La Bête

La Bête is the French-language edition name for Hank McCoy, the Beast — a founding X-Man whose mutation grants him superhuman agility and strength. Born with oversized hands and feet, the brilliant McCoy later developed his iconic blue fur after a further mutation transformed his appearance entirely.

Born in the Silver Age from the legendary creative partnership of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, La Bête made their debut in Fantask #5 in 1969 under the French publisher Arédit-Artima — a testament to just how far Marvel's revolutionary characters traveled across the Atlantic. With a publishing presence stretching across an impressive 52 years, this character found a home primarily in Les Vengeurs and Strange, sharing pages with some of the most iconic figures in comics history, including Iron Man, Thor, and Warren Worthington III. Three of their appearances carry key-issue status, making them a genuine collector's target within the beloved world of French Marvel editions. For enthusiasts of international comics history and the global reach of Silver Age storytelling, La Bête is a fascinating piece of the puzzle.