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Pheromones

Writer: Jessie Desmond
Jessie Desmond
Apr 27
4 min read

One thing that gets mentioned, but is never really explained, are Hank's sex pheromones - which he has more control over after his second mutation. What I gather is that after his second mutation, Hank basically had to run through a second puberty in his blue furred form. With the ability to choose when he could secrete his sex pheromones, he kind of went through a "wild libido" phase.



Let's dive right into this with X-Factor #54 (1990), which is actually later in a linear sense, but clearly states the attraction that Hank can get. Hank is dating Trish Tilby at this point. If he is secreting pheromones, it's because of or for her.

X-Factor #54


When does Hank really start to understand that he can attract women? Avengers #164 (1977). He's being a little mopey, he goes out for a few hot dogs, and ends up spending two days with a handful of women.


The Avengers #164


We can see more of Hank's realization that - hey, he can totally get chicks now - with Avengers #170.

Avengers #170


In Avengers #171, we see the girls flocking around Hank as he tries to leave with the Avengers for a mission. It actually causes a problem that Thor helps him out with. As we can see (below) Hank doesn't look thrilled that he's being mobbed while he's trying to do some superhero work.

Avengers #171


Hank's sex appeal does enrage the men, as we can see in Avengers #178. He later becomes enticed by Winnie, which leads to Hank being temporarily captured.

Avengers #178 (the last panel happens later on in the issue)


In Avengers #182, Hank refers to himself as a swinger, although its masked as fun verbiage.


In Avengers #185, the team gets back from a big mission and Hank scurries off to go on a date with Melissa, Joanie, and Pam--whoever they are.


Beast also tries to spread the love by setting up his new best friend, Wonder Man, on a blind date in Avengers #197. It bleeds over into Avengers #198 where neither one of them score, instead they ditch their dates to hang out.

Avengers #197

Avengers #198


By 1980, we can see that Hank still has his sex appeal going for him in Marvel Team-Up #90.

Marvel Team-Up #90


Nightcrawler (2004) #6
Nightcrawler (2004) #6

If we take a moment to consider the psychological implications of this, we can start to understand why present day Hank is a little more distant from a sex life. He probably questions if someone is actually interested in him or if it's just the sex pheromones. He really takes control of himself and steps back from his sexual wild side by X-Factor and even more during the 1990s X-Men.


I think that once Hank is able to reflect upon his actions, he becomes a bit abashed at his previous lifestyle - not totally ashamed of it, but like "okay, that happened and now I'm going be more adult about things". He does start to question his appeal with women, despite his relationships with Trish Tilby (long term, ends poorly), Cecilia Reyes (doesn't last terribly long), Abigail Brand (toxic relationship). There are also instances where he has expressed crushes on team members such as Jean Grey, Storm, Dazzler, and Psylocke.


Strictly speaking about Hank's promiscuity, he wasn't really looking for love at the time. There is a certain sense of disconnectedness in regards to group sex, which Hank has made reference to multiple times, since it seems to short-term. Hank isn't with four particular women, he's with some random women he's met at clubs, events, and through his fame as an Avenger. That tends to indicate vague boundaries, an avoidance of emotional intimacy, and that there's a sense of "novelty" - with Hank as the novelty piece.


It really changes for Hank, entering a monogamous relationship, when he starts seeing Trish Tilby after he joins X-Factor.


Sources:

  • Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto. (Feb 2005) "Voices of the Dead, part 2. Ghosts On The Tracks." Nightcrawler. Issue #6. (Illustrator D. Robertson). Marvel Comics.

  • Gerber, Steve. (Dec 1978) "The Martyr Perplex!" The Avengers. Issue #178. (Illustrator C. Infantino and R. Nebres). Marvel Comics.

  • Grant, Steven. (Feb 1980) "Spider-Man and The Beast: Death Rides The Air Waves" Marvel Team-Up. Issue #90. (Illustrator M. Vosburg and B. McLeod). Marvel Comics.

  • Micheline, David. (April 1979) "Honor Thy Father." The Avengers. Issue #182. (Illustrator J. Byrne and K. Janson). Marvel Comics.

  • Micheline, David. (July 1979) "The Yesterday Quest!" The Avengers. Issue #185. (Illustrator J. Byrne). Marvel Comics.

  • Micheline, David. (July 1980) "Prelude of The War-Devil!" The Avengers. Issue #197. (Illustrator C. Infantino). Marvel Comics.

  • Micheline, David. (Aug 1980) "Better Red Than Ronin!" The Avengers. Issue #199. (Illustrator G. Perez). Marvel Comics.

  • Shooter, Jim. (Oct 1977) "To Fall By Treachery!" The Avengers. Issue #164. (Illustrator J. Byrne). Marvel Comics.

  • Shooter, Jim. (Jan 1978) "...Though Hell Should Bar The Way!" The Avengers. Issue #170. (Illustrator G. Perez). Marvel Comics.

  • Shooter, Jim. (Feb 1978) "Where Angels Fear To Tread." The Avengers. Issue #171. (Illustrator G. Perez). Marvel Comics.

  • Simonson, Louise. (May 1990) "Crimson." X-Factor. Issue #54. (Illustrator M. Silvestri). Marvel Comics.

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