Extremis

Extremis is a fictional biotechnology program in Marvel Comics, created for the Iron Man series by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov. It first appears in comics published in the mid-2000s and is central to a storyline that reimagines Tony Stark's relationships with nanotechnology and enhanced soldiers.

In the comics, the Extremis process uses a virus injected into a host and combined with nanotechnology to reprogram the body's cells and nervous system. The result is heightened physical abilities, accelerated healing, and improved cognitive processing. The procedure is dangerous and can be unstable, with the potential for violent, heat-like discharges if the host loses control or the regimen fails.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Extremis is adapted as a serum developed by Maya Hansen and used by Aldrich Killian's Extremis program. It yields rapid augmentation and the ability to generate extreme heat; it can trigger dramatic transformations and explosive discharges if not kept stable. The film's portrayal differs from the comics, emphasizing nanotech control and personal risk.

Extremis has had a lasting influence on how biotech-based powers are depicted in comics and film, and it is frequently cited in discussions of bioengineering and ethics in popular culture.

See also: Extremis (comics).