Noh-Varr
| Marvel Boy | |
|---|---|
 Noh-Varr (center) on the cover to Marvel Boy #1 Art by J.G. Jones | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics (Marvel Knights imprint) |
| First appearance | Marvel Boy Mini-series #1 (August, 2000) |
| Created by | Grant Morrison J.G. Jones |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Noh-Varr |
| Team affiliations | Plex, the accumulated knowledge of the Kree race from an alternate realilty, Kree Empire; 18th Kree Diplomatic Gestalt |
| Notable aliases | None |
| Abilities | Enhanced reflexes, strength, speed, and stamina; knowledge of advanced Kree technology and weaponry |
Noh-Varr is a fictional character, an alien and a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He is also known as Marvel Boy (the title of the series) but this name is not used within the comics continuum.
Publication history
First introduced in the six-issue Marvel Knights mini-series Marvel Boy (August, 2000), Noh-Varr is the creation of Scottish writer Grant Morrison and artist J.G. Jones. He also appears in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways limited series.
Character biography
Art by J.G. Jones
Noh-Varr is a member of the fictional Kree race from an alternate dimension. Although similar in appearance to the white-skinned Kree from the primary Marvel Universe (Earth-616), this particular race maintain a unique genetic code which differentiates them from their other-worldly counterparts.
Noh-Varr services as an ensign onboard the Marvel of the 18th Kree Diplomatic Gestalt. An interstellar schooner that transversed millions of alternate dimensions on its way home, the ship is drawn toward Earth-616 and shot down by the forces of Dr. Midas. A multi-trillionare obsessed with gaining powers through the absorption of cosmic rays, Midas blasts the Marvel out of the sky in an attempt to acquire the ship's cosmic ray-powered engines. His friends and comrades killed, Noh-Varr emerges as the only survivor.
Upon escaping Midas' prison, Noh-Varr goes on a destructive rampage in New York City. Using the telepathic powers of Plex, he herds the populace to avoid any loss of innocent life and used his advanced Kree weaponry to carve an enormous message in the surrounding area. Upon observing the letters from space, members of S.H.I.E.L.D. note that Noh-Varr has written an angry "Fuck You." Although S.H.I.E.L.D. sends 3 "Banner-Men" against him (bio-engineered Super Soldiers with the powers of Wolverine, The Hulk and Captain America), Noh-Varr easily defeats these psychologically infantile opponents.
Later, Noh-Varr encounters the sentient corporation known as Hexus. Accidentally released from a containment cell when the Marvel crashed, Hexus begins to take over world-wide commerce in an attempt to subjugate the human population and ultimately control Earth. However, Noh-Varr invades the control center of Hexus and ultimately destroys the "social parasite".
After his battle with Hexus, Noh-Varr finds himself pursued by Dr. Midas and his minions. Upon striking up an alliance with Midas' daughter, Oubliette, Noh-Varr defeats the megalomanic. After the battle, however, agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. capture Noh-Varr and incarcerate him in a seemingly inescapable prison known as the Cube. While in custody, Noh-Varr verbally declares war on Earth and the human race. Thus the character of Noh-Varr emerges from the series as both a hero as well as an impending threat.
Civil War In Marvel's Civil War crossover event, Noh-Varr is assigned to capture the Young Avengers and Runaways by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Hill.
Powers and abilities
Art by J.G. Jones
Noh-Varr is a Kree who has been enhanced with insect DNA. Although his powers have not been officially catalogued, he has demonstrated enhanced reflexes, strength, speed, and stamina well beyond that capable of a normal human. He is able to re-route his neurological impulses so that he can avoid experiencing physical pain.
He is said to be "triple jointed," allowing extreme feats of contortion and the ability to survive what would otherwise be crushing forces. Noh-Varr can also scale even the smoothest surfaces, including vertical walls, glass windows, and ceilings.
When needed, he can digest any organic substance without adverse effects. As a result, he can eat rotting or poisonous food as well as non-food stuffs (e.g., cardboard, paper, etc.). He uses this ability to recover from wounds or extreme stress.
Noh-Varr's saliva contains nanotechnology that invades the minds of those whose skin it touches. This causes halucinations and allows Noh-Varr a degree of mind-control. His thumb nail can grow into a deadly crystaline spike. Noh-Varr can insert this nail into an opponent and leave it to explode, killing both the target as well as causing extensive damage to the surrounding area.
Noh-Varr also has access to a wide variety of advanced Kree technology, including high-tech weaponry such as self-replicating grenades, plasma guns and a "pocket battlefield" that can simulate unique battle environments for combatants.