Marvel Just Gave a Two-Time MCU Villain Its Grossest Healing Factor Yet

Summary MODOK introduces a disgusting healing factor, using robotic spiders to repair his body in X-Men #34.

Despite his goofy appearance, MODOK is a truly evil villain aligned with the anti-mutant organization Orchis.

MODOK's body horror and grotesque appearance make him a terrifying and gross addition to the Marvel Universe.

Warning: contains spoilers for X-Men #34!Healing factors can be gross, and a two-time MCU villain may have Marvel’s most disgusting variant of it yet. While gross, healing factors are also one of the most desirable powers in all comics. Characters such as Wolverine and Sabretooth have used theirs to live long lives and fight fierce battles. Now, in X-Men #34, one of the team’s newest villains showcases his gross healing factor.

X-Men #34 is written by Gerry Duggan and drawn by Joshua Cassara. MODOK, who recently aligned himself with Orchis against the X-Men, is fighting Synch, Ms. Marvel and other members of the team. Synch delivers what should have been a devastating blow to MODOK, but instead the villain boasts he “self-repairs.” On cue, small mechanical spiders burst out of his body and begin repairing skin tissue and bones.

MODOK then resumes his fight against the X-Men.

MODOK, Despite His Goofy Appearance, Is One of Marvel's Most Evil Villains

MODOK Brings Body Horror to the Marvel Universe

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MODOK is one of Marvel’s most unique villains. MODOK (short for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) has been affiliated with Advanced Idea Mechanics, or AIM, over the years and this led him to Orchis, the fascist anti-mutant organization. Seeing they shared similar goals, MODOK threw in with Orchis, and has given them access to his fantastic technology. Despite his goofy appearance, MODOK is never to be underestimated. He has appeared twice in the MCU: first in a Hulu show where he was voiced by Patton Oswalt, and again in a cameo in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

MODOK is the epitome of body horror, a genre that trades in disgusting and gross imagery. Body horror explores the ramifications of alterations to the human body, be it through technological innovations or other means. MODOK was once a normal man who volunteered for an experiment that augmented his intelligence beyond human capacity. The experiment caused MODOK to take on the grotesque form he has since become famous for. The same experiment also gave MODOK enhanced mental powers that, when coupled with his appearance, make him scary–and gross. The X-Men have learned why Captain America and the Avengers fear MODOK.

As If MODOK Could Not Get Any More Disgusting, Here Comes His Healing Factor

MODOK's Healing Factor Would Make for Gross, and Trippy, Visuals

The already disgusting MODOK has since introduced a new power: a healing factor. True to his body horror roots, MODOK’s healing factor stretches the boundaries of good taste. Unlike Wolverine, whose healing factor lies in his genetic mutation, MODOK has to use gadgets, such as tiny robotic spiders, to repair himself. While the image of MODOK repairing himself was fleeting, it was enough to show fans how gross it was. This could translate into some memorable scenes should MODOK return to the MCU for another round. It would make him terrifying and honor his comic counterpart.

X-Men #34 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!