| John King | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Hood #1 (July 2002) |
| Created by | Brian K. Vaughan Kyle Hotz |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | John King |
| Team affiliations | Zodiac |
| Notable aliases | Cancer |
| Abilities | Cancer super-suit grants: Transformation into a humanoid crab |
John King is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Manny Montana portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ series Ironheart (2025).
King first appeared in the MAX miniseries the Hood issue one in 2002, appearing in all six issues. After a five-year hiatus, he then reappeared in the New Avengers miniseries The Trust, and appeared in Secret Invasion issue four. He was a recurring character in the Dark Reign Hood series, which began in 2009, and appeared in The Siege: Storming Asgard miniseries.
John King is the cousin of Parker Robbins (who would later become the Hood). King and Robbins are close friends and both work as criminals in New York City. The two attempt to raid a warehouse said to be housing a valuable cargo, where the demon Nisanti attacks King. Robbins kills Nisanti and takes its cloak, giving him magical powers. Robbins and King later attempt to intercept a diamond heist, during which Robbins accidentally shoots a police officer. King takes the blame for the incident and is taken into custody. Robbins frames Madame Rapier for shooting the police officer, which allows King to be set free. [1]
Following the "Civil War" storyline, the Hood assembles a crime syndicate to take advantage of the discord caused by the Superhuman Registration Act. King attends an auction held by Owl and attempts to auction off a Deathlok replica until Hood attacks the auction and apparently kills Owl. [2] King later tells the syndicate of his plans to use the Deathlok replica to help him rob a bank. [3] He succeeds, but is captured by the New Avengers shortly afterward when they raid his hideout. [4] [5]
During the Dark Reign storyline, John King becomes the Hood's lieutenant. [6] King is arrested by Force and the authorities, who have learned that he is working with the Hood. However, Hood has Norman Osborn bail out King and the other villains. [7] King carries out another heist for the Hood, this time giving instructions to Squid and Man-Fish to raid a cargo ship. [8] King later tells Hood about the Controller sowing discord amongst his villain allies. [9]
John King is approached by Thanos to join his incarnation of Zodiac, leading the team as Cancer. [10] Zodiac is tasked with stealing several powerful items to bring balance to Earth and the cosmos. Captured after a battle with the Avengers, King reveals Thanos's plan to them. [11]
King possesses no superhuman powers or abilities.
As Cancer, John King wears a special super-suit given to him by Thanos that gives him the appearance of a humanoid crab.
John King appears in Ironheart , portrayed by Manny Montana. [12] This version is a member of a Chicago street crew led by his cousin Hood who later dies after being abandoned by Riri Williams.