History Comicbook / MODOK

[[redirect:Characters/{{AIM}}]]

[[redirect:Characters/MarvelComicsMODOK]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/modok.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"[[VideoGame/MarvelVSCapcom3 If you think I've evolved beyond the joys of murder, you'd be wrong.]]"]]

->'''Thor:''' Tis some kind of... of... That is a very big head.\\
'''M.O.D.O.C.:''' I AM M.O.D.O.C.! I am the ultimate in human-machine interface! I am designed ONLY FOR CONQUEST!\\
'''The Wasp:''' Whatever you say, freak-show.
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes''

M.O.D.O.K. is a Creator/MarvelComics super-villain created by Creator/StanLee and Creator/JackKirby. Making his [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] debut in ''Tales of Suspense #93'' (September, 1967), M.O.D.O.K. has been featured in over 40 years of Marvel canon. While originally a foe of ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, M.O.D.O.K is not tied to a single hero's RoguesGallery. He has battled the likes of ComicBook/TheFalcon, ComicBook/NickFury and ComicBook/{{SHIELD}}, ComicBook/IronMan, [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor]], the Comicbook/IncredibleHulk, rival villains Mad Thinker and Yellow Claw, ComicBook/MsMarvel, the Champions ([[ComicBook/WarrenWorthingtonIII Angel]], ComicBook/{{Iceman}}, ComicBook/BlackWidow, Darkstar, ComicBook/GhostRider, and ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules), [[ComicBook/FantasticFour the Thing]], and the Serpent Society. The latter group managed to assassinate him back in 1986. But M.O.D.O.K. was revived in 1995 and has remained a prominent villain since then. In 2009, IGN.com ranked M.O.D.O.K. #100 on its TopOneHundredComicBookVillains list.

A lowly technician working for Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.), George Tarleton was nothing special. One day, Tarleton is picked by A.I.M.'s Scientist Supreme to be genetically altered into a living computer code-named M.O.D.O.C.: '''M'''ental '''O'''rganism '''D'''esigned '''O'''nly for '''C'''omputing. The experiment was a success: Tarleton's brain became enormous, granting him superhuman intelligence and vast psionic powers. Driven mad by the procedures performed on him, M.O.D.O.C. kills his masters in cold blood. Enjoying the slaughter, M.O.D.O.C. renames himself M.O.D.O.K: '''M'''ental '''O'''rganism '''D'''esigned '''O'''nly for '''K'''illing. Having eliminated the existing command structure, M.O.D.O.K. takes over A.I.M, declaring himself the new Scientist Supreme.

[[AC:Comic Books]]
* ''Super-Villain Team-Up: M.O.D.O.K.'s 11''
* ''M.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay'' (''ComicBook/DarkReign'' tie-in)
* ''M.O.D.O.K. Assassin''
* ''M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games''

[[AC:Storylines]]
* ''ComicBook/MarvelZombies''
* ''ComicBook/FallOfTheHulks''

[[AC:Anime]]
* ''Anime/MarvelDiskWarsTheAvengers''

[[AC:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelSuperHeroes'': M.O.D.O.K. is a mid-level boss in the level "That Sinking Feeling". Like almost any other character in a LEGO game, he can be unlocked and played as in Free Play mode.
** ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelsAvengers''
** ''VideoGame/LEGOMarvelSuperHeroes2''
* ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'': A member of the Masters of Evil, M.O.D.O.K. is the final boss of the Omega Base level.
** ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance3TheBlackOrder'': M.O.D.O.K. gets his hands on the Soul Stone and teams up with Klaw to invade Wakanda.
* ''Marvel Super Hero Squad'': M.O.D.O.K. and A.I.M. appear early in the game, stealing an infinity fractal for Doctor Doom. Changing his mind, M.O.D.O.K. would use the fractal to power one of his doom cannons until Wolverine and the Hulk intervene.
* ''Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet'': M.O.D.O.K. makes a cameo appearance, still working for Dr. Doom.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'': M.O.D.O.K. appears as a playable character, taking [[spoiler: ComicBook/{{Galactus}}'s helmet]] in his ending.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance'': appears as a Boss several times, with A.I.M. serving as some of the games' {{Mooks}}.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelFutureFight'': appears as one of the main antagonists, and as a playable character.
* ''Videogame/MarvelPuzzleQuest''': appears as a playable character.
* ''VideoGame/MarvelsAvengers'': George Tarleton becoming M.O.D.O.K. later, is the BigBad of the game [[spoiler:though not the ultimate mastermind]]. One of the only adaptations outside the comics to feature his human form.

[[AC:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/IronMan''
* ''WesternAnimation/IronManArmoredAdventures''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'' (Most notably, his DayInTheLimelight episode "Mental Organism Designed Only For Kissing".)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes''
* ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble''
* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerbMissionMarvel''
* ''WesternAnimation/MODOK2021''

In addition to these, he was included in ''The Marvel Experience'' virtual reality tour in the United States, where he was voiced by Creator/KevinSmith.
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!!Tropes associated with M.O.D.O.K. include:

* AbusiveParents: In '''M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games'', it's revealed that George Tarleton's father, Alvin, was one of the founders of A.I.M. and felt his son should have a part in it. Unfortunately, George didn't have any interest in science then, so Alvin ''turned him into M.O.D.O.C.'' When M.O.D.O.K. finally learns this, Alvin has been quietly biding his time and is now willing to completely wipe his son's mind and use him solely as a weapon.
* AscendedExtra: To a degree: he's made the host of the officially sanctioned clay/action-figure animated comedy series ''Marvel Super Heroes: What The-?!'', appearing in nearly every episode, including having [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8E0dcj1RRs an episode devoted entirely to his M.O.M.E.N.T.S.]][[note]]Memories Of Mirth, Entertainment, Natural Talent and Surprises[[/note]]. However, he's treated as a ButtMonkey even still.
* AxCrazy: There's a reason why he changed his name from M.O.D.O.C to M.O.D.O.K. Plus there's the fact that he murdered his creators as well as having a tendency to kill his own subordinates if they fail him.
* BackFromTheDead: A.I.M. used a Cosmic Cube to bring M.O.D.O.K. back to life, believing that he would be loyal as originally designed. They were wrong.
* BadBoss: So bad that A.I.M. had him assassinated by the Serpent Society for his obsession with killing superheroes. Although he sometimes keeps his word and reward to employees and hired help if they do as promised.
* BaldOfEvil: The current version.
* BigBad: Leader of the Intelligencia, M.O.D.O.K. was the big bad during ''Fall of the Hulks''.
* BioAugmentation: The source of M.O.D.O.K's giant cranium and superhuman powers.
* BodySurf: Usually uses this if his body wears out, or needs to control a mecha to fight heroes.
* BodySwap: M.O.D.O.K. once swapped bodies with Damocles Rivas. The two ended up [[SharingABody sharing M.O.D.O.K.'s body]] for a while when things went wrong.
* BrainUploading: M.O.D.O.K. found a way to upload his brain online, giving him the ability to travel by e-mail.
* BrainsEvilBrawnGood: Definitely applies when M.O.D.O.K. faces off against [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk the Hulk]].
* ButtMonkey: M.O.D.O.K. is actually somewhat respected in the comics, but in a lot of his television and video game appearances, he ends up being a goof.
** This tends to be the rule for 21st century M.O.D.O.K. appearances, as the current generation of writers and artists can't really ignore the Narmtastic charm of his Kirbyesque design. Sometimes he's brought in purely for laughs (as in {{ComicBook/Nextwave}}), or at least mostly for laughs (as in ''ComicBook/WestCoastAvengers2018'') but sometimes he plays a slightly heavier note in an overall silly story (as in Comicbook/TheUnbelievableGwenpool)
* {{Cephalothorax}}: He does have a small, atrophied body, but you can't see anything but his head and limbs as long as he's in his chair.
* CloningGambit: The ComicBook/RedHulk discovers M.O.D.O.K. had hidden a clone of himself away in case something happened to him. This version sees himself as an upgrade to the original.
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: In ''ComicBook/WestCoastAvengers2018'', during and after his temporary attempt at a HeelFaceTurn as 'B.R.O.D.O.K.' (yes, M.O.D.O.K. as a surfer dude. Try and get ''that'' image out of your head). During, he compliments the taste of tap-water like its a vintage of wine ([[TheCloudCuckooLanderWasRight and he's the first to catch on]] about Quentin Quire and Gwenpool's BelligerentSexualTension), and after, he's back to mad science, creating things like Land-Sharks: sharks that can run around on four legs. A baby one is taken in by Gwenpool, named Jeff, and becomes the WCA's TeamPet.
* CombatTentacles: Uses these to restrain or subdue his enemies within reach.
* DependingOnTheWriter: How threatening M.O.D.O.K. is depends on who’s writing the story. Sometimes he’s a cunning villain, other times he’s a bumbling fool.
* DePower: In ''Incredible Hulk #610'', a [[HulkOut Hulked out]] Amadeus Cho uses his temporary [[RealityWarper reality warping]] powers to turn M.O.D.O.K. back into George Tarleton.
* DeflectorShields: M.O.D.O.K.'s shields are strong enough to withstand nuclear blasts.
* DistaffCounterpart: M.O.D.A.M., the '''M'''ental '''O'''rganism '''D'''esigned for '''A'''ggressive '''M'''aneuvers.
* DrivenByEnvy: Driven by envy of more powerful superhumans, and sometimes those with a greater life than his.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Cries out, "%#$@ you, Nazi!" as he headbutts the Hatemonger, a clone of UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler.
* EvilCripple: M.O.D.O.K. gained his powers at the cost of his mobility. Without his Doomsday Chair and headband, M.O.D.O.K. would be completely helpless.
* EvilGenius: One of the smartest amongst the supervillains, frequently highly regarded in the mathematics department, being able to solve mathematical problems almost instantaneously.
* EvilLaugh: Prone to give a psychotic laugh when given the chance.
* EvilSoundsDeep: According ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, he makes Creator/TerrenceStamp sound like Music/MichaelJackson. Ironically, several adaptations have made M.O.D.O.K. sound high-pitched.
* ExpendableClone: M.O.D.O.K.'s organs fail often, so he has clones kept in storage for replacement parts. In ''Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'', [[MirrorMatch M.O.D.O.K. vs. M.O.D.O.K.]] fights usually end with the following:
-->'''M.O.D.O.K.:''' Never again will I forget to lobotomize one of my clones!
* ForScience: A.I.M.'s primary goal is to achieve scientific breakthroughs. When M.O.D.O.K. loses sight of this goal, A.I.M has him assassinated.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: From nothing special to a murderous giant head monster.
* HeelFaceTurn: He makes a half-hearted attempt at this in ''ComicBook/WestCoastAvengers2018'', while in a new body (a handsome cyborg surfer dude with a slightly oversized head. Absolutely no one is fooled), though it doesn't last - his heroics are manufactured [[VillainousCrush solely to impress Kate Bishop]], and he pretty much immediately reverts to MadScientist form.
** Played straight in the Maestro miniseries where he's protecting what's left of humanity.
* HumongousMecha: Occasionally, M.O.D.O.K has used a large humanoid robot machine that is sized proportionately to the size of his head where he controls it at the neck base.
* LighterAndSofter: For an intents and purposes, his rendition in ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperheroSquadShow'' places him as a ButtMonkey, while playing the part of Dr. Doom's right-hand man. He still has his moments where he becomes the designated MonsterOfTheWeek, and for the most part is a moderate threat to the Squadies, but mostly only by working with Abomination as Doom's henchmen. The rest of the time though, he's often subjected to humiliating wacky cartoon antics that the show loves to use all around.
** His appearances in ''ComicBook/WestCoastAvengers2018'' mostly feature him pretending to be a hero called 'B.R.O.D.O.K.', while the team puts up with him to keep him out of trouble/figure out what he's really up to.
* LikeFatherLikeSon: Tarleton's son joined up with A.I.M. and was rebuilt as the villainous Head Case after an encounter with ComicBook/MsMarvel. His body is normal size, but his head is a skull in a jar.
* MindProbe: Does this to gain information on his enemies or allies.
* {{Mooks}}
** A.I.M. henchmen don't have a very long shelf life.
** M.O.D.O.K.'s latest incarnation relies on Life Model Decoys.
* MyBrainIsBig: Obviously.
* NeverSayDie: Animated series frequently change his name for this reason:
** The ''WesternAnimation/IronMan'' half of the ''Marvel Action Hour'' never said it was an acronym.
** ''WesternAnimation/IronManArmoredAdventures'' makes it MODOC, with the C standing for Conquest.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' follows suit. However, it actually makes more sense given MODOC's modus operandi in the show and the fact that he isn't as AxCrazy.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow'' keeps MODOK, and plays with the name by making the last letter stand for something different each time, as supplied by whoever's mocking him or whatever he's bragging about. What the K ''actually'' stands for is never given (though he once claims it stands for "Kick-butt").
* OldShame: InUniverse example. George Tarleton ''is'' one for Monica Rappaccini, a Scientist Supreme of the splintered A.I.M. organizations, to the point where she's tried to have him killed more than once. M.O.D.O.K. enjoys reminding her of their one-night-stand.
* PoweredArmor: M.O.D.O.K. wears an exoskeleton that allows him to move his limbs in conjunction with the Doomsday Chair.
* PsychicPowers: His humungous brain granted him telepathy and psychokinesis on a high level.
* PsychoPrototype: Originally designed as a harmless living computer, M.O.D.O.K. went crazy and killed his masters instead of following orders.
* PsychopathicManchild: In "M.O.D.O.K.'s 11" he hatches an elaborate plot to steal the Hypernova (an exploding star caught in a temporal loop and contained in a BiggerOnTheInside bottle) and sells it to A.I.M. for a billion dollars. [[spoiler: The container deteriorates and explodes in A.I.M.'s headquarters, supposedly killing Monica Rappaccini. The goal of his whole plot was to get back at his ex-girlfriend.]]
* RetCanon: A really interesting example. Before the stop motion animated ''WesternAnimation/MODOK2021'' came out, the head writers Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt (who also voiced M.O.D.O.K.) were invited to write a M.O.D.O.K. comic book for Marvel. Since the show was about M.O.D.O.K. and his family, who didn't exist in the main Marvel universe, they decided to have the 616 M.O.D.O.K. start having memories of said family. However, it turned out that [[spoiler:they were false memories that he made to forget the trauma of his own father turning him into M.O.D.O.K.]] In the end, [[spoiler: M.O.D.O.K. actually ''creates'' his family from super-Adaptoids, so he can have it all.]]
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: M.O.D.O.K/C The name changes with the acronym with the c/k standing for killing, conquest and computing.
* SquishyWizard: One of the most powerful psychics in the Marvel Universe, but he can throw a punch about as hard as you'd expect. He has many weapons, transports, and resources at available that makes him extremely difficult to deal with in a straight fight, but can be easily dealt with when his physic powers and the weapons are stripped away from him.
* SuperIntelligence: The reason why he was mutated into M.O.D.O.C. in the first place. Downplayed somewhat, as his extreme intelligent is limited by his average creativity.
* SuperWheelChair: M.O.D.O.K.'s Doomsday Chair gives him the power of {{Flight}}. It also has a number of on-board weapons like lasers, missiles, and bombs.
* TakeOverTheWorld: A frequent desire of this, although the success in this varies.
* TragicMonster: An average scientist of A.I.M, after being dumped by his girlfriend he was forced to become an unwilling weapon of A.I.M. The angst this event varies, but there is no denying the pain he went through to become the way he is. One could almost feel sorry for him if he wasn't a homicidal egomaniac.
** Even if he's been rendered crazy enough that he enjoys it now (probably - his brief time as 'B.R.O.D.O.K.' indicates that he wants to be less than a disgusting punchline), it's not as if he really deserved to be transformed into M.O.D.O.C. There's a reason why the page image for {{Cephalothorax}} depicts M.O.D.O.K. weeping over what he has become.
** Taken up to eleven in ''[[WesternAnimation/IronMan Iron Man: The Animated Series]]'', where M.O.D.O.K. gets [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMBiiMrB2xU an episode in the first season]] explaining he's not crazy like his comics counterpart and, arguably, isn't even evil. He was a scientist who was forcibly mutated into his grotesque form by a rival who was jealous over M.O.D.O.K.'s upcoming engagement -- the only reason he has allied himself with the Mandarin at all is because the Mandarin has promised to use his powers to restore M.O.D.O.K. to human form if M.O.D.O.K. helps him. The plot of the episode is even based on M.O.D.O.K. being forced to come to Iron Man and beg him to save the woman who would have been M.O.D.O.K.'s wife if not for his transformation.
* UseYourHead: M.O.D.O.K.'s BatteringRam moves in ''Marvel Vs. Capcom 3''.
* VillainProtagonist: Of his own web show.
* WeaponizedExhaust: Has used this in the game he was in.
* WeaponizedHeadgear: M.O.D.O.K.'s headband focuses his powers, allowing him to operate his Doomsday Chair and fire "psionic blasts" from his forehead.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Extremely powerful, but a egotistical despot who seeks to rule the world at whatever the cost.

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* ''M.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay''

* ''ComicBook/MODOK2021''

* ''Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK's 11''
* ''MODOK: Reign Delay''
* ''MODOK Assassin''
* ''MODOK: Head Games''

* ''Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.''