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Flux is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first was one of the Hulk's enemies.

Publication history

Flux first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #17 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Ron Garney.

Fictional character biography

Benjamin Tibbits

Private Benjamin "Benny" Tibbets was a Private First Class in the United States Army and a soldier with unresolved mother issues. He, along with a platoon of soldiers, were exposed to a gamma bomb by General Ryker, who wished to test its effects on humans. Tibbets was the sole survivor. He was transformed into a Hulk-like creature with superhuman strength. The only differences were that Tibbets, nicknamed Flux, looked more misshapen, his forehead and joints significantly more pronounced, and his transformation was more erratic, parts of him sometimes transforming while the rest of him remained human. Convinced by Ryker that Bruce Banner was responsible for his condition, and had sold gamma technology to the Iraqis, Flux was sent after the Hulk, but the fight proved one-sided and Banner was able to talk him down. Tibbets underwent psychiatric evaluation thanks to Doc Samson, but he was subsequently recaptured and broken by Ryker. Regressed to a childlike mentality and vocabulary, apparently perceiving Ryker as his 'mommy', Flux was once again pitted against the Hulk, but the fight ended when General Ross forced Ryker to stand down. Without Ryker's commands, Flux stopped fighting and broke down, reverting to Benny as he wept for his mother.

Recently, Flux was revealed to be in A.I.M.'s custody, who experimented on him. However, he was killed by Grey of the Gamma Corps during a raid on the A.I.M. base.

During the Damnation storyline, Flux was cast down into Hell after his death and is one of the damned souls who Johnny Blaze and Zarathos encounter there alongside Elephantine, a Jack O'Lantern, and Richard Fisk.

Dennis Sykes

Dennis Sykes is a banker who appeared in the story 1 Month 2 Live. He gains superpowers and an untreatable cancer following an accident with toxic waste. With a life expectancy of barely a month, Sykes launches himself on a brief career as a superhero, in an attempt to make a difference in the world while he still can, assisting the Fantastic Four in saving Ego the Living Planet from a cancerous infection and averting Hammerhead's attempt to take control of his neighborhood. Although use of his powers made his condition worse, Sykes makes a positive impression on many heroes with his dedication to doing the right thing, accepting training from Spider-Man and receiving honorary membership with the Fantastic Four and the Avengers before he finally dies of stress from his final battle. His wife was by his side when he died. To honor him, a statue of Flux was erected at the children's hospital he helped after getting his powers.

Powers and abilities

Like the Hulk, the Benjamin Tibbets version of Flux has his abilities stemmed from gamma ray exposure. These powers included immense strength, stamina, and durability, as well as regenerative healing. Unlike the Hulk, he cannot grow stronger when becoming angrier. It is unknown whether if he can jump vast distances like he does.

The Dennis Sykes version of Flux has the ability to manipulate all forms of matter where he can repair broken objects, melt walls, and create sculptures from raw materials that are present.

In other media

Video games

• The Benjamin Tibbets version of Flux appears in the Hulk video game adaption, voiced by Lee Tockar. Flux appears as one of the Hulk's opponents, challenging the Hulk when he attempts to destroy a force field generator keeping him confined in a military base. He seems to share the backstory of the comic book version, but no reference is made to the specific details of his origin, although it's implied to be the same. After he is defeated, he is thrown into the force field generator and is severely injured. At the end of the game, he is seen in a base where he is being treated from the injuries he sustained under General Ryker's care.

References

1. DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
2. The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #17. Marvel Comics.
3. The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #18-19. Marvel Comics.
4. Gamma Corps #1-5. Marvel Comics.
5. Christopher Sebela (w), Phil Noto (p), Phil Noto (i), Phil Noto (col), VC's Travis Lanham (let), Kathleen Wisneski (ed). Damnation: Johnny Blaze - Ghost Rider, vol. 1, no. 1 (28 March 2018). United States: Marvel Comics.
6. 1 Month 2 Live #1-5. Marvel Comics.
7. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update Vol 1 #2 (August 2010)
8. Avengers: Roll Call Vol 1 #1 (June 2012)

External links

• Flux (Benjamin Tibbets) at Marvel.com
• Flux (Benjamin Tibbets) at Marvel Database
• Flux at Comic Vine
• Flux (Dennis Sykes) at Marvel Database
• Flux II at Comic Vine

• Characters created by Paul Jenkins (writer)
• Comics characters introduced in 1999
• Fictional privates
• Fictional United States Army personnel
• Fictional characters with elemental transmutation abilities
• Marvel Comics characters who are shapeshifters
• Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing
• Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
• Marvel Comics mutates
• Marvel Comics supervillains
• Marvel Comics superheroes