MORBIUS
The Living Vampire. Dr. Michael Morbius is a biochemist-turned-bloodsucker. After years of experimentation to eliminate his rare blood disease, Morbius gained a cure… and an acute case of vampirism. The side effects? Enhanced senses, an aversion to light, and an insatiable thirst for blood. He can’t be felled by any mystical objects though, as he’s more scientific than supernatural.
THE MAKING OF A MONSTER
Bond of Blood
In Morbius: Bond Of Blood (2021) #1
Morbius faces a ghost from his past: his first kill! Emil Nikos was Morbius’ research partner… until the bloodlust made Emil the first victim to Morbius’ vampiric urges! Now, Emil’s son is dying from a new rare blood disease and only Morbius can save him! But at what cost?
The Cure
In Morbius (2019) #1
Your perfect intro to the Living Vampire. For years, Morbius has been struggling to cure himself of his vampirism, and now, one may be within reach. But the path to it is littered with dangers, and the cure may be worse than the disease!
“How I Became a Dead Vampire”
In Morbius: The Living Vampire (2013) #1
Start here for the origin! The line between hero and villain becomes brutally and bloodily blurred in Morbius’ solo series. Shunning society, a homeless, on the skids Morbius hits rock bottom while he seeks continuous nourishment for a never-ending hunger.
First Appearance
In The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #101
Read through issue #102! In his introductory arc, we learn the delicate balance between Morbius’ impulse and control, when he sees a snack in six-armed Spider-Man… and dives in fangs first! Right off the bat though, we get a sense that there’s a truly tragic backstory at play.
The Power to Purge
In Marvel Team-Up (1972) #3
Read through issue #4 for the X-Men’s cameo! Weakened from his last rumble with Spider-Man and the Lizard, Morbius lashes out once more, indiscriminately attacking New York’s night owls. Spider-Man, of course, can’t let that slide, and he gets an assist from the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch to subdue this sanguine sitch.
“Every Nation Runs on Blood”
In Domino (2018) #7
Read through issue #8! Up against the “King of Vampires”, Morbius seeks aid (and sustenance) from X-Woman Domino and her crew of mercenaries, Diamondback and Outlaw. On a beachy trip to Barcelona, the foursome head beneath the ocean’s surface to come face-to-face with this monster of the deep… Oh, there’s also a vampire hunter hot on their trail.
In Cold Blood
In Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #688
Read through issue #691! A fully mad Morbius attempts to “cure” the Lizard by reverting Curt Connors back to his human form. Of course, untested science is always a no-brainer bad idea in comic books, and Morbius ends up creating a small army of vampire-lizard beings as hungry for blood as their creator.
Withdrawal
In LEGION OF MONSTERS: MORBIUS 1 (2007) #1
In a gorgeously Gothic tale, creators Brendan Cahill and Michael Gaydos take Morbius through the deepest depths of terrifying addiction in a fully painted horror!
Rise of the Midnight Sons
In Morbius: The Living Vampire (1992) #1
Try the event’s Reading List! Morbius joins Ghost Riders Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, along with vampire-slayer Blade and the Darkhold Redeemers, in the fight against Lilith, Mother of Demons! But as this terror-inducing crew targets Lilith’s overrun progeny, they draw closer to their truest natures... And in Morbius’ case, that “nature” is utterly off-putting to fiancée Martine Bancroft.
Maximum Carnage
In Web of Spider-Man (1985) #102
Try the full event! In this 90s fan-favorite, Spider-Man, Black Cat, Cloak, and Venom hit up the Living Vampire for help against Carnage and his kooky Carnage “family”. Yep, things are that desperate. With Manhattan overrun by anarchy, Morbius’ unpredictable nature proves his greatest asset against Cletus Kasady and his ilk.
“The Blood Sacrifice”
In Vampire Tales (1973) #1
Nostalgics and cinephiles will love this supernatural throwback featuring anthology tales of vampires, ghouls, and all manner of creatures who stalk the night. Morbius leads the pack, getting first bite in a black & white adventure.
Not All Bad, But Not Great Either…
In Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #15
Flexing his anti-heroic potential, Morbius teams with the Fantastic Four’s Thing against the incredibly meta “Living Eraser”… after Morbius gives Ben’s now-wife Alicia Masters a major jump scare.