Dr. Myron MacLain
Encyclopedia
Myron MacLain is a fictional character
in the Marvel Comics
Universe
. He is generally credited as the creator of the vibranium
-iron alloy that was used to create Captain America
's shield
and as the creator of adamantium in an effort to re-create the shield. MacLain is a gifted metallurgist whose inventions have served many superhero
es and supervillain
s alike in the Marvel Universe. He has also proven adept at robotics
and constructing suits of armor.
and his skills in the field soon became useful when he came under the employ of the US Government during World War II
. While under their employ, he was commissioned to create an indestructible armor to aid in the war effort; in particular, the armor was to be used in the construction of tank
s. While experimenting on iron alloys, he was given a small sample of Wakandan
vibranium and though he attempted to combine vibranium with various iron alloys, none of his experiments were successful. However, after laboring for months, one night he dozed off due to exhaustion and some unknown factor entered the process. As a result, the vibranium fused with the iron alloy. While he may have created the indestructible metal the U.S. sought, due to not knowing the mysterious X-factor that allowed for the fusion of the materials, as well as not knowing the exact ingredients nor their proportions, it was impossible for MacLain to duplicate the process. The metal he did manage to create was poured into disc form to serve as a tank hatch. However, the inability to reproduce more of the metal caused the disc to be redesigned to serve as the shield for Captain America (and with it, he became an effective weapon for the U.S. during the war).
While working for the Department of Agriculture
in Washington, D.C.
, MacLain was visited by an amnesia
c mutant named Logan
who had been granted an unbreakable metal skeleton and claws. Although warned not to, MacLain agreed to speak with Logan and examine him. After his examination, MacLain could not account for where the metal had come from, but suggested that Lord Dark Wind
, a Japan
ese scientist who was said to have created an unbreakable metal during World War II, may have been the source of its creation. Before he could say more, Logan was taken away by Victor Creed.
After many years and with funding from the government agency Control, MacLain still could not replicate the ultra-resilient vibranium-iron alloy. However, once he began working for S.H.I.E.L.D.
, while attempting to re-create the metal without vibranium or the X-factor, he was able to create a metal nearly as strong. He dubbed the new metal "adamantium." After its creation, the Avengers
came to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Thor
, Iron Man
, and Goliath all attempted to break it, with no success. That was when MacLain revealed only a molecular re-arranger could reshape adamantium, but while he was proud of his new creation he feared what might happen if it should ever fall into the wrong hands. His fears proved correct when Ultron
forced the Vision
to steal a cylinder of adamantium to use in the reconstruction of his body, Ultron-6. Later, after MacLain retired from S.H.I.E.L.D. and had hidden away from the world, he was captured by Mr. Arons of Stane International and was forced to recreate the metal in Captain America's shield. Arons intended the metal to be constructed into a suit of armor to be used by Obadiah Stane
. To aid MacLain in his work, Arons obtained Captain America's shield with the help of the Batroc's
Brigade; and to keep the doctor in line, the lives of his family were threatened. He was never able to reproduce the metal; however, this did not stop him from constructing the suit of armor. The inferior armor resulted in the defeat of Arons when he donned the armor to battle Captain America, who soon smashed it to pieces with his shield. After MacLain was safe, in time he discovered a way of producing adamantium even faster and requested the Avengers to protect him, but they were too late and he was captured by Ultron and replaced with a duplicate to take care of the Avengers. Ultron also kidnapped Henry Pym
and Mockingbird
to assist MacLain in his construction of a new robot bride. While MacLain was providing the adamantium for her body, Pym actually designed the robotics, while Mockingbird provided her brain patterns for the mind of the bride later to be named Alkhema
. Once created, Ultron and Alkhema set out to steal a nuclear missile and MacLain assisted Pym in creating an electromagnet for the warhead. When arriving to steal it, Ultron and Alkhema were magnetically fixed to it and when the missile exploded, they were presumably destroyed.
directed towards it. Neither he nor anyone else has ever been able to reproduce it, no matter the amount of years, funding, or skills appropriated to such attempts.
glitch. Specifically, it shows that MacLain met Wolverine with his adamantium-bonded skeleton years before supposedly inventing the metal himself. It also puts forth the question of how the Weapon X
program obtained the adamantium before it was technically invented. His own comments in the issue seem to suggest that Lord Dark Wind created the unbreakable metal and that he either managed to duplicate it on his own or that he received information from Dark Wind to make it. Either way, Lady Deathstrike
, Dark Wind's daughter, has made a claim to owning the rights to the adamantium.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. He is generally credited as the creator of the vibranium
Vibranium
Vibranium is a fictional metal that appears in the Marvel Universe. It is most commonly known as one of the materials used to construct Captain America's shield, but it is also noted for its connection to the Black Panther and his native homeland of Wakanda .-Publication history:Vibranium first...
-iron alloy that was used to create Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
's shield
Captain America's shield
Captain America's shield is a fictional item, the primary defensive and offensive piece of equipment used by the Marvel Comics superhero Captain America; he is seldom seen without it. Over the years, Captain America has had the use of several different shields of varying composition and design...
and as the creator of adamantium in an effort to re-create the shield. MacLain is a gifted metallurgist whose inventions have served many superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es and supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
s alike in the Marvel Universe. He has also proven adept at robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
and constructing suits of armor.
Fictional character history
In the 1930s, Dr. Myron MacLain learned metallurgyMetallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
and his skills in the field soon became useful when he came under the employ of the US Government during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. While under their employ, he was commissioned to create an indestructible armor to aid in the war effort; in particular, the armor was to be used in the construction of tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s. While experimenting on iron alloys, he was given a small sample of Wakandan
Wakanda (comics)
Wakanda is a fictional nation in the Marvel Universe. It is the most prominent of several fictional African nations in the Marvel Universe. Wakanda is located in Northeastern Africa, although its exact location has varied throughout the nation's publication history: some sources place Wakanda in...
vibranium and though he attempted to combine vibranium with various iron alloys, none of his experiments were successful. However, after laboring for months, one night he dozed off due to exhaustion and some unknown factor entered the process. As a result, the vibranium fused with the iron alloy. While he may have created the indestructible metal the U.S. sought, due to not knowing the mysterious X-factor that allowed for the fusion of the materials, as well as not knowing the exact ingredients nor their proportions, it was impossible for MacLain to duplicate the process. The metal he did manage to create was poured into disc form to serve as a tank hatch. However, the inability to reproduce more of the metal caused the disc to be redesigned to serve as the shield for Captain America (and with it, he became an effective weapon for the U.S. during the war).
While working for the Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, MacLain was visited by an amnesia
Amnesia
Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
c mutant named Logan
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
who had been granted an unbreakable metal skeleton and claws. Although warned not to, MacLain agreed to speak with Logan and examine him. After his examination, MacLain could not account for where the metal had come from, but suggested that Lord Dark Wind
Lord Dark Wind
Lord Dark Wind is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. He is the father of X-Men supervillainess Lady Deathstrike, and a figure who would have an impact on the life of X-Men member Wolverine...
, a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese scientist who was said to have created an unbreakable metal during World War II, may have been the source of its creation. Before he could say more, Logan was taken away by Victor Creed.
After many years and with funding from the government agency Control, MacLain still could not replicate the ultra-resilient vibranium-iron alloy. However, once he began working for S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
, while attempting to re-create the metal without vibranium or the X-factor, he was able to create a metal nearly as strong. He dubbed the new metal "adamantium." After its creation, the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
came to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, and Goliath all attempted to break it, with no success. That was when MacLain revealed only a molecular re-arranger could reshape adamantium, but while he was proud of his new creation he feared what might happen if it should ever fall into the wrong hands. His fears proved correct when Ultron
Ultron
Ultron is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Avengers #54 , and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema...
forced the Vision
Vision (Marvel Comics)
The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that...
to steal a cylinder of adamantium to use in the reconstruction of his body, Ultron-6. Later, after MacLain retired from S.H.I.E.L.D. and had hidden away from the world, he was captured by Mr. Arons of Stane International and was forced to recreate the metal in Captain America's shield. Arons intended the metal to be constructed into a suit of armor to be used by Obadiah Stane
Iron Monger
The Iron Monger is an identity used by several fictional supervillains published by Marvel Comics. The first and most notable person to take up the identity is Obadiah Stane...
. To aid MacLain in his work, Arons obtained Captain America's shield with the help of the Batroc's
Batroc the Leaper
Batroc the Leaper is a fictional villain from Marvel Comics. His first appearance was in Tales of Suspense #75, 1966...
Brigade; and to keep the doctor in line, the lives of his family were threatened. He was never able to reproduce the metal; however, this did not stop him from constructing the suit of armor. The inferior armor resulted in the defeat of Arons when he donned the armor to battle Captain America, who soon smashed it to pieces with his shield. After MacLain was safe, in time he discovered a way of producing adamantium even faster and requested the Avengers to protect him, but they were too late and he was captured by Ultron and replaced with a duplicate to take care of the Avengers. Ultron also kidnapped Henry Pym
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
and Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...
to assist MacLain in his construction of a new robot bride. While MacLain was providing the adamantium for her body, Pym actually designed the robotics, while Mockingbird provided her brain patterns for the mind of the bride later to be named Alkhema
Alkhema
Alkhema is a fictional robot supervillain in the Marvel Universe. Also known as War Toy, she first appeared in Avengers West Coast #90 in January 1993.-Fictional character biography:...
. Once created, Ultron and Alkhema set out to steal a nuclear missile and MacLain assisted Pym in creating an electromagnet for the warhead. When arriving to steal it, Ultron and Alkhema were magnetically fixed to it and when the missile exploded, they were presumably destroyed.
Vibranium-iron alloy
The experimental metal used to construct Captain America's shield, it is one of the most impervious metals in the Marvel Universe. While he may have created it by accident and with some luck from the mysterious X-factor, he is mostly known because of its creation. The vibranium composition allows it to absorb vibratory energy as well as kinetic energyKinetic energy
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes...
directed towards it. Neither he nor anyone else has ever been able to reproduce it, no matter the amount of years, funding, or skills appropriated to such attempts.
Adamantium
While not nearly as strong as his first invention, it is nearly as durable and most known for being the metal bonded to Wolverine's skeleton. The type of adamantium MacLain invented was "true adamantium" and his creation of it also led to his creation of Alkhema's body. Also, while adamantium has no vibranium in it, the two metals look identical.Adamantium's true inventor?
Due to MacLain's appearance in Wolverine (vol. 2) #1, there exists a long-standing continuityContinuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
glitch. Specifically, it shows that MacLain met Wolverine with his adamantium-bonded skeleton years before supposedly inventing the metal himself. It also puts forth the question of how the Weapon X
Weapon X
Weapon X is a fictional clandestine government genetic research facility project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K, which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. The project often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their...
program obtained the adamantium before it was technically invented. His own comments in the issue seem to suggest that Lord Dark Wind created the unbreakable metal and that he either managed to duplicate it on his own or that he received information from Dark Wind to make it. Either way, Lady Deathstrike
Lady Deathstrike
Lady Deathstrike , occasionally spelled "Deathstryke", is a Marvel Comics supervillain, a foe of the X-Men, especially Wolverine.Her father Lord Dark Wind created the adamantium-bonding process that was forced on Wolverine...
, Dark Wind's daughter, has made a claim to owning the rights to the adamantium.
External links
- Dr. Myron MacLain at the Marvel Universe Appendix