METOXO
METOXO
Real Name: Metoxo
Identity/Class: Terrestrial sub-species (Lava Men)
Occupation: Unrevealed
Group Membership: Lava Men
Affiliations: Beast (Hank McCoy), Iceman (Bobby Drake)
Enemies: Formerly Beast, Iceman
Known Relatives: Kratar (wife), Maggam, Volkon (sons)
Aliases: Metoxo the Lava Man
Base of Operations: A subterranean cavern, beneath the bedrock of New York City
First Appearance:
(Mentioned) X-Men I#48 (September, 1968);
(Seen) Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (1994)
Powers/Abilities: Metoxo is composed of a rock-like material, granting him superhuman strength and durability, and the ability to generate heat and flame
History:
(Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (fb) - BTS) - Metoxo is a member of one of the
Lava races, and his family's only contact with the world was via a vent-shaft
for air to release steam. When a construction company began plugging the shaft,
Metoxo assumed it to be an effort to drive out or destroy his family
(Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (fb)) - Around Christmas time,
Metoxo went on a rampage on the streets outside of Greenwich Village's
Coffee-A-Go-Go, threatening to destroy all those who inhabited this foul,
freezing land and drawing the attention of the Beast and Iceman. When the crowd
decried them all as mutants, Beast and Iceman took Metoxo away from the crowd
with an ice sled. The two mutants explained to Metoxo that the "assault" on his
people had been unintentional, and that humanity had families of its own. They
further shared information about Christmas, though he was most confused by the
stories about "elves, flying reindeer, and a fat man in fire-colored clothing."
Iceman and Beast then located an abandoned subway station and diverted Metoxo's
vent shaft there, where it wouldn't be disturbed.
For this generous "Christmas gift," Metoxo gave them gifts
from his realm, a pair of rare geodes (rocks with crystal-filled interiors),
which they, being broke, gave to their girlfriends Vera and Zelda for Christmas.
(Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (fb) - BTS) - Metoxo returned to his home and taught his family to celebrate Christmas as well.
(Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (fb) - BTS) - Years later, Metoxo's sons began to doubt the existence of Santa Claus and question the value of Christmas.
(Marvel Holiday Special 1994A) - Metoxo became extremely frustrated and traveled to the surface world again, and he went on a rampage, striking out against everything with Christmas decorations. He began kidnapping a number of store Santa Clauses, intending to bring them to his home to show his sons. Beast and Iceman arrived to stop him, but he didn't recognize their now-different forms initially and struck out at them. They subdued Metoxo with two-pronged attacks, and then explained who they were. Embarrassed, Metoxo apologized, and the two X-Men followed him back to his home, with the Beast posing as Santa Claus and Iceman as an elf. Since all surface men looked alike to them, the children were easily fooled, and they enjoyed their presents.
Comments: Initially conceived (presumably) by Stan Lee.
Brought to life by Kurt Busiek, James Fry, and Neil Volkes.
The next issue blurb of X-Men I#48 promised the Beast and Iceman against Metoxo, but X-Men I#49 instead featured the Demi-Men, Mesmero, and Polaris, with no Lava Men to be seen. The Official Marvel Index to the X-Men (Graphic Album style) #3 references that the story to be told would be an appearance of the Lava Men between Avengers I#5 and Marvel Team-Up I#26. Avengers I#5 overlaps with Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes#2.
Thanks to Kurt Busiek for finally telling the tale of Metoxo
after nearly 30 years. I'm still waiting for the untold story of the Sky-Walker,
though.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/skywalkr.htm
Straight from Kurt himself:
Metoxo was only a Next-Issue blurb in X-Men#48. I didn't consult with anyone;
I just wanted to tell a story of Hank and Bobby meeting Metoxo for years, so
when the opportunity arose, I took it.
kdb
There were two Marvel Holiday Specials with the 1994 date. This was the second of the two, hence the "A" added to the issue date.
Marvel Holiday Special 1994A came out after
Inferno, when many of the Lava Men evolved into golden form following the death
of their patron god/demon Cha’sa’dra. I'm not 100% positive that this story was
meant to chronologically follow those events, but regardless, Lava Men in their
original, molten forms have been seen since, so it doesn't really matter.
In fact, Metoxo states "I am of the many Lava Races that live
beneath Earth's crusts," so it's quite possible that Metoxo and his brood were
unrelated to the race of Lava Men associated with Cha'sa'dra.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
No KNOWN connection to:
Wife of Metoxo
--Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (1994A (fb) - BTS, 1994A
Son of Metoxo
--Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (1994A (fb) - BTS, 1994A
Son of Metoxo
--Marvel Holiday Special 1994A (1994A (fb) - BTS, 1994A
images: (story pages only)
Marvel Holiday Special 1994A, part 1
p6, panel 2 (attacking)
p12, panel 2 (earlier form)
p18, panel 3 (unmolten face)
panel 4 (Kratar body)
p19, panel 1 (Volkon + Maggam)
panel 2 (Kratar)
Last updated: 06/13/05
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
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