HIGHWAYMAN
Real Name: Jefferson Hercules Archer
Identity/Class: Human technology & magic user
Occupation: Truck Driver, trucking company owner, soul harvester
Group Membership: Owner of Highwayman Trucking Corporation
Affiliations: The Aliens (Al the Alien
and his brethren), Baron von Blimp and
his neo-nazis, Killer Raccoons,
Mercs for Money (Deadpool/"Wade Wilson," Foolkiller/Greg Salinger, Masacre, Slapstick/Steve Harmon, Solo/James Bourne, Stingray/Walter Newell, Terror),
Midnight (Mary McGrill), Lucifer (see comments), unidentified demons (possibly servants of "Satan");
employer to U.S. "Ace" Archer
Enemies: U.S. Archer, Beelzebub (see comments), Big Wheel (Jackson Weele), Bruiser, Deadpool ("Wade Wilson"), Evil Deadpool, Ghost Rider (Dan Ketch), the Hand, Slayback (Greg Terraerton), Taskmaster (Tony Masters), Zapata Brothers, countless victims (including Big Ed)
Known Relatives: Ulysses Solomon Archer
(brother), Sidney Archer (father, deceased), Kathleen Archer (mother, deceased), Mary McGrill Archer
(sister-in-law), unidentified nephew;
raised after his parents' deaths by Ed "Poppa Wheelie"
and Anne "Wide Load Annie" Wheeler (see also comments)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: The "Demon Rig," mobile throughout the USA;
formerly the demon-powered Black Rig, mobile throughout the USA;
formerly the alien technology enhanced Blackrig, mobile throughout the USA;
formerly the Short Stop somewhere in the USA
First Appearance: U.S. 1#1 (May, 1983)
Powers/Abilities:
Empowered by demonic forces the Highwayman had no need for air, food, drink, sleep or other human needs and weaknesses. He possessed enhanced
human strength and a powerful healing factor, regrowing flesh, shattered bones and inner organs at will. He could grow fingers from his neck for transportation in case his head had been severed from his body. He could reattach his head upon reaching his body.
He gave Mary McGrill the whip, which, as Midnight, both allowed
him to control her and allowed her to control others. He designed
the whip so that he himself would be immune to its effects.
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 178 lbs.
Eyes: (Left) solid red; both formerly light green
Hair: Black
History:
(U.S. 1#1 (fb)/6 (fb)/11 (fb)) -
Jefferson was the older of two sons of a pair of truck drivers.
His younger brother, Ulysses Solomon (US), idolized Jefferson and
thought he let him win in contests to make him feel better.
However, Jefferson was too humiliated to admit that his baby
brother could beat him at everything. Even in school, Jefferson
had to work like crazy to get passing grades, while U.S. was a top
student with minimal effort.
When their parents were killed in a wreck, Jefferson took a job
as a truck driver, so that U.S., could go to college (and then
drive a truck). Jefferson resented having to give up his dreams,
and this resentment turned into hatred.
(U.S. 1#3 (fb)) - Seeking a means to power, Jefferson sought the aid of the Ancient One and the Aged Genghis, both of whom turned him down. see comments
(U.S. 1#11 (fb) - BTS) - A group of aliens came to
Earth, seeking to recruit people to become starship pilots. They
chose truckers, because of their experience with the solitude of
the open road, much like that of space. Led by Al, they attempted
to recruit the prodigy US, but (since all humans look alike to
them), recruited Jefferson instead. They outfitted his truck with
advanced technology and trained him in its use.
Jefferson worried that the Aliens were not satisfied with his
performance, and was afraid that they would eventually realize
their mistake. He decided to keep some distance between he and
his brother, to prevent them from discovering the truth. To this
end, he decided to try to convince U.S. he was dead. He established
the identity of the Highwayman, and named his truck the Blackrig.
(U.S. 1#1 (fb)/11 (fb)) - After college, U.S. shared a
truck ride with Jefferson, but they were suddenly run off the
road by the Blackrig (actually the Blackrig was under Jefferson's
control, with a mannequin/dummy in the driver's seat). The truck
went over a cliff and crashed--U.S. was badly injured, but
maintained consciousness long enough to see the Highwayman and a
band of apparent demons mocking him from atop the cliff.
Jefferson's body was never found, but he was believed by most to
have died.
The demons were, in fact, Federation agents for the Aliens, who
had finally begun to suspect their mistake and sent the agents to
contact US. The agents took U.S. to a hospital, where they saved
his life. Nonetheless, the Aliens were reluctant to throw away all
of their years of training. Jefferson persuaded them to let him
prove that he was US's superior. The Aliens granted U.S. his
"CB" Skull to allow him to compete more evenly with
Jefferson's advanced technology.
(U.S. 1#1) - Months later, US, believing Jefferson to be a prisoner of the Highwayman, went back out on the road in search of the man who stole his brother. The Highwayman, in the Blackrig, ambushed US, trying to push he and his new, suped-out truck, U.S. 1, off the road. U.S. instead managed to drive the Blackrig over the edge of a cliff, but it never hit bottom, and no wreckage was found.
BTS - The Highwayman used a hypno-whip to turn Mary McGrill, waitress for the Short Stop, into Midnight.
(U.S. 1#2 - BTS) - He sent Midnight attack U.S. 1, but he managed to fight her off.
(U.S. 1#3) - Posing as an elderly trucker, the Highwayman related a tale of the demonic origins of the Highwayman. The man took off suddenly and U.S. followed him, but was attacked by laser shooting trucks and bomb-dropping blimps--all agents of the Highwayman. U.S. managed to evade the attacks and continued after the old man, thinking him a victim of the attacks as well. When U.S. finally caught up to him, the old man allowed his disguise to slip off, revealing him to be the Highwayman, before escaping in the Blackrig.
(U.S. 1#4) - The Highwayman sent Baron von Blimp to challenge U.S. 1 to a race, hoping to disgrace him, but US defeated von Blimp despite his cheating (and bomb dropping).
(U.S. 1#5 - BTS) - Al the Alien arranged a confrontation with U.S. and confirmed his suspicions regarding US.
(U.S. 1#6 - BTS) - Midnight took control of Wide Load Annie.
(U.S. 1#7) - Midnight took control of the others at the Short Stop, and then challenged U.S. to a race to redeem her earlier defeat. U.S. again defeated her, and freed the others from her control. The Highwayman tapped into U.S. 1's computers, learning the secrets of its weapons systems, etc. He then developed countermeasures for these weapons for his own Blackrig.
(U.S. 1#8) - The Highwayman watched as Taryn O' Connel was briefly framed as Midnight, and he planned for his final confrontation with US. Unbeknownst by the Highwayman, he, in turn, was observed by the Aliens.
(U.S. 1#9) - The Highwayman watched as Midnight was revealed to be Mary McGrill, and as Baron von Blimp sought to double his income by taking money from others to ruin the Short Stop--what he had already been commissioned to do by the Highwayman. Jefferson then took to the road again, deciding to finish things himself, since none of his agents were being successful. He traveled to the Short Stop and confronted the whole group.
(U.S. 1#10) - The Highwayman challenged U.S. to vie
for supremacy of the highways (and all that entails). The Aliens
decided that things had gone far enough, and tried to take
matters into their own tentacles. Jefferson fled in the Blackrig,
drawing U.S. after him. After proving he could resist any of U.S. 1's
attacks, he stopped the Blackrig and revealed his identity.
(U.S. 1#11) - Jefferson began to explain himself, but when he saw that the Aliens had followed, he flew into a desperate rage and attacked US, trying to strange him. The Aliens subdued him and brought both Archers and their rigs back to the shortstop. They explained their goals, and their mistaking Jefferson for US, and Jefferson explained to U.S. how he did really hate him, and that it wasn't just the Aliens manipulating him. The Aliens then arranged a final conquest between U.S. and Jefferson.
(U.S. 1#12) - The Aliens altered the two vehicles,
the Blackrig and U.S. 1, and sent the two brothers off in a race
around the world. The race started on the road, took to the air,
and ended up in space. U.S. 1 took to spaceflight better than
Jefferson and took the lead. Furious, and refusing to lose again,
Jefferson attempted to ram US, and kill them both. However, US
managed to dodge, and Jefferson panicked and crashed the Blackrig
into the Moon. The Aliens transported Jefferson to safety before
the crash.
U.S. was chosen as victor, but Jefferson's fate was not revealed.
(Ghost Rider VI#34 (fb) - BTS) - Inspired by his own fake origin Jefferson contacted "Satan" and was transformed into a more demonic state. "Satan" gave him the demonic Blackrig filled with demons, which Jefferson used to kill countless people and collect their souls for "Satan". Their heads he fed to the demons housed within the Blackrig's trailer.
(Dark Reign Files) - Quasimodo researched the Highwayman for Norman Osborn.
(Ghost Rider VI#33 - BTS) - Deacon and Blackout considered him as a possible agent in their fight against Ghost Rider (Blaze).
(Ghost Rider VI#34) - Highwayman slew truck driver Big Ed, whose fuel delivery truck Highwayman directed into a nearby diner, The Laughin' Armadillo, blowing it up along with everybody within it...collecting more souls for "Satan".
Back on the road Highwayman rammed the Alien Abductee Express, a bus filled with alien abduction enthusiasts. He took all their heads as food for the demons in his trailer and their souls for his master. Unfortunately this incident attracted Ghost Rider (Dan Ketch), who nearly took off Highwayman's head with a sickle. Highwayman drove up a cliff with the Blackrig and ran over the surprised Ghost Rider. When Ghost Rider pieced himself together again Highwayman put in some music to run him over again, but Ghost Rider instead cut through the Blackrig's side with his sickle. Highwayman followed Ghost Rider up a mountain and rammed him again. While Ghost Rider was stuck on the truck's grill he flung his chain sickle through the front window and ripped off Highwayman's head. The Blackrig crashed and Highwayman's head attempted to return to his body, but Ghost Rider lighted it up and torched the Blackrig.
Due to his powers Highwayman survived and healed up again. He stole a truck at Friedrich's Truck Oasis from an unsuspecting truck driver.
(Deadpool Team-Up#896 (fb) - BTS) - Shortly after Jefferson founded the Highwayman Trucking Corporation. Highwayman to smuggle souls from Beelzebub's portion of Hell for his unidentified employer (possibly the "Satan", who had empowered him).
(Deadpool Team-Up#896 (fb) ) - When his brother Ulysses came to Highwayman Trucking Corporation Jefferson gave him a two truckloads (not telling Ulysses the cargo were hyperspace combustion manifolds, which were the technology used on Earth vehicles to turn them into space traveling vehicles) coast-to-coast haul job worth a million dollars. Luckily for Ulysses Deadpool crashed through the roof and offered himself as the second truck driver. Jefferson sent them on their way, but...
(Deadpool Team-Up#896 - BTS) - ...it was a trap! Jefferson sent a gang of mutated raccoons after Ulysses and Deadpool to steal his own cargo so he could collect the insurance and then resell the cargo.
(Deadpool Team-Up#896) - After Ulysses and Deadpool took out the raccoons and Deadpool accidentally blew up the cargo, Ulysses and Deadpool returned to Highwayman Trucking Corporation to confront Jefferson, who admitted to his attempt at insurance fraud and killing his brother. After a few hard words from Ulysses, Jefferson offered him the soul smuggling job out of Beelzebub's portion of Hell. Ulysses took the job and Jefferson even gave him special chains for his tires and after Ulysses demanded it, workman's comp, because after all Ulysses was his brother.
SECRET WARS III HAPPENED
(Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#3) - Deadpool hired Highwayman to the transport a Rigellian Recorder to its buyer the Ozarks Kingpin and he was ready to go while the Mercs were still counting money and taking too long for his taste.
(Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#4) - With the Recorder secured in the trailer and protected by Massacre, the Highwayman drove his truck through a horde of attacking would-be thieves the other Mercs for Money tried their best to fight off. At the time he still had 666 payments to make on his truck, but the Mercs for Money took out the likes of Big Wheel, Orb, Slayback, Hand ninjas and unknown assailants in two military helicopters before Highwayman took them to the Antos' truck stop. Highwayman believed nobody would attack them there due to the law of the road, but Solo was sure their enemies didn't care. Solo was proven right when Taskmaster, Bruiser and the Zapata Brothers attacked the Mercs for Money at the truck stop. The Zapata Brothers beat up Highwayman, who was waiting outside, but he was saved by Slapstick. Highwayman angrily drove his rig into the truck stop to run over Bruiser before hitting the road again with the Mercs for Money. They were unaware that Evil Deadpool had hid away in the trailer with the Recorder.
(Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#5) - Highwayman took the Mercs for Money and the Recorder to the compound of the Ozarks Kingpin, but even there got attacked by the Crazy Gang and Evil Deadpool. Deadpool eventually tossed a grenade into the truck's trailer to prevent anyone from getting their hands on the Recorder. Highwayman got angry at Deadpool for blowing up his truck.
Comments: Al Milgrom and Herb Trimpe.
I'll tell you what. This series was pretty goofy, but it is definitely a fun read. I bet you could find the whole series for a few bucks if you know where to look.
In U.S. 1#3, the Highwayman, posing as an old man at a truckstop, related his origin to U.S.:
He started out back back in the early days of trucking, a strong young buck, he could drive long and hard with the best of 'em. However, as he grew older, younger men in better rigs began to overtake him. Unable to accept this, he went looking for supernatural ways to fight off the ravages of time. He was refused by both the Ancient One and the Aged Genghis (What's that? 'Youth' you say? Do I look like one who knows the secret of eternal youth?). He persisted in his search until he found a coven whose master (presumably Mephisto, in the shadows) could grant him youth and power, at a price--his soul. Now he travels the road at night, hunting for souls to send his evil master.
This information would most likely be a ploy to further confuse U.S. But part of it was apparently true. The Ancient One and Genghis refused his aid. The rest was just to perpetuate his legend as the scourge of truckers.
We didn't know who the "Satan" was that mutated Jefferson or who the Beelzebub was he was going to steal souls from until it was revealed in Wolverine, Punisher & Ghost Rider: Official Index to the Marvel Universe#6 to be Lucifer.
The names of Highwayman's parents were revealed in Highwayman's own profile in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update#1 (April, 2010).
Kudos to Jason Aaron for bringing back the Highwayman, and for making his initially (partially) false origin come true.
In Deadpool and the Mercs for Money the Highwayman was called a vampire trucker...if he was indeed a vampire he is a Daywalker.
--Markus Raymond
Profile by Snood. Update by Markus Raymond (Ghost Rider & Deadpool).
CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:
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The Highwayman had access to a large amount of advanced technology, derived from the Aliens. His truck, the Blackrig would respond to his mental commands and could fly through the air, or even in space. It could form a high-energy electro-force field to deflect attacks. Its tires were composed of a durable material which made them virtually immune to puncture. --U.S. 1#1 (U.S. 1#11 (fb), 1, 4, 9-12 |
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The demonic Black Rig, Bessie, was a living being itself and possessed healing powers as well. It could vertically ride up or down sheer surfaces, fly, and travel at several hundred mph. Bessie's trailer housed demons to whom the Highwayman fed the heads of his victims. The demons presumably powered the Black Rig. It was tipped over after a run-in with Ghost Rider (Ketch). The demons in the trailer cursed him before setting the Highwayman's head on fire and using it to blow up the Black Rig. --Ghost Rider VI#34 |
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The "Demon Rig" (that is what Deadpool called it) seemed to be another truck with demonic origins acquired by Highwayman. The engines burned so hot it blew fire out of the pipes. The trailer did not house any demons like the previous Black Rig. At the time Highwayman was hired by Deadpool he still had to make 666 payments on the rig. Deadpool blew up the trailer with a grenade. --Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#3-5 |
images:
Ghost Rider by Jason Aaron Omnibus, back-up feature, p14 (Highwayman sketch, main image)
Ghost Rider by Jason Aaron Omnibus, back-up feature, p14 (Highwayman sketch, head shot)
U.S. 1#9, p22 (Highwayman, original costume)
U.S. 1#10, p6, pan3 (head shot, original costume)
U.S. 1#3, p5, pan2 (posing as old trucker)
U.S. 1#11, p19, pan4 (head shot, human form)
Ghost Rider VI#34, p20, pan1 (head shot, demonic form)
U.S. 1#12, p11, pan1 (Blackrig)
Ghost Rider VI#34, p16, pan3 (Black Rig)
Ghost Rider VI#34, p19, pan3 (Black Rig tipped over, demons in the back)
Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#4, p2-3 ("Demon Rig")
Appearances:
U.S. 1#1-2 (May-June, 1983) - Al Milgrom (writer), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#3-6 (July-October, 1983) - Al Milgrom (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#7 (December, 1983) - Al Milgrom (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#8 (February, 1984) - Al Milgrom (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio & Jim Shooter (editors)
U.S. 1#9 (April, 1984) - Al Milgrom (writer), Alan Kupperberg (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#10 (June, 1984) - Al Milgrom (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#11 (August, 1984) - Al Milgrom (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
U.S. 1#12 (October, 1984) - Al Milgrom (writer), Steve Ditko (pencils), Dan Bulanadi (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Dark Reign Files (February, 2009) - Michael Hoskin & various others (writer), Jeff Youngquist (editor)
Ghost Rider VI#33 (2009) - Jason Aaron (writer), Tony Moore (artist), Axel Alonso (editor)
Ghost Rider VI#34 (2009) - Jason Aaron (writer), Tony Moore (artist), Sebastian Girdner (assistant editor), Axel Alonso (editor)
Deadpool Team-Up#896 (April, 2010) - Stuart Moore (writer), Shawn Crystal (artist), Axel Alonso (editor)
Deadpool & the Mercs for Money I#3-5 (June-August, 2016) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Salva Espin (artist), Jordan D. White (editor)
First Posted: 08/22/2002
Last updated: 10/29/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights
Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real
thing!
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