Mwhahaha hello my helpless victims! I see you have chosen to suffer the wrath of the MODOK comics reading guide!
George Tarleton (A.K.A. the Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) (A.K.A. M.O.D.O.K.) got a small taste of fame in 2021 with Patton Oswalt’s underrated Hulu show, but it was not enough for the Fabulous Forehead! Next month, MODOK is set to dominate cinemas around the world in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and soon, you will all bow before the might of MODOK!
Before bearing witness to one of the greatest threats the MCU has ever faced, here are the comics you need to read:
MODOK Comics Recommendations:
Early MODOK:
- Tales of Suspense (1959) #93-94
- Captain America (1968) #132-133
- Ms. Marvel (1977) #5-10
- Incredible Hulk (1962) #287-290
- Captain America (1968) #311-315; Iron Man (1968) #205
- Avengers (1963) #386-388; Captain America (1968) #440-441
The Return of MODOK:
- Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK’s 11 (2007) #1-5
- M.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay (2009) #1
- Fantastic Four in…Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.! (2010) #1
- Fall of the Hulks (2010); World War Hulks (2010)
MODOK Superior:
- Hulk (2008) #29, 36-38
- M.O.D.O.K. Assassin (2015) #1-5
- Secret Avengers (2013) #12-16; (2014) #1-15
- Unbelievable Gwenpool (2016) #1-4, 25; West Coast Avengers (2018) #1-7
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #47-50
- M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games (2020) #1-4
Part-menace, part-meme, MODOK is one of the most versatile characters in the Marvel universe. And with his big brain head and eternally grumpy face, what’s not to love? So read on to start planning your own world domination today!
For more Quantumania prep, check out our other reading guides for Ant-Man & The Wasp, Cassie Lang, and Kang!
MODOK: Tales of Suspense (1960s-1980s)
In 1967, MODOK was created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby as the mysterious leader of AIM and a villain to Captain America. Although it was written as a one-off appearance, the angry robot man with a big head and little body proved to be such a popular idea that MODOK resurfaced again and again and again, facing Iron Man, Hulk, Carol Danvers, Namor, and even Ka-Zar in the Savage Land!
- Tales of Suspense (1959) #93-94
- Recapped in Captain America #112!
- Captain America (1968) #117-120, 124, 132-133, 176, 233, 289; Annual #7
- #117 is the first appearance of the Falcon!
- #133 features MODOK’s origin story!
- Sub-Mariner (1968) #47-49
- Incredible Hulk (1962) #167-170
- Iron Man (1968) #74-77, 80, Annual #4
- Ms. Marvel (1977) #5-10
- Marvel Team-Up (1972) #104
- Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #81-82, 96
- Incredible Hulk (1962) #287-290
- Captain America (1968) #311-315
- Iron Man (1968) #205
- M.O.D.A.M.
- West Coast Avengers (1985) #36
- Solo Avengers (1987) #16
- Quasar (1989) #9
- Captain America (1968) #386-391, 412-414, 440
- Iron Man (1968) #296-297
- Captain America: The Legend (1996) #1
Extra reading:
- Alpha Flight Annual (1986) #1
- Incredible Hulk Annual (1976) #15
- Saga of the Sub-Mariner (1988) #11
MODOK: Guest Star (1990s)
After Iron Man #205 in 1986, MODOK was shelved for nearly a decade. He made his grand return in the mid-90s with a short arc against the Avengers… and then got only short arcs for the next ten years! MODOK made sporadic appearances in small two-part stories, but no writers were able to wield the master villain’s devastating potential for more than two issues at a time.
- Avengers (1963) #386-388
- After #387: Captain America (1968) #440-441
- Wolverine (1988) #142-143
- X-51 (1999) #11-12
- Citizen V and the V-Battalion (2001) #1-2
- Defenders (2001) #9-10
- Iron Man (1998) #1, 44-45
- Iron Man/Captain America Annual #1998
- Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Comics Magazine (2000) #4
Extra reading:
- Incredible Hulk (1962) #393
- Iron Man (1968) #288
- Marvel Age (1983) #132
- ClanDestine (1994) #1, 9-12
- Spectacular Spider-Man (UK) (1995) #122, 162-163
- Marvel Heroes (UK) (2008) #13
- Savage Hulk (1996) #1
- Captain America: The Legend (1996) #1
- Captain America (1996) #6-7; Avengers (1996) #8
- Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (1998) #10
- Avengers (1998) #17; Annual #2001
- Captain America (1998) #50 [F Story]
- Avengers/JLA (2003) #4
- Marvel Universe: The End (2003) #5
- Captain America (2002) #17
MODOK’s 11 (2004-2009)
In the 2000s, MODOK was finally given the chance to fulfill his dreams of world domination. He was a main villain during Christopher Priest’s disappointing Captain America and the Falcon series in the 2000s, faced Ms. Marvel in the weeks before Secret Invasion, and even led his own titles with MODOK’s 11 and an Astonishing Tales one-shot!
MODOK also appeared in the much-beloved GLX-Mas Special and Marvel Holiday Special 2006. For more holiday special goodness, check out our full Holiday Specials reading guide!
- Captain America and the Falcon (2004) #7-12
- Ms. Marvel (2006) #14-17
- Super-Villain Team-Up: Modok’s 11 (2007) #1-5
- Astonishing Tales: M.O.D.O.K. (2009) #1
Extra reading:
- She-Hulk (2004) #1
- Captain America (2002) #31
- Cable and Deadpool (2004) #11
- GLX-Mas Special (2006) #1
- Fantastic Four (1961) #535
- Marvel Holiday Special 2006
- X-Men (1991) #200 [B Story]
- Uncanny X-Men (1981) #488 [B Story]
- Howard the Duck (2007) #1
- Marvel 1985 (2008) #3, 6
- Wolverine (2003) #73
- Captain America (2005) #50
MODOK: Fall of the Hulks/World War Hulks (2010)
After impressing the world with his successes and irresistible charm in the 2000s, MODOK got his big break with Fall of the Hulks/World War Hulks in 2010. This giant year-long saga had a number of major shake-ups for the Hulk family, and the mischievous MODOK was at the center of all of it with the Intelligencia. Continue reading with the She-Hulk reading guide!
- M.O.D.O.K.: Reign Delay (2009) #1
- Fantastic Four in…Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.! (2010) #1
- Hulk (2008) #18-21 (“Fall of the Hulks”)
- Prologue: Incredible Hulk #600
- After #18: Fall of the Hulks: Alpha #1, M.O.D.O.K. #1, Gamma #1
- After #19: Incredible Hulk #606; Fall of the Hulks: Red Hulk #1-4, Savage She-Hulks #1
- After #20: Incredible Hulk #607; Fall of the Hulks: Savage She-Hulks #2
- After #21: Incredible Hulk #608
- Hulk (2008) #22-23, 28-29 (“World War Hulks”)
- Prologue: World War Hulks (2010) #1 [D Story]
- After #22: Incredible Hulk #609-610
- Introduces the Mental Organism Designed Only for Knowledge and MODOK Superior!
Extra reading:
- Fantastic Four Trapped in the Data Vortex (2011) #1
- Thunderbolts (2006) #152
- Gambit: From the Marvel Vault (2011) #1
- Hulk (2008) #40
- A + X (2012) #4, 14
- Marvel Knights: Hulk (2013) #3
- Captain America: Triple Threat (2014) #2
- Original Sin (2014) #0
- Deadpool (2013) #45 [H Story]
- Spidey (2015) #10
- Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016) #31-36, 48
- Marvel (2020) #6
- The Marvels (2021) #3
- Hulk: Grand Design – Monster (2022) #1
- Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (2022) #1
- Captain America & the Winter Soldier Special (2022) #1
MODOK Superior: BRODOK (2010-2023)
At the end of World War Hulks, MODOK was replaced with a clone! Calling himself “MODOK Superior,” this MODOK has truly taken over the Marvel Comics universe, joining the Secret Avengers, clashing with Gwenpool, Squirrel Girl, and even the X-Men!
During his stint with the West Coast Avengers, MODOK even rebranded as the hunky BRODOK! (Bio-Robotic Organism Designed Overwhelmingly for Kissing ?)
- Hulk (2008) #29, 36-38
- Incredible Hulks Annual (2011) #1
- Secret Avengers (2013) #12-16
- Secret Avengers (2014) #1-15
- Unbelievable Gwenpool (2016) #1-10, 25
- After #8: Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix-Up (2016) #1
- MODOK is not in #5-10 but is still tied to the story
- Features MODOK with a mohawk! MOHOK.
- West Coast Avengers (2018) #1-7
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #47-50
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe! (2016) #1
- #5 features a Squirrel Girl MODOK!
- M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games (2020) #1-4
- Continue with Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. (2021) S1 E1-10
- X-Men (2021) #8-12
Extra reading:
- Avengers (2010) #12.1
- Captain America and Iron Man (2012) #634-635
- Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #676
- Deadpool (2008) #55
- Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) #0
- Venom (2011) #13.3
- Age of Ultron (2013) #10
- Marvel Knights: Hulk (2013) #3-4
- A+X (2012) #14
- Deadpool: The Gauntlet Infinite (2014) #7-8
- Hulk (2014) #6
- S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015) #6
- Civil War II (2016) #3
- Infamous Iron Man (2016) #6
- Monsters Unleashed (2017) #1-5
- Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again (2017) #1
- Secret Empire (2017) #0
- Invincible Iron Man (2017) #593
- Avengers: Edge of Infinity (2019) #1
- Doctor Doom (2019) #4
- Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #38
- 2020 Force Works (2020) #2-3
- Shang-Chi (2021) #2
- Free Comic Book Day 2021 (Avengers/Hulk) #1 [B Story]
- Captain Marvel (2019) #38
Multiverse of MODOK
While MODOK has had only a few appearances in 616, he’s been anywhere and everywhere across the multiverse and multimedia! Below are just a few of his many, many, many alternate reality forms. With his iconic and inherently goofy design, MODOK has become the Barbie of the Marvel Universe and we love that for him. Enjoy reading!
- Ultimate Universe
- Ultimate Vision (2007) #1-5
- Cataclysm: Ultimates (2013) #1-3
- Super Hero Squad
- Super Hero Squad Show (2009) S1 E1-26; S2 E2, E4, E13-14, E20-26
- Tie-in games: Marvel Super Hero Squad, Comic Combat, Infinity Gauntlet
- Super Hero Squad: Hero Up! (2009) #1
- Marvel Super Hero Squad (2009) #1-4
- Marvel Super Hero Squad (2010) #1, 4-10
- Super Hero Squad Spectacular (2011) #1
- Super Hero Squad Online Game: Hero Up! (2011) #1
- Marvel Adventures
- Marvel Adventures The Avengers (2006) #9, 24
- Marvel Adventures Super Heroes (2008) #12
- Avengers & the Infinity Gauntlet (2010) #2
- Marvel Adventures Spider-Man (2010) #23
- M.O.O.D.O.K
- Wolverine and the X-Men (2014) #11
- Spider-Gwen Annual (2016) #1
- Spider-Man Annual (2019) #1
- Secret Wars (2015)
- Secret Wars: Battleworld (2015) #1 (“MODOK Madness”)
- M.O.D.O.K. Assassin (2015) #1-5
- Secret Wars Journal (2015) #5
- Secret Wars: Battleworld (2015) #3 (Wolverine MODOK)
- Giant-Size Little Marvel: AVX (2015) #1
- Marvel Zombies (2015) #2
- Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies (2015) #3
- Spider-Island (2015) #2, 4
- Inhumans: Attilan Rising (2015) #2
- Secret Wars: Secret Love #1
- Ghost Racers #1
- Hank Johnson, Agent of Hydra (2015) #1
- Secret Wars (2015) #7
- Secret Wars Too (2015) #1
- Marvel Lego Avengers Adventure (2020) #1
Extra reading:
- What If? (1977) #37
- Captain America (1968) #289 (Red Skull MODOK who wants to own a galaxy-wide Pizza Hut chain)
- What The–?! (1988) #2, 23
- Excalibur (1988) #14 (MODOK combined with Egghead)
- What If…? (1989) #7, 67
- Fantastic Force (1994) #12
- Magnetic Men Featuring Magneto (1997) #1 (C.H.E.M.O.D.A.M)
- Iron Lantern (1997) #1 (MODOK combined with Hector Hammond from DC Comics)
- H.E.C.T.O.R: Highly Evolved Creature Totally Orientated on Revenge
- Earth X (1999) #½, 3; Universe X (2001) #8
- Exiles (2001) #50
- Captain America: Reborn (2009) #5-6 (Super-M.O.D.O.K. Squadron)
- Wha…Huh? (2005) #1 (What if MODOK had an itch)
- Marvel MegaMorphs: Doctor Octopus (2005) #1
- Nextwave (2006) #9-12 (Baby MODOK & Elvis MODOKs!)
- Howard the Duck (2007) #1-4 (M.O.D.O.T: Mental Organism Designed Only for Talking)
- King-Size Spider-Man Summer Special (2008) #1
- American Dream (2008) #2
- Invincible Iron Man (2008) #2
- Exiles (2009) #1, 6
- What If? House of M (2009) #1
- Strange Tales (2009) #1 (“And Call My Lover MODOK!”)
- Astonishing Tales: Iron Man 2020 (2008) #2-3 (Madame Modoc)
- GeNext: United (2009) #3
- What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor (2010) #1 (Galactus butt MODOK)
- X-Men: To Serve and Protect (2010) #4 (M.O.D.O.R.D: Mental Organism Designed Only for Roller Derby)
- Uncanny X-Force (2010) #12 (Charles Xavier MODOK)
- Marvel Universe Vs. The Punisher (2010) #3
- Marvel Universe Vs. The Avengers (2012) #3
- A + X (2012) #4 (M.O.G.O.Ds: Microscopic Oddities Generated Only for Disintegration)
- Deadpool Kills Deadpool (2013) #3-4 (Deadpool MODOK!)
- What If? Age of Ultron (2014) #4
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #5
- Contest of Champions (2015) #6
- Web Warriors (2015) #5, 9
- Spider-Gwen Annual (2016) #1 (Donald Trump MODOK)
- Infinity Wars: Sleepwalker (2018) #1 (M.O.N.I.C.A: Maneuverable Organism Networked for Infinity Combat Aggression)
- Infinity Wars: Soldier Supreme (2018) #2 (Baron M.O.R.D.OC: Mental Organism Ritually Designed for the OCcult)
- Crazy (2019) #1 (“Sea-Modokeys”)
- Marvel Action: Avengers (2019) #7-8, 12
- Avengers of the Wastelands (2020) #3
- Captain America: The End (2020) #1 (Red Skull MODOK!)
- Maestro (2020) #1; Maestro: War and Pax (2021) #4
- Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron (2021) #1
- Free Comic Book Day 2021: Avengers/Hulk (2021) #1 (G.O.D.O.S: Giant Organism Designed Only for Smashing)
MODOK in Video Games:
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (2006)
- Marvel: Avengers Alliance (2012)
- Avengers Initiative, Avengers Alliance 2, Avengers Alliance Tactics
- Tie-in comic: Marvel: Avengers Alliance (2016) #3
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011)
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite (2017)
- Tie-in comic: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011) #1
- Marvel Puzzle Quest (2013)
- Iron Man 3: The Official Game (2013)
- Marvel Heroes (2013)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (2013)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (2017)
- LEGO Marvel’s Avengers (2016)
- Tie-in comic: Custom Lego 2020 Comic #1
- Contest of Champions (2014)
- Marvel Future Fight (2015)
- Marvel Avengers Academy (2016)
- Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019)
- Marvel’s Avengers (2020)
- Marvel’s Avengers: Hulk (2020) #1
- Marvel Duel (2020)
- Future Revolution (2021)
MODOK in Movies and Shows:
- Iron Man: The Animated Series (1994) S1 E1-13; S1 E10-13
- Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009) S1 E10, E15, E21-23; S2 E9
- Super Hero Squad Show (2009) S1 E1-26; S2 E2, E4, E13-14, E20-26
- Tie-in games: Marvel Super Hero Squad, Comic Combat, Infinity Gauntlet
- See “Multiverse of MODOK” section for tie-in comics
- Marvel Superheroes: What the–?! (2009) S1 E1-10, E13, E16-24, E31, E34-36, E39-50, E53-55
- Promotionals E1-5
- Specials E1-14, E17-18, E23-25, E28-37
- Special E29 is MODOK mania!
- Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (2010) S1 E5, E11, E16
- Avengers Micro Episodes: Iron Man (2010) S1 E4
- Tie-in comic: Marvel Universe: Avengers – Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (2012) #8
- Ultimate Spider-Man (2012) S1 E3, 16; S3 E23-26
- Marvel’s Avengers Assemble (2013) S1 E1-2, E6, E8, E11, E13, E16, E19, E21, 25-26; S2 E8, E14, E16; S4 E6, E23
- Tie-in game: Avengers Assemble: Tower Rush
- Marvel Disk Wars: Avengers (2014) S1 E1-9, E13, E21-23, E26-28, E34, E49
- Tie-in game: Marvel Disk Wars: Avengers – Ultimate Heroes (2014)
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) S2 E1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017) S2 E17; S3 E6
- Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. (2021) S1 E1-10
- Prequel comic: M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games (2020) #1-4
And that’s the menacing MODOK! How do you feel about his design in the Quantumania trailer? Have you watched the Hulu show yet? Let me know on Twitter @vinwriteswords and remember to follow the site @MyCosmicCircus for more Quantumania prep coming soon!
Check out our full list of reading guides here and our other Quantumania comics guides below!
Ant-Man & The Wasp Comics Reading Guide
Kang the Conqueror Comics Reading Guide
All images courtesy of Marvel Comics.
