Editing Absorbing Man (section)

{{Short description|Marvel Comics fictional character}}
{{Infobox comics character
|character_name = Absorbing Man
|image          = Thor-376.jpg
|converted      = y
|caption        = Absorbing Man as depicted in ''[[Thor (comic book)|Thor]]'' #376 (February 1987).<br>Art by [[Walt Simonson]].
|alter_ego      = Carl "Crusher" Creel
|species        = Human mutate{{efn|In Marvel comics, the term "mutate" is used as a noun to designate characters that received superpowers from an external source, as opposed to Marvel's [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutants]].}}
|publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut          = ''[[Journey into Mystery]]'' #114<br>(March 1965)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/2/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref>
|creators       = [[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Jack Kirby]]
|alliances      = They Who Wield Power<br/>[[List of Avengers members#Astonishing Avengers (2014)|Astonishing Avengers]]<br/>Legion Accursed<br/>[[Lethal Legion]]<br/>[[Fear Itself (comics)|Worthy]]<br>[[Gamma Flight]]<ref>Immortal Hulk #8</ref><ref name="Gamma Flight #1–5">Gamma Flight #1–5</ref>
|partners       = [[Titania (Marvel Comics)|Titania]]
|aliases        = Lightningbolt<br>Greithoth<br>Rocky Davis<br>Red Dog<br>Harold
|powers         = *Matter absorption and replication
*[[Ball and chain]] proficiency
| cat           = super
| subcat        = Marvel Comics
| hero          =
| villain       = y
| sortkey       = Absorbing Man
}}
The '''Absorbing Man''' ('''Carl''' "'''Crusher'''" '''Creel''') is a character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and writer-artist [[Jack Kirby]], the character first appeared in ''[[Journey into Mystery]]'' #114 (cover dated March 1965), in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dodge |first=John |date=June 28, 2022 |title=Thor Finds a New Way to Defeat a One of His Oldest Marvel Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/thor-defeat-oldest-marvel-villains-carl-creel-absorbing-man/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=July 25, 2021 |title=A Small-Time MCU Villain Just Got a Major Upgrade in The Comics |url=https://screenrant.com/absorbing-man-gamma-flight-mcu-upgrade-marvel-comics/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> Carl Creel has the power to absorb and become any material he touched.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |pages=1–2 |authorlink=Jeff Rovin}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/n15/mode/2up]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Leah Marilla |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Who Is "Absorbing Man" Carl Creel? 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New Villain Has a Comic History with Thor |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/41880-who-is-absorbing-man-carl-creel-agents-of-shields-new-villain-has-a-comic-history-with |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=[[Bustle (website)|Bustle]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullicane |first=Evan |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Hulk's Greatest Threat is a Leveled-Up MCU Villain |url=https://screenrant.com/hulk-greatest-threat-absorbing-man-mcu/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> Originally a [[supervillain]], in later years, he has reformed into more of an [[antihero]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donohoo |first=Timothy |date=December 8, 2021 |title=How Marvel's Worst Movie Villain (and Forgotten TV Thug) Became a Hulk-Level Hero |url=https://www.cbr.com/hulk-movie-villain-absorbing-man-marvel-redemption/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>

Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including [[video games]], [[animated]] [[television series]], and merchandise such as [[trading cards]]. He appears in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] TV series ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'', portrayed by [[Brian Patrick Wade]].