When the Dark Avengers took center stage in the Marvel Universe, a number of the primary Avengers were replaced with alternate counterparts including Captain Marvel whose replacement has Marvel’s grossest powers. Captain Marvel is one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe as her cosmic abilities make her a nearly indestructible force. Carol’s Dark Avengers replacement is also immensely powerful but for completely different reasons with a power set that is unquestionably disgusting.
Captain Marvel’s Dark Avengers counterpart is Noh-Varr aka Marvel Boy who made his first appearance in Marvel Boy #1 by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones. However, he didn’t join the Dark Avengers until some time later during the events of Dark Reign where Norman Osborn rose to power and formed his own version of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes team with a group of superpowered beings he knew he could control.
What made Marvel Boy the perfect replacement for Captain Marvel on the Dark Avengers wasn’t only due to their similar superhero names but also because he matches Carol’s powers in the most disturbing way. Marvel Boy was a member of the Kree race from an alternate universe who had his DNA altered with cockroach genes. The introduction of the insect DNA gave Marvel Boy mutated bug-related powers and effectively turned him into a really gross supersoldier. The Dark Avenger was also injected with nanobots that enable him to reroute his pain sensation giving him the ability to severely abuse his body and transform that pain into music rather than feeling the effects.
While Marvel Boy’s abilities seem disgusting (and they are) they also make him an incredibly powerful force. With the mutated cockroach DNA in his system, Marvel Boy is incredibly durable and flexible as he is triple-jointed, he has the power to climb walls like Spider-Man, his spit is a toxin that causes one to hallucinate when it gets in contact with their skin, and he has the ability to grow his nails into claws that have poison on the tips that also have explosive qualities. Marvel Boy’s body is also entirely self-sustaining as he is able to survive in space without food, water, or oxygen without dying. He is also equipped with advanced technology with his primary weapons being his Gauntlets which form into practically any weapon he needs during a battle.
Basically all of Marvel Boy’s bodily fluids can be used as weapons, with his base superpowers making him nearly impossible to kill, and his advanced technology giving him the edge he needs in any fight he finds himself in. While he was on a team basically made up of villains (though left once he discovered the truth) Marvel Boy proved himself to be a worthy replacement for Captain Marvel on the Dark Avengers. Given the origin of his powers and the reality behind some of his most devastating attacks, Marvel Boy is an extremely powerful force but he undoubtedly has the grossest powers in the Marvel Universe.
