What happened to the Molecule Man and Volcana?

[Corey W]

The Molecule Man fell off my radar for a decade or so after the end of Secret Wars II. I guess I sort of assumed that he and Volcana were living happily ever after in a suburb of Denver and, well, good for them.

Then, he was part of the raft escapees in NA #1. Did we ever learn why or how he was arrested? Did he go back to a life of crime or was he just a continuity error?

Then he showed up in Dark Avengers, which I didn't read and was seemingly destroyed by the Sentry. Was he still evil?

If so, what caused him to turn evil? Did he and Volcana break-up? I see a reference on Wiki suggesting they did? What was it about (and how did he not destroy the universe in his rage)?

Any insight is appreciated as Marsha and Owie were one of my favorite Marvel couples.

[Corey W]

I accidentally made two threads. Mods, please delete one.

[Will.S]

I accidentally made two threads. Mods, please delete one.

Done.

As for Molecule Man, there's a lot of unfilled gaps that makes the reader (or the next writer to handle him) put the stuff together as best they can. Molecule Man in Dark Avengers seemed like he was just lonely and was either bored out of his mind or went crazy until Sentry matched his game. I haven't kept any tabs on Volcana but I'd like to see her back again at some point.

[Expletive Deleted]

They showed up again in Fantastic Four a few more times after Secret Wars II, notably in a couple of back-up stories in Annuals and the "Secret Wars III" storyline.

Last we saw of them in the '90s, in an issue of Incredible Hulk, Marsha had broken up with Owen and he was trying to win her back.

[Corey W]

They showed up again in Fantastic Four a few more times after Secret Wars II, notably in a couple of back-up stories in Annuals and the "Secret Wars III" storyline.

Last we saw of them in the '90s, in an issue of Incredible Hulk, Marsha had broken up with Owen and he was trying to win her back.

Thanks. Do we know what he did to get thrown back in jail? Or what caused the break-up?

[Expletive Deleted]

The breakup was over his dark side, as I recall.

I don't believe it was ever explained why he was in jail in New Avengers, although he did deface a national monument while trying to impress Marsha in that Hulk issue.

[XPac]

Thanks. Do we know what he did to get thrown back in jail? Or what caused the break-up?

I don't think they ever stated why MM was in the raft in NA... but I think a theme of that book was villains being locked up without proper due process. So it's possible at the time at least he did absolutely nothing to get locked up.

[Corey W]

I don't think they ever stated why MM was in the raft in NA... but I think a theme of that book was villains being locked up without proper due process. So it's possible at the time at least he did absolutely nothing to get locked up.

It definitely was not stated in NA. I was wondering if it had been stated elsewhere since I lost the character for a decade or so. I suppose he could have done anything or nothing, doesn't really matter (unless I missed a good story somewhere).

I would hate to be the cop sent to lock up MM for no reason. Or the prison warden expected to hold a character who has been said to be more powerful than Eternity. I am guessing that if he stayed in jail it was because he felt he deserved it.

[gforce99]

Didn't he lose his powers in the 1990s FF to create Kosmos (Beyonder 2.0)?

[Paladin King]

Sentry killed Molecule Man in Bendis/Deodato's Dark Avengers.

Of course, given his uber-powers, that doesn't mean MM has to stay dead, if he is truly dead at all.

[Expletive Deleted]

Didn't he lose his powers in the 1990s FF to create Kosmos (Beyonder 2.0)?

Yeah, but he got them back shortly thereafter. The next year, I think.

[Tiamatican]

I kinda miss Volcana. I'd like to see her brought back. There was something endearing about her.

[Corey W]

Sentry killed Molecule Man in Bendis/Deodato's Dark Avengers.

Of course, given his uber-powers, that doesn't mean MM has to stay dead, if he is truly dead at all.

I am pretty skeptical that Owen can be killed at all. I am not even sure what that would mean for a character with his powers.

[destro]

Sentry killed Molecule Man in Bendis/Deodato's Dark Avengers.

.

Which was absurd. If Sentry was more powerful than the Molecule Man then the rest of the Avengers might as well have retired. A full powered pre-retcon Beyonder had to at least break a sweat to deal with Owie.

[Ravin' Ray]

Or what caused the break-up?

From what I've pieced together after regaining his individuality he used his power to augment Volcana's abilities (she can now transform herself into ash form, sorta like Sandman), but the head trip he got turned off Marsha and she split with him.

Sentry killed Molecule Man in Bendis/Deodato's Dark Avengers.

Of course, given his uber-powers, that doesn't mean MM has to stay dead, if he is truly dead at all.

If Hickman's plans haven't changed he's going to sneak in MM in FanFour or FF before he leaves.