Swarm (Marvel Comics)

Swarm is the alias of Fritz von Meyer, a Nazi scientist who was transformed into a sentient hive of bees in the Marvel Comics universe.

Fictional Character Biography

Fritz von Meyer was a Nazi scientist specializing in entomology. After World War II, he fled to South America, seeking refuge and continuing his research. While exploring the Amazon rainforest, Von Meyer stumbled upon a field of mutated bees possessed with a collective intelligence and unusual properties. Attempting to harness their power, Von Meyer was attacked and consumed by the bees. However, instead of dying, Von Meyer's consciousness was absorbed into the collective, transforming him into Swarm, a being whose body is composed of thousands of bees, held together by his will and a bio-aura.

Powers and Abilities

Swarm possesses a unique and formidable set of abilities derived from his bee-based composition:

• Human Hive: Swarm is composed of thousands of bees, which he can control and manipulate. He can reform his body if scattered, and control the bees with his thoughts.
• Flight: He can fly by directing his constituent bees to propel him through the air.
• Stinging: The bees can sting opponents, delivering venom.
• Energy Blasts: He can direct the bees to generate and project blasts of concussive energy.
• Shape-Shifting: Swarm can alter his size and shape by adding or subtracting bees from his mass.
• Bee Control: He has extensive control over bees, including communication and manipulation.

Enemies

Swarm has faced various superheroes in the Marvel Universe, including:

• Spider-Man
• The Champions
• The New Warriors

Publication History

Swarm first appeared in Giant-Size Spider-Man #6 (October 1975) and was created by Len Wein and Ross Andru.

In Other Media

Swarm has appeared in animated television series, such as Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.