Origin
Mojoworld is an extradimensional and extratemporal realm inhabited by the semi-humanoid Spineless Ones. Due to their world’s unique nature, radio and television signals from Earth were distorted and sent through time to early in the Spineless Ones’ existence, bombarding their brains with alien images. This has affected their mental state, giving them an intense love of televised entertainment but immense disdain, fear and awe towards humans.
When the Spineless One Arize was born, his inventions revolutionized their culture. Arize created mechanical supports to allow the Spineless Ones to stand upright, and genetically engineered slave species. Out of Arize’s twisted sense of humor, he made some to resemble the hated image of Humans.
Creation
Mojo was created by Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams. He first appeared in Longshot issue 3 which was released in November 1985.
Mayor Story Arcs
Longshot
In Mojoworld’s media-oriented culture, the ruler is in charge of producing movies and television shows to keep the masses entertained. Mojo first started taking control of Mojoworld’s slave creation and trade. Some of his creations included Spiral his six armed assistant and Quark, who resembled a human with the head of a ram. He also had ties in creating the character known as Longshot. Mojo employed Longshot as a stunt man in his movie productions; however, Longshot became Mojo’s nemesis, leading other slaves in a rebellion. Mojo first learned of Earth when Longshot escaped to it, and he decided to take it over. When on the planet Earth, his whole essence embodies an anti life force. He causes plants to wilt and die, and causes humans and animals to age rapidly and die as well. By these means, he warped the weather and distorted the sky, which, if not thwarted, would have ended all life on the planet.
X-Men, X-Babies
He also tried, on several occasions, to force the X-Men into serving as unwilling actors in his convoluted productions. At one point, Longshot tried to kill him, and seemed to have succeeded. His successor was appropriately named Mojo 2, the sequel. However, the original staged an incredible comeback to wreak more havoc on Mojoworld and on Earth. He also helped to create and use child-like versions of the Marvel Universe, including the X Babies, but they ended up revolting.
Further Adventures
Mojo has made his appearance in the Marvel Universe from time to time, mostly as an advisory to the X-Men and X-Force.
Powers & Abilities
Due to his magical nature and the way his attributes change from dimension to dimension, it is very hard to determine the exact limits to Mojo’s powers.
KNOWN ABILITIES
- Fire bolts of energy from his hands
- Mind Control, to the extent that he once controlled an entire world
- Can fly with his mechanical carriage
- Can walk up walls with a mechanical carriage. Most of the time he uses Spiral to travel through dimensions as well as control his populace.
Alternate Realities
Earth-1610 Ultimate Universe
Mojo (reimagined as a human named Mojo Adams) appears in Ultimate X-Men during the Most “Dangerous Game” story arc. He is depicted as a short, fat albino that is in show business. His show stars mutants from Genosha that had committed capital offenses and were sent to the island of Krakoa for a survival game. The most outstanding and lasting mutant in the show was Longshot who was freed by the X-Men.
Other Media
Television
- Mojo made his first television appearance in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode titled “Mojovision.” Mojo is portrayed very much like his character in the comics, including his physical appearance, personality and several other traits. He returns in the episode “Longshot.” He was voiced by Peter Wildman.
- Longshot appears in Wolverine and the X-Men, voiced by Charlie Adler. In the episode “X-Calibre,” he sends Spiral and the Reavers to Genosha to find mutants for one of his shows. In “Hunting Grounds,” Mojo kidnaps Nightcrawler and Scarlet Witch to force them to fight Wolverine on one of his shows.
- Mojo appears in the Avengers Assemble episode “Mojo World,” voiced by Ralph Garman. In the episode, he kidnaps the Hulk and Hawkeye to fight in his gladiator tournaments. His Mojo Adams appearance from the Ultimate universe is used as a disguise.
Video Games
- Mojo is a boss character in the X-Men title for the Sega Genesis.
- Mojo appears in X-Men: Mojo World the Sega Game Gear.
- Mojo appears in Spiral’s ending in X-Men: Children of the Atom. An ice sculpture of Mojo also appears in Iceman‘s ending.
- Mojo and Spiral appear in Viewtiful Joe‘s ending in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, where he and Spiral act as producers for Joe’s new TV series.
Merchandise
- Mojo was featured in the X-Men: X-Force toyline from ToyBiz.
- Mojo was featured in the Classic Marvel Figurine Collection from Eaglemoss Publications.
- Mojo was featured in the Minimates line from Diamond Select.
- Mojo was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
- Mojo was the subject of a Marvel Legends Build-a-Figure wave from Hasbro. The wave consisted of Falcon, Baron Zemo, Iron Man Mark I, Longshot, Luke Cage and Psylocke, each of whom came with a piece needed to complete Mojo.
- Bowen Designs created a Mojo statue.
- Mojo was featured in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line as part of an exclusive Mojoworld box set. It was later repainted and released as a standalone deluxe figure.