Wikipedia

Baxter Building

This article is about the Marvel Comics building. For the building in Maine, seeBaxter Building (Portland, Maine).

TheBaxter Buildingis a fictional 35-story office building appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.Created byStan LeeandJack Kirby,the building first appeared inFantastic Four#3 (March 1962). The construction is depicted inManhattan,and its five upper floors house theFantastic Four's headquarters.[2][3][4][5]

Baxter Building
The original Baxter Building as depicted inFantastic FourAnnual #1 (1963). Art by Jack Kirby.
First appearanceOriginal version:
Fantastic Four#3
(March 1961)[1]
Current version:
Fantastic Fourvol. 3 #38
(February 2001)
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-universe information
TypeBuilding
LocationNew York City,U.S.
PublisherMarvel Comics

Publication history

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The Baxter Building first appeared inFantastic Four#3 (March 1962) and was created byStan LeeandJack Kirby.[6]The Baxter Building was the first comic-book superhero lair to be well known to the general public in the fictional world.[7]

The Baxter Building is destroyed inFantastic Four#278 (May 1985), written and drawn byJohn Byrne.Explaining why he chose to destroy the iconic structure, Byrne said, "The FF's HQ building had long been established as 35 stories in height. Quite impressive in 1962, but not so much in 1980, when I came to the book. It didn't seem like I could just start referring to the building as taller than all those previous stories had made it, so I decided on something a wee bit more dramatic."[8]

Fictional description

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Located at42nd StreetandMadison AvenueinNew York City,[9]it had been built in 1949 by the Leland Baxter Paper Company. Originally designed as a high-rise industrial site to accommodate pulp recycling machinery to serve the mid-Manhattan area, each floor height is 24 feet (7.3 m).[6]The top five floors of the 35-story building were purchased outright by the Fantastic Four.[10]

The building'ssteelframe construction utilized the first application of "K bracing" in the world and is one of the strongest structures of its kind. The Baxter Building is located a few city blocks from theUnited NationsBuilding.Reed Richardshas applied for many land-use zone variations to allow massive reconstruction of the top five floors for the installation of a heavily silenced silo, with a muffledrocket.

The design of the headquarters of the Fantastic Four is along strictly utilitarian lines, except for apartments and public areas. All aspects of the design are constantly being improved, including security. For example, windows are 2 ft (0.61 m) thick composites of various glasses and plastics which are mirrored on the outside. Solid, armored, exterior walls are also mirror-clad and are indistinguishable from transparent sections.

The top five sections of the Baxter Building are completely airtight; all doors are airlocks. Complete environmental support (including atmosphere) is provided by the area between elevators 2, 3, and 4 on all floors. The building's steel-alloy framework is rigid enough to be stood on one corner and not collapse (It was suggested that the Baxter Building did not collapse under its own weight due to the use of tactile telekinesis byGladiatorof theShi'arImperial Guard.Reed stated that even with the reinforced structure, it should not be possible otherwise.).

The buffer-zone is the interface between the top five floors and the lower levels. It provides a rapid-disconnect between upper and lower segments of building. It contains an array of large oil-rams to dampen any oscillations between the five upper levels and the base of the building. The buffer-zone contains some support equipment for the upper levels, but mostly it is the "mechanical floor",which provides heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and elevator support equipment for the lower 30 stories.

Ownership

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Arunning gagfor years in the title was that thelandlord,Walter Collins, was initially eager to rent out to asuperheroteam for the publicity and prestige, but he soon regretted his decision, as the building became a constant target for numerous attacks bysupervillainsstarting withFantastic Four#6 in whichDoctor Doomlaunched the entire building into outer space.[6]The attacks made things difficult not only for the Four, but for the other tenants in the lower floors as well. Eventually, Reed Richards decided to invoke a clause of the rental agreement and bought the entire building to avoideviction.[10]

Iterations

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Eventually, the building was destroyed by Doctor Doom's adopted sonKristoff Vernard,who shot it into space and exploded it in a bid to murder the Fantastic Four.[11]It was replaced byFour Freedoms Plaza,built upon the same site.[12]After the Fantastic Four and other costumed heroes were presumed dead in the wake of their battle withOnslaught,[13]Four Freedoms Plaza was stripped clean of all the FF's equipment by Vernard and Reed Richards' fatherNathaniel,who sent it into theNegative Zoneto keep it out of the hands of the United States military.[14]

Upon their return, the Fantastic Four could not move back into Four Freedoms Plaza, as it had been destroyed by theThunderbolts,[15]shortly after the revelation that they were actually theAvengers' longtime foes, theMasters of Evil.Thus, the Fantastic Four moved into a retrofitted warehouse along theHudson Riverwhich they named Pier 4.[16]The warehouse was destroyed during a battle withDiablo,[17]after which the team received a new Baxter Building, courtesy of Reed's former professor Noah Baxter. This Baxter Building was constructed in Earth's orbit and teleported into the vacant lot formerly occupied by the original Baxter Building and Four Freedoms Plaza.[18]The current Baxter Building's ground floor is used as a Fantastic Four gift shop and museum open to the public.

In the aftermath ofthe collapse of the multiverse,the Fantastic Four have disbanded as the Richards' family have gone on to reconstruct the multiverse,[volume & issue needed]leaving the Thing to join theGuardians of the Galaxy,[volume & issue needed]while the Torch is working as an ambassador for the Inhumans and a member of theAvengers Unity Squad.[volume & issue needed]As a result, the deserted Baxter Building was up for auction, until it was purchased to serve as the temporary headquarters ofParker Industries,much to the initial dismay of the Human Torch.[volume & issue needed]However,Peter Parkerexplained to the Torch that he outbidAlchemax,Hammer Industries, andRoxxonfor the ownership of the building simply to keep it out of their hands, and will give the Baxter Building back when the Fantastic Four reunites. Witnessing a large sculpture of the FF in the entrance hall that was created by Alicia Masters, the Torch reflects that he is glad that the building is staying with family.[19]But when Parker Industries was destroyed duringSecret Empire,[20]it was sold out to an anonymous buyer and was shortly the headquarters of The Fantastix.[21]With the creation of a powerful portal through time and space, the building was once again destroyed by the Griever in an attempt to steal the portal.[volume & issue needed]The building then went missing, having been sent one year into the future by Reed in an act of desperation.[volume & issue needed]

Reception

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Accolades

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  • In 2019,Comic Book Resources(CBR) ranked the Baxter Building 9th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list.[22]
  • In 2020, CBR ranked the Baxter Building 7th in their "10 Best Secret Lairs In Marvel Comics" list[23]and 10th in their "Avengers 10 Best Headquarters" list.[24]

Other fictional versions

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1602

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In theMarvel 1602miniseriesThe Fantastick Four,Sir Richard Reed andSusan Stormare renting a manor house from Lord Baxter. Sir Richard has equipped it with an observatory and chemical laboratory.[volume & issue needed]

Old Man Quill

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In theOld Man Logantimeline, the Baxter Building is used as a missile, ultimately killing Loki in the Midwest of America. The smashed remnants of the building still contain many secrets, which attract people from entirely other galaxies.Peter Quillhopes to use these secrets to save what is left of the galaxy.[25]

Spider-Verse

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In theSpider-Versestoryline, The Baxter Building of Earth-802 is the main office of Jennix of the Inheritors and houses their cloning facility (which they use to resurrect themselves in case of death). The universe's version of theHuman Torchis the head of security. The Scarlet Spiders infiltrated the building and became the site of battle with Jennix in whichBen Reillysacrificed his life to destroy the building ending the Inheritors' only working cloning facility.[volume & issue needed]

Ultimate Marvel

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In theUltimate Marveluniverse, the Baxter Foundation is aUS governmentthink tank,where exceptionallygiftedchildren are offered government positions to use their intelligence to serve their country. The government contacted Reed Richards because of his experiments inteleportation;they had found smalltoy carsthat he had sent into theN-Zone.At the Baxter Building, Reed meets ProfessorFranklin Storm;Storm's two children, Susan andJohnny;as well as Victor Van Damme (Doctor Doom). The building is overseen byGeneral "Thunderbolt" Ross.Security duties are overseen by the soldierWillie Lumpkin.[volume & issue needed]

In this version, theMole Manis originally Dr. Molekevic, a former employee of the Baxter Building. His service is terminated when his projects are deemed "unethical".[volume & issue needed]

After the accident that gave the Fantastic Four their powers, the children who were not altered were moved to another facility in Oregon. The Baxter Building then becomes the FF's headquarters.[volume & issue needed]

The Baxter Building also appears inUltimate Iron Man,volume 1, issues 4-5.

In other media

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Television

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Film

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  • The Baxter Building appears inFantastic Four(2005), represented by theMarine Building,which was selected for its Art Deco appearance.[27]
  • The Baxter Building appears inFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,[28]represented once more by the Marine Building. According to screenwriterDon Payne,"The Baxter Building, because [the Fantastic Four] are more successful and making more money, has been refurbished. So it's not as grungy, more high tech."[29]
  • The Baxter Building, renamed theBaxter Institute,appears inFantastic Four(2015) as a government-funded think tank for scientific youngsters founded byFranklin Storm.[30]

Video games

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Commercial depictions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Fantastic Four's Headquarters: A Complete Guide".23 September 2018.
  2. ^Jeffrey Kahan; Stanley Stewart (2006).Caped crusaders 101: composition through comic books.MacFarlane. p. 47.ISBN0-7864-2532-6.Reed and his cohorts use his fortunes to turn his company's headquarters, the Baxter Building, into an intelligence tower, from which his people monitor conflicts around the world and intervene when their services are needed
  3. ^Gina Misiroglu (2004).The Superhero Book.Visible Ink Press. p.567.ISBN1-57859-154-6.The Baxter Building, a gleaming skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan, serves as the Fantastic Four's home and base of operations.
  4. ^Scott Bukatman (2003).Matters of gravity: special effects and supermen in the 20th century.Duke University Press. p.57.ISBN0-8223-3119-5.The Fantastic Four even had their own skyscraper -the Skidmore, Owings and Merrill-style Baxter Building (all of these headquarters were revealed in panoptic cutaway views detailing the location of hangars, living quarters, training areas, and missile launchers).
  5. ^Leroy, Kath (September 17, 2020)."Fantastic Four: 10 Facts Fans Should Know About The Baxter Building".CBR.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  6. ^abcSanderson, Peter (2007).The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City.New York City:Pocket Books.pp. 42–48.ISBN978-1-4165-3141-8.
  7. ^Simcha Weinstein (2009).Up, Up, and Oy Vey: How Jewish History, Culture, and Values Shaped The Comic Book Superhero.Barricade Books. p. 73.ISBN978-1-56980-400-1.Unlike previous superheroes, the Fantastic Four did not rely on double identities and disguises. In their alternate world they were celebrities headquartered in the Baxter building on New York's Fifth Avenue.
  8. ^Powers, Tom (February 2010). "John Byrne's Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Family Magazine!".Back Issue!(38).TwoMorrows Publishing:19.
  9. ^Irving, Christopher (March 1, 2009)."A Land of Geeks and Goblins".New York.RetrievedJuly 14,2010.
  10. ^abMartin, David E. (1987).Marvel Super Heroes:The Fantastic Four Compendium.TSR, Inc.pp. 76–79.
  11. ^Fantastic Four#278 (May 1985)
  12. ^Fantastic Four#289 (April 1986)
  13. ^Onslaught: Marvel Universe(October 1996)
  14. ^Tales of the Marvel Universe#1 (February 1997)
  15. ^Thunderbolts#10 (January 1998)
  16. ^Fantastic Fourvol. 3 #2 (February 1998)
  17. ^Fantastic Fourvol. 3 #35-36 (November–December 2000)
  18. ^Fantastic Fourvol. 3 #39 (March 2001)
  19. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 4 #3
  20. ^Amazing Spider-ManVol. 4 #31 (2017)
  21. ^Fantastic FourVol. 6 #4 (2018)
  22. ^Avina, Anthony (September 6, 2019)."10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics, Ranked".CBR.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  23. ^Avina, Anthony (April 28, 2020)."10 Best Secret Lairs In Marvel Comics, Ranked".CBR.RetrievedFebruary 7,2023.
  24. ^Allan, Scoot (March 2, 2020)."The Avengers 10 Best Headquarters, Ranked".CBR.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  25. ^Old Man Quill#1-12 (2019)
  26. ^Bonanno, Luke (July 12, 2005)."Fantastic Four: The Complete 1994-95 Animated Television Series DVD Review".RetrievedJune 29,2010.
  27. ^Otto, Jeff (November 23, 2004)."Fantastic Four Set Visit".IGN FilmForce. Archived fromthe originalon November 25, 2004.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
  28. ^Smith, Andrew A. (June 12, 2007)."A primer on the Silver Surfer".Scripps Howard News Service.Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2012.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
  29. ^Ens, Paul (May 22, 2007)."Fantastic Four Set Visit: The Writer".ComingSoon.net.Archived fromthe originalon August 17, 2011.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
  30. ^Dyce, Andrew (August 10, 2015)."'Fantastic Four' Easter Eggs & Comic References ".ScreenRant.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  31. ^Butts, Steve (October 22, 2013)."LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Review".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  32. ^Arnold, Matt (October 22, 2022)."Marvel Snap: 10 Best Locations".TheGamer.RetrievedJanuary 9,2023.
  33. ^Heaney, Samuel; Santiago, Eddie D. (October 24, 2023)."Easter Eggs - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Guide".IGN.RetrievedOctober 26,2023.
  34. ^"Marvel Comics Walking Tour of New York City"(PDF).New York Skyride.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 9, 2010.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
  35. ^"Marvel Super Hero Island Dining".Archived fromthe originalon 7 June 2010.RetrievedJune 29,2010.
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