U-Man was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins and first appeared in Invaders #3 (Nov. 1975). He is an Atlantean warrior and scientist who, due to his hatred for Namor the Sub-Mariner, allies himself with Nazi Germany, leading to his banishment from Atlantis. He willingly undergoes Nazi procedures to enhance his size and strength, and takes on the alias U-Man. Despite his villainous actions, he has occasionally aided superhero teams in the modern Marvel Universe. U-Man's powers include breathing underwater, surviving on land indefinitely, and enhanced strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, and reflexes, thanks to Nazi science. He is also trained in warfare.
Creation
The character was created as an homage to the DC Comics character Aquaman.[1]
Publication history
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2020)
Meranno is an Atlantean warrior and scientist. Like hero Namor the Sub-Mariner, he is a member of the Atlantean race Homo mermanus. It is revealed in flashback that Meranno despised Namor when they were children, and in adulthood allies himself with Nazi Germany. Still consumed with hatred for Namor, the character reveals the location of the city of Atlantis to the German forces, who destroy the Atlantean fleet and place the then Emperor Thakorr in a coma. Thakorr is succeeded by Namor who banishes Meranno from Atlantis for treason.
U-Man reappears in the title Invaders under the mental control of JapanesespyLady Lotus, and battles teen group the Kid Commandos and the Invaders[5] and joins the Nazi group Super-Axis for a final confrontation with the superhero team.[6]
As an Atlantean, Meranno can breathe and move freely underwater, as well as survive for an indefinite period on land. Courtesy of Nazi science, he has inhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, and reflexes. U-Man was trained in the arts of warfare.[10]