The Brand Corporation is a fictional business featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is part of the mainstream Marvel Universe and first appeared in Amazing Adventures #11 in March, 1972. They are most often presented operating in opposition to people such as the Beast, the Avengers, the Defenders and Deathlok.
History[]
The Brand Corporation is a subsidiary of the Roxxon Oil Corporation as well as a partner with other Roxxon-owned companies such as Cybertek. They are a scientific research plant whose corporate headquarters is based out of Long Island, New York. They also have a facility in Jamaica, Queens. They have also had dealings with the Secret Empire. The Brand Corporation has facilitated the rise of super-powered individuals, many of whom went on to become costumed super-villains.
In his youth, Hank McCoy worked at the Brand Corporation as a research scientist after retiring from active duty as a member of the X-Men. It was during his time at Brand that McCoy put together a formula designed to promote genetic mutation. The head of genetic research, Doctor Carl Maddicks attempted to steal McCoy's formula on behalf of the Secret Empire. When Hank realized that his work was being threatened, he consumed the formula, prompting secondary mutation, which transformed him into a true "Beast" with dark blue hair, fangs and claws. [1]
The Scarlet Witch once fought up against the Living Laser at the Brand Corporation facility. She favored poorly during the fight, which was exacerbated by the presence of several Brand security thugs armed with laser weapons. Through the course of this incident, the Living Laser acquired the Serpent Crown. [2]
As with many corporate entities, not all projects involving the Brand Corporation were strictly legal. They engaged in industrial sabotage and the theft of company secrets from competitors. A low level New York City informant named "Nose" Norton came into possession of some information tying Brand to the theft of South American secrets. Norton became highly sought after, not only be Brand, but by the press as well. Agents representing the Brand Corporation met with the Tarantula, Anton Miguel Rodriguez in Miami, Florida and hired him to hunt Norton down. The Brand agents followed the Tarantula as he tracked Norton to Staten Island. The Tarantula got into a battle with Spider-Man, enabling the Brand agents the chance to shoot Norton. Norton miraculously survived the multiple gunshot wounds however and was taken to the hospital. [3]
The Will-o'-the -Wisp raided the Boston facility of the Brand Corporation. A security guard named Jenkins tried to drive him off by shooting at him, but the bullets from his revolver passed harmlessly through him. The Will-o'-the -Wisp warned Jenkins to flee before he used his powers to demolish the entire facility. Jenkins activated an evacu-alarm, and the site's staff began racing for the exits. The Will-o'-the -Wisp reached the central utilities core and began ripping apart pipes and hoses, exclaiming about how he had warned Brand against running natural gas lines so close to high voltage terminals. His efforts at sabotage caused the entire lower floor of the building to explode. [4]
Characters associated with the Brand Corporation[]
- Anton Miguel Rodriguez - Hired assassin
- Carl Maddicks - Scientist
- Hank McCoy - Scientist
- Hugh Jones - C.E.O.
- Jackson Arvad - Scientist
- James Melvin - Former President
- Jenkins - Security guard
- Robert Baxter - Security consultant
Notes[]
- The concept of the Brand Corporation was developed by writer Gerry Conway and artist Tom Sutton.
- The Brand Corporation has been referenced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Brand Corporation was briefly alluded to in connection with Cybertek. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Phil Coulson and Melinda May discovered a Brand Corporation security file with information relating to the Deathlok project. [5]
Appearances[]
- Amazing Spider-Man 233
- Amazing Spider-Man 234
- Avengers 144
- Avengers 153
- Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man 57