Phaeder

Publication history

Phaeder first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #72 and was created by Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, and Ron Wilson.

Fictional character biography

Phaeder was an Inhuman geneticist. Approximately a century ago, Phaeder was exiled from Attilan for daring to suggest the possibility of cloning. Agon, father of Black Bolt, was part of the Inhuman council of genetics that exiled him. Phaeder then cloned himself, and slew the clone, to cover his tracks as he left his home.

Phaeder took up residence with the Deviants in Lemuria, where he mated with a Deviant named Morga who gave birth to Maelstrom. When Maelstrom's paternity was discovered, Morga was put to death and Maelstrom was put in the Deviants's slave pits. Eventually, Phaeder rescued Maelstrom and brought him back to his secret laboratory in the ruins of Attilan. Together, they took Phaeder's research even farther: they perfected a technique for cheating death by transferring one's mind to a cloned body, a technique utilized multiple times by the Red Skull.

It was later revealed that Phaeder had given the blueprints to break the genetic code to Herbert Wyndham which led to him becoming the High Evolutionary. Phaeder later contacted the High Evolutionary where he gave him some Subterraneans to use as slaves.

Phaeder and Maelstrom later approached Arnim Zola where they deciphered and added to the genetic engineering notes that Arnim Zola obtained.

Obtaining Terrigen molecules from the underground caverns where Attilan used to be positioned, Phaeder established a sanctuary. He and Maelstrom gained human allies in order to reap from their research's benefits. These research benefits include the Enclave's Wladyslav Shinsky (whom they helped to build the Citadel of Science), Jackal, and Doctor Hydro (where they gave him a Terrigen-deprived compound that was used to make the Hydro-Men).

Phaeder and Maelstrom were revealed to have a secret laboratory in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park where Magneto created Alpha the Ultimate Mutant.

Eventually, Phaeder grew too old and decrepit to survive a soul transfer. Maelstrom tended to him while carrying out his own research. After Maelstrom's agents stole technology from the Inhumans that would've undone Doctor Hydro's experiment, their base was invaded by the Thing, Black Bolt and others. Maelstrom died in his sleep. Unable to escape, Maelstrom ordered Deathurge to slay him. Maelstrom survived by transferring to a new body, but Phaeder died during the process.

Powers and abilities

Phaeder is an expert geneticist and is good at making clones.