Crusher Hogan

Real Name
Joseph Hogan

Occupation
Custodian, former professional wrestler

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Unrevealed

Known Relatives
Marie Hogan (wife)

Group Affiliation
Formerly Championship Wrestling

Education
High-school dropout

Height
5'10"

Weight
210 lbs.

Eyes
Blue

Hair
None

Powers
None

Abilities
In his prime, Crusher was a world-class wrestler, capable of defeating any normal opponent. Even in retirement and out of shape, Crusher is a scrapper, wielding a mean broom.

Other Info
Crusher Hogan was the champion and top star of the Championship Wrestling league that was losing it's battle to the bigger rival: Global Wrestling. Hogan was a genuine athlete who knew all the body's weaknesses and was prepared to exploit them; however, the crowds had fallen off and Bobby (his boss) advised him to abandon the group and join the wealthy Global Wrestling. Even Hogan's wife Marie also pushed him to take a job with real money, but Crusher was too loyal to change wrestling leagues. Instead of taking a bigger money offer to leave his employer and finish out his career with Global Wrestling, Crusher created a plan to capitalize on his natural wrestling ability and get people coming to the arenas to watch him (hopefully saving his failing Championship Wrestling league). Taking the microphone after one match, without informing Bobby of his plans, Hogan refashioned his image into a bad guy by disrespecting the fans and offering a reward to anyone who could last three minutes in the ring with him.

Hogan's tactics worked for a time and people started coming to the shows in greater numbers, hoping to see the champ humbled. Slowly, the struggling Championship Wrestling league began to turn around. No one could last with the champ until a young Peter Parker learned of the challenge. Parker had just received his "Spidey" powers and was looking for a way to cash in. Peter faced the challenge and jumped into the ring with Crusher Hogan with his face covered by a makeshift mask. Parker quickly humiliated Hogan by picking him up and carrying him up a pole. (To learn about Spider-Man, click on the highlighted name above.)

After the embarrassing loss, Crusher Hogan's life became a shambles. Championship Wrestling went broke, his wife Marie left him, and he was relegated to working as a custodian at a local boxing gym. At the gym, Crusher began telling tall tales to people (like up-and-coming boxer Bobby Chance) about how he trained Spider-Man, created the web-shooters, and providing the red and blue costume. Later, when gym owner Madame Fang and her enforcer Manslaughter Marsdale discovered that Bobby planned to sign a contract with someone else, they decided to put the young boxer out of commission. However, Crusher overheard these plans and help defend Bobby in the fight. Unfortunately, Hogan was over-matched and doomed to defeat until Spider-Man, passing by the gym, joined the fight and defeated Manslaughter.

Afterward, taking pity on Hogan for the way his life had gone after their first run-in, Spider-Man decided to play again with Hogan's claims and stories, making the washed-up wrestler a hero in the eyes of all the gym rats.

To learn a little more about Crusher Hogan, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Hogan,_Crusher.

In the movie Spider-Man, the character of Crusher Hogan is called "Bonesaw," and is played by professional wrestling legend, Macho Man Randy Savage.

Microchip

Real Name
David Linus Lieberman

Occupation
Computer hacker, Vigilante, barman

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Brooklyn, New York City

Known Relatives
Louis Frohike (Microchip Jr., son, deceased)

Group Affiliation
Hood 's Gang; formerly worked with the Punisher

Education
Studied at State University, extensively self-taught

Height
5' 8"

Weight
220 lbs.

Eyes
Green

Hair
Brown

Powers
None

Abilities
Master of computer programming and information gathering; skilled in construction and gathering of weaponry; experienced in the use of firearms.

Other Info
David Linus "Microchip" Lieberman was a great computer hacker in the early days of the hacking business. He performed many different scams and hacks that are still held in awe today. However, one scam brought him too close to real-world criminals forcing him to go into "retirement" as a quiet unassuming businessman.

Later, Lieberman's nephew (attempting to follow in his favorite uncle's footsteps) was caught and killed after accidentally hacking into the private computers of Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin). While personally investigating his nephew's murder, Lieberman met the Frank Castle (aka Punisher). After this, the two began working together. (To learn about the Kingpin and/or the Punisher, click on their highlighted names above.)

Microchip helped the Punisher in many ways. He helped him by working as a hacker and a cyber-investigator. In addition, Microchip helped Castle by managing and laundering the Punisher's finances (taken from the criminals he terminated), setting up and equipping safe houses, and obtaining ammunition and equipment. However, Microchip was less obsessed with the war on crime than the Punisher, and also acted as a type of counselor to the Punisher--encouraging him to take occasional vacations and breaks so as not to get burned out or go crazy.

Microchip and the Punisher have had many disagreements over their time of working together. One time, after a disagreement, Microchip went into hiding and worked as a barman. Later, after another disagreement over the Punisher's methods (he felt that the Castle had lost sight of their original goals and had gone over the edge), he decided to replace Frank Castle with with his own "Punisher." So, Microchip chose former Navy Seal, Carlos Cruz. (To learn about this, and other, "Punishers," click on the highlighted name above.)

Later, Microchip and Frank Castle eventually came face-to-face in one of Microchip's safe houses. Here, the two battled it out with guns. However, during the battle, Microchip was killed by a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named "Stone Cold." (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about S.H.I.E.L.D.)

After some time, the Hood brought Microchip back from the dead and offered to bring Microchip's nephew back to life as well if he helped him in dealing with the Punisher--Microchip agrees. After the Punisher is captured, the Hood wanted to to start a revival ritual of the Punisher's family. Therefore, Microchip shoots and kills G.W. Bridge, which activates the ritual using Bridge's life force to resurrect Microchip and Punisher's families. However, the Punisher refuses to accept this, and forces Firebrand (a man that was resurrected by the Hood that had his fire powers augmented so he could melt through concrete or metal) to burn them all alive. This act left Microchip with the loss of his son.

There is nothing on Marvel.com, but here is the link to Microchip's bio page, http://marvel.com/universe/Microchip.

Microchip appears in the film, Punisher: War Zone, and is played by Wayne Knight (you may know him as 'Newman' from "Seinfeld.")

Willie Lumpkin

Real Name
William Lumpkin

Occupation
Retired United States Postal Courier

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Glenville, Nebraska

Known Relatives
Frederick Lumpkin (Nephew), Timothy Lumpkin (Grand-Nephew), Billie Lumpkin (Niece)

Group Affiliation
None

Education
Unknown

Height
5' 8"

Weight
165 lbs.

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Grey

Powers
None

Abilities
Willie Lumpkin can wiggle his ears

Other Info
Willie Lumpkin was a mailman for a small Midwestern town. Willie always dreamed of working for the U.S. Postal Service in a major metropolitan area. Then when his long-time girlfriend left him for the affections of his best friend, Willie decided that there was nothing stopping him from pursuing his dream.

Willie moved to New York City where he maintained a steady mail route which included the Baxter Building. He worked the same route for many years and then the Fantastic Four moved to the top five floors of the building. Willie's life had become monotonous up to this point, and when he met the leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards, he half-jokingly asked to be member of their group; he based his petition on the grounds that he had the "power" to wiggle his ears. Mr. Fantastic responded with equal humor and told Willie that he'd keep him in mind. (To learn about the above highlighted place/team/character, just click on their name.)

Although he was never invited to become a member, Willie has played roles in several of the Fantastic Four's adventures/battles. Once the Mad Thinker had taken over the Baxter Building, and the Fantastic Four were able to defeat him because Willie had pushed a doorbell at 4 o’clock which shut down all of Mr. Fantastic equipment. Another time Willie spent Christmas Eve locked in a reinforced closet while the Fantastic Four battled the Super-Skrull. Willie also accidentally activated Doctor Doom's time machine when he was being mind-controlled by the villain Tempus. When Willie had done this, he traveled backward to another dimension and began to play havoc with that dimension's space-time continuum. However, the Fantastic Four was able to rescue him. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters.)

At one point, Willie Lumpkin met Aunt May and the two briefly dated. (To learn about Aunt May, click on her highlighted name above.)

Willie semi-retired, but still worked as a mailman on a part-time basis. He refused to enter full-retirement because he felt there were still many adventures to be had with the Fantastic Four. However, recently, Willie's niece named Billie has taken over his position as the Fantastic Four's mail carrier.

There is not anything on Marvel.com, but here is the link to the bio page, http://marvel.com/universe/Lumpkin,_Willy.

Willie Lumpkin makes a cameo appearance in the film, Fantastic Four. He is played by his own creator: Stan Lee.

Ben Urich

Real Name
Benjamin Urich

Occupation
Reporter

Citizenship
U.S. citizen with no criminal record

Place of Birth
Unknown

Known Relatives
Doris (wife); Arnold (brother); Mindy (sister-in-law); Ken (nephew); Philip (a.k.a. Green Goblin, nephew); unnamed father

Group Affiliation
Front Line; Daily Bugle staff

Education
NYU degree in journalism

Height
5' 9"

Weight
140 lbs.

Eyes
Brown

Hair
Brown

Powers
None

Abilities
Ben Urich is an experienced reporter and writer. He is in reasonably fit physical condition for a chain smoker of his age.

Other Info
During college, Ben Urich got a job as a copy boy for the Daily Bugle. He began his reporting career under city editor Jimmy Hughes. Ben longed to put his talent to work on criminal investigations and sought leads on crime figures like Hammerhead and Forunato; however, after years of reporting he remained assigned to minor new items. While pursuing a farm festival, Urich was present at a diner when the criminal called Kruel burst upon the scene, fleeing from his employer, Kingpin. The Kingpin beat Kruel and left him for dead, then he had Urich and other witnesses drugged so they would forget the encounter. Perhaps subconsciously influenced by this incident, Urich's efforts to break into crime investigation soon proved successful, and he covered both petty and organized crime in New York, occasionally working with photographer Peter Parker. (To learn about the above highlighted characters and/or place, just click on their names.)

Despite his relative success, Urich hoped for a major news story that would earn him recognition and maybe even the Pulitzer Prize. He began to focus his energy on the costumed hero Daredevil. Eventually, Urich's work paid off when he figured out Daredevil's secret identity of Matt Murdock and successfully traced the events that had led Murdock to begin his crimefighting career. However, Ben empathized with the hero and his mission and eventually spoke with Daredevil to confirm his own conclusions. He then decided that the good Daredevil did in New York outweighed his own desire for fame; therefore, Urich burned his files, leaving this secret his own for the time being. (This is similar to what happened in the Daredevil movie. Also, click on the highlighted name above to learn about Daredevil.)

Later, Kingpin learned Daredevil's secret identity and orchestrated his enemy's downfall. After Urich investigated Police Lieutenant Nick Manolis (who had been forced to frame Murdock for criminal activities), one of the Kingpin's operatives, named Lois, severely beat Manolis, pausing to break Urich's fingers. Afraid for his life, Urich dropped the investigation, but his shame at this intimidation prevented him from working. However, Urich eventually regained his dedication and wrote an expose of Murdock's framing. But in return, Urich and his wife Doris were targeted by the Kingpin who sent Lois to kill both of them. Luckily, Daredevil rescued the Urichs and captured Lois, who was sent to prison.

Urich's own investigation came back to haunt him when fellow reporter Sara Harrington discovered fragments of Urich's Daredevil notes and wrote her own expose on the hero's secret identity, despite Urich's protests. The charge seemed false when Matt Murdock's home was searched and no incriminating evidence was found, but Daredevil himself (concerned by the coverage) faked the death of his civilian identity and took the new identity of Jack Batlin while changing his costume with body armor. Unaware of this move, Urich was grief-stricken when Murdock was reported dead. Ben held himself partially responsible for allowing Harrington to uncover his notes. (However, at a later time, Murdock revealed that his death had been a hoax, and he renewed his friendship with Urich).

After this, Ben threw himself into a new project: a book detailing the histories of the various criminals who had used the "Green Goblin" identity, most notably industrialist Norman Osborn and his son Harry, both believed dead. Urich's investigations led to an abandoned warehouse laboratory, where, unknown to him, his intern and nephew Philip was inadvertently bonded to a high-tech mask, which he used to briefly become a heroic, if somewhat frivolous, Green Goblin. Still pursuing his book, Urich sought an interview with Harry Osborn's widow Liz, but the exchange was interrupted when three female robots abducted Osborn's young son Normie. Accompanied by Spider-Man and the Molten Man, Urich helped uncover Normie's whereabouts and rescue the child. Ben Urich completed his book, "Dynasty of Evil," which proved a financial success; however, he faced an unexpected complication when Norman Osborn showed up alive and well, claiming vendettas against Urich and others at the Daily Bugle. Soon after, Osborn published his own autobiography whose allegations caused problems for Urich's book. (To learn about the different characters above, click on their highlighted names.)

Some time later, J. Jonah Jameson trusted Urich with an assignment to follow former costumed hero Jessica Jones, whom Jameson believed was involved in the disappearance of foster daughter, Mattie Franklin. Urich aided Jones in discovering that Franklin had in fact been abducted by a cartel distributing a Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH) drug. However, soon afterward, she was rescued and returned to the Jamesons. (To learn about the different characters and/or place, click on their highlighted names above. Note: Beware of the form-fitting costume on Jessica Jones's bio page.)

During the superhero Civil War, Ben Urich met Sally Floyd for the first time. They worked together investigating the Civil War. However, no newspaper wanted to publish their stories. So, they founded their own newspaper organization to publish their stories called the "Front Line." (To learn about the above highlighted event/people, just click on their names.)

To learn more about Ben Urich, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Urich,_Ben.

Down Time Poll Results

Well, it looks like the people have spoken. And they want TEAMS to be highlighted during the "down time" between Marvel movie character highlights. So, from now on, if I ever run out of characters to highlight that have appeared in Marvel movies, I will highlight teams that have appeared in Marvel movies.

Thank you for all you Marvel maniacs who participated in the poll! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

And as always...remember to keep up the madness!

Stone

Real Name
Unknown

Occupation
Warrior

Citizenship
Unknown

Place of Birth
Unknown

Known Relatives
Unknown

Group Affiliation
Chaste

Education
Unknown

Height
Unknown

Weight
Unknown

Eyes
Unknown

Hair
Bald

Powers
Stone can focus his chi to enhance his durability. As long as Stone is aware of an incoming attack, he is capable of withstanding it. Stick also taught him a form of resurrection.

Abilities
Martial arts

Other Info
Stone was the favored pupil of Stick. He assisted Stick in training both Daredevil and Elektra. Stone was second in command of the team known as the Chaste. As a member of Chaste, Stone was a highly trained martial artist and assisted his sensei, Stick, against the Hand. (Stone's keen senses sometimes allowed him to detect enemies before even Daredevil can). Like the other members of the Chaste, Stone is deeply advanced in the art of chi-manipulation. An offshoot of this is his ability to render himself invulnerable to physical harm; however, only if he sees it coming. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or teams. Note: Beware of the form-fitting and revealing outfits on Elektra's bio page.)

Once during a battle with the Hand, Stone was told by Stick to take Daredevil and Black Widow to safety. Although he wished to stay with Stick and Shaft, Stone followed his sensei's orders and took the two to safety. (Meanwhile, Shaft and Stick ended up sacrificing themselves to save the team). (To learn about the above highlighted characters, just click on their names. Note: Beware of form-fitting and revealing outfits on Black Widow's bio page.)

Sometime later Stone demonstrates more of his mystic powers when when he revived a decomposing Black Widow after she was exposed to molecular poison.

At one point, Stone assisted Daredevil when the Hand was attempting to resurrect Elektra as their agent. Afterward, Stone managed to restore Elektra and cleanse her soul using Daredevil's love for her and a portion of his own life force. However, this weakened Stone and he was believed to be dead.

However, several years later, Daredevil found Stone still battling the Hand.

There is no bio on Marvel.com, but here in the link to Stone's bio page, http://marvel.com/universe/Stone_%28Chaste%29.

In the movie, Elektra, Stone is actually a member of the Hand (opposite of the comics). Much like the comic book, Stone is impervious to many types of attacks in the movie. However, there are two main differences with the Marvel movie version of Stone: he is African American and is about 8 feet tall.