Madcap (Earth-616)

From Marvel Database

Madcap

Gallery

Real Name

Madcap

Identity

Secret

Alignment

Neutral

Affiliation

Wild Pack

Relatives

Parents (names unknown, deceased); Katy (sister, deceased)

Universe

Earth-616

Base Of Operations

Madcap Comedy Hour Studio, Soho

Characteristics

Gender

Male

Height

5' 9"

Weight

145 lbs (66 kg)

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Brown

Status

Citizenship

American

Marital Status

Single

Occupation

Prankster; TV host

Origin

Origin

Survivor of an accident where AIM tried to destroy Chemical X07.

Creators

Mark Gruenwald, Paul Neary, Dennis Janke

First appearance

Captain America #307 (July, 1985)

History

The man who would become Madcap was a religious person belonging to a group that organised a trip. This man, his parents and his sister Katy went to the trip in a bus, with some other forty people.

Terrorist scientists from AIM were trying to destroy a chemical developed by themselves, Chemical X07, which apparently included enzymes to incite a rapid healing in human bodies. The accident killed all of the people in the bus, except for the man who would become Madcap. Coincidentially, this man laid unconscious for hours on a pool of X07, which would eventually evaporate. He would recover conscience in a hospital, but then discovered that he was the sole survivor and his faith in a rational universe collapsed. He ran away from the hospital and threw himself to a car trying to commit suicide. To his surprise, he was unharmed and felt no pain at all. This drove him completely mad. He correctly suspected that the accident had given him this immunity to damage, but could not understand why he was to obtain power from an accident who had killed forty people, including his family and firends.

Finally, he decided that things happen without a reason, and that nothing has a purpose. He soon discovered his other power, which allowed him to drive people crazy. He bought a bubble gun in a general store and stole a harlequin costume. He called himself the Madcap and wandered through New York City driving people crazy. He had no compunction about putting people in danger: As he could not be hurt, he could not understand that other people could be hurt.

During one of his first trips, he met newby adventurer Nomad, who was at that moment Captain America's partner. Nomad befriended Madcap trying to understand his origins, motivations and powers. However, Madcap began to threaten lives, Nomad was forced to knock him out and overcome him.

Madcap was sent to a psychiatric hospital, but he used his powers and became the host of The Mystery Hour of Madcap in New York TV. Madcap found child super heroes Power Pack and tried to convince them to live adventures with him, but Madcap's adventures became dangerous and Power Pack left him. Madcap moved away, dancing and singing about the fun of further adventures.

A further encounter with Dr. Karl Malus led to Madcap accidentally touching one of Malus's inventions and, for the first time in a while, the Madcap could be hurt and feel pain. It is unclear which of Malus's discoveries led to this. Madcap left trying to find Malus, but he would lead his search through unusual methods, thus probably he would not find him. Malus is not aware of Madcap's search.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Emotional Control: Madcap has a specialized form of mind control that makes targets behave as if they were happily crazy for a few minutes - which can lead them to dangerous situations. Even if the target resists, he is still affected and cannot perform at his usual level. To use this power, Madcap must have visual contact with his target (Notice that he uses flashy clothes and a bubble gun as a weapon, all of which attracts attention).
• Regeneration: Madcap heals at top speed and recovers his vitality and stamina quickly. He cannot be killed or even stunned.
  

Abilities

None known.

Strength level

Madcap possesses the normal human strength of a man of his age, height, and build who engages in moderate regular exercise.

Weaknesses

None known.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: A bubble gun, common toy without special properties, but Madcap uses them to attract attention and people usually think that the bubbles are what drives them crazy.

Notes

• No special notes.

Trivia

• No trivia.

See Also

• Appearances of Madcap (Earth-616)
• Character Gallery: Madcap (Earth-616)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Madcap (Earth-616)
• Quotations by Madcap (Earth-616)

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• Search News for: Madcap · Madcap (Earth-616)
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Links and References

• Gamer's Handbook of the Marvel Universe