Wikipedia

Advanced Idea Mechanics

A.I.M.(Advanced Idea Mechanics) is a fictionalcriminal organizationappearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.Created byStan LeeandJack Kirby,itfirst appearedinStrange Tales#146 (July 1966).[2]A.I.M. is primarily depicted as athink tankof brilliantscientistsdedicated toworld dominationthrough technological means.[3]

A.I.M.
A.I.M. troopers fromTales of Suspense#94.
Art byJack KirbyandJoe Sinnott.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceStrange Tales#146
(July 1966)[1]
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Type of organizationTechnology
Terrorist
Leader(s)Monica Rappaccini
Andrew Forson
Baron Strucker
MODOK
Sunspot
Agent(s)Allesandro Brannex
Doomsday Man
Head Case

The organization started as a branch ofHYDRAfounded byBaron Strucker.[4]Its most notable creations include theCosmic Cube,Super-Adaptoid,andMODOK,who has been depicted as a prominent member of A.I.M. and sometimes the organization's leader.[5]

Since its original introduction in comics, A.I.M. has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products includingvideo gamesandtelevision series.The organization made itslive actiondebut in theMarvel Cinematic UniversefilmIron Man 3(2013), in which it was headed byAldrich Killian.

Publication history

edit

A.I.M. debuted inStrange Tales#146 (July 1966), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[6]It is revealed to be a branch of the organization known as THEM inStrange Tales#147 (August 1966). A large organization was mentioned inStrange Tales#142 (March 1966) and depicted inTales of Suspense#78 (June 1966) a few months earlier. It is later revealed inStrange Tales#149 (October 1966) that THEM is also a parent organization to theSecret Empireand is a new incarnation of the previously dissolvedHYDRA.

Organization

edit

A.I.M. is described as an organization of scientists and their hirelings dedicated to the acquisition of power and overthrowing of all the world's governments through science and technology. Its leadership traditionally consists of the seven-memberBoard of Directors(formerly known as the Imperial Council) with a rotatingchairperson.Under the Directors in the hierarchy are various division supervisors, and under them are the technicians and salesmen/dealers.

The organization supplies arms and technology to variousterroristand subversive organizations to foster a violenttechnological revolutionand to generateprofit.A.I.M. operatives are usually involved in research, development, manufacturing, and sales of technology. Members of A.I.M. are required to have at least amaster's degree,if not aPhD,in an area ofscience,mathematics,orbusiness.

A.I.M.'s reach is worldwide and it operates variousfront organizationssuch as Targo Corporation, International Data Integration and Control, Cadenza Industries, Koenig and Strey, Pacific Vista Laboratories, Allen's Department Store, and Omnitech. It has had a number ofbases of operations,including anuclear submarinemobile in theAtlantic Ocean;bases inthe Bronx, New York;Black Mesa, Colorado;West Caldwell, New Jersey;Asia,Canada,Europe,Haiti,India,Sudanand Boca Caliente (also known as A.I.M. Island), an island republic in theCaribbean.

Technology

edit

Over all of its appearances, A.I.M. has produced three major implements of deadly potential. The greatest of these is theCosmic Cube,a device capable of altering reality.[7]However, A.I.M. does not realize that the cube is merely a containment device, in which the real power is an entity accidentally drawn into their dimension. The Cosmic Cube eventually evolves intoKubik.Their second achievement is theSuper-Adaptoid,anandroidcapable of mimicking the appearance andsuperpowersof other beings, which is made possible by incorporating a sliver of the Cosmic Cube into its form. When Kubik recovers the sliver after defeating the Adaptoid, the android is rendered inanimate. A.I.M.'s third major achievement is the creation ofMODOK(Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing), an artificiallymutatedhuman with an enormous head accompanied by a massivecomputationalbrain andpsionicabilities.[8]MODOK is originally an A.I.M. scientist named George Tarleton, who is selected by A.I.M.'s leader at the time, theScientist Supreme,to be the subject of thebionicand genetic experiments that turn him into MODOK.[7][9]After his transformation, MODOK kills the Scientist Supreme and takes control of A.I.M., later taking advantage of the chaos within HYDRA following HYDRA Island's destruction and the deaths of Baron Strucker and most of HYDRA's leading members to sever all of A.I.M.'s ties with HYDRA. A.I.M. has remained independent ever since.

A.I.M. has made developments in fields such as advanced weaponry (plasma blasters, cryo-cannons, anti-charge bazookas, paralyzer rays, q-bombs, sonatrons),robots(synthoids, Adaptoids, robot duplicates, giant robots, etc.),cyborgs,artificial lifeforms,biologicalviruses(Omega Bacillus, Virus X), radio wave-transmitted "broadcast power," andmind control,cloaking, andteleportationtechnology. Its agents use a variety ofsubmarines,hovercraft,jets,ships, and other vehicles. A.I.M. has also attempted to recreate versions of MODOK, including transformingDr. Katherine Waynesborointo Ms. MODOK[10]and creating SODAM[11](later revamped as MODAM).[12]Since A.I.M's establishment as an exotic arms dealer,[12]members have access to whatever exotic weaponry available in its warehouses.

A.I.M.'s leaders traditionally wear yellow three-piece business suits. Technical supervisors wear yellowjumpsuits,skull-caps, andgoggles.The organization is known for the "beekeeper"-like outfits of its underlings since their first appearance.

After the"Scorpion: Poison Tomorrow"arc ofAmazing Fantasy,A.I.M. gained a new costume involvinginsectoidarmor and large guns.

TheLivewiresmember Cornfed wears an A.I.M. uniform. He also wears a button referencing "The Real A.I.M".

Fictional organization history

edit

A.I.M.'s origins begin late inWorld War IIwith Baron Wolfgang von Strucker's creation ofHYDRA.Under the code name THEM, he creates two HYDRA branches called Advanced Idea Mechanics and theSecret Empire.A.I.M.'s purpose is to develop advanced weaponry for HYDRA. It is close to developing and attaining nuclear weapons when HYDRA Island is invaded by American and Japanese troops. Although HYDRA suffers a major setback, it survives and grows in secret over the following decades.

A.I.M. has numerous encounters with varioussuperheroesandsupervillainsand is the subject of ongoing undercover investigations byS.H.I.E.L.D.It is responsible for reviving theRed Skullfromsuspended animation.[13]An A.I.M. android factory in aFloridaswamp is raided by S.H.I.E.L.D., which also involves Count Bornag Royale due to a weapons deal negotiation.[14]A.I.M. then raids S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York City headquarters.[15]As a result of these events, Royale is discredited, and A.I.M.'s headquarters are destroyed.[16]

A.I.M. employsBatroc the Leaperto recover an explosive compound called Inferno 42[17]and dispatches a chemical android againstNick FuryandCaptain America.[18]A.I.M. also dispatches their special agent, the Cyborg, against Captain America.[19]A.I.M. is involved in a skirmish with theMaggiaand its "Big M".[20]A.I.M. also capturesIron Manin an attempt to analyze and replicate hisarmor.[21]MODOK and A.I.M. are responsible for transformingBetty Rossbriefly into thegamma-irradiatedbird-woman called the Harpy.[22]A.I.M. dispatches their special agent theDestructorto captureMs. Marvel.[23]

For a time, a schism develops within A.I.M., causing it to split into Blue and Yellow factions (the former loyal to MODOK, the latter independent from him). These factions battle each other,[24]with MODOK and the Blue faction employingDeathbirdas an operative.[25]A.I.M. captures theThingandNamorto test Virus X on them.[26]The Blue faction later makes an attempt to recapture theCosmic Cube.[27]A second battle occurs between the rival factions,[28]but since then factions no longer seem to be active within A.I.M.

A.I.M. hires theSerpent Societyto kill MODOK, which they do successfully.[29]A.I.M. is responsible for a jet attack on theWest Coast Avengerscompound[30]and then takes over Boca Caliente[31]and unleashes a microbe aboard the Stark space satellite.[32]A.I.M. also sends an agent to attempt to confiscate the quantum-bands given toQuasar.[33]

The organization is revealed to have become a 'techno-anarchist' group with no connection to HYDRA and a hatred forfascism.With the introduction ofDeath's Head 3.0,apacifistversion of the organization with a new leader is promised.[34]

A.I.M. helps GeneralThunderbolt RossandDoc Samsoncreate theRed Hulk.[35]

A.I.M. creates thepocket dimensionof Earth-13584 by using an obtained sliver of time to alter certain events so they can obtain technology from various individuals. They do this by exploiting the fluidity of time brought on by Kang the Conqueror manipulating the past. This lasts until theDark Avengersend up in the new reality, causing it to collapse. The Dark Avengers are able to get out before the pocket dimension collapses.[36]

When theSecret AvengersrecruitTaskmasterafter freeing him from Bagalia, they send him to infiltrate the new High Council of A.I.M. which consists of Andrew Forson,Graviton,Jude the Entropic Man,Mentallo,Superia,andYelena Belova.[37]Forson then leads A.I.M. to a weapons expo, where A.I.M. fights the Secret Avengers. During the battle, Forson steals theIron Patriotarmor.[38]

Daisy Johnsonlaunches an unsanctioned operation sending the Secret Avengers to A.I.M. Island to assassinate Forson. Johnson is suspended for breaking protocol andMaria Hillis put in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. again. Forson is revealed to still be alive and A.I.M. becomes a new permanent member of the Security Council.[39]

InAvengers World,using an unidentified device, Forson and A.I.M. accelerate the flow of time within the limits of A.I.M. Island, creating a year of progress in the real world within hours and transforming A.I.M. into a technologically advanced empire.[40]

A.I.M. has a more violent offshoot, Advanced Ideas of Destruction (A.I.D.); the two competing organizations are major antagonists ofCaptain Americain the mid-2000s.[41]

During the "All-New, All-Different Marvel"branding, it is revealed that the A.I.M. members that fled whenSunspotbought out A.I.M. have been taken in byMakerand work for his organization W.H.I.S.P.E.R. (World Headquarters for International Scientific Philosophical Experimentation and Research) to reshape the world.[42]

After Sunspot leaves A.I.M.,Toni Hosucceeds him and allows the rogue A.I.M. cells to reclaim their acronym, as Ho has her organization rebranded as R.E.S.C.U.E.[43]

During the "Gang War"storyline,Crime Mastermentions that he has allied with A.I.M. for the upcoming gang war as an A.I.M. Agent is with him at the meeting with the other crime lords.[44]Some A.I.M. Agents accompanied Crime Master in his fight againstRingmasterand his hypnotized civilians. Both sides were defeated by Spider-Man's group with the hypnotized civilians freed from Ringmaster's control. Spider-Man called up MayorLuke Cageto arrange for the villains to be picked up and processed.[45]Some of the A.I.M. Agents that avoided capture were recruited to Madame Masque's side.[46]In a flashback, some A.I.M. Agents working for Madame Masque were briefly seen fightingBig Ben Donovan's gang.[47]Some A.I.M. Agents accompanied Madame Masque and a mind-controlledShotgun,Count Nefaria,Silvermane,andOwlin fightingJanice Lincoln's group in Central Park. The A.I.M. Agents were among those that were defeated by Spider-Man and his allies.[48]Some of the straggling A.I.M. Agents were later defeated by Elektra's Daredevil appearance and left for the police.[49]

Heroic offshoots

edit

Avengers Idea Mechanics

edit

During theTime Runs Outstoryline, Sunspot reveals that he bought A.I.M and used their resources to investigate incursions threatening reality. Heroes working as part of Avengers Idea Mechanics includeHawkeye,Squirrel Girl,Songbird,Wiccan,Hulkling,White Tiger,Power ManandPod.Sunspot reveals he has fired much of higher management. Many heroes working in the primary Avengers team, such asThorandHyperion,work side by side with A.I.M.[50]When they create a machine to propel individuals across theMultiverse,some of the heroes who were helping A.I.M. offer themselves for a one-way trip to find the origin of the incursions threatening all reality.[51]

Following the fight againstMaker,Sunspot meets with thegovernmentand they make plans to merge Avengers Idea Mechanics with the U.S. government. At the same time, Avengers Idea Mechanics defeats A.I.M's splinter groups.[52]

American Intelligence Mechanics

edit

The merger between the U.S. government and Avengers Idea Mechanics results in the formation of American Intelligence Mechanics.[53]Since Da Costa had turned the organization into a force for good, rogue cells exist fighting for A.I.M.'s original goals on behalf of their former leaders, Andrew Forson and Monica Rappaccini. To tackle the nuisances caused by these cells, Da Costa's successor Toni Ho lets them reclaim the organization's acronym, while rebranding her own organization into R.E.S.C.U.E.[43]

Splinter groups

edit

These AIM splinter cells have appeared in various issues:

  • Advanced Ideas in Destruction(AID)[54]
    • Michael Friedman[55]
  • Radically Advanced Ideas in Destruction(RAID)[56]– AIM-like company. Designed exoskeleton. Forced to help Captain America track the Cosmic Cube.
  • Advanced Genocide Mechanics(AGM) – Located in the Congo. Led by MODOG (Mental Organism Designed Only for Genocide).[57]

Fronts

edit
  • Adarco Corporation(Advanced Robotic Company)[58]– Developed Annex and BREW technology.
    • Dr. Hillman Barto[59]– Ally ofAnnex.Currently deceased.[60]
    • Brace[61]– A cyborg. Destroyed by Annex.[60]
  • Cadence Industries[62]– Entertainment media company that collects the corpse of MODOK.
  • IDIC(International Data Integration and Control)[63]
    • Diadem(Lucieane D'Hiven)[64]
    • Kenjiro Tanaka[65]– FormerS.H.I.E.L.D.agent who trained alongsideWendell Vaughn.Infiltrates IDIC and stays on as an employee after the break-up of SHIELD. Leaves to join Vaughn Securities and is promoted to partner and eventually CEO due to Vaughan spending less time on Earth.
  • Koenig and Strey[66]– Based in Manhattan. Invaded byBullseye,Deadpool,Juggernaut,Sabretooth,andThe Vultureon behalf of Valeria Jessup.
  • Omnitech[67]
  • Targo Corporation[68]

Leaders

edit

High Council of A.I.M.

edit

Former

edit
  • George Clinton[73]– Former Scientist Supreme. Involved in the creation ofMODOC/MODOKand theCosmic Cube.Mind drained by theRed Skull,Arnim Zola,and theHate-Monger(a clone ofAdolf Hitler) in an attempt to recreate the Cosmic Cube.
  • Chet Madden[74]– Former head of A.I.M. and former client of Connie Ferrari.
  • Dr. Lyle Getz[73]– Former Scientist Supreme. Currently deceased.
  • Head Case (Sean Madigan)[75]– Long-lost son of MODOK.
  • Maxwell Mordius[21]– Currently deceased.
  • Valdemar Tykkio[30]– Scientist Supreme. Institutes a takeover of Boca Caliente. Brother of Yorgon Tykkio.
  • Wolfgang von Strucker (Baron Strucker)[76]–Nazifounder ofHYDRA.
  • Alvin Tarleton[77]– George Tarleton's father and one of the original founders of A.I.M. Got George a job with the organization as a custodian, then authorized his transformation into MODOK. Driven out by MODOK and forced to hide in the fake suburb of Butterville,Ohio.MODOK begins malfunctioning and experiencing false memories, which Tarleton uses to lure him to his base so he can capture him and reset his brain, hoping to repeat their initial experiment with more successful results. MODOK kills him by activating his Uru phone before the mind wipe can be completed and uploading his consciousness onto the phone so he can "swipe left" on him.

Members and agents

edit
  • AD-45 Riot-Bots[78]
  • Abu-Jamal Rodriguez[79]
  • Alexandre Copernicus[80]
  • Andrew Ritter[81]
  • Arthur Shaman[82]– Hypnotist. Kidnaps Michael Barnett and attempts to force the Hulk to kill Ms. Marvel.
  • B'Tumba[83]– Wakandan, son of N'Baza, an old friend of T'Challa. Allies with A.I.M. to sellvibranium.Sacrifices his life to save T'Challa from A.I.M.
  • Baron Rolando Samedi[84]– Creates pseudo-zuvembies and fights Brother Voodoo. Not to be confused with thedeity of the same name.
  • Bernard Worrell[27]– Member of A.I.M.'s Blue Faction. Former apprentice of George Clinton. Leads the capture of the Cosmic Cube/Kubik, but is unable to control it once it begins its metamorphosis into Kubik.
  • Betty Sumitro[79]
  • Betty Swanson[volume & issue needed]
  • Brace[85]
  • Brendon Newton[80]
  • Cache[86]– Artificial intelligence.
  • Carl Alexis Lombardi[87]– Seeks Uni-Power. Kills David Garrett when he has outlived his usefulness. Confesses after being captured by Daredevil.
  • Clete Billups[88]– Infiltrates S.H.I.E.L.D. Kills his "partners" to steal the body ofProtocide.Duped byCaptain AmericaandSharon Carterinto leading them to A.I.M.'s headquarters.
  • Clytemnestra Erwin[89]– InfiltratesStark Enterprisesto gain revenge onTony Starkfor causing the death of her brother Morley. Killed by an out-of-control A.I.M. missile.[90]
  • Commander Robert Cypher[81]– Seeks technology to take control of nuclear missiles.
  • Count Bornag Royale[14]
  • Cyborg[19]– Hired assassin.
  • David Garrett[87]– Ally of A.I.M. Funds Gilbert Wiles to monitor his tracking of the Uni-Power. Slain by Lombardi after outliving his usefulness.[87]
  • Destructor(Kerwin Korman)[23]– Former premier weapons-maker. Stumbles upon and unleashes the power core of Kree Psyche-Magnitron. Built into the Doomsday Man by A.I.M. technicians and used as its power source. Discovered and freed by Avengers. Requires continued connection to the remnants of the Doomsday Man for life support.
  • Doctor Nemesis (Michael Craig Stockton)[91]
  • Doomsday Man[92]– Virtually indestructible robot created by Dr. Kronton to steal cobalt bombs and blackmail the U.S. Initially defeated by Silver Surfer, later revived by Kree Psyche-Magnitron. Battled and destroyed by Ms. Marvel, rebuilt by A.I.M. and merged with Kerwin Korman, whom it used as a power source. Battles Avengers, seeks Warbird as replacement when Kerwin begins to weaken. Destroyed by Justice, remnants used as life support for Korman.
  • Dr. Cristiano Ryder[93]– Poses as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to regain control of Android X-4.
  • Dr. Ralph Rider[94]– Brother of Charles Rider, uncle ofRichardand Robert Rider. Leading research scientist until killed by Photon (Jason Dean).[94]
  • Evelyn Necker[95]– Earth-8410 liaison.
  • Fixer (Paul Norbert Ebersol)[96]
  • Grizzly[97]– A.I.M. agent R-1. Used by MODOK in a plot to capture atomic scientist Paul Fosgrave. Not to be confused with the Spider-Man enemy or Cable's deceased teammate.
  • Harness (Erika Benson)[98]– Mother ofPiecemeal.Forced to locate and absorb the energy ofProteus.Wears an armored exo-skeleton.
  • Harold Bainbridge[99]– Agent thatMockingbirdimpersonates during the Secret Avengers' raid on A.I.M. Island.
  • Highwayman[100]– English criminal. Attempts to steal the Cognium Steel from Oracle INC., but is defeated by Iron Fist.
  • Hyun Rahman[101]
  • Ian Fitzpatrick(Mr. Jinx)[102]
  • James Hendrickson[81]
  • Jason Rilker[78]
  • Jethro Prufrock[103]– Father of George and Martha Prufock. Perennial right-wingLibertariancandidate for president and a staunch advocate of arms-stockpiling. Slain by a mutated George.[103]
  • Julia Black[70]– Adoptive mother of Carmilla Black. Former ties to Symbionese Liberation Army. Currently deceased.[70]
  • Lifeform (George Prufrock)[103]– Mutated into a progressively larger carnivorous creature by exposure to an experimental virus developed by his father, Jethro Prufock, at A.I.M.
  • MODAM (Olinka Barankova)[69]– Creation of A.I.M. whose name is an acronym forMobileOrganismDesigned forAggressiveManeuvers. Also operates under the names"Maria Pym"andSODAM(SpecializedOrganismDesigned forAggressiveManeuvers). Killed by MODOK.[104]
  • Marc Planck[80]
  • Mentallo (Marvin Flumm)[96]
  • Njeri Damphousse[101]– Currently still with A.I.M.
  • Paul Allen[105]– InfiltratesS.H.I.E.L.D.Current whereabouts are unknown.
  • Peggy Park[106]
  • Professor Aaron Whyte[102]
  • Ramona Starr[107]– ShootsKa-Zarin the head and forces him to perform a mission for A.I.M. Also known as Ramona Courtland.
  • Red Skull(Johann Schmidt)[108]
  • Seekers
  • Solemne Brannex[109]– Possibly the sister of Allesandro Brannex. Seeks aid from S.H.I.E.L.D. when A.I.M. obtains aShi'arvessel.
  • Stryke[110]
  • Super-Adaptoid– Robot that can copy the appearance and superpowers of anyone.[111]
  • Timekeeper[112]– Scientist and leader of an A.I.M. outpost in Venture Ridge,Wyoming.Attempts to tap into the power of Holly-Ann Ember.
  • Timothy Black[70]– Adoptive father of Carmilla Black. Former ties to Symbionese Liberation Army. Currently deceased.[70]
  • Ultra-Adaptoid– Stronger version of the Super-Adaptoid.[113]
  • Victorius (Victor Conrad)[114]
  • Wakers[101]– A.I.M. deep penetration agents under the leadership of Scorpion (Carmilla Black) and four others. Genetically engineered to resist all chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons,
    • Lars Branco[115]– Waker agent. Currently deceased.
  • Warbot[82]– A.I.M. weapon. Used by Arthur Shaman to capture the Hulk to use against Ms. Marvel. Destroyed by Ms. Marvel.
  • Yorgon Tykkio[30]– Brother of Valdemar. Becomes a cyborg and leads a revolt against his brother's rule. Controls the body of MODOK and destroys it after he is defeated in battle against Iron Man. Allies with Clytemnestra Erwin against Iron Man. Killed by Clytemnestra when she is attempting to flee from him.[116]

Avengers/American Idea Mechanics members

edit

Reception

edit

Critical response

edit

Screen Rantincluded A.I.M. in their "Marvel: The 10 Most Powerful Henchmen In The Comics" list.[117]Comic Book Resourcesranked A.I.M. 7th in their "10 Most Powerful Secret Organizations In Marvel Comics" list,[118]and 10th in their "10 Most Evil Teams In Marvel" list.[119]

Impact

edit

Both A.I.M. and Hydra first appeared in the 1960s as analogues for the threat ofCommunism,[citation needed]but are also associated withNazismand resemble organizations fought byCaptain AmericainWorld War II.Political science professor Matthew J. Costello has pointed out that this conflation of communism and Nazism removes ambiguity from the threat and thus from America's moral superiority in the comics.[120]In contrast, in the post-9/11context ofIron Man 3,Peppersays of Extremis' war profiteering, "That's exactly what [Stark Industries] used to do."[121]Whereas immediately after 9/11 Captain America was concerned withIslamic terrorism,by 2005–2007 he was primarily engaged withhomegrown terrorists:A.I.M. and A.I.D.[41]

Other versions

edit

A.I.M. has outposts active in several other universes in theMarvel Multiverse,including the universes forUltimate Marvel,Marvel 1602,andAge of Apocalypse.

Heroes Reborn

edit

In theHeroes Rebornreality, A.I.M. is led byBaron Zemoand MODOK as they take on Captain America and the newBucky,Rebecca Barnes.[122]

2020 Death's Head Future

edit

A future (2020) version of A.I.M is featured heavily in theMarvel UKlimited seriesDeath's Head II.This future organisation creates the cyborg Minion, which is later taken over by the personality of Death's Head. A.I.M's representativeEvelyn Neckerbecame a popular character in the ongoing series that followed.

InAmazing Fantasy#16–20, set further in the same future, A.I.M is on the verge of making peace with the UN, when a renegade A.I.M. scientist unleashes Death's Head 3.0 on the peace conference.

House of M

edit

In theHouse of Mreality, A.I.M. is re-imagined as a humanresistance movementled by Monica Rappacini to opposeExodus,ruler ofAustralia,and hiscohorts.[123]

Marvel Adventures

edit

In theMarvel Adventuresversion of Iron Man, A.I.M., through the use ofdummy companies,acquires Stark International's hover platform and uni-beam technology in their invasion of Madripoor, a fictional country.Gia-Bao Yinsentries to tell the world about A.I.M.'s terrorist attacks on his country, but his message is dismissed. During Tony Stark's test of his new solar-powered glider, A.I.M. causes him to crash on their artificial island. Stark's heart is damaged, and A.I.M. forces him to build an EMP weapon for A.I.M.'s forces to finish their conquest of Madripoor, in exchange for A.I.M. repairing his heart. Stark learns that Yinsen was also kidnapped, as A.I.M. wants to prevent him from telling the world about their attacks on his country and to use his intellect to build technology for A.I.M. Similar to Iron Man's mainMarvel Universeorigin, Yinsen and Stark both build armor to escape. However, Yinsen destroys the generator powering the island in order to save his homeland. The explosion kills Yinsen, but Stark lives and becomes Iron Man to prevent people like A.I.M. from committing evil against innocents. Here, the Supreme Scientist is a black-haired woman who is extremely brilliant. In addition, the uniforms that A.I.M. uses are orange suits. However, the Supreme Scientist wears black clothing in a style similar toDarth Vader.

Ultimate Marvel

edit

In theUltimate X4mini-series, A.I.M. commissionsMad Thinkerto stealCerebrofrom theX-Menand frame theFantastic Four,as seen.[124]The miniseriesUltimateVisionintroduces A.I.M. as composed of several directorates spread across the globe, withGeorge Tarletonas an A.I.M. leader on an orbiting research facility. Tarleton and his team attempt to take control of aGah Lak Tusmodule that is left behind in orbit after the swarm is driven away. Being unable to do so on their own, they lure Vision to the station to help them by claiming they will use the knowledge to order the Gah Lak Tus swarm to self-destruct. Once the cyborg Tarleton connects to the module using Vision, he has the module fire an energy beam at her. Tarleton then incorporates the Gah Lak Tus' circuitry into his own body, but it takes him over, transforming him into a machine with a monstrous appearance. He takes over the entire station remotely and sets it to plummet out of orbit, along with the Gah Lak Tus module, which he says has "unfinished business on Earth."[125]Ultimately, Tarleton is broken free of the module's control and helps Vision and theFalcon, Dr. Samuel Wilson,in destroying the module.[126]

InUltimate Comics: Avengers,a group of A.I.M. terrorists steal advanced technology (revealed to be blueprints for aCosmic Cube)[127]from theBaxter Buildingand have some associations with theRed Skull.[127][128]

In other media

edit

Television

edit
  • Though they go unnamed, a group of A.I.M. agents make a cameo in a flashback in theSpider-Man and His Amazing Friendsepisode "The X-Men Adventure".[citation needed]They attack the lab whereFirestarand Nathan Price worked at before the latter becomes the villain Cyberiad.
  • A.I.M. appears inIron Manin the second-season episodes "Cell of Iron" and "Not far From the Tree."[citation needed]
  • A.I.M. appears inIron Man: Armored Adventures,[129]with theScientist Supreme,theControllerandMODOCas prominent members.
  • A.I.M. appears inThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.[citation needed]
  • A.I.M. appears inMarvel Anime: Wolverine,with the main antagonists Hideki Kurohagi andShingen Yashidabeing prominent members.
  • A.I.M. appears inAvengers Assemble.[citation needed]
  • A.I.M. appears inSpider-Man.[citation needed]In the episode "School of Hard Knocks", A.I.M. uses an elite boarding school called the Bilderberg Academy as a front forMonica Rappaccinito experiment on students and grant them the combined powers of the capturedCaptain America,Captain Marvel,andHulk.Spider-Man andMs. Marvelinfiltrate Bilderberg Academy and undo Rappaccini's experiments whileIron ManandBlack Widowcapture the A.I.M. agents present. In the episode "A Troubled Mind", A.I.M. steals three mental projection devices and combines them with their robotics to create MODOK, only for both to be defeated bythe Superior Spider-Man,Iron Man, Black Widow, and Ms. Marvel. In the episode "Amazing Friends", A.I.M. collaborates withBaron Mordoto captureGrootand use him as a template for woodgolems,only to be stopped by Spider-Man,Miles Morales,Ironheart,Doctor Strange,and theTotally Awesome Hulk.
  • A.I.M. appears inM.O.D.O.K.[130]This version is entirely founded and led by MODOK, although he eventually causes the organization to go bankrupt and allows the rival company GRUMBL to buy it out. Throughout the series, MODOK continually schemes to reclaim his position as A.I.M.'s leader and eliminate GRUMBL CEO Austin Van Der Sleet, although these attempts continually end in failure and lead to him being demoted and replaced by Monica Rappaccini as Scientist Supreme. Meanwhile, Van Der Sleet uses A.I.M.'s resources and technology to further the plans of his superior, Hexus, the Living Corporation. By the end of the first season, MODOK sells his A.I.M. shares to Iron Man, enabling him to buy out A.I.M. from GRUMBL, while MODOK, Rappaccini, and A.I.M. subordinate Gary go on to establishA-I-M-2independently.[131]

Film

edit

Video games

edit

Live performance

edit

A.I.M. appears in the arena showMarvel Universe: LIVE!.[139]

Miscellaneous

edit

Members of A.I.M. appear in issue #5 ofThe Avengers: United They Standcomic book series.

References

edit
  1. ^Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006).The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood.Visible Ink Press.ISBN9780780809772.
  2. ^Ashford, Sage (October 19, 2022)."The First 10 Villain Teams In Marvel Comics".Comic Book Resources.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  3. ^Sakellariou, Alexandra (September 19, 2020)."What AIM's REAL Plan Is In Marvel's Avengers".Screen Rant.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  4. ^Corley, Shaun (November 30, 2022)."Iron Man's Forgotten MCU Villains Were His Perfect Foil All Along".Screen Rant.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  5. ^Nolan, Liam (February 8, 2023)."Meet M.O.D.O.K., A.I.M.'s Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing".Marvel.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  6. ^Dodge, John (December 15, 2022)."Captain America is Going to War with a Vast Criminal Organization – And It Isn't Hydra".Comic Book Resources.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  7. ^abJohn P. Doucet, "Chapter One: On the Design of Mental Organisms", in: Marie Hendry and Jennifer Page, eds.,Media, Technology and the Imagination,Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars, 2013,ISBN978-1-4438-4850-3,pp. 19–20.
  8. ^Tales of Suspense#93–94
  9. ^Captain America#133
  10. ^The Incredible Hulkvol. 2 #190
  11. ^Solo Avengers#14–16
  12. ^abQuasar#8
  13. ^Tales of Suspense#79. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^abStrange Tales#146. Marvel Comics.
  15. ^Strange Tales#147. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^Strange Tales#149. Marvel Comics.
  17. ^Tales of Suspense#75–76. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^Tales of Suspense#78
  19. ^abCaptain America#124. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^Iron Man and Sub-Mariner#1. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^abIron Man#1. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^The Incredible Hulkvol. 2 #167–168
  23. ^abMs. Marvel#1-4. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^Ms. Marvel#7. Marvel Comics.
  25. ^Ms. Marvel#9–10. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^Marvel Two-In-One#81–82. Marvel Comics.
  27. ^abCaptain AmericaAnnual #7. Marvel Comics.
  28. ^The Incredible Hulkvol. 2 #289. Marvel Comics.
  29. ^Captain America#313
  30. ^abcIron Man#201. Marvel Comics.
  31. ^Iron Man#207–208
  32. ^Iron Man#215. Marvel Comics.
  33. ^Quasar#1. Marvel Comics.
  34. ^theScorpion: Poison Tomorrowarc ofAmazing Fantasy
  35. ^The Incredible Hulkvol. 2 #600. Marvel Comics.
  36. ^Dark Avengersvol. 2 #190. Marvel Comics.
  37. ^abcdefghSecret Avengersvol. 2 #2. Marvel Comics.
  38. ^Secret Avengersvol. 2 #3. Marvel Comics.
  39. ^Secret Avengersvol. 2 #5. Marvel Comics.
  40. ^Avengers World#1. Marvel Comics.
  41. ^abChristian Steinmetz, "A Genealogy of Evil: Captain America vs. the Shadows of the National Imagined Community", in: Robert G. Weiner, ed.,Captain America and the Struggle of the Superhero: Critical Essays,Jefferson, North Carolina / London: McFarland, 2009,ISBN978-0-7864-3703-0,p. 199.
  42. ^Avengersvol. 6 #0. Marvel Comics.
  43. ^abAvengers#690. Marvel Comics.
  44. ^Amazing Spider-Man - Gang War First Strike#1. Marvel Comics.
  45. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 6 #39. Marvel Comics.
  46. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 6 #42. Marvel Comics.
  47. ^Jackpot#1. Marvel Comics.
  48. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 6 #43-44. Marvel Comics.
  49. ^Daredevil: Gang War#4. Marvel Comics.
  50. ^Avengersvol. 5 #35. Marvel Comics.
  51. ^Avengersvol. 5 #36. Marvel Comics.
  52. ^New Avengersvol. 4 #18. Marvel Comics.
  53. ^U.S.Avengers#1. Marvel Comics.
  54. ^Captain Americavol. 5
  55. ^Captain Americavol. 5 #13
  56. ^Captain Americavol. 5 #17
  57. ^Invincible Iron Man#1
  58. ^The Amazing Spider-ManAnnual #27
  59. ^The Amazing Spider-ManAnnual #26
  60. ^abAnnex#4
  61. ^Annex#1
  62. ^Captain America#315
  63. ^Master of Kung Fun#102
  64. ^Master of Kung Fu#102
  65. ^Quasar#5
  66. ^Identity Disc#2
  67. ^Iron Manvol. 3 #44
  68. ^Iron Man#207
  69. ^abQuasar#9. Marvel Comics.
  70. ^abcdeAmazing Fantasyvol. 2 #7. Marvel Comics.
  71. ^Tales of Suspense#93
  72. ^Fantastic Four#610. Marvel Comics.
  73. ^abCaptain America#133. Marvel Comics.
  74. ^Captain Americavol. 3 #35. Marvel Comics.
  75. ^Ms. Marvelvol. 2 #13. Marvel Comics.
  76. ^Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#5. Marvel Comics.
  77. ^"M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games" #4. Marvel Comics.
  78. ^abCaptain Americavol. 3 #13. Marvel Comics.
  79. ^abAmazing Fantasyvol. 2 #8. Marvel Comics.
  80. ^abcThe Uncanny X-Men#352. Marvel Comics.
  81. ^abcSabretooth & Mystique#1. Marvel Comics.
  82. ^abThe Defenders#57. Marvel Comics.
  83. ^The Avengers#87. Marvel Comics.
  84. ^Strange Tales#171. Marvel Comics.
  85. ^Annex#1. Marvel Comics.
  86. ^Captain Americavol. 3 #33. Marvel Comics.
  87. ^abcCaptain Universe/Hulk#1. Marvel Comics.
  88. ^Captain Americavol. 3 #25. Marvel Comics.
  89. ^Iron Man#171. Marvel Comics.
  90. ^Iron Man#200–216. Marvel Comics.
  91. ^Marvel Feature#9
  92. ^Ms Marvel#3. Marvel Comics.
  93. ^Captain America#127. Marvel Comics.
  94. ^abNova#12. Marvel Comics.
  95. ^Death's Head II#1. Marvel Comics.
  96. ^abStrange Tales#141. Marvel Comics.
  97. ^Captain America#120
  98. ^The New MutantsAnnual #7. Marvel Comics.
  99. ^Secret Avengersvol. 2 #8. Marvel Comics.
  100. ^Marvel Comics Presents#137. Marvel Comics.
  101. ^abcAmazing Fantasyvol. 2 #11. Marvel Comics.
  102. ^abClanDestine#9. Marvel Comics.
  103. ^abcThe PunisherAnnual #3. Marvel Comics.
  104. ^Captain Americavol. 3 #3. Marvel Comics.
  105. ^Astonishing Tales#8. Marvel Comics.
  106. ^Marvel Holiday Special 2006.Marvel Comics.
  107. ^Ka-Zar the Savage#18. Marvel Comics.
  108. ^Captain America Comics#1. Marvel Comics.
  109. ^Marvel Comics Presents#174. Marvel Comics.
  110. ^Iron Man Annual#4. Marvel Comics.
  111. ^Tales of Suspense#82. Marvel Comics.
  112. ^Marvel Graphic Novel #16: Aladdin Effect.Marvel Comics.
  113. ^Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11#2. Marvel Comics.
  114. ^Astonishing Tales#18(June 1973). Marvel Comics.
  115. ^Amazing Fantasyvol. 2 #10. Marvel Comics.
  116. ^Iron Man#216. Marvel Comics.
  117. ^Chrysostomou, George (October 16, 2021)."Marvel: The 10 Most Powerful Henchmen".Screen Rant.Retrieved2023-08-05.
  118. ^Avina, Anthony (2019-09-26)."10 Most Powerful Secret Organizations In Marvel Comics, Ranked".Comic Book Resources.Retrieved2022-12-30.
  119. ^White, Chris (2019-06-16)."10 Most Evil Teams In Marvel, Ranked".Comic Book Resources.Retrieved2022-12-30.
  120. ^Matthew J. Costello,Secret Identity Crisis: Comic Books and the Unmasking of Cold War America,New York: Continuum, 2009,ISBN9780826429971,pp. 70–71.
  121. ^ab"Chapter 5: 'Nothing's been the same since New York': Ideological Continuity and Change inIron Man 3andThor: The Dark World",in: Terence McSweeney, ed.,Avengers Assemble!: Critical Perspectives on the Marvel Cinematic Universe,London/New York: Wallflower-Columbia University, 2017,ISBN9780231186254,n.p..
  122. ^Captain Americavol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.
  123. ^The Incredible Hulkvol. 3 #83. Marvel Comics.
  124. ^Ultimate X4.Marvel Comics.
  125. ^Ultimate Vision#3. Marvel Comics.
  126. ^Ultimate Vision#5. Marvel Comics.
  127. ^abUltimate Avengers#3. Marvel Comics.
  128. ^Ultimate Avengers#5. Marvel Comics.
  129. ^"Iron Man: Armored Adventures".
  130. ^Paige, Rachael (October 9, 2020)."NYCC Metaverse: 'Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.' Reveals First Look".Marvel.Archivedfrom the original on October 11, 2020.RetrievedOctober 10,2020.
  131. ^Towner, Eric and Alex Kramer (director); Geoff Barbanell and Itai Grunfeld (writer) (May 21, 2021). "What Menace Doth the Mailman Deliver!".M.O.D.O.K.Season 1. Episode 9. Hulu.
  132. ^"Marvel and Sony Announce New IRON MAN Animated Feature".Newsarama.3 March 2023.
  133. ^"Iron Man 3: Under the Armor with Guy Pearce".Marvel. March 22, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-03-26.RetrievedMarch 23,2013.
  134. ^Martin Flanagan, Mike McKenny, and Andrew Livingstone,The Marvel Studios Phenomenon: Inside a Transmedia Universe,New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2017,ISBN9781501338533,n.p..
  135. ^"SDCC17 Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite: Live Blog".WWG.
  136. ^"Spider-Man PS4: The 11 Most Fascinating Easter Eggs and Marvel References".
  137. ^@PlayAvengers (August 21, 2019)."In the five years since the events of A-Day, a new evil threat has emerged: Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.). They believe that science, not Super Heroes, will save the world. Reassemble Earth's Mightiest Heroes to take on AIM in Marvel's Avengers. #EmbraceYourPowers #Reassemble"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  138. ^Skrebels, Joe (June 24, 2020)."MODOK confirmed as a major supervillain".IGN.RetrievedJune 24,2020.
  139. ^Wheatley, Chris (19 November 2013)."Marvel Universe LIVE! Reveals Villain Characters".IGN.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Advanced_Idea_Mechanics&oldid=1267592112"