I just want to start by saying that this month’s article is dedicated to the memory of writer Denny O’Neil, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year. Denny was a giant of the comic book industry, and he’ll be sorely missed.
This month’s Spider-Tracer article will be covering a villain that hails from the Denny O’Neil and John Romita, Jr. era of “The Amazing Spider-Man” comic book, which took place during the early 80’s after Marv Wolfman left, but just before writer Roger Stern transferred from “Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man”.
In “The Amazing Spider-Man” #208, we’re introduced to adult twin dwarves; Hubert Fusser is a scientist, while Pinky is the lab janitor, something Hubert is sure to throw up in his brother’s face from time to time.
Hubert created a sub-atomic particle accelerator with the goal of creating new elements. Hubert neglected to do a safety check, and, as a result, was bathed in energy from the machine. Pinky tried to help Hubert, but, as a result of the experiment’s rays, Pinky and Hubert’s bodies merged, thus creating Fusion, the Twin Terror!
Fusion could now manipulate energy, including absorbing it into himself, which only caused his power to increase. The composite creature soon drew the attention of Spider-Man, yet he couldn’t stop Fusion. The creature was able to absorb the energy of his physical blows, as well as dissolve his webbing.
Pinky was briefly able to separate himself from Hubert, but when he attempted to leave, it caused the twins agonizing pain. They were forced to recombine as a result, and Hubert, now on a power trip, took full control.
Fortunately for Spider-Man, Pinky was able to begin separating from Hubert again, however, he couldn’t completely do it alone. Spider-Man was able to help Pinky by physically pulling them apart again.
Spider-Man planned to take the two to a doctor in hopes that something could be done for them. Sometime after this, it was said that Fusion was taken to Project: PEGASUS, so as to probably study Fusion’s energy-related powers. Fusion next appeared as a prisoner in the Stranger’s laboratory in “Quasar” #14; by issue 20, Fusion got free, and this was the last we saw of him/them.
And there you have it, one of the oddest menaces to plague Spider-Man was never seen again. Would you like to see Fusion return, or should he continue his stay in comic book limbo? I, myself, wouldn’t mind seeing Fusion come back, even if it was just for an issue or only a few panels. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below!
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The opportunity for a Pinky and the Brain joke is too much for Fusion to be left to obscurity! I remember this issue. I think what makes this a decidedly Spider-Man book despite the villain not being a typical Spider-Man enemy is that Spidey can’t beat him with just fisticuffs and webbing, so there is that different spin to it. Never knew what happened to them, so that was cool to find out. Great article, Bill!
“we’re introduced to adult twin dwarves; Hubert Fusser is a scientist, while Pinky is the lab janitor”
This sounds a bit like that X-Files episode with Željko Ivanek who played the mentally handicapped janitor at a science lab who was being controlled by the brain of his (dead) twin brother.
@Bill Slattery lll
The less said about him, the better. I’m glad both Fusion and Freak haven’t appeared since their creators left the titles.
@Joshua Nelson
Definitely not my favorite villain, but there are certainly worse. Remember Freak from Brand New Day’s era? *shudders*
Denny O’Neil was a true comic book legend and quite possibly the single greatest Batman writer of all time. That being said…his Spider-Man work was bad. Fusion here is just a reminder of that.