Humbug (character)

Last updated
Humbug
Wwh hfh11.jpg
Humbug as depicted in Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #11 (August 2007).
Art by Clayton Henry.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Web of Spider-Man #19 (October 1986)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoBuck Mitty
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliations
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, speed, agility and senses
Use of some audio tapes and a series of amplifiers
Ability to communicate with all insectoids on a planetary scale

Humbug (Buck Mitty) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Humbug was originally a supervillain but later became a superhero and a member of the Heroes for Hire. [1]

Contents

Publication history

Humbug first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #19 (Oct 1986). [2]

Fictional character biography

Humbug's debut appearance in Web of Spider-Man #19 (October 1986). Art by M. D. Bright (penciler) and Josef Rubinstein (inker). Web of Spider-Man 19.png
Humbug's debut appearance in Web of Spider-Man #19 (October 1986). Art by M. D. Bright (penciler) and Josef Rubinstein (inker).

Buck Mitty was a senior entomology professor at Empire State University until his funding was cut off. [3] Desperate to prove the value of the insect world, as well as to gain enough wealth to continue his research, Mitty designs the Humbug costume to achieve his goals by whatever means necessary.

In the one-shot special "Spider-Man: Bug Stops Here", Humbug attacks the New York Museum of Natural History to finance his research by stealing a rare scarab amulet. Spider-Man confronts Humbug and leads him to a place of the museum that was damaged by termites, causing him to fall and land on a lower floor. [4]

Discovering that Humbug had renewed his attack on the museum, the mercenary Deadpool is hired by unknown parties to prevent it. Deadpool catches up with Humbug, but one of Humbug's insect allies warns him of the attack. Humbug fires sonic blasts at Deadpool, rendering him deaf and mute. Enraged, Deadpool attacks Humbug, dousing him with honey before pouring a jar of fire ants on him. The ants devour Humbug, who Deadpool believes to have been killed. [5]

While the outer layer of Humbug's skin was eaten by the ants, he made a deal with them that allowed him to live. Rodney, the leader of the ants, stayed with Humbug after this. [6]

Heroes for Hire

Following the events of "Civil War", Humbug reforms and joins Heroes for Hire. [7]

In World War Hulk , Humbug betrays Earth's insect hive and the Heroes for Hire to serve the Brood. [8] It is later revealed that Earth's hive knew that Humbug would turn on them and used him to transport their agents into the Brood hive. Humbug's body is altered to allow him to carry a clutch of Brood eggs, giving him a deformed, insect-like appearance. Humbug begs Shang-Chi to kill him, to which he complies. [9]

Powers and abilities

Humbug uses some audio tapes and a series of amplifiers to broadcast the noises of various insect species, which can incapacitate others or damage materials. In Deadpool , Humbug is revealed to be able to communicate with insects.

In Heroes for Hire, Humbug utilizes an exo-suit that grants him superhuman strength and speed.

References

  1. Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . New York: Facts on File. p. 159. ISBN   0-8160-1356-X.
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Manning, Matthew K. (2012). Spider-Man Chronicle: Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. DK Publishing. p. 158. ISBN   978-0756692360.
  3. Sanderson, Peter (2007). The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City. New York City: Pocket Books. pp. 30–33. ISBN   978-1-4165-3141-8.
  4. Spider-Man: Bug Stops Here (1994)
  5. Deadpool (vol. 2) #42 (July 2000)
  6. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #5 (May 2006)
  7. Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #1 (October 2006)
  8. Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #13 (October 2007)
  9. Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #15 (December 2007)