Living Laser

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The Living Laser
Iron Man on the cover of Iron Man #211 (Oct. 1986).
Art by Alex Saviuk.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Avengers #34 (Nov. 1966)[1]
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Don Heck (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoArthur Parks
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsLethal Legion
Legion Accursed
Mandarin's Minions
Abilities
  • Gifted research scientist
  • Genius level intellect

Miniature laser diode implants grant:

  • Energy absorption and projection
  • Invisibility via light refraction
  • Illusion generation
  • Limited telepathy
  • Three-dimensional holographic image creation
  • Ability to achieve solidification and travel at light speeds

The Living Laser (Arthur Parks) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Don Heck, the character made his first appearance in The Avengers #34 (Nov. 1966).[2] He would become a recurring enemy of Iron Man and plays a key role in the "Iron Man: The Inevitable" miniseries.

Arthur Parks started out as a scientist that invented small, wrist mounted lasers and used them for criminal pursuits. At one point he was a member of the Lethal Legion and at another point he was poised to take over the world due to his possession of the Serpent Crown, but is foiled by the Avengers. Finally it appeared that the Living Laser had exploded in space, but in reality his body was transformed into photon form, making him an actual living laser.

Publication history

The Living Laser debuted in The Avengers #34 (Nov. 1966) as Arthur Parks, a scientist who created wrist-mounted laser units and a costume.[3] Writer Mike Conroy notes, "Arthur Parks was a scientist sufficiently proficient to design laser projectors small enough to wear on his wrists, quite the achievement in 1966."[4]

Following his appearance in the following issue, the Living Laser resurfaced in Avengers King-Size Special #1 (Sept. 1967). After an appearance in Captain America #105 (Sept. 1968), the character was part of the first version of the Lethal Legion in The Avengers #78–79 (July–Aug. 1970). The Kree hero Mar-Vell encountered an android version of the Living Laser in Captain Marvel #35 (Nov. 1974). The real Laser reappeared in an extended storyline in The Avengers #151 (Sept. 1976); #153 (Nov. 1976) & The Avengers Annual #6 (1976).

After appearing as part of a

pseudo Lethal Legion in The Avengers #164–166 (Nov. 1977–Jan. 1978), the character returned in Iron Man #152–153 (Nov.–Dec. 1981) and Iron Man #211 (Oct. 1986). The Laser featured in the Acts of Vengeance storyline in Quasar #6 (Jan. 1990) and reappeared in a new photon
form in Iron Man #259–263 (Aug.-Dec. 1990) before returning in Quasar #30 (Jan. 1992) and Iron Man #289 (Feb. 1993).

Further appearances included the limited series Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5 (Sept. 2007–Jan. 2008) and The New Avengers #35 (Oct. 2007). The character returned during the limited series Secret Invasion #1–8 (June 2008–Jan. 2009), and made sporadic appearances in The New Avengers.

Fictional character biography

As the "Living Laser", Parks becomes a

Wasp, and after he kidnaps her, he is forced to battle the superhero team the Avengers. He captured Hawkeye and Captain America by placing them in a ring of lasers before leaving, but they were able to contact another member who helped them escape. The Living Laser met the Avengers again when he tried to conquer a small South American country, who defeated and incarcerated the villain.[5]

The Laser, after breaking out of prison by creating a laser using parts teleported to him, reappears as part of a team formed by master villain the

Grim Reaper in a failed revenge plot against the Avengers.[9] There is an encounter between Kree hero Mar-Vell and an android version of the Laser.[10]

The Laser eventually acquires the

US Army attempts to conquer the world, but is defeated by the Avengers.[11] He is then employed, along with fellow villains Power Man and Whirlwind, by Count Nefaria, who temporarily amplifies their abilities and sends them against the Avengers as the second Lethal Legion. The effect, however, is temporary and their combined abilities are drained by Nefaria (who in "powered" mode battles the Avengers until defeated by the Vision).[12]

Discovering that the amplification caused a build-up of energy in his body that is reaching a critical, and potentially fatal, level, the Laser seeks the aid of

Quasar.[15]

The Laser reappears in a new

alternate universe.[16] He eventually escapes,[17] and mounts a new attack on Stark Industries. James Rhodes—Stark's friend and employee, currently acting as CEO and the new 'Iron Man' while Tony is apparently dead—tricks the Laser by offering him a position at the company before trapping him in a wide-beam communication chamber which disperses him across the Andromeda Galaxy, although Rhodes wonders if he did the right thing and even the Laser privately wondered if he would legitimately accept Rhodes' offer to return to a research role or just take it to destroy the company from within.[18]

The Laser returns as an employee of the

Hood.[20] The villain sides with the heroes during the Secret Invasion storyline in a pitched battle with the alien Skrulls,[21] and has a number of encounters with various teams of Avengers.[22]

Mandarin and Zeke Stane recruit Living Laser to join up with other Iron Man villains in a plot to defeat Iron Man. Upon receiving upgrades, Living Laser managed to break Tony Stark's repulsor arc causing him to go into cardiac arrest.[23]

During the "Opening Salvo" part of the "Secret Empire" storyline, Living Laser is recruited by Baron Helmut Zemo to join the Army of Evil.[24] Living Laser, Batroc the Leaper, and Whirlwind attack a haggard, bearded man in torn World War II army uniform who identifies himself as Steve Rogers. He is assisted by people that appear to be Sam Wilson and a Bucky Barnes with both his arms.[25]

During the "Search for Tony Stark" arc, Living Laser rejoined Hood's gang and assisted in the attack on Castle Doom.[26]

In a lead-up to the "Sins Rising" arc, Count Nefaria using a wheelchair later forms his latest incarnation of the Lethal Legion with

Sin-Eater did to Overdrive. Sin-Eater shows up and starts using the same gun he used on Overdrive on the Lethal Legion members while taking their powers. All four of them were sent to Ravencroft where they started to act like model inmates.[28]

As a side-effect of Sin-Eater's suicide upon copying Madame Web's precognition revealed that Kindred was using them, Living Laser and the rest of the Lethal Legion regained their sins and are among the villains that went on a rampage.[29]

During the "Sinister War" storyline, Kindred revived Sin-Eater again and one of the demonic centipedes that emerged from his body took possession of Living Laser making him one of the members of the Sinful Six.[30]

Powers and abilities

A gifted research scientist with expertise in

light refraction for invisibility and illusion
generation.

Parks's material body is eventually replaced by photons due to an overloading of the diode implants. By increasing the

holographic images. The character also possesses limited telepathic abilities and can travel at light speed
.

Other versions

What If?

The

alternate universe title What If features a story which the character reforms and works at Stark Industries, with three different outcomes being presented.[31]

Heroes Reborn

In the

Iron Man suit was forced to destroy his containment armor causing his laser form to dissipate, killing him.[32]

In other media

Television

Video games

  • The Living Laser appears in
    Captain America and the Avengers
    .
  • The Living Laser appears as a boss in Iron Man 3: The Official Game, voiced by Tom Wayland.[33] This version is a mutation created by A.I.M., Aldrich Killian / MODOK, and Ezekiel Stane. The Living Laser fights Iron Man on two occasions, with the former succeeding in securing Extremis for A.I.M. during their first encounter. Later on, the Living Laser assists MODOK in uploading his consciousness into the Stark Industries mainframe and leads Iron Man to China as a diversion so Stane can capture Pepper Potts. After being defeated by Iron Man, the Living Laser vanishes.
  • The Living Laser appears as a boss in Marvel Heroes, voiced by Andrew Kishino.[33]
  • The Living Laser appears in
    Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2.[35]
  • The Living Laser appears as a boss in Iron Man VR, voiced by Leonardo Nam. This version is a former Stark Industries employee with a personal vendetta against Tony Stark. After dying under unknown circumstances, he is resurrected by the Ghost, who provides him with laser armor technology to help her carry out her own revenge against Stark. Calling himself the "Living Laser", he battles Iron Man several times before he is defeated and arrested during an attack on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.[36]

References

  1. ISBN 9780780809772
    .
  2. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0
    .
  3. ISBN 978-1465455505
    .
  4. ^ Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains, Collins & Brown, 2004.
  5. ^ The Avengers #34–35 (Nov.–Dec. 1966). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Avengers King-Size Special #1 (Sept. 1967). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Captain America #105 (Sept. 1968). Marvel Comics.
  8. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
  9. ^ The Avengers #78–79 (July–Aug. 1970). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Captain Marvel #35 (Nov. 1974). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Avengers #151 (Sept. 1976); #153 (Nov. 1976) & The Avengers Annual #6 (1976). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ The Avengers #164–166 (Nov. 1977–Jan. 1978). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Iron Man #152–153 (Nov.–Dec. 1981). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Iron Man #211 (Oct. 1986). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Quasar #6 (Jan. 1990). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Iron Man #259–263 (Aug.–Dec. 1990). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Quasar #30 (Jan. 1992). Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Iron Man #289 (Feb. 1993). Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11 #1–5 (Sept. 2007–Jan. 2008). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ The New Avengers #35 (Oct. 2007). Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Secret Invasion #1–8 (June 2008–Jan. 2009). Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ The New Avengers #46 (Dec. 2008); #50 (April 2009); Avengers: The Initiative #25 & 27 (Aug. & Oct.); #61 (March 2010) & #63 (May 2010). Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #513. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Captain America: Steve Rogers #16. Marvel Comics.
  25. ^ Secret Empire #4. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #597. Marvel Comics.
  27. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #41. Marvel Comics.
  28. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #46. Marvel Comics.
  29. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #56. Marvel Comics.
  30. ^ Sinister War #3. Marvel Comics.
  31. ^ What If? vol. 2 #63 (July 1994). Marvel Comics.
  32. ^ Iron Man vol. 2 #3. Marvel Comics.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "Living Laser Voices (Iron Man)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  34. ^ "Marvel Animation Age - the Marvel Animation News Resource". Archived from the original on 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  35. ^ "Living Laser | Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2". Archived from the original on 2016-04-19. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  36. ^ "Iron Man Vr: Who is Living Laser?". ScreenRant. July 5, 2020.

External links

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