Editing Man-Thing (section)

==Fictional character biography==
Young [[biochemist]] Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis, a native of [[Omaha, Nebraska]],<ref>{{cite comic|title=[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol. II (Deluxe Edition)|The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Deluxe Edition)]]|story=Man-Thing| volume = 2| issue = #8| date = July 1986| publisher = Marvel|page= 15|artist=[[Bret Blevins]]}}</ref> is working in the [[Everglades]] as part of Wilma Calvin's Project: Gladiator team, which includes [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Barbara Morse]] and her [[fiancé]] Paul Allen, and an assistant named Jim. A Dr. Wendell is later cited as being on the staff after Calvin is shot.<ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/calvin_wilma.htm Dr. Wilma Calvin] at the Appendix to the Marvel Universe</ref> The group is attempting to recreate the Super-Soldier Serum that had created [[Captain America]].<ref>''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #1 (Nov. 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> ''Web of Spider-Man'' vol. 2 #6 revealed that Sallis at one point treated and worked alongside Curt Connors shortly after Connors' arm was amputated, driving the research that would eventually transform Connors into the [[Lizard (character)|Lizard]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Though warned that the technological terrorist group [[Advanced Idea Mechanics]] (A.I.M.) has been operating in the area, Sallis breaches security by bringing with him his lover, [[Ellen Brandt]] (referred to here as "Miss Brandt", but later [[retcon]]ned to be his wife). He destroys his notes to his formula, which he has memorized. Later, he is ambushed by two thugs and learns that Brandt has betrayed him. Fleeing with the only sample of his serum, he injects himself with it in hopes of saving himself. However, he crashes his car into the swamp, where scientific and magical forces combine to transform him into a plant-matter creature.<ref>They were yellow in ''Fear'' #10-13, but red in the ''Astonishing Tales'' issues, and all subsequent issues from ''Fear'' #14 onward.</ref> Unable to speak, and with dim memories, he attacks the ambushers and Brandt, burning and scarring part of her face with an acid that he now secretes in the presence of negative emotions. The Man-Thing then wanders away into the swamp.<ref name=origin>''Savage Tales'' #1 (May 1971) / ''Astonishing Tales'' #12 (June 1972); Wein/Adams segment. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Sallis' mind was extinguished, although on rare occasions he could briefly return to consciousness within his monstrous form, as in ''Doctor Strange'' vol. 2 #41 (June 1980), ''The Defenders'' #98 (Aug. 1981), and ''Peter Parker: Spider-Man'' Annual '99,  and even to his human form, as in ''Adventure into Fear'' #13 (April 1973), ''Marvel Two-in-One'' #1 (Jan. 1974), ''Marvel Comics Presents'' #164 (Oct. 1994), and ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #5 and 7-8 (April 1998, June–July 1998).{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Under writer [[Steve Gerber]], the Man-Thing encounters the sorceress [[Jennifer Kale]], with whom he briefly shared a psychic link and who knew his true identity, in a story arc in ''Fear'' #11-13 – the final issue of which established that the swamp had mystical properties as the Nexus of Realities. Through an interdimensional portal in ''Fear'' #19, he meets [[Howard the Duck]], who becomes stranded in this reality. The Man-Thing became the guardian of the Nexus, and found himself facing demons, ghosts and time-traveling warriors, while continuing to encounter such non-supernatural antagonists as rapacious land developers, fascist vigilantes and common criminals. He formed a bond with young [[Radio personality|radio DJ]] [[Richard Rory]] and nurse Ruth Hart. Issue #12's "Song-Cry of the Living Dead Man", about a crazed writer named Brian Lazarus, spawned Gerber's posthumously published 2012 sequel, "The Screenplay of the Living Dead Man", in the three-issue miniseries ''The Infernal Man-Thing''.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In ''Man-Thing'' vol. 2 #1-11 (Nov. 1979–July 1981), writer [[Chris Claremont]] introduced himself as a character in the final issue, as Gerber had in the finale of the first series. Additionally, Claremont temporarily became the Man-Thing after being killed. His and other characters' deaths were later resolved with the intervention of the ''War Is Hell'' series lead, John Kowalski, now an aspect of Marvel Comics' manifestation of [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]]. In ''Man-Thing'' vol. 3 #1-8 (Dec. 1997–July 1998), Ellen Brandt Sallis returns to the Citrusville area and encounters a little boy, Job Burke, who is actually the Sallises' son, who had been put up for adoption. Following this series, the story continued in ''Strange Tales'' vol. 4 #1-2, and was projected to continue in the unpublished issues #3-4. Summaries based on DeMatteis' unillustrated scripts appear on the K'Ad-mon and Ellen Brandt pages in ''Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe''.<ref name=ebrandt /><ref name=kadmon />

During the "[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]" storyline, two [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] agents unsuccessfully attempt to register the Man-Thing under the [[Superhuman Registration Act]].<ref name="ReferenceA">''Marvel Comics Presents'' vol. 2 #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Man-Thing later appears as a member of the [[Legion of Monsters]] alongside [[Morbius]], [[Werewolf by Night]], [[Manphibian]], and [[N'Kantu, the Living Mummy]].<ref>''The Punisher'' vol. 8 #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later gains the ability to speak comprehensibly through the use of the "Universal Language".<ref name="auto">''Thunderbolts'' #144</ref> [[Phil Coulson]] subsequently recruits the Man-Thing into the [[Howling Commandos]].<ref>''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' vol. 3 #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

As part of the [[All-New, All-Different Marvel]] branding, the Man-Thing appears as a member of [[S.T.A.K.E.]]'s Howling Commandos.<ref>''Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Empyre]]" storyline, Man-Thing falls under the control of the [[Cotati (comics)|Cotati]].<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Doctor Voodoo takes control of Man-Thing to free Matthew and Black Knight. As Matthew and Black Knight fight the Cotati, a Doctor Voodoo-controlled Man-Thing fights the Cotati's control and defeats Ventri.<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref> As Doctor Voodoo exits Man-Thing to assist Scarlet Witch after Ka-Zar was stabbed by a Cotati using Black Knight's Ebony Blade, Man-Thing continued the fight against the Cotati. When the Cotati were defeated, Man-Thing takes his leave after being thanked by Black Knight. Ventri claims that what they learned from Man-Thing's energy has been sent to [[Sequoia (comics)|Quoi]] to fuel the Cotati's invasion.<ref>''Empyre: Avengers'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Harriet Brome, an agent of the self-proclaimed eco-warriors the [[Hordeculture]], adopts the name "Harrower" and attempts to use Man-Thing to perform a mass culling of humanity, intending to purge the human race and let another species take over. To this end, she attacks and skins the Man-Thing and uses his corpse to produce seedling spores that will emerge in all major cities across the world and burn their victims. When the Avengers respond, Captain America is briefly absorbed by one of the spores, where he meets the remnants of Ted Sallis,<ref>''Avengers: Curse of the Man-Thing''</ref> who explains that he never truly cracked the super-soldier serum. He attempts to get Cap to contact Connors for help, but when Connors affirms that he can't help, Spider-Man convinces Sallis to take responsibility for his past. After Sallis's essence creates a new body for Man-Thing, Man-Thing returns to Sallis's old office, where it is revealed that Sallis made a deal with the demon [[Belasco (Marvel Comics)|Belasco]] to crack the formula.<ref>''Spider-Man: Curse of the Man-Thing''</ref> When he performs the ritual again, he summons [[Magik]], the new ruler of Limbo, who offers to release Sallis from his current state. Understanding that his freedom would leave Man-Thing an uncontrolled creature of instinct, Sallis agrees to remain and joins Magik's strike team in attacking Harrower. After banishing Harrower to another dimension and destroying her spore-plants, Magik summons Belasco so that Sallis can properly punish the demon for his role in Sallis's fate.<ref>''X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing''. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Man-Thing later appears as a teacher at [[Strange Academy]], where he teaches Care for Magical Plants.<ref>''Strange Academy'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>