Down Time Poll

As far as I know, there is only one more character that has been in a Marvel movie that I haven't highlighted yet. So, I NEED YOUR HELP! During the little time between now and the release of the next Marvel movie (Thor--May 6), who/what should I highlight?

Please vote in the "Down Time Poll" to help me decide! Do you want me to highlight:

1. Random Characters (including your suggestions--mine and your favorites that haven't been in any recent Marvel movies)

2. Trailer Characters (characters that I have seen in upcoming Marvel movie trailers)

or

3. Teams (teams that have been in movies--e.g. X-Men, Sentinels, The Hand, Fantastic Four, etc.)

(If you have suggestions beyond voting--like your favorite hero you would like me to highlight--please leave them in the "Comment" section below.)

Robbie Robertson

Real Name
Joseph Robertson

Occupation
Editor-in-Chief, Daily Bugle; former convict, city editor, reporter

Citizenship
U.S.A. with a criminal record (pardoned)

Place of Birth
Harlem, New York

Known Relatives
Martha (wife), Patrick Henry (son, deceased), Randolph (Randy, son), Samuel Robertson (father, deceased), Alice Robertson (mother, deceased), Amanda (Mandy, ex-daughter-in-law)

Group Affiliation
Daily Bugle staff, Jameson News Digest staff

Education
Columbia School of Journalism graduate

Height
6'1"

Weight
210 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
White

Powers
None

Abilities
Robbie is a veteran editor, manager and reporter, well respected for his wisdom, courage and integrity. He is renowned for his saintly patience, sly wit and relentless work ethic. He has some experience with hand-to-hand combat and firearms, but is unskilled and reluctant in these areas, and seldom has to rely on violence.

Other Info
Joesph Robertson was born to be a journalist. As a student at Harlem High School, he worked for the school paper, becoming its editor during his senior year. He eventually won a scholarship to the Columbia School of Journalism. "Robbie" was a fearless reporter until he ran afoul of one particular subject, fellow Harlem student Lonnie Thompson Lincoln, nicknamed Tombstone (a massive albino who was taunted by his peers because of his appearance). Lonnie considered Robbie a friend of sorts since Robbie was one of the few who never mocked him; however, when Lonnie began using his considerable strength to extort money from classmates, Robbie prepared a story for the Harlem High paper exposing Lonnie's activities. Therefore, Lonnie ambushed Robbie after school and beat him up until Robbie agreed to stop the story--it was never printed. Lonnie saw this as a understanding between the two, but Robbie was disgusted with himself and determined never to compromise his ethics again. (To learn about Tombstone, click on his highlighted name above.)

Robbie then graduated from Harlem High, attended and graduated from Columbia, and eventually got a job several years later as a night-desk catcher with a Philadelphia newspaper. During this time, he also married his girlfriend, Martha.

One day a telephone tipster told Robbie he knew who had killed local crimelord Ozzy Montana. So, Robbie set up a secret meeting with the informant; however, when he arrived, Robbie found the informant dead in the grip of Tombstone (who had become a mob hitman). Robbie fled and kept quiet about the whole incident, fearful of what Tombstone might do to him or his wife if he talked.

Trying to forget both of his "Tombstone" failures, Robbie threw himself back into his journalism career. He and Martha moved back to Manhattan, where Robbie became a reporter for the Daily Bugle. Over the next twenty years, Robbie rose through the ranks to become the Bugle's city editor and one of the city's most respected journalists. While at the Daily Bugle, Robbie formed a close friendship with the Bugle's publisher and editor-in-chief, J. Jonah Jameson. Unlike Jameson, Robbie's view of superheroes (Spider-Man in particular) is good. Robbie has a more objective view of New York's super heroes, judging them by their actions, and has aided Spider-Man and other heroes on many occasions, like when Robbie helped Spider-Man capture the criminal Chameleon. Later, Robbie had exposed a corrupt politician and Spider-Man and Iceman teamed up to rescue Robertson from the vengeful politician's thugs. (To learn about the above highlighted characters/company, just click on their names.)

In addition, Robbie had become somewhat of a fatherly mentor to Peter Parker (and has often seemed aware of Peter's dual identity; but he has never voiced, exploited or acted on this knowledge, and has even protected Peter's secret on occasion, such as when he steered Bugle reporter Ken Ellis away from learning the truth). (To learn about Ken Ellis, click on his highlighted name above.)

Robbie's family life often ran less smoothly than his professional life. His firstborn son, Patrick, died while still an infant. His second son, Randy, grew to adulthood, but often fought bitterly with his father over their differing beliefs. Ultimately deciding to pursue social work as a career rather than journalism, Randy transferred to a different university, where he met and married a white Jewish woman named Amanda, much to Robbie's discomfort. Randy eventually moved back to New York and found employment as a social worker, and Robbie gradually accepted his son's mixed marriage.

After J. Jonah Jameson confessed his involvement in funding the creation of the Scorpion (amongst other things), he stepped down as the Bugle's editor-in-chief which promoted Robbie Robertson to replace him. While Jameson has remained a very hands-on presence in the Bugle as its publisher, Robbie has proved very successful and effective in his new role as the paper's chief editor. He has been a friend and mentor to reporters and columnists such as Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, and Ben Urich--amongst others. (To learn about the above characters, click on their highlighted names above.)

Then, at the height of Robbie's success, Tombstone brought his whole world crashing down. After years of rising through the ranks of organized crime as a Philadelphia mob enforcer, Tombstone began working for New York crime boss Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin). Consumed by guilt over having helped make Tombstone's many murders possible with his silence over the years, Robbie confronted Tombstone with a gun, intending to take him into custody and tell the police everything. However, Lonnie overpowered Robbie and seriously injured him, seemingly breaking his back. (By this time, Robbie had left an audiotape with Peter Parker, confessing his role as an accessory in Tombstone's criminal career). But, when Tombstone menaced the crippled Robertson in the hospital, Robbie began to have second thoughts about going to the police. Berated by Peter Parker and reporter Ben Urich for his weakness, and supported by Randy, Robbie finally worked up the courage to face his fears. He rapidly regained his mobility through physical therapy, and made a full confession of his Tombstone secrets to his Bugle colleagues and the public. Robbie offered to resign his editorial post, but J. Jonah Jameson refused to accept his resignation. Meanwhile, Lonnie had been captured by Spider-Man, who was baffled by Tombstone's admission that he spared Robertson's life because he still regarded Robbie as his friend. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about the Kingpin.)

The public and Robertson's colleagues seemed prepared to forgive him of his mistakes; however, Kingpin was not. A Kingpin-connected judge sent Robbie to prison for his indirect role in Tombstone's crimes. To make matters worse, Tombstone fixed it so that he and Robbie ended up in the same federal prison, where Lonnie and his cronies could continue to haunt his old friend. While in prison, Robbie befriended a massive convict known as Bruiser, who acted as his bodyguard for a time; however, Bruiser was ultimately taken unawares and beaten to death. Later, Tombstone broke out of prison, taking Robbie with him as a hostage. When Spider-Man intervened, Tombstone had the hero at his mercy and was about to kick him off an airborne helicopter, but Robbie tackled Tombstone first, sending himself and Lonnie hurtling toward Earth. Incredibly, both Tombstone and Robbie survived the fall and landed in a riverbed on Amish farmland, where Tombstone forced the Amish folk to treat the seriously injured Robbie, then challenged Robbie to a duel to settle their differences. Once again, Robertson was beaten badly, but his time Robbie ended up stabbing Tombstone with a nearby pitchfork. Badly wounded and shocked that his "friend" Robbie would do this to him, Tombstone staggered off alone, and Robbie turned himself in to the authorities. Luckily for Robbie, the late Bruiser's brother, attorney Stuart McPhee, used his connections to secure Robbie a Presidential pardon. Robbie was then released from prison and reclaimed his post at the Bugle. (To learn about Bruiser, click on his highlighted name above.)

Tombstone soon resurfaced and Robertson confronted him again, this time shooting Lonnie. As a result of this encounter, Tombstone was accidentally exposed to an experimental gas that made him superhumanly powerful. Pleased with this outcome, Lonnie gave up his vendetta against Robertson and told Robbie their debts were settled.

Robbie Robertson has remained a mainstay of the Daily Bugle. When Thomas Firehart (aka Puma) engineered a hostile takeover of the paper as part of a misguided scheme to improve Spider-Man's reputation, Robbie was among the Bugle veterans who joined J. Jonah Jameson in publishing the new Jameson News Digest until Jameson regained control of the Bugle and they all returned to their old positions. Later, when Norman Osborn seized control of the Bugle, Robbie resigned in protest, but returned after Jameson squeezed Osborn out. (To learn about the above highlighted characters, just click on their names.)

More recently, Robbie has finally made some headway in moderating the anti-super-hero views of Jameson, and they have hired retired super hero Jessica Jones to collaborate with Ben Urich on a superhuman affairs column called The Pulse; however, both Urich and Jones later quit the Daily Bugle. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about Jessica Jones and/or the the Pulse. Note: Beware of the skin-tight costume on Jessica Jones' bio page.)

To learn more about Robbie Robertson, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Robertson,_Joseph_%22Robbie%22.

Deacon Frost

Real Name
Deacon Frost

Occupation
Physician

Citizenship
German

Place of Birth
Germany

Known Relatives
Unknown

Group Affiliation
None

Education
Unknown

Height
6' 2"

Weight
200 lbs.

Eyes
Red

Hair
White

Powers
Normal vampire abilities

Abilities
Able to produce a "doppelgängers" or doubles of people he infects

Other Info
Deacon Frost was a scientist who was looking for the key to immortality. For one of his experiments, Frost kidnapped a young woman in order to inject her with the blood of a recently killed vampire. (This is shown in the third picture posted.) However, the girl's fiancé broke into the lab, and in the resulting scuffle Frost was accidentally injected with the blood himself. The result of the injection turn Frost into a vampire. But, due to the unusual method of becoming a vampire, Frost was given the unique ability to produce a "doppelgänger" (a copy of someone) of those he turned into vampires himself. He was able to create an infinite number of doppelgängers by biting each doppelgänger. In addition, these doppelgängers were under his mental control.

Later, Deacon Frost bites a pregnant woman while she is giving birth. This act ended up passing on a series of enzymes that altered the woman's baby. The enzymes entered the infant's bloodstream, transforming him into a Dhampir (a being tainted by a vampire's kiss, but not converted). This famous Dhampir is known as Blade. In addition to Blade, Deacon Frost is responsible for Hannibal King being turned into a vampire. (To learn about Blade and/or Hannibal King, just click on their highlighted names above.)

Eventually, Blade and Hannibal King teamed up against Deacon Frost and his army of Blade and King doppelgängers. Blade and King managed to defeat and apparently destroy Frost in his underground hideout, stabbing him twice and leaving his body to be consumed as his hideout exploded.

Many years later, however, Frost reemerged. This time he attempted to gain control of Garwood Industries through Donna Garth (daughter of Simon Garth--aka "Living Zombie"). But, Blade, Hannibal King, and Brother Voodoo foiled Deacon Frost's plan. (To learn about the highlighted characters, click on their names above.)

Recently, Deacon Frost appeared at the summons of Dracula to defend the Lord of Vampires as he underwent a magical ritual; however, Dracula ended up being staked by Blade. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn more about Dracula.)

To learn a tiny bit more about Deacon Frost, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Frost,_Deacon.

Although the Blade movie retains Frost's upstart ambitions, he was portrayed as much younger in the movie than in the comics.

Glob Herman

Real Name
Robert Herman

Occupation
Former student

Citizenship
U.S.A. (presumed)

Place of Birth
Unrevealed

Known Relatives
None

Group Affiliation
Formerly Xavier Institute students, Omega Gang

Education
Xavier Institute

Height
6'5"

Weight
216 lbs.

Eyes
N/A

Hair
None

Powers
Highly flammable bio-paraffin body (living wax), allowing him to light himself on fire. He can also fling bits of himself. Being set on fire, or separating pieces of his body doesn't seem to hurt him. His body also gives him superhuman strength, durability, and speed.

Abilities
He has his skeleton and internal organs floating in his bio-paraffin body.

Other Info
Robert "Glob" Herman was one of the first students to enroll at the Xavier Institute after its status as a mutant school had become public knowledge. (To learn more about the school, click on its highlighted name above.)

Later, Herman joined the violent Omega Gang led by fellow student Kid Omega. Preferring Magneto's philosophies to Professor X's, the Omega Gang tried to take revenge on humanity for its supposed crimes against mutants. (To learn about the team and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

With the Omega Gang, Glob Herman attacked the humans whom they thought had murdered Jumbo Carnation, and later participated in the slaughter of a group of U-Men .

Later, when the Omega Gang started a riot at the Xavier Institute, Glob Herman had Redneck light him on fire as he ran after a bus, filled with human civilians. However, Herman's plan were put to a halt by the X-Men Beast, Cyclops and Xorn. These X-Men eventually covered Glob Herman in cement to put out the flames. (Click on the highlighted names to learn about the characters above. Note: Beware of the form-fitting/revealing outfit worn by Emma Frost on Cyclops' bio page. Also, the fifth picture posted is of Glob Herman lit on fire.)

For their crimes, the X-Men sentenced the Omega Gang to fulfill various humanitarian works and aid those in need after serving a small sentence in human prisons.

After the events of M-Day, Glob Herman was one of the mutants who did not lose his X-gene. (To learn about M-Day, click on the highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the revealing/form-fitting outfits worn by some on the M-Day page.)

After finishing his humanitarian work, Glob Herman returned to the X-mansion (now located in San Fransisco) and took part in the move to Utopia with the rest of the X-Men. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Utopia.)

To learn a tiny bit more about Glob Herman, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Glob_Herman.

Glob Herman appeared briefly in X-Men: The Last Stand. During the attack on Alcatraz, he was shot by a "cure dart" and changed from his "glob form" to a normal person. (The second picture posted above shows this.)

Spike

Real Name
Darian Elliott

Occupation
X-Force member

Citizenship
Unknown

Place of Birth
Unknown

Known Relatives
None

Group Affiliation
Formerly X-Force/X-Statix

Education
Unknown

Height
6'1"

Weight
210 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
Black

Powers
He could generate razor-sharp spikes from his body, which he could fire outward with deadly accuracy.

Abilities
Unknown

Other Info
After watching video footage of the Spike in action, the senior members of X-Statix, except the Anarchist (the other African-American member), voted to have him join the team. At the press conference to announce his membership, Spike calls the Anarchist racial names and the two began butting heads (which continues for a long time). Eager to gain more media attention, Vivisector and Phat jump into a fight with Spike in “defense” of their teammate. Later, when U-Go Girl hosts the Larry King Show, she has the Spike show up as her first guest. This swiftly erupts (once again) into a battle between the Anarchist, Vivisector, Phat, and the Spike. (To learn more about some of the X-Force/X-Statix members above, just click on her highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by U-Go-Girl on her bio page.)

After some time in Central America, Spike returns to Santa Monica with the rest of the team, where they were bombarded with questions by the media. After U-Go Girl, the Orphan, and the Anarchist returned from their failed attempt to contact Dead Girl, the team's manager Spike Freeman instructs X-Force on its upcoming mission to help the C.I.A. get a better image. The team was to head into space to stop the "Bush Rangers" who had seemingly taken control of the Mars 2010 Space Station. Once on the space station, they were to forfeit and get saved by the C.I.A., thereby making the C.I.A. look good. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the different characters and/or team.)

Once X-Force arrived on the Mars 2010 Space Station that the Bush Rangers had taken control of, they found that the "crew members" were actually the real Bush Rangers (death row convicts who were altered to gain mutant powers), who then ambushed the X-Force. Later during their battles, the Bush Rangers disguised themselves to look like the Spike. Eventually, to avoid her and others being killed, U-Go Girl teleported part of her team into a shuttle circling the space station. Thinking their teammates were dead, the remaining X-Force members (Vivisector, Phat, the Spike, and Dead Girl) battled on. Soon, the shuttle that U-Go Girl, the Anarchist, and the Orphan had teleported to went out of control and slammed into the space station. Then, just as the X-Force were reuniting, the real Spike prompted a fake Spike to reveal that he a Bush Ranger. However, the fake Spike then jumped at the real Spike, impaling him on one of his spikes--killing him on the spot.

No information is there, but here is the link to Spike's bio on Marvel.com, http://marvel.com/universe/Spike_%28X-Force%29.

In X-Men: The Last Stand, a "Spike" character appeared in a battle with Wolverine in a forest. This "Spike" character had the ability to extrude bony spikes from his flesh and hurl them with great speed and force.