COUSIN BETSY

Real Name: Unknown, possibly Betsy

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Plant shop owner; thief and robber

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Her mutated plants (Arti Choke, Rhoda Dendron, and Mari Gold)

Enemies: Hulk

Known Relatives: None known (See Comments)

Aliases: The Plant Lady

Base of Operations: Unknown; possibly New York (See Comments)

First Appearance: In a Hostess ad appearing in January/February 1977 editions of Marvel comic books (example: Ms. Marvel#1 & What If I#1)

Powers/Abilities:
Cousin Betsy may have had advanced knowledge in botany, genetics, and/or biology, allowing her to construct her plants.

These plants were three semi-humanoid creatures that followed her commands. Not surprisingly, Betsy's plants were nowhere near the Hulk in sheer power.

History: How Betsy acquired her mutated plants or the title of "Cousin" remains a mystery.  

At some point in the past, the Hulk ended up in the company of Cousin Betsy. Wanting the Hulk within her gang of criminal plants, she tried to persuade him into joining. When reason failed to work on her simple-minded, new friend, she had her mutated plants attempt influence through force--big mistake. Luckily for them, the Hulk only slightly roughed them up, shaking their loot, including Hostessâ Fruit Pies, from their botanic bodies. After this, astounded authorities carted off Betsy and her plants as the Hulk bounded away.

Comments: Created by ??

Of all the Hostess villains, only Icemaster has shown up in an Earth-616 title. He could have crossed over to Earth-616 from "Earth-Hostess, " but I say leave them on Earth-616 until proven otherwise. Nonetheless, until they do show up in regular continuity, they remain outside regular canon. Surely someone will write a story teaming them all together--Snood.

This is not true anymore as some Hostess ad villains were mentioned in the Fantastic Four Encyclopedia as natives of Earth-616. And lets not forget about Printout Man in the New Avengers Most Wanted Files.

Chronologically-speaking, during the time this ad was published, Hulk had gone to New York to enlist the aid of the Defenders for an attempted resurrection of his recently slain love, Jarella of the Microverse (Incredible Hulk#207,  January 1977).  In fact,  Hulk was in NYC from issues 206-209 (December 1976-March 1977).  Given this info, if the ad occurred at the same time as these issues, then Cousin Betsy was probably located somewhere in New York (if the ad ever is accepted as being in-continuity, that is).  Thanks to Chronic Ionic and a Hulk Fan over at the Hulk message board for their help in identifying the Hulk's whereabouts at this time!

Rhoda Dendron was not pictured when Betsy & the gang were being hauled off. Perhaps it could free Betsy and company for future crimes.

The Plantman is divorced, so perhaps Betsy is his ex. Maybe she’s connected to him through some other manner such as blood relation (His cousin, perhaps?). This could partially explain her plant creatures’ origin and maybe even her moniker.

More info about the Plantman, and other Marvel super-baddies, can be found at Bring on the Bad Guys.

Since I'm plugging sites: You can get the whole story on Hostess characters, and some clever commentary, from Seanbaby's The Hostess Page. It might not meet with the Comics Code Authority's approval, so kids, ask your parents before checking that out!

I was disappointed when we obviously saw Artie choke the Hulk, but we never got to see Mari gold him, or Rhoda dendron him.

Profile edited, updated and created by Kyle Sims

CLARIFICATIONS:
Cousin Betsy, the Plant Lady, should not be confused with:

• Betsy Griscom Ross, seamstress and reputed maker of the first American flag @ 1752-1836.
• Betty Ross, deceased daughter of General "Thunderbolt " Ross and wife of the Hulk @ Incredible Hulk#1
• Plant Man, Samuel Smithers (or plant-like simulacra of him) @ Strange Tales#113
• Aunt May, Uncle Fester, Brother Theodore, or anyone else using a familial relation in their name

images:
"Hulk and the Green Thumb", pan2 (main image)