TABOO

Real Name: Taboo

Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial

Occupation: Warrior, would-be conqueror

Group Membership: "the Collector's collection" (Droom, Fin Fang Foom, Gargantus, Goom, Grogg, Groot, Grottu, Rommbu, Tragg, Vandoom's Monster)

Affiliations: (formerly) the Collector (Elder)

Enemies: The Collector;  Lewis Conrad

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "The Thing from the Murky Swamp" (in story title)

Base of Operations: The Negative Zone;
                                     (formerly) the Collector's zoo beneath Canada;
                                     (formerly) the Amazon;
                                     (formerly) New York City;
                                     (formerly) mobile in space;
                                     (formerly) unnamed homeworld

First Appearance: Strange Tales I#75/1 (June, 1960)

Powers/Abilities: Taboo's body was composed of a thick, tar-like substance, and he could reshape himself into other forms. When blasted apart by explosions, the pieces of his body would eventually remerge into his original form. While separated, his body's parts were capable of independent movement and defense. He could also hurl pieces of himself at others as a projectile assault. Taboo possessed telepathy, which he used for all communication. He was also able to fly, possibly due to telekinesis, and could survive the vacuum of space.

History: (Strange Tales I#75/1 (fb)) - While journeying through space, Taboo's spacecraft developed problems, and he was forced to crash-land on the planet Earth, landing in the Amazon. Unable to depart Earth's atmosphere under his own power, Taboo remained in the Amazon, waiting for someone who could aid him. Over time, his presence caused a legend to develop among the native tribes of a swamp demon.

(Strange Tales I#75/1) - Taboo finally encountered adventure novelist Lewis Conrad and told him his story, claiming to be a peaceful alien. Conrad communicated Taboo's need for a device containing all of Earth's knowledge on his behalf, but when Taboo received it, he revealed that he intended to return with an invasion force to conquer Earth. As he flew away, a hydrogen bomb inside the device exploded, blasting Taboo into pieces -- for humanity had not been as trusting as they had appeared.

(Strange Tales I#77/1) - However, over time Taboo's body reformed across the globe, until he was finally fully reassembled in New York City. Taboo went on a rampage against the city's populace, but was halted when a craft from his homeworld appeared. His people condemned his actions, calling him "sick," and removed him from Earth, repairing all the damage he had done.

(Marvel Monsters: Monsters on the Prowl#1 (fb) - BTS) - Taboo was captured by the Collector and placed in his zoo beneath Canada.

(Marvel Monsters: Monsters on the Prowl#1) - After an attack on the Collector by the Mole Man caused the freedom of the zoo's creatures, Taboo was among many of the specimens to go on a rampage through New York City. They were defeated by a group of heroes that included the Hulk, the Beast, the Thing, and Giant-Man.  Mr. Fantastic had the Thing open a portal to the Negative Zone, where the creatures were all dumped.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers.

A duplicate of Taboo was created by Xemnu in Incredible Hulk Annual #5.

Big thanks to MD Carter for allowing me to borrow images from his website, The Monsters of Jack Kirby.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
Taboo should not be confused with:

Lewis Conrad was a popular adventure novelist, one of whom's best-sellers was "Arctic Adventure". While searching for inspiration for a new story in the Amazon, he heard the legends of a swamp demon, and sought out what proved to be Taboo. When Taboo claimed to be a peaceful alien in need of assistance, Conrad arranged for the world's powers to aid him in escaping Earth, but when Taboo proved traitorous, they exploded a hydrogen bomb from within the device they gave him. -Strange Tales I#75

(Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1) - Conrad related his tale to Ulysses Bloodstone.






Appearances:
Strange Tales I#75 (June, 1960) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils), Dick Ayers (inks)
Strange Tales I#77 (October, 1960) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils), Dick Ayers (inks)
Marvel Monsters: Monsters on the Prowl#1 (December, 2005) - Steve Niles (writer), Duncan Fegredo (artist), Jenny Lee & Mark Paniccia (editors)

Last updated: 11/17/05

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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