Gargantua (comics)

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Gargantua
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The New Defenders #126 (December 1983)[1]
Created by	Alan Kupperberg J.M. DeMatteis
In-story information
Full name	Edward Cobert
Species	Human mutate
Team affiliations	S.H.I.E.L.D. Secret Empire Masters of Evil
Notable aliases	Leviathan
Abilities	(As Edward) Expert biochemist (As Gargantua) Superhuman strength and durability Large size

Gargantua (Edward Cobert) is a

.

Publication history

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2016)

Gargantua first appeared in The New Defenders #126 and was created by Alan Kupperberg and J.M. DeMatteis.

Fictional character biography

Edward Cobert started out as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and scientist working on an experiment called Project: Lazarus (also known as the Olympus Project). The project went horribly wrong when he tested it on himself, causing Edward to be stuck in giant-size with a greatly limited intelligence. He went on a rampage until he was subdued by S.H.I.E.L.D., and was dubbed Leviathan. However, he escaped S.H.I.E.L.D. custody and battled the Defenders who managed to subdue him. He was later freed from S.H.I.E.L.D. custody by Professor Power and the Secret Empire who arranged for his release and used him as a henchman, but he was defeated by the Defenders again.

The Secret Empire freed him again when the Defenders infiltrated the Secret Empire's HQ and he helped capture the Defenders. Even so, the Defenders escaped and overthrew the Secret Empire again.^[2]

Leviathan later became the guardian of another incarnation of the Secret Empire. Again a henchman of Professor Power, he battled and was defeated by the duo known at the time as

Gargantua later became a part-time member of Doctor Octopus' Masters of Evil where they plotted to storm Avengers Mansion while the Avengers were away. This was made easier when many of the superheroes were replaced with evil doppelgängers of them during the Infinity War. The Masters of Evil were thwarted by the Guardians of the Galaxy who were visiting Avengers Mansion at the time. Both teams had to work together to stop the doppelgängers. Gargantua was among the members who revolted against Doctor Octopus when he wanted to continue the fight against the Guardians. After Doctor Octopus fled, his Masters of Evil disbanded.^[6]

When it came to a small town that was renamed Hulk, Gargantua joined two other super-strong villains, the Abomination and Titania, into attacking it to lure out the Hulk. They retreated when they realized that the Hulk was not there.^[7]

During the Avengers: Standoff! storyline, Gargantua was an inmate of Pleasant Hill, a gated community established by S.H.I.E.L.D.^[8]

Powers and abilities

Thanks to artificial cellular enhancement, Gargantua formerly can grow in stature and power by drawing upon extra-dimensional mass from an unknown source. Since his first appearance, he currently remains stuck at the minimum height of approximately 20–25 feet (6–8 m), giving him immense strength, durability, and size. He has severely limited intelligence as a side effect to this mutation, leaving it below normal.^[9]

Edward Cobert was a S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy graduate and earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry before the treatment.

Other versions

JLA/Avengers

In the JLA/Avengers crossover, Gargantua was among the villains pulled from time and space by Krona to guard his stronghold from the Avengers and the Justice League.^[10]

References