Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man may be centered around a new version of Peter Parker, but the animated series casts a wide net in the Marvel Universe. Nearly every member of the show’s supporting cast is based on a costumed hero or villain from the comics, including Peter’s fellow interns at Oscorp, such as the one and only Amadeus Cho.

Amadeus Cho, one of Marvel’s most significant teen heroes of recent decades, is known for his brilliance and self-assured demeanor. His nickname, "The Totally Awesome Hulk," reflects his unique journey within the Marvel Universe. Here’s a detailed look at this fascinating character:

Who Is Marvel’s Amadeus Cho?

Amadeus Cho stands out as one of the smartest individuals in the Marvel Universe, despite his young age. His exceptional intellect often puts him at odds with authority, leading him to spend much of his teenage years on the run. Amadeus has a soft spot for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, and he's not afraid to risk everything to protect his friends. In recent years, he has gained strength to match his brainpower, becoming the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner’s gamma radiation. Now known as Brawn, Amadeus Cho remains a powerful force for good in the Marvel Universe.

Amadeus Cho’s Hulk Powers and Abilities

Amadeus is incredibly intelligent, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe, with exceptional skills in pattern recognition and mental calculation. However, his intense mental activities often leave him ravenous. As the new Hulk, he gained immense physical strength and abilities like regeneration and durability, yet he retains his intelligence and personality, setting him apart from the traditional Hulk. Currently, as Brawn, his strength is slightly less than when he was the Hulk, but he can still fully transform when necessary.

Amadeus Cho’s Comic Book History

Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15, a significant issue that mirrored the original debut of Spider-Man. After winning a competition sponsored by the Excello Soap Company, Amadeus was recognized as the world's seventh smartest man. This victory, however, led to a tragic turn of events when the contest’s sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted him for assassination, resulting in the death of his family. Amadeus went on the run and eventually befriended the Hulk.

Amadeus returned to prominence during the World War Hulk crossover in 2007, where he assisted his friend and later teamed up with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules series, where they saved the multiverse from the god Amatsu-Mikaboshi. After absorbing Bruce Banner’s gamma radiation to avert a nuclear meltdown, Amadeus became the new Hulk, chronicled in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also played a key role in the Champions team, fighting alongside other teen heroes. Now known as Brawn, Amadeus continues to showcase his intellect and strength.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has expanded his presence beyond comics into Marvel’s animated and video game projects. In games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, as well as the LEGO Marvel games, he appears as a playable character. In animation, he featured in Ultimate Spider-Man and Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled, voiced by Eric Bauza, where he took on the Iron Spider mantle. In the 2017 Spider-Man series, he was introduced as the Totally Awesome Hulk, voiced by Ki Hong Lee.

In the latest Spider-Man animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Amadeus Cho, voiced by Aleks Le, appears as a confident scientist and one of Peter Parker’s fellow interns at Oscorp. While it's uncertain if this version will become a super-powered hero, the series' trend suggests a potential future collaboration between Spider-Man and Brawn.

Amadeus Cho's inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seems imminent, especially since his mother Helen had a role in Avengers: Age of Ultron, hinting at a long-planned introduction to the broader universe.

For more insights into Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, explore IGN's spoiler-free review of Season 1 and discover how the series reinvents Peter Parker's mythology.

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