Fictional character biography
Marko is first seen as Silvermane's loyal lieutenant in an incident dealing with an ancient tablet which he steals. He attacks Curtis Connors when he thinks the formula he created has killed Silvermane. Marko is quickly defeated by Spider-Man. [2] [3]
Marko and some of his colleagues rob the Debutante Ball of Millie Hogarth. Unfortunately, for them, Millie's father is the agent for Power Man and Iron Fist, who are called in to defeat the villains. Man Mountain Marko later assists Caesar Cicero's men into attacking Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan. [4]
During a trip to gather protection money, Marko has a breakdown and trashes an entire bar, with Spider-Man inside of it. Investigative reporter Ben Urich tells Spider-Man that Marko has apparently kidnapped a child. Ben knows of a facility where Marko is known to work out. Spider-Man finds steroids in Marko's locker. The owner of the gym tells him that the Maggia genetically altered Marko to make him stronger. Spider-Man steals information from the Maggia and confronts Marko at his home. Eventually Marko is subdued and it turns out the kid he 'kidnapped' simply had a twisted sense of hero worship, admiring Marko's size and strength. [5]
Man Mountain Marko is later seen as a sexually threatening hitman sent after private investigator Jessica Jones. [6] This was part of a conspiracy by a powerful business magnate who wished to use Jones and Captain America to humiliate the President of the United States. Jones severely beats Marko, then literally throws him at the businessman's feet. Marko and his bosses are arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D. [7]
During the "Manifest Destiny" storyline, Marko develops a singing career focusing on the concept of violence against female super-heroes. While on a plane with the super-hero Dazzler he becomes enraged over the perceived lack of alcohol. He injures passengers and takes a hostage, he breaks the hostage's wrist to prove he is serious. Dazzler, at low power, manages to subdue him. [8]
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Marko is sent by Norman Osborn as part of a fact finding mission to an 'Atlas' facility run by a younger Jimmy Woo. Atlas is an international crime organization that is working against the government's interests. Marko is working as the head of a squad of B.A.T.F.E. government agents. Marko's forces including a seeming snitch that had been advising the government on the activities of Atlas. Marko, against the recommendations of his guides, rushes off the recommended path to follow the snitch, who is revealed to be Jimmy Woo. Before Marko can do anything about the situation, he is eaten by a sentient dragon named Lao. [9]
Marko is revealed to have survived and is hired onto the Sinister Sixteen by Boomerang and Owl. [10] After being manipulated and abandoned by Boomerang, Marko seeks revenge on him with the help of Cyclone, Shriek, and Kangaroo, but the quartet are defeated by Boomerang and his allies Beetle, Speed Demon, and Overdrive. [11]
In "All-New, All-Different Marvel", Marko is hired by Lorraine Monroe to stand guard over Tempest Monroe, the comatose fiancé of Spider-Man 2099. Upon discovering Tempest's whereabouts, Spider-Man 2099 distracts Marko long enough for Parker Industries to covertly relocate Tempest. [12] Spider-Man 2099 subsequently tracks Marko down and beats him to near-death while demanding to know where to find Lorraine. [13] Marko is recovered by the Fist, an offshoot of the Hand, who heal him and further augment his strength and durability using technology provided by Tyler Stone. [14]
Marko later appears with Speed Demon robbing a pawn shop until they are caught by Rage. After a brief fight, they escape while Rage is arrested by the Americops. [15] Captain America captures Speed Demon, who confesses to his and Marko's robbery of the pawn shop. [16]
During the "Devil's Reign" storyline, Man Mountain Marko appears as an inmate of the Myrmidon. Moon Knight is informed by 8-Ball that Marko is the "king of the cage". Moon Knight beats Marko into surrender and temporarily blinds him as Thunderbolts agents arrive to capture him. [17]
