Who Is Lila Cheney In MODOK Episode 1?

The Marvel adult animated comedy series "MODOK" has hit Hulu, and it's unlike anything you've seen before. Using state-of-the-art stop-motion animation technology, the show takes a look at one of Marvel comic books' notorious villains as he balances his grandiose plans for world conquest with his home and family life. The series was created by Jordan Blum and actor-comedian Patton Oswalt. Oswalt is also one of the show's executive producers, and he provides the voice for MODOK.

Between running the terrorist group AIM and trying to plan his son's bar mitzvah, MODOK is under a lot of pressure when we first see him in Episode 1, "If This Be . . . MODOK!" AIM is in serious financial trouble, and if MODOK doesn't figure out how to save it, he could lose everything. That's when a helicopter shows up carrying Austin Van Der Sleet, a representative of a tech company called GRUMBL. Austin hopes to romance MODOK into selling AIM to his company, but MODOK has no interest in giving up control.

Austin doesn't give up, though. He continues to schmooze MODOK in various ways, from taking him out for a meal to treating him to a live rock concert. It might just seem like a random musical performance, but Marvel comic book fans should recognize the name in lights on the venue's marquee. The name in question is Lila Cheney, and for those who don't know her, here's a little bit of background.

Lila Cheney is an English singer and musician, as well as a powerful mutant from the Marvel universe. She has a very rich history, often crossing the line between hero and villain. She is a super thief with unmatched teleportation powers who once tried to sell the Earth and its entire population as slaves. Later, she fought for the side of good by joining with the New Mutants and helping them with multiple missions.

Lila had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship with New Mutant member Sam Guthrie (Cannonball). She also invited Alison Blaire (Dazzler) to become part of Lila's music group as a backup singer and musician. In her travels throughout the universe, Lila often kept herself busy — assisting in a planetary rebellion, working for SWORD, and escaping from an arranged marriage are just a few of her adventures. On top of all that, she still has time to perform on both Earth and other planets, making her a universal rock star.

This Easter egg is sure to be just one of many throughout the "MODOK" series. Whether or not Lila actually makes a physical appearance on the show in the future remains to be seen, but the idea of MODOK geeking out in the presence of perhaps his favorite musician would be an entertaining sight.