CIRCUS OF CRIME
Membership: Blade Benson, Captain Corbett, Mr. Marvel, Sawyer, Tumbling Turners
Purpose: To rob small towns while performing their traveling circus show
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Kid Colt
Base of Operations: Mobile in the American west (including Abilene, Texas), Old West era
First Appearance: Kid Colt, Outlaw#106 (September, 1962)
History: (Kid Colt, Outlaw#106) - While traveling to Abilene, the circus members encountered Kid Colt, who was on the run from a posse. Sawyer allowed Colt to hide in his wagon, and didn't give him away when the posse came by. When the circus stopped for the night Colt tried to leave, but Sawyer demanded that he stay, as they needed another man. Colt refused, and the circus members attacked him. Outmatched, Colt was forced to work with them.
When the circus arrived in Abilene, Colt was ordered by Sawyer to run their ticket booth, but he soon snuck away, curious at what the circus members were up to. He saw Sawyer leading the circus members into a bank, easily robbing it with their talents while most of the town was out at the big top.
In order to expose the circus members without risking himself, Colt put on a bandanna and entered the big top, pretending to be a performer. Sawyer tried to shoot him, but Colt shot his rifle from his hands, making it look like part of the show. He went on to best Captain Corbett's bear and gorilla by pitting the two animals against each other, shot Blade Benson in the arm to remove his talent, and shot Mr. Marvel down from the high wire, causing him to land on Sawyer. Colt then revealed to the audience that the circus members were a band of crooks, and rode away.
Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Jack Keller.
The name "Circus of Crime" was only used by Colt to describe the group.
by Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Circus of Crime should not be confused with:
Blade Benson was the Circus of Crime's sword-thrower, and could even disarm Colt with his projectiles. Colt shot Blade in his arm to handicap him.
--Kid Colt, Outlaw#106
Captain Corbett was the Circus of Crime's animal trainer, and had a trained gorilla and bear which he could pit against his opponents, using a whip to control them. He tried to defeat Colt with his bear, but Colt set the gorilla loose, then confused the two animals with his gunfire, so that they turned on each other.
--Kid Colt, Outlaw#106
Mr. Marvel was the Circus of Crime's high wire balancer, and could wield a gun even when he was on the wire. He was shot by Colt while on the high wire, lost his balance, and fell on Sawyer.
--Kid Colt, Outlaw#106
Sawyer was the owner of the Circus of Crime. He had above average strength, enabling him to knock down doors, and carried a rifle. He tried to force Kid Colt into aiding the circus, but was foiled when Colt brought the circus down instead. Sawyer was left for Abilene's sheriff with the rest of his performers.
--Kid Colt, Outlaw#106
The Tumbling Turners were brothers, and were the acrobats of the Circus of Crime. They had exceptional talents as tumblers, and could easily outfight Kid Colt, but were exposed as criminals with the rest of the band.
--Kid Colt, Outlaw#106
Images taken from:
Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, cover
Blade- Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, page 12, panel 4
Corbett- Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, page 5, panel 2
Marvel- Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, page 12, panel 5
Sawyer- Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, page 6, panel 6
Turners- Kid Colt, Outlaw#106, page 5, panel 3
First Posted: 04/10/2005
Last updated: 04/04/2005
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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