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{{short description|Fictional character}}

{{Superherobox|

{{Infobox comics character

image=[[Image:Moltenman.jpg|250px]]

|image=Molten Man (Mark Raxton).png

|caption=The cover of ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #133. Art by [[Ross Andru]].

|image_size=

|comic_color=background:#ff8080

|caption=Mark Raxton as the Molten Man as he appeared on a pin-up of ''The Amazing Spider-Man Annual'' #13 (August 1979).<br>Art by [[Keith Pollard]]

|character_name=Molten Man

|real_name=Mark Raxton

|species=[[Human]] (currently)<br> Human mutate (formerly)

|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]

|debut=''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #28 (September [[1965]])

|creators=[[Stan Lee]] (writer)<br>[[Steve Ditko]] (artist)

|affiliations=The [[Exterminators (comics)|Exterminators]]<br>[[Alchemax]]

|alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff

|aliases=Burning Man

|status=Inactive

|powers='''(Raxton)'''

|alliances=None

*[[Genius]] intelligence

|previous_alliances=None

'''(Molten Man)'''

|aliases=

*Organic metal skin:

|relatives=[[Liz Allan]] (step-sister)

**[[Superhuman strength]], stamina, and durability

|powers=Metallic skin provides increased durability and superhuman strength. Can generate and project flames.

**Tactile [[Exothermic reaction|thermokinesis]]

|}}

**Pyrokinesis

}}

'''Molten Man''' ('''Mark Raxton''') is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |___location=New York |page=231-232 |authorlink=Jeff Rovin}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/230/mode/2up]</ref> Once a chemical engineer who longed to get rich, Mark Raxton was caught in an accident that saw his body get covered by an experimental organic-liquid metal [[alloy]], which granted him superpowers, including the ability to generate extreme heat and radiation. Turning to a life of crime, he started off as an enemy of the [[superhero]] [[Spider-Man]], but eventually was redeemed. He is also the stepbrother of [[Liz Allan]].

The character has made appearances in several forms of media, including animated series and video games. Additionally, an illusionary creature based on Molten Man appears in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[Spider-Man: Far From Home]]''.

'''Molten Man''' is a former [[supervillain]] in the fictional [[Marvel Comics]] universe. He once was a deadly foe of [[Spider-Man]], but the two have since become friends and occasional allies.

==Publication history==

==Biography==

The character was created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Steve Ditko]] and first appeared in ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #28 (September 1965).<ref>{{cite book|author= Manning, Matthew K.|editor= Gilbert, Laura|chapter= 1960s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|page = 30|isbn = 978-0-7566-9236-0|quote= Mark Raxton was a corrupt partner of [Spencer] Smythe's who worked with him on a liquid metal alloy project.}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==

Mark Raxton was once the assistant to Dr. Spencer Smythe, creator of the [[Spider-Slayer]]s. Raxton developed an experimental new metallic alloy for the Spider-Slayers from a radioactive meteor, but in an argument with Smythe spilled it all over himself, his skin absorbing it and turning golden. Fearing for his life, Raxton ran for the nearest hospital, only to discover that the alloy had changed him for the better when he angrily punched an irate motorist's hood, only for it to buckle. Realizing the great potential his new abilities afforded him, Raxton, now calling himself the Molten Man turned to crime to further his gains. Peter Parker, as Spider-Man, was forced to nearly miss his high-school graduation to stop the Molten Man's first crime spree.

Mark Raxton was born in [[New York City]]. He was a scientist who could not wait to use his skills to become rich and once worked at [[Oscorp]] Industries as the laboratory assistant to [[Spencer Smythe]], creator of the [[Spider-Slayer]]s. Raxton and Smythe developed an experimental new liquid metallic [[alloy]] for the Spider-Slayers from a [[Radioactivity|radioactive]] [[meteor]], but Raxton in his greed and impatience, attempted to steal it and sell it, ignoring Smythe's protests that it needed further testing. In the ensuing fight with Smythe in the laboratory, Raxton spilled the liquid alloy on himself, turning his skin gold.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=110}}</ref> Fearing for his life, Raxton ran for the nearest hospital, only to discover that the alloy had changed him for the better when he angrily punched an irate motorist's hood, buckling it. Realizing the great potential his new abilities afforded him, Raxton, calling himself the Molten Man, turned to crime to further his monetary gains. Peter Parker, as Spider-Man, nearly missed his [[high school]] [[graduation]] to stop Molten Man's first crime spree.<ref>''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #28 (September 1965)</ref> Raxton was later released from jail, only to continue his criminal activities. However, he was once again defeated by Spider-Man.<ref name=":0">''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #35 (April 1966)</ref>

AfterIn a fewhis morethird encountersencounter with Spider-Man, it was revealed that Peter's friend [[Liz Allan]] was Raxton's step-sister.stepsister, Afterand the Molten Man's mademetallic anskin abortedhad attemptbegun to attackgive Lizoff (stoppedintense byheat Spider-Manand byconsume knockingitself. himHe intosteals ameteor swimmingfragments pool,from thusa extinguishingmuseum histo flames),attempt hea realizedcure. thatAn hisencounter stepwith Spider-sisterMan wasresulted the only member ofin his familysubmergence whoin hadthe not abandoned him. Reconciled with Raxton, Liz and her husbandpolluted [[HarryEast OsbornRiver]], gavewhich Raxtontemporarily areversed jobthe as head of security at Osborn Industriesdeterioration.<ref Moltenname=":1">''The Man andAmazing Spider-Man'' have#132–133 since(May become friends, and Molten Man has occasionally used his powers to come to Spider-Man's aidJune against other supervillains.1974)</ref>

In another encounter, Raxton broke into a pharmaceutical company to steal chemicals which would reverse his condition permanently. When the procedure failed, he went berserk and demanded to speak to Liz, who agreed to talk to him and also tried to convince him to surrender. Liz was saved by Spider-Man and the Molten Man became buried beneath the laboratory.<ref name=":2">''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #172–173 (September - October 1977)</ref> He later resurfaced at the same site and once again sought his stepsister. Spider-Man prevented the Molten Man from hurting her, knocking him into a swimming pool which extinguished Molten Man's flames and cooled his skin. He was then taken to the [[Vault (Marvel Comics)|Vault]], a prison for superhuman criminals.<ref>''[[Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #63 (February 1982)</ref>

However, in the months following the [[Clone Saga]], Raxton was abducted by Norman Osborn, the [[Green Goblin]], and brainwashed. Under mind control, Molten Man attacked and killed Osborn's henchwoman Alison Mongraine, the only person who knew of the ___location of Peter and Mary Jane's baby. While Molten Man has since recovered from the mind control, he still bears a heavy burden of guilt over the incident.

Raxton realized that his stepsister was the only member of his family who had not abandoned him. He was eventually released from the Vault and approached Liz to apologize. Spider-Man misunderstood his intentions and battled him once more. Reconciled with Raxton, Liz and her husband [[Harry Osborn]] gave Raxton a job as head of security at Osborn Industries.<ref>''[[Web of Spider-Man]]'' #62 (March 1990)</ref> The Molten Man later teamed up with Spider-Man and the second Green Goblin against [[Tombstone (character)|Tombstone]] and [[Hammerhead (comics)|Hammerhead]].<ref>''Web of Spider-Man'' #66 (July 1990)</ref> The Molten Man was then kidnapped along with Liz, Normie Osborn and Spider-Man by Harry Osborn, who had suffered a mental relapse, making him the Green Goblin once again. The Molten Man was saved by Spider-Man.<ref>''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #189 (June 1992)</ref> Molten Man and Spider-Man have since become friends, and the Molten Man has occasionally used his powers to aid Spider-Man against other supervillains.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2019}} A few times he has been a bodyguard for Peter Parker's friends and family when disasters overwhelm the city.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2019}}

==Powers and Weapons==

In [[The Gathering of Five and The Final Chapter|the months following]] the [[Clone Saga]], Raxton was abducted by [[Norman Osborn]], the [[Green Goblin]], and brainwashed. Under mind control, the Molten Man attacked and killed Osborn's henchman [[Alison Mongraine]], the only person who knew of the ___location of Peter and Mary Jane's baby.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #440–441 (October - November 1998)</ref> Although the Molten Man has since recovered from the mind control, he still bears a heavy burden of guilt over the incident.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2019}}

Molten Man's skin completely absorbed the experimental alloy, turning all of the external tissues of his body into a solid metallic substance. This has made Molten Man not only superhumanly strong, but also highly resistant to most forms of physical injury. Raxton's metallic fingers are sensitive enough to pick locks, and his skin is so slick he cannot be restrained with Spider-Man's webbing. Molten Man's skin can also generate intense heat, burning anybody who tries to touch him and shooting flaming projectiles at his foes.

Sometime after Harry Osborn's death, Raxton is summoned when mysterious forces kidnap Liz Allan's son, [[Normie Osborn]]. The Molten Man uses his brawn and brains to help Spider-Man and the ''[[Daily Bugle]]'' reporter [[Ben Urich]] uncover what happened. Raxton is later pressed into a supervillain group again when the [[Chameleon (Marvel Comics)|Chameleon]] approaches him and threatens to kill Normie if Raxton does not join his 'Exterminators'. Raxton is consequently forced to attack Liz Allan.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2019}}

Additionally, unlike most of Spider-Man's more thuggish villains, Molten Man had brains to compliment his raw physical strength. An intelligent and completely sane man, Molten Man knew enough to learn from his mistakes and not fall for the same trick twice.

During the ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' storyline, the Molten Man and the [[Scarecrow (Marvel Comics)|Scarecrow]] were used as bait for [[Captain America]]'s [[Secret Avengers]], only for the [[Punisher]] to arrive. Raxton is left in critical condition after being attacked by the Punisher.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://marvel.com/news/comics/760/punishers_hit_list| title= Punisher's Hit List| publisher= [[Marvel Comics]]| date= January 24, 2007| access-date= May 25, 2015}}</ref>

==Ultimate Molten Man==

Raxton next appears, still in poor condition, under the care of Liz Allan. When Harry Osborn comes to visit Liz and Normie, he and Liz argue. Hearing Liz speak Harry's name, Raxton awakens and attacks him, screaming that Harry has hurt his family for the last time and will "die for real". Spider-Man intervenes, but he has trouble fighting Raxton, whose powers have grown out of control. Spider-Man manages to trap Raxton in [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]], and Harry provides him with a cure that Oscorp had been working on upon using volunteer Charlie Weiderman, the other "Molten Man" who destroyed Peter's house at the same day Spider-Man became a member of [[New Avengers]] prior to Civil War. The cure is successful, returning Raxton to his human form while retaining his powers. Harry builds Raxton a special suit, using a part of the alloy and his DNA, to help him control his powers.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #581 - 582 (February - March 2009)</ref>

In the [[Ultimate Marvel]] universe, Mark Raxton is no villain at all, but instead a guitarist in a highly popular rock band who occasionally dates [[Mary Jane Watson]]. Fittingly, his band's greatest hit is a song entitled "You Are My Molten Man".

Liz Allan later becomes the head of [[Alchemax]] and uses its technology to completely cure Raxton, removing his powers. He is constantly monitored, but is no longer considered a threat to society and joins Alchemax's security force.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 3) #16 (May 2015)</ref>

[[Category:Spider-Man villains|Molten Man]]

==Powers and abilities==

Originally, Mark Raxton was given unnatural powers after the exposure to an experimental liquid metal alloy obtained from a meteor discovered by [[Spencer Smythe]]. His body completely absorbed its organic properties, turning his external tissues into a solid metallic substance. As a result, the Molten Man possesses superior strength and high resistance to physical injury. His skin is composed of a [[Frictionless plane|frictionless]] [[metal]] that causes things to slip off, including Spider-Man's webbing. Raxton's metallic fingers are sensitive enough to [[Lock-picking|pick locks]] (making him an expert safe cracker).<ref name=":0" /> He can generate intense flames, incinerating anybody who tries to touch him or shooting fire-like blasts at his foes. At one time, his body became molten lava, allowing him to project radiation and heat up to {{convert|300|°F|°C}}.<ref name=":1" /> In this form, the Molten Man's metallic skin would reach a critical stage and eventually dissolve.<ref name=":2" />

Additionally, Molten Man is a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in [[chemical engineering]].

==Other versions==

An alternate universe variant of Mark Raxton from Earth-1610 appears in the [[Ultimate Marvel]] universe. This version is a guitarist in the [[punk rock]] band Molten Man.<ref name="USM78">''[[Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' #78 (August 2005)</ref><ref>''Ultimate Spider-Man'' #88 (February 2006)</ref>

==In other media==

===Television===

[[File:Molten Man - The Spectacular Spider-Man TV Series.PNG|thumb|right|The Molten Man as he appears in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)|The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'']]

* Molten Man, renamed '''Mark Allan''', appears in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man (TV series)|The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'', voiced by [[Eric Lopez (voice actor)|Eric Lopez]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Molten Man Voices (Spider-Man) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spider-Man/Molten-Man/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511022339/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Spider-Man/Molten-Man/ |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |access-date=May 11, 2019 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |type=A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. |postscript=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Allstetter |first=Rob |date=January 14, 2008 |title=Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Monday, January 14, 2008 |url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0801/14/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234240/http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0801/14/index.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2019 |website=Comics Continuum}}</ref> This version is [[Liz Allan]]'s biological brother who previously served time in juvenile detention for stealing a car to pay off gambling debts. Seeing no other way to pay off his debts, Mark becomes a test subject for the [[Norman Osborn|Green Goblin]]'s experiments and is given metallic skin and pyrokinetic abilities. The Goblin manipulates Mark into fighting Spider-Man, though he is ultimately defeated and remanded to the [[Vault (Marvel Comics)|Vault]].

* Molten Man appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'', voiced by [[James Arnold Taylor]].<ref name="btva" />

* Molten Man appears in the ''[[Spider-Man (2017 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' episode "Brand New Day", voiced by Imari Williams.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a mutant volcanic creature, crime boss, and rival of [[Mister Negative]].

===Film===

A member of the [[Elementals (Marvel Comics)|Elementals]] inspired by Molten Man appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Far From Home]]''.<ref name="Elementals">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-far-home-elementals-confirmed-hydro-man-molten-man/|title=Confirmed: Spider-Man: Far From Home's Elemental Villains Based on B-List Villains|last=Hullender|first=Tatiana|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508202625/https://screenrant.com/spider-man-far-home-elementals-confirmed-hydro-man-molten-man/|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Director [[Jon Watts]] described his take for the creation: "There's so many Spider-Man villains from the rogues gallery that I wanted to dig a little bit deeper than what anyone might be expecting...villains like [[Hydro-Man]] and Molten Man, who may not be on the highest list. But that opened up such amazing visual possibilities and poses really dangerous challenges for Spider-Man".<ref name="Nerdist">{{Cite web |url=https://nerdist.com/article/the-elementals-spider-man-far-from-home/ |title=Who Are the Elementals in SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME?|last=Small|first=Gretchen|date=May 8, 2019|website=Nerdist|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509033016/https://nerdist.com/article/the-elementals-spider-man-far-from-home/|archive-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref> Identified as the Fire Elemental, [[Quentin Beck (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Mysterio]] claimed it used its abilities to feed off of metal and energy from Earth's core to destroy his [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Earth]]. The Fire Elemental attacks Prague during the [[Signal Festival]], though [[Peter Parker (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Spider-Man]] and Mysterio defeat it. Not long after, Spider-Man discovers that the Elementals were illusions created by Mysterio and his fellow ex-[[Stark Industries]] employees to obtain [[Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Tony Stark]]'s technology and fraudulently establish Mysterio as a hero.

===Video games===

Molten Man appears as a [[non-player character]] and boss in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/all.9439.MUA2_NPC_Spotlight~colon~_Wizard%2C_Shocker~and~Molten_Man|title=Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 NPC Spotlight: Wizard, Shocker AND Molten Man|publisher=Marvel|date=September 9, 2009|access-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322045008/http://marvel.com/news/video_games/2009/9/9/9439/marvel_ultimate_alliance_2_npc_spotlight_wizard_shocker_and_molten_man|archive-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="btva" />

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

* [https://www.marvel.com/characters/molten-man/ Molten Man] at Marvel.com

* [[marveldatabase:Mark_Raxton_(Earth-616)|Molten Man]] at Marvel Database

* [https://www.writeups.org/molten-manmarvel-comics-spider-man/ Molten Man] at Writeups.org

* [https://www.comicvine.com/molten-man/4005-11554/ Molten Man] at Comic Vine

* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix8/moltenman_raxtonsm.htm Molten Man] at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe

{{Spider-Man characters}}

{{Stan Lee}}

{{Steve Ditko}}

[[Category:Characters created by Stan Lee]]

[[Category:Characters created by Steve Ditko]]

[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1965]]

[[Category:Fictional American scientists and engineers]]

[[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]]

[[Category:Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities]]

[[Category:Fictional chemists]]

[[Category:Fictional engineers]]

[[Category:Fictional security guards]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics mutates]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics male superheroes]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics scientists]]

[[Category:Spider-Man characters]]