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Tom Thumb (comics)
Encyclopedia
Tom Thumb is the name of two fictional characters (both with the real name Thomas Thompson) who are owned by Marvel Comics
and appear in the comic book
s published by that company. Both are loosely based on the DC Comics
superhero
, the Atom
.
Justice League
, Tom Thumb is closer to the Golden Age
Atom; a very short adventurer with no superpowers. Though he is a surprisingly skilled and agile fighter for his size, his greatest similarity to the Silver Age version is that he is a brilliant scientist.
, was a scientist, inventor, adventurer, and member of the superhero team Squadron Supreme
. He was born in Melzburg, Danteana, on Earth-712. His main contribution to the team was his scientific genius. He designed the Squadron's headquarters and frequently created advanced devices such as a Behavior Modifying Machine that could be used on criminals to change their ways, and a force field belt that protected its wearer and could even deflect bullets.
Tom Thumb first encountered the Avengers
years ago. With the Squadron Supreme and the Avengers, he battled Brain-Child
. With the Squadron, he fell under control of the Serpent Cartel. The Squadron battled the Avengers on behalf of the Serpent Cartel, then turned against the Cartel. Alongside the other Squadron members, he became mind-controlled by the Over-Mind
. He was used along with the other members as pawns in the Over-Mind's conquest of "Other-Earth," but was freed by the Defenders
. With the Squadron and Defenders, he battled and defeated the Over-Mind and Null, the Living Darkness
.
Alongside the Squadron Supreme, Tom Thumb assumed control of the government of the United States of "Other-Earth", and publicly revealed his true identity. He was asked by Nuke
, another member of the Squadron, to find a cure for his parents' cancer, but failed. After running a test on the radiation emitted by Nuke, Thumb realized he (along with anyone else who had spent extended periods of time in proximity to Nuke) developed terminal cancer
. He refused to kill Hyperion
in exchange for a cure from the Scarlet Centurion
, and Nuke swore vengeance on Thumb. Tom Thumb then completed the Behavior Modification Machine. He was captured by the Institute of Evil
, and voted to expel the Golden Archer
from the Squadron. Tom Thumb stole the Scarlet Centurion's "panacea potion," but discovered it was ineffective to cure his cancer. Unable to invent a cure, Thumb ultimately died at the in the team's headquarters in Squadron City and was placed in the Hibernaculum, a form of suspended animation
he invented to preserve the bodies of diseased or recently deceased persons until a remedy could be found for whatever disease or injury that could not be treated by present day medicine.
Tom Thumb has access to a variety of technologies that he has designed. He used a one-man flying vehicle that was equipped with various advanced weaponry, including guns firing concussive energy blasts. His inventions included AIDA (Artificially Intelligent Data Analyzer), a highly advanced computer with a human-like personality and sentience; the Behavior Modification Machine, which could alter the personalities and thinking processes of human powers; the Hibernaculum, a means of storing a human body in suspended animation; and the Transtemporal Somnaprojector, a means of time travel. He also invented and wore a personal force field belt, which projected a protective field of energy about the wearer that could even deflect bullets.
s for a military experiment. Tom Thumb first appeared in a flashback in Supreme Power
, a reboot
of the Squadron Supreme.
The flashback showed a number of convicts who had volunteered to act as test subject
s for a military experiment. The experiment was designed to graft a retrovirus
based on the DNA
of Hyperion, an extraterrestrial
and superhero of ambiguous origins, to human subjects. One of the subjects was Thomas Thompson, and the retrovirus' effects made Tom shrink to a height of less than an inch (2.54 centimeters), though his size seems to have fluctuated since. To compensate for his diminished stature, Tom has a belligerent, confrontational attitude, daring his larger opponents to try something.
After being recruited to the government's Squadron Supreme superhuman group, Thompson was going to be a member of the covert team and started thinking it would be similar to a James Bond
movie. However, Doctor Emil Burbank
made a tiny, self-contained suppository
capsule with enough air to last the mission, which was inserted into Shape
as a backup plan. After the mission in Africa, Tom Thumb is now in counseling to help him deal with the self-contained capsule experience.
Although not a scientist, the Supreme Power version of Tom Thumb is similar to the Silver Age Atom
in that he has achieved minuscule size. He has been depicted at a variety of sizes, ranging from insect to action figure scale. However, it is unclear at this time whether Tom is able to return to normal human dimensions.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and appear in the comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s published by that company. Both are loosely based on the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
, the Atom
Atom (comics)
The Atom is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe.There have been five characters who have shared the Atom codename. The original Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt, was created by Ben Flinton and Bill O'Connor and first appeared in All-American Publications'...
.
Concept
While the Squadron is based on the Silver AgeSilver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
, Tom Thumb is closer to the Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
Atom; a very short adventurer with no superpowers. Though he is a surprisingly skilled and agile fighter for his size, his greatest similarity to the Silver Age version is that he is a brilliant scientist.
Fictional character biography
Thomas Thompson, a dwarfDwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
, was a scientist, inventor, adventurer, and member of the superhero team Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
. He was born in Melzburg, Danteana, on Earth-712. His main contribution to the team was his scientific genius. He designed the Squadron's headquarters and frequently created advanced devices such as a Behavior Modifying Machine that could be used on criminals to change their ways, and a force field belt that protected its wearer and could even deflect bullets.
Tom Thumb first encountered the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
years ago. With the Squadron Supreme and the Avengers, he battled Brain-Child
Brain-Child
Brain-Child is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Brain-Child appeared in Avengers #86 , and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
. With the Squadron, he fell under control of the Serpent Cartel. The Squadron battled the Avengers on behalf of the Serpent Cartel, then turned against the Cartel. Alongside the other Squadron members, he became mind-controlled by the Over-Mind
Overmind (comics)
-Fictional character biography:The Overmind is an alien belonging to the Eternals of Eyung, and was born uncounted millennia ago on the planet Eyung . Grom acted as one of their warlords, leading massacres of entire species. He was also the reigning champion in their gladiatorial arenas...
. He was used along with the other members as pawns in the Over-Mind's conquest of "Other-Earth," but was freed by the Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
. With the Squadron and Defenders, he battled and defeated the Over-Mind and Null, the Living Darkness
Null, the Living Darkness
Null, called also Null the Living Darkness, is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Null is a demon and enemy of the Defenders and Squadron Supreme.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Alongside the Squadron Supreme, Tom Thumb assumed control of the government of the United States of "Other-Earth", and publicly revealed his true identity. He was asked by Nuke
Nuke (Squadron Supreme)
Nuke is a superhero from Earth-712 in the fictional Marvel Universe, a member of the Squadron Supreme and later its rebooted equivalent, Supreme Power.-Fictional character biography:...
, another member of the Squadron, to find a cure for his parents' cancer, but failed. After running a test on the radiation emitted by Nuke, Thumb realized he (along with anyone else who had spent extended periods of time in proximity to Nuke) developed terminal cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. He refused to kill Hyperion
Hyperion (comics)
Hyperion is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The first character debuted in The Avengers #69 Hyperion is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The first character debuted in...
in exchange for a cure from the Scarlet Centurion
Scarlet Centurion
Scarlet Centurion, in comics, may refer to a number of Marvel Comics characters who have used the alias:* Nathaniel Richards, the father of Reed Richards * Marcus Kang, son of Kang the Conqueror...
, and Nuke swore vengeance on Thumb. Tom Thumb then completed the Behavior Modification Machine. He was captured by the Institute of Evil
Institute of Evil
The Institute of Evil is a fictional organization, owned by Marvel Comics.-Fictional team history:The Institute of Evil existed in the Earth-712 universe and served as the Squadron Supreme’s arch-foes...
, and voted to expel the Golden Archer
Golden Archer
Golden Archer is a fictional superhero that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. A member of the Squadron Supreme, the character exists in the universe of that team, an alternate universe to Marvel's main shared universe, the Marvel Universe.Although he was a...
from the Squadron. Tom Thumb stole the Scarlet Centurion's "panacea potion," but discovered it was ineffective to cure his cancer. Unable to invent a cure, Thumb ultimately died at the in the team's headquarters in Squadron City and was placed in the Hibernaculum, a form of suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
he invented to preserve the bodies of diseased or recently deceased persons until a remedy could be found for whatever disease or injury that could not be treated by present day medicine.
Powers and abilities
Tom Thumb has an extraordinary genius level of intellect, but no superhuman powers. He is an expert and innovator in a wide range of scientific and technological fields, including computer science, medicine, psychology, force field technology, and spacecraft design. He possessed total recall and great physical dexterity. He is highly skilled at manipulating various weaponry of his own design. He possesses PhDs in mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering.Tom Thumb has access to a variety of technologies that he has designed. He used a one-man flying vehicle that was equipped with various advanced weaponry, including guns firing concussive energy blasts. His inventions included AIDA (Artificially Intelligent Data Analyzer), a highly advanced computer with a human-like personality and sentience; the Behavior Modification Machine, which could alter the personalities and thinking processes of human powers; the Hibernaculum, a means of storing a human body in suspended animation; and the Transtemporal Somnaprojector, a means of time travel. He also invented and wore a personal force field belt, which projected a protective field of energy about the wearer that could even deflect bullets.
Supreme Power
In Supreme Power Thomas Thompson is one of a number of convicts who had volunteered to act as test subjectTest subject
Test subject may refer to:* Human subject research* Animal testing...
s for a military experiment. Tom Thumb first appeared in a flashback in Supreme Power
Supreme Power
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
, a reboot
Reboot (continuity)
The verb reboot, in media dealing with serial fiction, means to discard much or even all previous continuity in the series and start anew with fresh ideas...
of the Squadron Supreme.
Test subject
Test subject may refer to:* Human subject research* Animal testing...
s for a military experiment. The experiment was designed to graft a retrovirus
Retrovirus
A retrovirus is an RNA virus that is duplicated in a host cell using the reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome. The DNA is then incorporated into the host's genome by an integrase enzyme. The virus thereafter replicates as part of the host cell's DNA...
based on the DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
of Hyperion, an extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
and superhero of ambiguous origins, to human subjects. One of the subjects was Thomas Thompson, and the retrovirus' effects made Tom shrink to a height of less than an inch (2.54 centimeters), though his size seems to have fluctuated since. To compensate for his diminished stature, Tom has a belligerent, confrontational attitude, daring his larger opponents to try something.
After being recruited to the government's Squadron Supreme superhuman group, Thompson was going to be a member of the covert team and started thinking it would be similar to a James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
movie. However, Doctor Emil Burbank
Master Menace
Dr. Emil Burbank, also known as Master Menace, is a fictional Marvel Comics character. Two different versions of the character appear in two separate continuities, Squadron Supreme and Supreme Power.-Squadron Supreme:...
made a tiny, self-contained suppository
Suppository
A suppository is a drug delivery system that is inserted into the rectum , vagina or urethra , where it dissolves.They are used to deliver both systemically-acting and locally-acting medications....
capsule with enough air to last the mission, which was inserted into Shape
Shape (comics)
-Squadron Supreme:-Fictional character biography:The Shape was born in Simak, Lowengard, in the U.S.A. of the alternate Earth of the Squadron Supreme, Earth-712...
as a backup plan. After the mission in Africa, Tom Thumb is now in counseling to help him deal with the self-contained capsule experience.
Although not a scientist, the Supreme Power version of Tom Thumb is similar to the Silver Age Atom
Ray Palmer (comics)
The Atom is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero introduced during the Silver Age of comic books in Showcase # 34 . He was named after Raymond A...
in that he has achieved minuscule size. He has been depicted at a variety of sizes, ranging from insect to action figure scale. However, it is unclear at this time whether Tom is able to return to normal human dimensions.