The Beast (Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a mutant and a member of the X-Men and The Avengers. He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in X-Men #1 (1963).

Powers

Hank McCoy has Super human strength and endurance, as well as superhuman coordination (he can perform many tasks with his feet as easily as a human would do with his hands). The physical manifestations of his mutation are his elongated limbs and oversized extremeties. Experimenting with his mutation, Hank inadvertently gave himself blue (originally grey) fur and a more simian posture. Following a critical injury, he mutated even further, changing from a primate to a more feline appearance.

Hank is also a world-renowned biochemist, and the man who saved the world from the Legacy virus. He also has a strong sense of humour.

History

Henry McCoy's mutation manifested itself in his adolescence and although he used his powers to excel in athletics for a time he was quickly forced to seek refuge from the inevitable ostracism and irrational hostility of normal humans. He was approached by Professor Charles Xavier who knew of his mutant powers. He was given the option of joining the "Westchester School for Gifted Youngsters", which was actually a front for the benevolent instruction of mutants like himself. He joined the school and the X-Men, where he was given the code-name: The Beast.

Some years later (in Amazing Adventures (volume 2) #11), McCoy left the X-Men and became a research scientist. He attempted to develop a therapy to reduce the freakish aspects of his appearance, but it instead mutated him further, as he grew gray fur all over his body (which later turned blue), as well as elongated canine teeth and enhanced senses. Despite this, McCoy is one of the most upbeat and cheerful of superheroes, although at times acting the role of the "class clown".

Not long after this, he was recruited to join the Avengers, where he remained a member for many years, becoming a close friend of Wonder Man.

When the original X-Men formed X-Factor, McCoy left active service in the Avengers and joined that team, later returning to the X-Men, where he remains.

As of recently, Beast has evolved into a more feline form due to his secondary mutation. This has made him very self-conscious; he has fears he may be devolving, and his long-time girlfriend Trish Tilby has broken up with him. When news of a 'cure' that would reverse mutations came out, he seriously considered taking it but decided against it (for now) because it would send out a bad message to other mutants.

Hank McCoy also has an evil doppelganger known as the Dark Beast, who escaped from the Age of Apocalypse shortly before it ceased to exist (though it has recently been revealed that the AoA timeline somehow managed to survive). The Dark Beast has all of the powers and intelligence of Hank McCoy, but none of his ethics, and learned biochemistry and genetic engineering from his timeline's Mister Sinister.