Marvel's Amadeus Cho Explained: Who Is the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Character?

Amadeus Cho: Marvel's Brainy and Powerful Teen Hero

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man features a fresh take on Peter Parker, the animated series expands its reach into the Marvel Universe. Many supporting characters are based on comic book heroes and villains, including Amadeus Cho, Peter's Oscorp intern.

But who is Amadeus Cho, and why is he a significant teen hero in Marvel's recent history? This exploration delves into his brilliance, his Hulk persona, and his journey across comics and beyond.

Who is Amadeus Cho?

Despite his youth and the abundance of exceptionally gifted individuals in the Marvel Universe, Amadeus Cho ranks among the smartest. His intellect, however, often leads him into conflict with authority, resulting in a life frequently spent evading legal repercussions. He displays a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, readily defending his friends.

Amadeus's intellectual prowess is complemented by remarkable physical strength, gained after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation and becoming the Hulk. Even with the classic Hulk's return, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn. Regardless of the moniker, he remains a powerful force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially recognized as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe (though his actual ranking might be higher). His pattern recognition and mental calculation skills are extraordinary. However, his intense mental activity often leaves him ravenous.

His time as the Hulk granted him immense physical strength, alongside Hulk's regenerative abilities and durability. Unlike the classic Hulk, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality during transformations, avoiding the rage-fueled alter ego. Currently, he operates as Brawn, a slightly less powerful but still formidable version of his Hulk form, capable of unleashing his full Hulk strength when necessary.

Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History

Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. This issue, mirroring the significance of the original Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man's debut), introduced several potentially impactful characters. Amadeus quickly became a standout.

He earned recognition as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. However, the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus for assassination to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus went into hiding, eventually forming a lasting friendship with the Hulk.

Amadeus played a crucial role in 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules (a fugitive hero who defied the Superhuman Registration Act). Their adventures were chronicled in The Incredible Hercules, a series that gave rise to iconic memes.

After regaining a more conventional heroic role, they even thwarted the multiverse-threatening god Amatsu-Mikaboshi. The duo eventually parted ways, leading Amadeus to absorb Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, becoming the new Hulk. His exploits as the Hulk are detailed in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also co-founded a new iteration of the Champions team.

Currently, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus operates as Brawn, a powerful hero whose intellect matches his strength.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has appeared in various Marvel animated and video game projects, especially since his Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, and features in LEGO Marvel games.

In animation, he appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man and Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled, voiced by Eric Bauza as Iron Spider. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man marked his first appearance as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).

In Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is portrayed as a confident scientist and Peter Parker's Oscorp intern. While his transformation into a super-powered hero remains to be seen, his presence alongside other comic-book-inspired characters suggests it's a strong possibility. His mother's appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron hints at a potential future MCU debut.