Beast

Creation & Design

Beast was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, first appearing in X-Men #1. He was originally depicted as a mutant with ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility.

Early Years

Initially, Hank McCoy was portrayed as a more human-looking mutant, but after undergoing a mutation, he transformed into a blue, furry creature. His character evolved from a simple strongman to a complex character with a deep intellect and philosophical outlook.

Character Development

Over the years, Beast has evolved from a simple strongman to a character that embodies the struggles of being a mutant, balancing his intellect with his physical prowess. His journey reflects themes of acceptance, identity, and the moral dilemmas faced by mutants in a world that often fears them.

Cultural Reception

Beast has been well-received by fans and critics alike, often praised for his intelligence and depth as a character. He has become a symbol of the struggles faced by marginalized groups.

Character Details

Real Name:
Hank McCoy
Aliases:
The Beast, Hank McCoy
Species:
Mutant
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
X-Men, Avengers, X-Factor
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Agility, Genius-level intellect, Enhanced senses
Equipment:
Various scientific gadgets, X-Men uniforms
Weight:
250lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
blue
Results: 17 Issues Found

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Uncanny X-Men #1
Low
$6.2k
Mid
$14k
High
$85k

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Professor X

1st appearance of Magneto

Homo Superior concept, coined by Magneto to describe humans born with special abilities introduced in this issue

Uncanny X-Men #2
Low
$550
Mid
$1.6k
High
$5.9k

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Vanisher, a teleporter

2nd team appearance of the X-Men

2nd appearance of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Professor X, Angel, Beast

Uncanny X-Men #15
Low
$65
Mid
$180
High
$650

Key Facts

1st appearance of Master Mold

Origin of Beast

2nd appearance of the Sentinels

Uncanny X-Men #49
Low
$35
Mid
$90
High
$350

Key Facts

1st appearance of Lorna Dane, daughter of Magneto who later takes the name Polaris

1st appearance of Mesmero, a mutant with hypnosis powers

Origin of Beast begins and continues through to #53

[May 2025 - there is a rumor circulating online that Neve Campbell has been cast as Polaris in an upcoming MCU project]

Uncanny X-Men #53
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

First professionally published cover art by Barry Windsor-Smith

Origin of Beast, back-up story concludes

Amazing Adventures #11

Key Facts

Beast undergoes a mutation which grows gray hair all over his body

Amazing Adventures #15

Key Facts

1st appearance of Griffin

1st appearance of Beast with blue fur

Incredible Hulk #161

Key Facts

Battle of the Hulk vs Beast

Death of Mimic

Avengers, The #151
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Beast joins the Avengers

Beast requests to become an Avenger in The Avengers #137 but it isn't official until this issue

Avengers, The #181
Low
$10
Mid
$35
High
$110

Key Facts

1st appearance of Scott Lang, later becomes the second Ant-Man

New Avengers roster: Captain America, Iron Man, Beast, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Falcon and Wasp

Marvel ⋅ 1986

X-Factor #1
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st team appearance of X-Factor, the original X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, Angel

1st appearance of Cameron Hodge, a human who passionately hated mutants

1st appearance of Rusty Collins, a mutant with the ability to manipulate fire

Marvel ⋅ 1991

X-Men #1
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the X-Men Gold (team): Storm, Archangel, Colossus, Iceman and Jean Grey

1st team appearance of the X-Men Blue (team): Cyclops, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Psylocke and Beast

1st team appearance of The Acolytes: Fabian Cortez, Annie-Marie Cortez, Chrome, Nance Winters, Delgado

Best-selling comic of all-time with sales of 8.1 million copies

Interior pin-up by Jim Lee, 'A Villains Gallery'

X-Men: Alpha #1
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Dark Beast

1st appearance of Holocaust aka Nemesis

1st appearance of Abyss, a Horseman of Apocalypse

1st appearance of Morph in his featureless form, from the Age of Apocalypse reality

1st appearance of Charles Lehnsherr, the child of Magneto and Rogue

📖 Reading Order: Age of Apocalypse begins

Marvel ⋅ 2001

X-Men #109
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Storm assembles the X-Treme X-Men Team

1st appearance of Tessa as Sage who debuts new powers by activating Beast's second mutation

New X-Men #114
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18

Key Facts

1st appearance of Cassandra Nova, a parasite from the astral plane who replicated the DNA of Charles Xavier while still in utero

Beast appears with further animal mutations

Debut of new X-Men suits

X-Treme X-Men #1

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the X-Treme X-Men: Storm, Beast, Bishop, Sage, Psylocke, Thunderbird (Shaara)

1st appearance of Vargas, the next step in human evolution

Secret Avengers #1

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Secret Avengers: Captain America, War Machine, Black Widow, Valkyrie, Beast, Nova and Moon Knight

1st team appearance of the Shadow Council

Beginning of the 'Heroic Age' according to Marvel