Editing High Evolutionary (section)

==Characterization==
===Powers and abilities===
The High Evolutionary has evolved his intelligence to the upper limit of human potential, and is the only human whose intelligence and knowledge has been listed as equal to certain cosmic entities.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' Annual #23. Marvel Comics.</ref> He is considered the leading [[geneticist]] in the [[Marvel universe]], and is vastly knowledgeable in [[biology]], [[chemistry]], medicine, [[physics]], engineering, [[psychology|human psychology]], [[computer science]], and cybernetics.

Due to experimentation on his own [[genome]], his highly enhanced brain and cybernetic exoskeleton, the High Evolutionary has demonstrated god-like powers; including the ability to evolve and devolve life-forms, superhuman strength and durability, manipulating matter at a subatomic level, energy manipulation and projection, cosmic awareness, precognition, telepathy, telekinesis, extra-dimensional travel, and size alteration. On one occasion, he managed to hold his own against [[Galactus]] for a prolonged time before being defeated.<ref name="Fantastic Four #175">''Fantastic Four'' #175. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Of note, the High Evolutionary has forged weapons for his New Men that show some anti-mystical properties, as demonstrated by a lance wielded by [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]] that was able to damage the ''[[Darkhold]]''.{{issue|date=May 2023}}

===Equipment===
His exoskeleton provides him with an uncanny degree of protection from attacks, and also provides [[life support]] (filtering/recycling his air and providing sustenance when needed). If he is badly damaged, the suit can heal his wounds and can completely restore him to life using records of his genome and brain activity patterns, as in one instance the suit restored him fully after he had attempted to commit suicide by destroying his own body.<ref name="The Incredible Hulk' 1981"/>

===Personality===
The High Evolutionary's character has varied between that of a weary, well-meaning creator to that of a "[[mad scientist]]" who is willing to do whatever he considers necessary to further his goals of evolving a better, less-brutal world. He has great respect for the process of evolution, but is also deeply troubled by the immense amount of death and suffering required for such slow progress (see the ''Quicksilver'' series). Although menacing and arrogant during his maniacal phases, the High Evolutionary's history also contains more than one example of his desire to be responsible, creative, and kind. Most Marvel writers have resisted portraying him as a standard-fare villain, thereby adding levels of sympathy and complexity to the character. The High Evolutionary has been manipulated and driven to insanity by both the [[Beyonders]] and the [[Celestial (comics)|Celestials]], cosmic races that have interfered with human evolution in the past, indicating that his work might perhaps be a threat to their own. Even at his most unstable, the High Evolutionary has always demonstrated a paternal love toward even his most flawed creations: he rehabilitated [[Nobilus]], has attempted to heal Count Tagar and the God Pack, and has spared the Man-Beast his life despite multiple attempts to murder him. At one point, he offered to (and did) restore the [[Savage Land]] after it was destroyed by [[Terminus (comics)|Terminus]], even though it had been created by the very race that had confiscated and then destroyed his own beloved creation, Counter-Earth.

The High Evolutionary played a key role in saving the Earth from Chthon, and rescued Galactus from death despite his attempts to consume Counter-Earth. He has served as a benevolent father figure to several characters, including [[Adam Warlock]], [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Quicksilver]], [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]], [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]], and [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], often charging them with tasks that lead to their personal growth as individuals and heroes. Along these lines, he has taken a pointed interest in developing a sense of nobility and decency in his creations, most notably the [[New Men (Marvel Comics)|New Men]].

At times the High Evolutionary has feigned indifference to the fate of others when his own safety is at stake, only to reveal a considerably more benign agenda later (see the ''Annihilation: Conquest'' series). More frequently, he has shown a sympathetic and protective concern for the defenseless: on several occasions he has gone to considerable lengths to protect young children, including the critically ill [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Jessica Drew]],<ref>''Spider Woman'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Scarlet Witch|Wanda]] and [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Pietro Maximoff]],<ref name="Avengers #186">''The Avengers'' #186. Marvel Comics.</ref> and Pietro's daughter [[Luna (comics)|Luna]].<ref>''Quicksilver'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> He gave Magda shelter from the elements without hesitation,<ref name="Avengers #186"/> risked death to fight Galactus over Counter-Earth,<ref name="Fantastic Four #175"/> and literally begged Ka-Zar not to poison the Earth's biosphere with Isotope E out of compassion for the suffering it would cause.<ref>''Ka-Zar'' vol. 4 #14. Marvel Comics.</ref> He tried to aid Magneto in reversing the effects of M-Day.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #507"/> He delayed an attack on the Silver Surfer to allow him time to save the life of [[Cybermancer|Suzi Endo]], who would briefly become his herald.<ref>''Silver Surfer'' vol. 6 #1 (2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Though made personally wealthy by uranium deposits, the High Evolutionary has also provided for a generous financial trust for the people of [[Transia]], ensuring economic stability for the nation.