Real
Name: Robert Grayson
Marvel Boy
Real
Name: Robert Grayson
Identity/Class: Human technology user
Occupation: Adventurer
Affiliations: Silver Age 3-D Man, Gorilla Man, Human Robot, Jimmy Woo, Venus
Enemies: Silver Age Fantastic Four, Skrulls, Yellow Claw
Known Relatives: Horace Grabshied (a.k.a. Professor Matthew Grayson, father, deceased)
Aliases: Silver Age Crusader
Base of Operations: Mobile
First Appearance: Marvel Boy #1 (Atlas, December 1950)
Powers/Abilities: Superhuman strength, incredibly intelligent, telepathic. His quantum bands could initally project beams of blinding light - years of use finally allowed him to access some of their other powers, including being able to project bolts of energy.
History: (Marvel Boy #1-2, Astonishing #3-6, ga) In the 1930s, wanting to escape a world full of hatred and tyranny, scientist Matthew Grayson constructed a spaceship and departed the Earth with his infant son Bob. They travelled to Uranus, where Professor Grayson was astounded to discover an advanced civilisation (revealed in the Silver Age to be a colony of Eternals, an advanced and super-powered subspecies of humanity). The Uranians allowed the pair to settle in their idyllic home, and Bob grew up in their enlightened world, developing strength beyond that of normal men, as well as telepathic abilities.
In 1950, having turned 16, Bob returned to the world of his birth, armed with pills which could further enhance his strength and a pair of bracelets (the Quantum Bands) capable of projecting light. At his father's suggestion, Bob tried to fight injustice and try and bring the Earth closer to the utopia that was his adopted home, taking the identity of Marvel Boy.
(What
If I #9, Avengers Forever #4-5) Marvel Boy was recruited by F.B.I. agent
Jimmy Woo to battle alongside other heroes of the era against a number of
supervillains gathered by the evil Yellow Claw.
(Fantastic Four #164-165) Having adventured on Earth for
the best part of a decade, Marvel Boy recieved a message urging him to return
to Uranus with medical supplies. He tried to borrow money to purchase these,
but was refused this by banker Calvin McClary; delayed and minus the supplies,
Marvel Boy returned to Uranus. He was horrified to find the Uranian colony
wiped out, and maddened by grief and rage, he set off back to Earth to slay
McClary. However his vessel passed through a band of unspecified cosmic radiation
which placed him in suspended animation for several years. When he finally
awoke the Earth had gained new superheroes, some of whom (the Fantastic Four)
tried to prevent his attempts at vengeance. In battle with them Marvel Boy
overloaded his Quantum Bands, resulting in his being vaporised.
Comments: Thanks to Jess Nevins for allowing me to use information from his excellent Golden Age Heroes Directory and his Guide to Golden Age Marvel Characters. Thanks also to Richard Boucher & Darrin Wiltshire @ PR-Publications for permission to use information from their equally brilliant collection of Golden Age Sites, PR Publications. Their knowledge of Golden Age characters far outstrips my own.
CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with
Marvel Boy, Golden Age Timely hero
Marvel Boy, member of the New Warriors later known as Justice
Marvel Boy, Noh Varr, Kree warrior
Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.
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