Beast (Marvel Comics)

Hank McCoy Beast
The different forms of Beast on a variant cover of Powers of X #2 (August 2019). Art by Patrick Zircher.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men #1 (September 1963)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer/editor) Jack Kirby (artist/co-plotter)
In-story information
Alter ego	Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy
Species	Human mutant
Team affiliations	X-Men Avengers Defenders X-Factor Illuminati Secret Avengers
Notable aliases	Kreature Wildlife[1]
Abilities	Genius-level intellect Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, dexterity, healing, longevity, and senses Proficient scientist and engineer Timestream attunement Pheromone manipulation Razor-sharp fangs and claws

Beast (Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and is a founding member of the X-Men. Originally called "The Beast", the character was introduced as a mutant possessing ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility, oversized hands and feet, a genius-level intellect, and otherwise normal appearance and speech. Eventually being referred to simply as "Beast", Hank McCoy underwent progressive physiological transformations, gaining animalistic physical characteristics. These include blue fur, both simian and feline facial features, pointed ears, fangs, and claws. Beast's physical strength and senses increased to even greater levels.

Despite Hank McCoy's feral appearance, he is depicted as a brilliant, well-educated man in the arts and sciences, known for his witty sense of humor, and characteristically uses barbed witticisms with long words and intellectual references to distract his foes.^[2] He is a world authority on biochemistry and genetics, the X-Men's medical doctor, and the science and mathematics instructor at the Xavier Institute (the X-Men's headquarters and school for young mutants). He is also a mutant political activist, campaigning against society's bigotry and discrimination against mutants. While fighting his own bestial instincts and fears of social rejection, Beast dedicates his physical and mental gifts to the creation of a better world for man and mutant.

One of the original X-Men, Beast has appeared regularly in X-Men-related comics since his debut. He has also been a member of the Avengers and Defenders. Various storylines over the years have hinted that Beast has capacity to become a supervillain; his alternative universe counterpart Dark Beast was a recurring character in 2000s and 2010s comics. During the Krakoan Age 2020s X-Men storylines, Beast assumes an antagonistic role to the other X-Men, becoming an outright villain.

The character has also appeared in media adaptations, including animated TV series and feature films. Kelsey Grammer played the Beast in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), while Nicholas Hoult portrayed a younger version of the character in X-Men: First Class (2011). Both Hoult and Grammer reprised their roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Hoult reprised the role in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Dark Phoenix (2019), while Grammer reprised the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film The Marvels (2023).