Elektra Returns to Classic Red Costume for New Appearance

A classic foe of Marvel's Thor is about to make their grand return, sporting their best redesign of all time... and perhaps their only truly good design at any time in their 63-year career.

Thor Villain Radioactive Man Debuts New Look

In a new preview of The Mortal Thor #9 - from Al Ewing, Pasqual Ferry​​​​​​​, Matt Milla​​​​​​​ and Joe Sabino - Sigurd Jarlson (Thor's new amnesiac, mortal form) is woken by classic villain the Radioactive Man. Chen Lu is wearing a simple white outfit with green underneath which appears to be a version of the character's first armored costume.

Radioactive Man debuted in 1963's Journey into Mystery #93 as one of Thor's first enemies, able to control his mind and repel Mjolnir using radiation. Since then, he's failed to keep pace with Thor's power level, and has become a mainstay of the Thunderbolts franchise, where he acts as a relatively empathetic, reasonable character.

A former nuclear scientist, Chen Lu is a true believer in Communist ideology, and considers himself to be furthering Chinese interests by acting as a villain in America. As a result, he has a surprisingly unique perspective in the Marvel Universe - a more urbane, measured presence than the average supervillain, since he's pursuing a larger, less personal goal.

That immediately comes through in Mortal Thor #9, with the Radioactive Man acting as a menacing but sophisticated presence. That's echoed in his outfit, as well as the outline of green energy that surrounds his body. This isn't just the best Radioactive Man has ever looked - it's the truest to his character he's ever been.

Has Radioactive Man Ever Had a Good Design Before?

Despite the surprising depths of the character, Radioactive Man has never had a truly great supervillain design. His initial appearance saw him wearing a kind of metallic cummerbund, after which his look defaulted to a dark green leotard, sometimes embellished with different cutouts and metallic accessories.

In the 2000s, he was given a threatening hazmat suit - something he didn't actually require, but which made the public feel safer having him around as a 'reformed' hero under Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts program. That's about as good as the villain has ever looked, but even in-world, it was a choice that never made much sense for the character.

Pasqual Ferry's Radioactive Man design is a triumph in comparison, emphasizing that this is a powerful villain who can kill the average person in seconds, but still thinks of himself as a reasonable doctor who'd rather have a conversation. By dialing down the 'supervillain' aesthetic, the character becomes more menacing.

Thor's New Era Has Resurrected His Classic Villains

Of course, part of the reason Radioactive Man seems more menacing is that he's a vastly more dangerous threat to Thor now that he's been reincarnated as a mortal. The same is true for Cobra and Mr. Hyde - the other supervillain assassins sent after Sigurd by the evil Roxxon corporation in recent issues.

These foes clashed with Thor during the preceding Immortal Thor series, and it was only working together that they had even a moment of potential victory. Now, Mortal Thor has brought them back, using the contrast to emphasize how dangerous these classic foes are now that Thor doesn't have his godly powers to draw on.

It's a masterclass in building up antagonists, as well as showcasing that while Sigurd may not be able to call down lightning, his heroism and indomitable will still make him a force to be reckoned with.

While Radioactive Man may look the best he ever has, all these villains are benefiting from this strange new era of Thor lore, with their mortal target giving Marvel a whole new way to explore their strengths and weaknesses, as well as what they represent in the Thunder God's modern lore.

The Mortal Thor #9 is coming April 8 from Marvel Comics.