RABBLE ROUSER
Real Name: Dr. Weinberg
Identity/Class: Human technology user; nationality uncertain
Occupation: Insurrectionist
Group Membership: S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate)
Allies: Northstar, Wolverine;
Former agent of unnamed communist nation
Enemies: Formerly the Human Torch (Johnny Storm), United States of America
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: Vitold Niyazov
Base of Operations: Formerly S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Blackhawk;
formerly Manhattan, New York
City
First Appearance: Strange Tales I#119/1 (April, 1964)
Powers:
None.
The Rabble Rouser used a "Mesmerizer Wand" which influenced those around him to make his
words more believable. When focused on a single person, the wand
could make him or her the Rabble Rouser's servant. He used the
wand to convince people to turn against their allies, and to
undermine figures of authority. He didn't have any special combat
training, but he was of above average size and build.
The Rabble Rouser also utilized a "Sub-Surface Vehicle," which uses a "reverse-thrust rocket" to burn a tunnel through the ground and travel beneath the surface of the Earth. The vehicle was bullet-proof. This vehicle was a modification of the one used by the original Hate-Monger in San Diablo.
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
History:
(Strange Tales I#119/1 (fb) - BTS) - The Rabble Rouser was sent by
agents of an unknown communist nation to create unrest in the
USA, and to turn the population against the government, its
foreign allies, and other figures of authority. He felt that if
he weakened the USA enough, he might be granted dictatorship of
some small communist country.
(Strange Tales I#119/1) - The Rabble Rouser successfully turned a large portion of the population of Manhattan against the Human Torch, even convincing the city council to pass an ordinance against him flaming on without written permission from the mayor.
The Rabble Rouser next used his Sub-Surface Vehicle to ambush and kidnap Prince Nagamo, a visiting foreign dignitary from a nation allied with the USA. The Human Torch was granted permission to go after him. The Torch exhausted his own flame destroying the Sub-Surface Vehicle, but succeeded in grabbing the Rabble Rouser's wand. He used the wand to make the Rabble Rouser loyal to America, and to make him retire from his career and identity. The Torch then destroyed the wand.
(Wolverine III#26 (fb)) - Adopting the name of Dr. Weinberg, he went to work for S.H.I.E.L.D., using his mind-control technology for the good of mankind.
(Wolverine III#26 (fb)) - Weinberg used his technology to begin deprogramming Wolverine from the brainwashing performed by the Hand.
(Wolverine III#26) - Weinberg continued running simulations to deprogram Wolverine. After two million he began to see the first sign of progress, and he estimated that another half million should complete it. Just then the Hand's resurrected super-army assaulted the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
(Wolverine III#27) - To combat the super-villain army, Weinberg released Wolverine prematurely, but the deprogramming proved sufficient and Wolverine recovered his will and fought the army. The Helicarrier crashed during the battle.
(Wolverine III#28 (fb) - BTS) - Weinberg authorized releasing Wolverine from S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. In addition, he signed off on Wolverine's request to utilize a trio of Sentinels against the super-villains.
(Wolverine III#28) - Weinberg explained his actions to his superiors at S.H.I.E.L.D., assuring them that Wolverine was only as crazy as they needed him to be.
(Wolverine III#30 (fb) - BTS) - Weinberg attempted to deprogram Northstar, but made no progress in a week's time.
(Wolverine III#30) - Weinberg met with Wolverine, telling him his lack of success with Northstar.
(Wolverine III#31 (fb) - BTS) - Northstar remained resistant to deprogramming.
Comments: Created by Stan "The Man" Lee and Dick Ayers.
It is unclear how long the effects of the wand would last after it was destroyed. However, it would appear that he eventually remembered his past, but maintained his new loyalty, as a pair of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were discussing his past within earshot of him.
Unless they fought in another struggle, which they may have, the Rabble Rouser never broke the Human Torch's jaw. His real name was revealed in the FFE as Vitold Niyazov. He certainly could have changed his name, defected, and gone on to use his mind-control technology to reverse brainwashing.
Rabble Rouser has an entry in Marvel Legacy: The 1960s Handbook.
Main image added by Ron Fredricks.
Clarifications:
No known connection to:
Images:
Strange Tales I#119, Cover (main)
Strange Tales I#119, p5, pan3 (with "Mesmerizre Wand")
Strange Tales I#119, p5, pan1 (full body)
Strange Tales I#119, p6, pan2 ("Sub-Surface Craft")
Wolverine III#26, p20, pan1 (Weinberg)
Appearances:
Strange Tales I#119/1 (April, 1964) - Stan Lee (plot/editor), Dick Ayers (plot/artist)
Wolverine III#26-31 (May-October, 2005) - Mark Millar
(writer), John Romita, Jr. (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Jennifer Lee (editor)
First Posted: 09/08/2001
Last updated: 05/10/2020
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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