7 Times a Marvel Comics Hero Turned Into a Monster

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Marvel Comics often puts its heroes through incredibly difficult trials, and one of the most dramatic ways to do that is by transforming them into monsters. Some heroes, like the Hulk (Bruce Banner), the Thing (Ben Grimm), and Werewolf by Night (Jack Russell), are essentially monsters from the start due to their powers. But there are also instances where otherwise normal-looking heroes are changed into terrifying creatures, and they must find a way to return to their human selves before it’s too late.

Even some of Marvel’s most famous heroes have been transformed into monsters throughout the years. Here are seven examples from Marvel Comics.

7) Man-Spider

Okay, so I’m hearing some really interesting buzz about the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie! Apparently, there’s a chance we might see Spider-Man actually become Man-Spider, which would be wild. It’s not just a random idea, though – it’s straight out of the comics. This has actually happened twice before in the Marvel universe! The first time was way back in Amazing Spider-Man #437, when this villain called Plant-Man somehow mutated Peter Parker into this monstrous form. I’m really hoping they go this route in the film – it could be a seriously cool and terrifying direction for the character.

This probably inspired the Man-Spider story arc in the 1994 Spider-Man animated series. A similar event occurred in Spectacular Spider-Man issues 15 through 20, where the Queen transformed Spider-Man into a monstrous creature that ultimately became a huge, actual spider.

6) Beast Turned Himself Blue

Sometimes, the hero is the one who becomes the villain. Beast was among the very first X-Men when Marvel introduced the idea of mutants in comic books. This version of Beast wasn’t the familiar, blue-furred character most fans know today; he originally looked like a normal human, though with noticeably large hands and feet. Before dedicating himself to science after graduating from the Xavier Institute, he was even a talented football player in high school.

So, Beast actually created this amazing formula that could temporarily change your body, and he took it himself when he found out someone was trying to steal it for evil plans! It transformed him – he grew fur, got these really sharp teeth, and became super strong. But then he got into a fight, and things went wrong. He couldn’t get the cure in time to change back, and honestly, that’s how he ended up stuck with his beastly appearance. It’s a really tragic story, but also explains a lot!

5) Wasp in the 90s

Wasp has always appeared human, and she used Pym Particles to become small. When shrunk, she could fly using her wings. But in the 1990s, her story took a dark turn. During a major event called Crossing, Iron Man became a villain and attacked his fellow heroes. After already causing several deaths, Iron Man accidentally struck Wasp with his energy blasts while aiming for Hercules, and she appeared to die.

Hank Pym attempted to bring her back to life using Pym Particles, but the process transformed her. She emerged from a cocoon with an otherworldly appearance, complete with actual wings. While Hank eventually restored her, the cure drastically altered her looks, making her appear far from human. This also granted her immense power, though the effects were temporary and ultimately erased by the events of the Onslaught incident.

4) CapWolf

In a surprising turn of events, Captain America briefly became a werewolf. This occurred in the comic book series Captain America issues #402 through #408, published in 1992. The story centers around Captain America and Doctor Druid investigating the vanishing of John Jameson. Their investigation leads them to a town plagued by werewolves, and after being captured by the villain Nightshade, Captain America is transformed into one of them.

CapWolf’s story is still one of the most fun and strange hero-to-monster transformations in Marvel Comics. It involves a surprising team-up with other werewolf characters – J. Jonah Jameson’s Man-Wolf, the mutant Wolfsbane, and Jack Russell’s Werewolf by Night – to battle the villain Nightshade. CapWolf has become incredibly popular, appearing in projects like the Marvel Rivals video game and even his own miniseries, CapWolf and the Howling Commandos.

3) Frankencastle

During the Dark Reign storyline in Marvel comics, Norman Osborn tasked Daken—who was posing as Wolverine on the Dark Avengers team—with eliminating the Punisher. Following Osborn’s orders, Daken attacked and seemingly killed Frank Castle, dismembering his body to prevent a resurrection. However, the Punisher ultimately returned, proving that plan didn’t succeed.

The Motoids recovered the pieces and brought them to Morbius, who rebuilt them into a being called Frankencastle. Frankencastle then joined forces with Morbius, Man-Thing, Werewolf-By-Night, the Living Mummy, and Manphibian, forming the League of Monsters. This team lasted for 21 issues, with each storyline culminating in another confrontation with Daken and Wolverine. This storyline is considered one of the strangest and most debated in the Punisher’s comic book history.

2) Feral Wolverine

Wolverine has always struggled to keep his rage in check, and things came to a head after the X-Men story arc called Fatal Attractions. In that story, Magneto was living on a space station called Asteroid M, but constant provocation from the United States led him to attack Earth again, drawing the X-Men into the conflict. During this battle, Magneto did something shocking: he used his magnetic powers to remove Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton.

Without his adamantium skeleton, Wolverine’s natural mutant ability – transforming into a wild animal – took over completely. This caused Logan to become a truly feral beast, even losing his nose and developing a savage appearance. What’s strange about this storyline is that it only lasted around a year. Then, between issues 110 and 111 of the Wolverine comic, he was suddenly back to normal, with no explanation given for the change.

1) Devil Hulk

The Hulk originated as a monster created by a gamma radiation accident. When he gets angry, he transforms into the Hulk, a powerful being with his own independent will, which often leads to destructive outbursts. Despite being a monster, the Hulk is fundamentally a hero. However, he once transformed into an even more dangerous form called Devil Hulk.

Devil Hulk first appeared in The Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #13 and became a major force within the Immortal Hulk storyline. This version of the Hulk embodies Bruce Banner’s deepest anger and self-loathing, stemming from years of mistreatment. Distinctive features include glowing red eyes and a reptilian appearance, and he’s incredibly powerful – arguably stronger than most other Hulk forms. Ultimately, it took a combined effort from the Savage and Grey Hulks within Bruce Banner’s mind to defeat this formidable Marvel villain.

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2026-02-26 19:15