Maximus
Every family has
at least one black sheep. Lord Maximus, of the Inhumans' royal
family, is an exceptional black sheep. Maximus is a genius, an
insane genius, but a genius none the less. He feels that his
brilliance qualifies him as the true ruler of Attilan that his
brother Black Bolt currently rules. Maximus has just as much
claim to the throne (as all the royal family does) and he won't
rest until he feels his brilliance is appreciated.
Thor #149-On his nineteenth birthday Agon releases Black Bolt from his sound proof chamber trusting that he will never speak. Maximus comes with Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak, and Crystal to see Black Bolt. Maximus says it would be unseemly for him to miss such an occasion. Maximus whips out his invention, the Nerve Beam, and shoots Black Bolt with it. He says that if he can prove that Black Bolt cannot keep silent then the throne of Attilan will be his. Black Bolt tries to fly away. Crystal cries not to hurt Black Bolt, but Maximus picks her up saying that he does this for the good of all Attilan. He must be made king. Medusa uses her hair to grab Crystal and the Nerve Beam from Maximus. Gorgon stomps the ground, which pushes Maximus into Karnak's hands. Karnak spins Maximus around. Maximus says he will remember this when he is king. Karnak throws Maximus.
Inhumans vol. 2 #1- flashback- A teenage Maximus is seen fighting with his brother Black Bolt as the Kree come to take their parents away. Maximus says that Black Bolt couldn't just leave him to his little faux pas- that he had to say something. The Kree ship cracks in half as Black Bolt shouts. Maximus holds his ears and reels as the ship crashes.
Avengers #95-
Inhumans Special #1
Fantastic Four #45- behind the scenes-
Fantastic Four #46- behind the scenes-
Fantastic Four #47-
Fantastic Four #48-
Fantastic Four #52-
Fantastic Four #54-
Fantastic Four #56-
Fantastic Four #57-
Fantastic Four #59-
Incredible Hulk annual 1-
Fantastic Four #82-
Fantastic Four #83-
Maximus watches as the Fantastic Four tries to escape in
vain. Reed Richards realizes that the prison lies in a hypnotic
field. Because they are being hypnotized to believe that they
cannot break out of the prison. Maximus turns off the view
screen. He goes to take a bath to make sure that he looks his
best for the coronation. Stallior brings Maximus his robe. Leonus
thinks to himself that despite their powers they fearfully serve
Maximus. Maximus orders Aireo to fix his raiment. Maximus is told
that the people demand to see their king. Maximus tells Leonus to
put his helmet on him. Maximus calls for his Scepter of
Sovereignty. He tells them all to bow or he will release his
Nerve Ray. Maximus says, "Only through blind
obedience…will you share my triumph yet to come." As
soon as Maximus is proclaimed Emperor Eternal he is going to
blanket all of mankind with a giant Hypno-Gun. Then all living
things on the Earth will be his to command. Black Bolt uses his
voice to shatter the Inhumans' prison. With the cage busted the
hypno-spell is shattered. Maximus' Alpha Primitives attack. They
fight the Alpha Primitives then take off to stop Maximus'
Hypno-Gun. The Fantastic Four get free when they think really
hard that the prison that holds them is not really there. They
knock out the robot Zorr before his hypnotic inducer can affect
them again. Maximus sits behind his Hypno-Gun. He proclaims
himself Emperor Eternal, and that he alone is the law. He says
they won't be the lone subjects for his rule. He says he will use
his ray to conquer the Earth and then the universe. Suddenly
Crystal appears and shatters Maximus' gun with her Elemental
Force. Once Maximus realizes that Black Bolt is free he jumps on
Stallior's back and rides to a secret rocket. Maximus takes off
with his followers and vows that no matter where he goes it won't
be far enough to keep him from returning.
Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #119-
Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #120-
Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #1-
Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #2-
Silver Surfer #18-
Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #5-
Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #6-
Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #7- behind the scenes-
Inhuman: The Untold Saga-
Avengers #95-
Avengers #127- flashback- Maximus is seen building a machine that harnesses the secret guilt the Inhumans feel for the long standing enslavement of the Alpha Primitives. Maximus uses the machine to power Omega.
Fantastic Four #131-
Fantastic Four #132-
Marvel Team-Up #11-
Fantastic Four #150- flashback- While studying the world beyond the Himalayas Maximus discovers Ultron's head laying decapitated from his last battle with the Avengers. Using a long-range tractor beam Maximus retrieves Ultron's head. Maximus then uses the equipment, which Black Bolt allows him to have as he feels guilty over Maximus' mental condition, and revives the brain of Ultron. Maximus then puts Ultron's head on the mindless body of Omega. Maximus wants Ultron to eliminate Black Bolt for him so that he might rule the Inhumans, but Ultron serves no man, even an Inhuman.
Avengers #127- It is the day before Quicksilver and Crystal’s wedding. Maximus talks to his secret new ally. He says that he is referred to as Maximus the Mad because his brother sits upon the throne, but with his new ally all that will change. Suddenly Maximus is zapped by his new mysterious ally. As Maximus lies on the ground his not so trustworthy ally says, “…You require no enemies fool!” Later Maximus’ contacts with the Alpha Primitives who wish to revolt join up with Maximus because they do not know what has happened to Maximus. Iron Man and Medusa start attacking the Alpha Primitives as if being mind controlled. Disguised as Omega, Ultron (Maximus’ “ally”) grabs Crystal and runs off. Black Bolt, the other Inhumans, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four go to confront Maximus, but find him still out cold on his cell floor. Later they are carrying Maximus from his cell for medical attention. Maximus wakes up and starts acting like Iron Man and Medusa did. Maximus grabs a blaster and starts mowing down Alpha Primitives. Human Torch goes to stop him, but Maximus shoots him too. Swordsman blasts Maximus. Omega’s power from hate grows so great he freezes the Fantastic Four, Inhumans, and Avengers. Omega reveals that he is really Ultron.
Fantastic Four #150- As Ultron plows through the wall to attack the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Inhumans Maximus is seen laying on the floor. Ultron is defeated by the mental power of Franklin Richards.
Fantastic Four #158- flashback-
Inhumans #1-
Inhumans #4-
Inhumans #5-
Inhumans #6-
Avengers annual #12- flashback- When Attilan was moved to the moon there was a crystal that reawakened Maximus' mind, and caused mass hallucinations in the Inhumans. Maximus once again allies himself with the Enclave. Maximus then pressed this advantage to gain control Black Bolt's body.
Vision and the Scarlet Witch #4- behind the scenes-
Avengers annual #12- Inside the body of his brother Black Bolt, Maximus greets the ambassadors of Earth, the Avengers. After signaling with his hands that the Inhumans intend peace towards humankind "Black Bolt" leads the Avengers to the body of Maximus (really Black Bolt held captive in a glass tomb). Lockjaw smells the tomb, and looks suspiciously at Maximus in Black Bolt's body. Maximus sits silently on Black Bolt's throne as the Inhumans and Avengers party. Scarlet Witch notices how upset Medusa is, and Medusa tells her that since they came to the moon Black Bolt seems so distant. That night, as Medusa and Scarlet Witch awake from nightmares, Maximus is in his supposed tomb. Maximus tells his brother that he wishes he could visit longer, but that the "fateful moment" has arrived. Maximus pushes aside the tomb to reveal a stairway below it. Maximus goes down. Maximus launches moon rocks at Earth that catch fire as they enter earth's atmosphere. Thor stops the rocks. Tempers are flaring as She-Hulk and Gorgon yell at each other. Suddenly "Black Bolt" appears. He declares war on Earth, and the execution of the Avengers. After dealing with Gorgon She-Hulk grabs "Black Bolt" by the throat and pulls back to hit him. Black Bolt shouts to unhand him. Medusa grabs Maximus calling him an imposter. Lockjaw leads them all to the body of Maximus. Karnak and Vision free the body of Maximus. Maximus tells Black Bolt not to hurt him for he wears his body. Black Bolt grabs his own body, and the two are again of their own bodies. Maximus says he will still destroy the humans and make earth his kingdom. Maximus uses a psionic energy to freeze everyone for a second so he can get a head start. Maximus runs to the Alpha Primitives where the Enclave is launching the rocks. Black Bolt defeats the Enclave. Maximus yells at Black Bolt saying he has as much right to the throne as he does. Maximus says that Black Bolt needs to recognize their superiority over mankind, and that they should rule the world, not be exiles of it. Black Bolt turns his back on his brother and waits for guards to take him to a place of confinement.
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