Click card to flip
BEASTHENRY PHILIP MCCOY
Oh my stars and garters! Hank McCoy is the X-Men's resident genius—a founding member whose brilliant mind is matched only by his bestial appearance. Originally appearing with oversized hands and feet, Beast later mutated into his iconic blue-furred form. He's served on the Avengers, led scientific breakthroughs, and recently became one of Marvel's most controversial characters as his methods grew increasingly morally questionable.
CARD
#051
DEBUT
1963
FIRST
X-MEN #1
DEMAND
HIGH
Card Gallery
2025 TOPPS MARVEL MINT
This premium trading card is part of the 2025 Topps Marvel Mint collection. Each card showcases Marvel's greatest heroes and villains with exceptional artwork and collectible value.
The Original Five
Beast first appeared in X-Men #1 (September 1963), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as one of Professor Xavier's original five students. Henry "Hank" McCoy was born with unusually large hands and feet, giving him ape-like agility. His mutation also granted him superhuman strength, speed, and a genius-level intellect.
Hank's transformation into his blue-furred form came later, in Amazing Adventures #11 (1972). While working as a genetic researcher, he isolated the chemical cause of mutation and tested it on himself. The experiment went wrong, leaving him covered in blue fur with a more bestial appearance. This look became his most iconic form.
Beast became the first X-Man to join the Avengers, serving with distinction and proving that mutants could be heroes alongside Earth's Mightiest. His scientific expertise made him invaluable, and his jovial personality—peppered with literary quotes and his signature "Oh my stars and garters!"—made him beloved by fans.
Powers and Abilities
PHYSICAL POWERS
- Superhuman strength (10+ tons)
- Enhanced agility and reflexes
- Razor-sharp claws and fangs
MENTAL ABILITIES
- Genius-level intellect
- Expert in genetics and biochemistry
- Polymath knowledge base
Live-Action: Multiple Portrayals
Beast has appeared in multiple X-Men films with different actors. Kelsey Grammer played the blue-furred Hank McCoy in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), bringing gravitas and warmth to the role. Nicholas Hoult portrayed a younger Beast in the prequel films, from X-Men: First Class (2011) through Dark Phoenix (2019), showing his transformation from human-looking scientist to blue-furred mutant.
With Marvel Studios now controlling the X-Men, Beast is certain to appear in future MCU projects. His status as an Original Five member, Avengers history, and scientific expertise make him essential to any X-Men adaptation. The character's recent controversial comic storylines could also provide dramatic material for a more complex portrayal.
INVESTMENT ALERT: Beast cards benefit from Original Five status and guaranteed MCU inclusion. X-Men #1 (first appearance) is one of the most valuable Silver Age keys. His Avengers membership provides cross-team appeal. Any MCU X-Men casting would significantly boost interest in founding members.
Team Affiliations
X-MEN
Founding member
AVENGERS
First X-Man to join
ILLUMINATI
Secret council member
2025 Marvel Mint Collector Analysis
Card #051 Beast is the first Silver tier card in the base set, reflecting his importance as an Original Five X-Man. His dual role as X-Men founder and Avengers member provides cross-team appeal. Recent controversial comic storylines add complexity that could translate to compelling MCU adaptation.
PARALLEL CHASE
Blue parallels match his iconic fur color
INVESTMENT RATING
HIGH - Original X-Man with Avengers crossover