jones.[23]

1990s

The Impossible Man finds and teases the cosmic being the Silver Surfer on two occasions, pleading for him to develop a sense of humor before battling the titan Thanos.[24] The character returns to Earth and causes more mischief,[25] encounters the hero Daredevil while looking for a lost child,[26] starts a bar fight,[27] watches the Eternal Makkari win a galactic marathon,[28] and invites various otherwise un-contacted heroes and supervillains to the wedding of Rick Jones.[29]

After a brief encounter with the young superhero team the New Warriors,[30] the character enlists the aid of mutant team X-Force to instill some pride in his children,[31] and enters into a wager with the alternate universe imp Mister Mxyzptlk.[32]

2000s

The Impossible Man and the Poppupians make a cameo appearance in Noh-Varr's origin story.[33]

The Impossible Man returns to Earth disguised as the Silver Surfer, and after teasing the hero Spider-Man warns of an alien invasion. The Impossible Man's race are also revealed to have survived, with their consciousness stored inside the character. With the aid of the Fantastic Four, the aliens and the newly reborn Poppupians are transported off world, merging into one race on Spider-Man's suggestion.[34]

2010s

Later during the Chaos War, the Impossible Man confronts Amatsu-Mikaboshi, trying to humor and reason with him while shapeshifting in various forms to divert him, but the Chaos King tires of him and brutally dispatches him. Impossible Man's last words are "I thought we were just playing around..."[35]

Impossible Man returns to Earth where he witnesses a battle between Hulk, Red Hulk, and Xemnu and uses the Valizian Compounder to fuse the former two into the Compound Hulk. Impossible Man watches as the Compound Hulk fights Xemnu's minion Kluh, a smart version of the Gray Hulk.[36]

Impossible Man is later shown to have a son named Adolf Impossible, who has many of his father's fantastic powers and a more introverted personality. This causes Impossible Man to label Adolf as "entirely too possible" and plead with the Future Foundation to accept him and allow him to grow as a person.[37]

Powers and abilities

The Impossible Man's unique physiology enables him to take on virtually any form via molecular manipulation, an effect commonly accompanied by a "Pop!" sound. He can mimic the properties of objects or humanoid beings at will. Almost every feature the Impossible Man copies another superhuman's appearance and their powers, such as Thor,[38] Klaw,[14] or even Wolverine.[39] He has the ability to travel through hyperspace across different universes, psionically levitate himself, and reproduce asexually. Additionally, he can survive in the vacuum of space by entering a low-metabolic state.[40]

The Impossible Man possesses total knowledge of Earth's popular culture.

Reception

In 2014, ComicBook.com ranked Impossible Man sixth in their "Top 10 Most Filmworthy Fantastic Four Villains" list.[41]

Other versions

Wha...Huh?

Impossible Man appears in the spoof comic "Wha...Huh?" in the segment titled "What If Identity Crisis Happened in the Marvel Universe".[42]

The Cross-Time Caper

The Impossible Man appears in Excalibur, during the Cross-Time Caper. He has populated an analogue of the Earth with multiple twisted versions of the superheroes of the Marvel Universe. Galactus destroys this planet, deeming it "too silly to be allowed to exist", but Impossible Man later effortlessly restores it.[22]

In other media

Television

Video games

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Fantastic Four #11 (February 1963)
  7. ↑ Fantastic Four #175 (October 1976)
  8. ↑ Fantastic Four #176 (November 1976)
  9. ↑ Fantastic Four #177-178 (December 1976-January 1977)
  10. ↑ Marvel Two-in-One #27 (May 1977)
  11. ↑ Fantastic Four #183 (June 1977)
  12. ↑ Fantastic Four #184-185 (July - August 1977)
  13. ↑ Fantastic Four #186 (September 1977)
  14. ↑ a b Fantastic Four #187 (October 1977)
  15. ↑ Fantastic Four #188 (November 1977)
  16. ↑ Fantastic Four #193-195 (April–July 1978)
  17. ↑ Marvel Two-in-One #60 (February 1980)
  18. ↑ Marvel Two-in-One #86 (April 1982)
  19. ↑ Spider-Woman #45 (August 1982)
  20. ↑ Uncanny X-Men Annual #7 (December 1983)
  21. ↑ The New Mutants Annual #3 (January 1987)
  22. ↑ a b Excalibur #14 (November 1989)
  23. ↑ Avengers Spotlight #25 (November 1989)
  24. ↑ Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #33 (January 1990) & #36 (April 1990)
  25. ↑ Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular #1 & 2 (August 1990 & 1991)
  26. ↑ Marvel Comics Presents #91 (December 1991)
  27. ↑ Marvel Comics Presents #97 (June 1992)
  28. ↑ Quasar #58 (May 1994)
  29. ↑ The Incredible Hulk #417 (June 1994)
  30. ↑ Marvel Comics Presents #162 (September 1994)
  31. ↑ X-Force & Cable Annual (December 1995)
  32. ↑ Silver Surfer/Superman (November 1996)
  33. ↑ Marvel Boy #5 (December 2000)
  34. ↑ Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four #1-4 (May–August 2007)
  35. ↑ Chaos War: Chaos King one-shot (January 2011)
  36. ↑ Hulk (vol. 2) #30 (April 2011)
  37. ↑ FF (vol. 2) #11 (October 2013)
  38. ↑ Fantastic Four Annual #3 (October 1965)
  39. ↑ Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #31 (April 1990)
  40. ↑ The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #5 (May 1983)
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Wha...Huh? #1 (January 2005)
  43. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Stan Lee Template:Jack Kirby

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