This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2018) |
Bedlam (Jesse Aaronson) is a mutant superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He originally possessed the mutant ability to create and project a bio-EM field. This has the effect of temporarily disabling any similarly powered technology in the vicinity. He can also utilize his power to scan the environment for other pre-existing energy fields. After the High Evolutionary reset the mutant genome in every mutant on the planet, Jesse's abilities expanded to be able to affect the human brain's neural chemistry, thus allowing him to project the illusion of pain and confusion into other people.
| Bedlam | |
|---|---|
 Bedlam as depicted in X-Force #108 (November 2000). Art by Salvador Larroca. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Factor X #1 (March 1995) |
| Created by | John Francis Moore Steve Epting |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jesse Aaronson |
| Species | Human Mutant |
| Team affiliations | X-Force M.U.S.E. New Hellions |
| Notable aliases | Jesse Bedlam |
| Abilities |
|
The character made his live-action cinematic debut in the film Deadpool 2, portrayed by Terry Crews.
Fictional character biography
editJesse Aaronson was orphaned at the age of five after his brother Christopher used his mutant powers to make their parents' car crash. The two are put into separate foster care systems, with Jesse eventually joining Charles Xavier's Mutant Underground Support Engine (M.U.S.E.), a group based out of Montana with the goal of rescuing mutants and training them as field agents.
At age 19, Jesse leaves M.U.S.E. to find his brother. He and Domino battle the Prime Sentinel Gryphon before reuniting with Christopher, who has founded a new incarnation of the Hellions and become known as King Bedlam.[1]
He then joins X-Force before being captured and killed by the Church of Humanity.[2]
However, Bedlam is eventually resurrected after the establishment of Krakoa.[3]
Powers and abilities
editBedlam possesses the mutant ability to sense energy signatures and generate a bio-electromagnetic field that disrupts machines and the minds of others. Both abilities are initially touch-based, but he later gains the ability to use them remotely.[4]
As part of his training with the Mutant Underground, Jesse is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and adept in covert ops and intelligence gathering such as computer hacking.
Reception
edit- In 2014, Entertainment Weekly ranked Bedlam 45th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.[5]
- In 2018, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Bedlam 20th in their "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members" list.[6]
Other characters named Bedlam
editThere are other characters in Marvel Comics that have also called themselves Bedlam:
Alpha Flight villain
editOne Bedlam is a mutate who is an enemy of Alpha Flight.[7]
Symbiote version
editOne Bedlam is an alternate timeline variant of Eddie Brock who can possess and manipulate Symbiotes.[8]
During the "Dark Web" storyline, the tampering done by Madelyne Pryor causes the Venom Symbiote on Eddie Brock to turn into Bedlam. He is fended off by Dylan Brock. Despite losing a hand, Bedlam regains it with help from Meridius.[9] When Chasm becomes King Chasm, Bedlam goes on the attack only for King Chasm to send Bedlam to Limbo.[10]
Eddie Brock, Bedlam, Meridius, Wilde, and Tyro are later unstuck in time as Meridius is sent to prehistoric times and the others accompany Eddie Brock in returning the present.[11]
During the "Venom War" storyline, Bedlam and the other alternate timeline variants of Eddie accompany Eddie to Grand Garden Arena and disrupt the fights there to draw out Dylan Brock and the Venom Symbiote as Spider-Man arrives with Venom.[12] Eddie Brock merges with Bedlam to fight Spider-Man as Bedlam also eats Wilde and Tyro to get more power.[13] It is also revealed that Kang the Conqueror used a sample of Bedlam to create the Rascal symbiote.[14]
Other versions
editAn alternate universe variant of Bedlam from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a former member of Mister Sinister's Elite Mutant Force.[15]
In other media
editBedlam appears in Deadpool 2, portrayed by Terry Crews.[16] This version is a member of X-Force.
References
edit- ^ X-Force #87. Marvel Comics.
- ^ X-Force #115. Marvel Comics.
- ^ X-Force Vol. 6 #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ X-Force #102. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Franich, Darren (June 9, 2022). "Let's rank every X-Man ever". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Wyse, Alex (April 11, 2018). "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members Ranked From Weakest To Strongest". CBR. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ Alpha Flight #52. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom Vol. 5 #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom Vol. 5 #14-16. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Dark Web Finale #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom Vol. 5 #35. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom War #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom War #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Venom War #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Factor X #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Megan Peters (March 22, 2018). "'Deadpool 2' Trailer Confirms Terry Crews Plays X-Force's Bedlam". Comic Book. Retrieved March 22, 2018.