Ajax (Francis Freeman)
{{Short description|Marvel Comics character}}
{{for|others named Ajax|Ajax (disambiguation)#Fictional characters}}
{{Multiple issues|{{Notability|fiction|date=April 2023}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}}}
{{Infobox comics character
|image=Francis Fanny (Earth-616) from Deadpool vs. Thanos Vol 1 1 001.jpg
|caption=Ajax as depicted in Deadpool vs. Thanos #1 (September 2015). Art by Elmo Bondoc (penciler/inker) and Ruth Redmond (colorist).
|character_name=Ajax
|real_name=Francis Freeman
|publisher=Marvel Comics
|debut=Deadpool #14 (March 1998)
|creators=Joe Kelly
Walter A. McDaniel
|alliances=Weapon X
|aliases=The Attending
Ajax
Abyss Man
|powers=* Enhanced strength
- Intuitive capacity
Via implants:
- Superhuman speed, reflexes and agility
- High tolerance to pain
}}
Francis Freeman (also known as Ajax) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Joe Kelly and artist Walter A. McDaniel, the character first appeared in Deadpool #14 (March 1998).
Fictional character biography
Francis Freeman, also known as "The Attending", is an enforcer at Emrys Killebrew's laboratory, known as the Workshop. He works with Killebrew to experiment on Wade Wilson, among others. After becoming Deadpool, Wade apparently kills Freeman.Deadpool and Death Annual (July 1998)
Years later, Freeman resurfaces under the name Ajax and kills many members of Weapon X to exact revenge on Deadpool.Deadpool #18 (July 1998) Deadpool later kills Ajax by snapping his neck.Deadpool #19 (August 1998)
Blackheart later releases Ajax from Hell in an attempt to prevent Deadpool and Thanos from meddling in his plot to overthrow Mephisto. Ajax, now calling himself Abyss Man, locates and attempts to kill the two before they defeat him.Deadpool vs. Thanos #1 - 3 (November - December 2015)
Powers and abilities
In other media
Francis Freeman / Ajax appears in Deadpool (2016), portrayed by Ed Skrein.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/edskrein/status/585490030870851586 |title=Ed Skrein on Twitter |author=Skrein, Ed |date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=April 8, 2015}} According to co-writer Rhett Reese, the character was selected to serve as the film's antagonist due to his "sadistic quality and his imperviousness to pain and what that implied about him" which "lands very hard on Wade Wilson and creates the fun antagonism".{{cite web |last=Key |first=Matt |date=21 July 2015 |title=Deadpool Writer Rhett Reese Talks about Ajax and Breaking the Fourth Wall |url=http://www.geekgirlauthority.com/deadpool-writer-rhett-reese-talks-about-ajax-and-breaking-the-fourth-wall/ |access-date=6 January 2017 |website= |publisher=Geek Girl Authority}} This version tortured Wade Wilson to activate his mutant genes and sell him as a slave. However, Wade escapes and seeks revenge after being disfigured. After Wade corners and injures him, Francis escapes when Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead distract his attacker. He and his partner Angel Dust later retaliate by kidnapping Wade's girlfriend Vanessa Carlysle. Wade, Colossus, and Negasonic Teenage Warhead confront Francis, Angel Dust, and their team in a scrapyard, where Wade kills Francis.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Marvelwiki|ajax-francis|Ajax (Francis)}}
{{Deadpool}}
{{Weapon Plus}}
Category:British comics characters
Category:Characters created by Joe Kelly
Category:Comics characters introduced in 1998
Category:Fictional mercenaries in comics
Category:Fictional swordfighters in comics
Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
Category:Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing
Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains
Category:Marvel Comics mutates