JOE BARGER

Real Name: Joe Barger

Identity/Class: Normal human

Occupation: Consumer activist (self-styled)

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Average citizens

Enemies: Tony Stark

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Federal Court Building in Manhattan, New York City

First Appearance: Marvel Fanfare I#22 (September, 1985)

Powers/Abilities: He was a master in complaining and shutting down corporations. He also loved the cameras!

(Marvel Fanfare I#22) - Consumer activist Joe Barger went with a camera crew and photographers to Ryker's Island to show the public how Stark used their money to overhaul Ryker's Island's security system. Upon entering the facility Barger was stopped by an electromagnetic force-grid, but this was only the first technological miracle he would see. At the end of the tour Barger was impressed, but he still was concerned about the costs. Stark angered Barger when he suddenly left after being beeped. A situation occurred inside the prison when Dr. Octopus' adamantium arms entered to break out their master and when Iron Man arrived Barger told him that Stark would be held responsible for this (more than Barger knew at that time, because the adamantium arms broke out from Stark International). Barger was among the people watching Dr. Octopus' breakout and Iron Man's defeat which was documented by the media Barger brought with him.

    The next day Joe Barger leveled charges of negligence against Stark and his corporation.

(Marvel Fanfare I#23 (fb) ) - Barger initiated a grand jury probe into Stark International's alleged security violations and had Stark's corporation temporarily closed down.

(Marvel Fanfare I#23) - Two days later at the federal court building in Manhattan Stark's lawyers failed to suspend the work-stoppage injunction against Stark International. After leaving the court Barger told Stark that this was the beginning of the end for irresponsible industrialists, and Stark lost his temper.
 
    Another two days later Barger's smile was gone. Dr. Octopus had been caught by Iron Man and the charges against Stark International were dropped. Barger didn't even want to read about it in the papers.

Comments: Created by Roger McKenzie & Ken Steacy.

Profile by Markus Raymond

CLARIFICATIONS:
Joe Barger has no known connection to:

• Barker, Ravencroft security @ Web of Spider-Man Annual#10
• Barker, Caryn Earle's rottweiler @ Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#30
• Barker, Carl, Body Shop owner @ Journey into Mystery I#89/2
• Barker, Howard, alias used by Hermod @ Journey into Mystery I#504
• any other person with a similar name

Images:
Joe Barger body shot: Marvel Fanfare I#22, p2, pan1
Joe Barger head shot: Marvel Fanfare I#22, p4, pan2

Other appearances:
Marvel Fanfare I#23 (November, 1985)

Last updated: 07/08/05