Mark Raxton was born in
New York City. He was a scientist who could not wait to use his skills to become rich and once worked at
Oscorp Industries as the laboratory assistant to
Spencer Smythe, creator of the
Spider-Slayers. Raxton and Smythe developed an experimental new liquid metallic
alloy for the Spider-Slayers from a
radioactive meteor, but Raxton in his greed and impatience, attempted to steal it and sell it, ignoring Smythe's protests that it needed further testing. In the ensuing fight with Smythe in the laboratory, Raxton spilled the liquid alloy on himself, turning his skin gold. Fearing for his life, Raxton ran for the nearest hospital, only to discover that the alloy had changed him for the better when he angrily punched an irate motorist's hood, buckling it. Realizing the great potential his new abilities afforded him, Raxton, calling himself the Molten Man, turned to crime to further his monetary gains. Peter Parker, as Spider-Man, nearly missed his
high school graduation to stop Molten Man's first crime spree. Raxton was later released from jail, only to continue his criminal activities. However, he was once again defeated by Spider-Man. In his third encounter with Spider-Man, it was revealed that Peter's friend
Liz Allan was Raxton's stepsister, and the Molten Man's metallic skin had begun to give off intense heat and consume itself. He steals meteor fragments from a museum to attempt a cure. An encounter with Spider-Man resulted in his submergence in the polluted
East River, which temporarily reversed the deterioration. In another encounter, Raxton broke into a pharmaceutical company to steal chemicals which would reverse his condition permanently. When the procedure failed, he went berserk and demanded to speak to Liz, who agreed to talk to him and also tried to convince him to surrender. Liz was saved by Spider-Man and the Molten Man became buried beneath the laboratory. He later resurfaced at the same site and once again sought his stepsister. Spider-Man prevented the Molten Man from hurting her, knocking him into a swimming pool which extinguished Molten Man's flames and cooled his skin. He was then taken to the
Vault, a prison for superhuman criminals. Raxton realized that his stepsister was the only member of his family who had not abandoned him. He was eventually released from the Vault and approached Liz to apologize. Spider-Man misunderstood his intentions and battled him once more. Reconciled with Raxton, Liz and her husband
Harry Osborn gave Raxton a job as head of security at Osborn Industries. The Molten Man later teamed up with Spider-Man and the second Green Goblin against
Tombstone and
Hammerhead. The Molten Man was then kidnapped along with Liz, Normie Osborn and Spider-Man by Harry Osborn, who had suffered a mental relapse, making him the Green Goblin once again. The Molten Man was saved by Spider-Man. Molten Man and Spider-Man have since become friends, and the Molten Man has occasionally used his powers to aid Spider-Man against other supervillains. A few times he has been a bodyguard for Peter Parker's friends and family when disasters overwhelm the city. In
the months following the
Clone Saga, Raxton was abducted by
Norman Osborn, the
Green Goblin, and brainwashed. Under mind control, the Molten Man attacked and killed Osborn's henchman
Alison Mongrain, the only person who knew of the location of Peter and Mary Jane's baby. Although the Molten Man has since recovered from the mind control, he still bears a heavy burden of guilt over the incident. Sometime after Harry Osborn's death, Raxton is summoned when mysterious forces kidnap Liz Allan's son,
Normie Osborn. The Molten Man uses his brawn and brains to help Spider-Man and the
Daily Bugle reporter
Ben Urich uncover what happened. Raxton is later pressed into a supervillain group again when the
Chameleon approaches him and threatens to kill Normie if Raxton does not join his 'Exterminators'. Raxton is consequently forced to attack Liz Allan. During the
Civil War storyline, the Molten Man and the
Scarecrow are used as bait for
Captain America's
Secret Avengers, only for the
Punisher to arrive. Raxton is left in critical condition after being attacked by the Punisher. Raxton next appears, still in poor condition, under the care of Liz Allan. When Harry Osborn comes to visit Liz and Normie, he and Liz argue. Hearing Liz speak Harry's name, Raxton awakens and attacks him, screaming that Harry has hurt his family for the last time and will "die for real". Spider-Man intervenes, but he has trouble fighting Raxton, whose powers have grown out of control. Spider-Man manages to trap Raxton in
asphalt, and Harry provides him with a cure that Oscorp had been working on upon using volunteer Charlie Weiderman, the other "Molten Man" who destroyed Peter's house at the same day Spider-Man joined the
New Avengers prior to Civil War. The cure is successful, returning Raxton to his human form while retaining his powers. Harry builds Raxton a special suit, using a part of the alloy and his DNA, to help him control his powers. Liz Allan later becomes the head of
Alchemax and uses its technology to completely cure Raxton, removing his powers. He is constantly monitored, but is no longer considered a threat to society and joins Alchemax's security force. ==Powers and abilities==