Obnoxio the Clown

Last updated
Obnoxio the Clown as depicted in Deadpool: Back in Black volume 1. Obnoxio The Clown as depicted in Deadpool Back in Black volume 1.jpg
Obnoxio the Clown as depicted in Deadpool: Back in Black volume 1.

Obnoxio the Clown is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics as the mascot of the humor magazine Crazy . [1] He was created by Larry Hama.

Contents

Characterization

Obnoxio is portrayed as a slovenly, vulgar, cigar-puffing middle-aged man in a torn and dirty clown suit, with a dyspeptic and cynical attitude.

Background

Larry Hama created Obnoxio immediately after he became the editor of Crazy. He explained, "I thought the old mascot was too 'nebbishy.' I wanted someone proactive, and somebody who actually had a voice, unlike all the other humor magazine mascots." The character's face was modeled after Al Milgrom. [2]

Artist Alan Kupperberg, who would become heavily associated with the character, recounted, "Obnoxio's first appearance was in a one-panel illustration to accompany a subscription ad in Crazy, written by Larry and calling for likenesses of P. T. Barnum and Marcy Tweed among others. This was right up my alley, so I pulled the reference and really went to town, doing a very nice half-tone illo. I think the piece impressed Larry quite a bit, because if my memory is correct, Larry left me strictly alone on anything and everything Obnoxio the Clown-related." Most of the Obnoxio features were written by Virgil Diamond, who according to Hama "was a high school English teacher in Brooklyn. I heard from him a few years ago when he retired. He really labored on those pages and was constantly fussing with them." [2]

Obnoxio the Clown appeared in several single-page gags in What If? #34 (August 1982). [2]

Marvel also published a one-shot Obnoxio the Clown (titled Obnoxio the Clown vs. the X-Men on the cover) comic book in April 1983 following Crazy's cancellation. [1] [2] The plot centered on Obnoxio as a villain and unlikely ally of the X-Men. [1] He and the group battle Eye Scream, a villain who can transform into ice cream.

The sole issue of the comic book was written, illustrated, colored, and lettered by Alan Kupperberg; [3] in a comment which Kupperberg attributed to Peter David, [4] and which David attributes to James Owsley, [5] the comic was described as "written, penciled, inked and lettered by Alan Kupperberg. Yes, it’s untouched by human hands."

Long after Obnoxio had disappeared from the spotlight, Marvel published two stories written and drawn by Kupperberg in What The--?! #13 (July 1991) and #24 (December 1992).

In other media

Related Research Articles

<i>Crazy Magazine</i> Satirical humor publication, 1973–1983

Crazy Magazine is an illustrated satire and humor magazine that was published by Marvel Comics from 1973 to 1983 for a total of 94 regular issues. It was preceded by two standard-format comic books titled Crazy. The magazine's format followed in the tradition of Mad, Sick, Cracked and National Lampoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impossible Man</span> Fictional character

The Impossible Man is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #11, and was created by writer Stan Lee and writer/artist Jack Kirby. The Impossible Man has been featured in other Marvel-endorsed products such as action figures, arcade and video games, animated television series, and merchandise such as trading cards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absorbing Man</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

The Absorbing Man is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #114, in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Carl Creel has the power to absorb and become any material he touched. Originally a supervillain, in later years, he has reformed into more of an antihero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abomination (character)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

The Abomination is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Gil Kane, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #90. He is one of the main enemies of the superhero Hulk, and possesses powers similar to his after also being exposed to gamma rays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Hama</span> American comic book writer, artist

Larry Hama is an American comic-book writer, artist, actor, and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader (character)</span> Comic book supervillain

The Leader is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Leader first appeared in Tales to Astonish #62, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko as the archenemy of the Hulk. He has mainly appeared in Hulk-related comic books over the years and was one of the featured characters in the Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts relaunch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrecking Crew (comics)</span> Fictional comic book supervillains

The Wrecking Crew is a team of four supervillains—the Wrecker, Bulldozer, Piledriver and Thunderball—appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. While not featured on the cover, the Wrecking Crew's first appearance is in The Defenders #17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderbolt Ross</span> Comic book character

General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics featuring the Hulk. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, and the ex-father-in-law of both Glenn Talbot and Bruce Banner.

Frantic Magazine is a comic book series published by Marvel UK from 1979 to 1980. Part of Dez Skinn's revamp of the company, the title was a thinly disguised copy of Mad Magazine. It contained the first published work of Alan Davis, as well as early scripts by Alan Moore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringmaster (comics)</span> Fictional Marvel comics supervillain

The Ringmaster is the name of two characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first incarnation of Ringmaster, Fritz Tiboldt, first appeared in Captain America Comics #5. The second incarnation, Maynard Tiboldt, debuted in Incredible Hulk #3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ymir (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional comic character based on mythical frost giant

Ymir is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #97. Ymir is based on the frost giant of the same name from Norse mythology. Ymir is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Thor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Kupperberg</span> American comics artist

Alan Kupperberg was an American comics artist known for working in both comic books and newspaper strips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bi-Beast</span> Comics character

The Bi-Beast is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moon-Boy</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Moon-Boy is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is best known as the constant companion of Devil Dinosaur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goom</span> Fictional extraterrestrial in Marvel Comics

Goom is a fictional extraterrestrial created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Dick Ayers, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in the anthology comic book Tales of Suspense #15 in the Silver Age of Comic Books. He is depicted as the father of Googam.

The Red Hulk is an alias that is used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics: Thunderbolt Ross, Robert Maverick, Joe Fixit and other equivalents in specific Marvel timelines. The character has appeared in numerous adaptions in media alongside the comics including several animated television shows and many video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maestro (character)</span> Fictional comic book supervillain

The Maestro is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Peter David and artist George Pérez, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect#1. Depicted as an evil version of the Hulk from an alternate future, the Maestro possesses Bruce Banner's intelligence and the Hulk's strength and more malevolent personality traits.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Campbell, David (April 20, 2005). Obnoxio the Clown Marvel Comics, 1983, Accessed August 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Arnold, Mark (September 2016). "What The--?!: Obnoxio the Clown". Back Issue! (91). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 68–71.
  3. Comic Collector live. Obnoxio The Clown #1. Accessed November 2008.
  4. Kupperberg interview from Comic Book Artist #16, archived at AlanKupperberg.com; via archive.org
  5. Not in Any Store…, by Peter David, from Comics Buyer's Guide #1003, February 5, 1993; archived at PeterDavid.net
  6. "Obnoxio Voice - Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 12, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.