"BEAR" BRONSON

Real Name: ?? Bronson

Identity/Class: Normal human (Old West Era)

Occupation: Criminal

Group Membership: "Rattler" Redlin's gang

Affiliations: Redlin's gang

Enemies: "Rattler" Redlin (possibly Rattler; see comments), Judge Trask, Two-Gun Kid

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Tombstone, Texas

First Appearance: Marvel Fanfare I#49/2 (February, 1990)

Powers/Abilities: He was strong, big and his weapon of choice was a gun.

(Marvel Fanfare I#49/2 (fb) - BTS) - For some time Bronson was part of Redlin's gang and committed crimes at his side, but Bronson wasn't satisfied and wanted to become the gang's leader.

(Marvel Fanfare I#49/2) - After Redlin was found innocent in a trial, Bronson captured Judge Trask on his way home together with Matt Hawk. Bronson wanted to hang the Judge to ensure that Tombstone's citizens would kill Redlin in blind rage over this murder committed by his own gang. Matt Hawk managed to free himself and defeated Bronson's partners in crime before attacking Bronson himself. Bronson tried to finish his plan before this happened, but Two-Gun Kid severed the rope around Judge Trask's neck with a shot and destroyed Bronson's gun with another one. Bronson demanded a fistfight with Two-Gun Kid to settle this and Two-Gun Kid defeated him. He tied Bronson and his lackeys up, changed back to Matt Hawk and told Trask that Bronson and the others were probably willing to testify against Redlin in a new trial.

Comments: Created by Mike Barr & Tod Smith.

This guy looks very similar to another bear-themed Old West criminal. Look at Grizzly Grogan and now compare him to "Bear" Bronson. Weapon, beard and hat look similar and they live in the same town. Could it be that the story's author was a big fan of Old West comics who intended "Bear" Bronson to be Grizzly Grogan?

Bronson's old partner and foe "Rattler" Redlin (see right picture) was probably meant to be the second Rattler of the Old West. Okay the character didn't wear the Rattler costume, but why should he in front of a court? Snood even used Redlin's name in the Rattler profile without remembering where it came from.

Profile by Markus Raymond

CLARIFICATIONS:
"Bear" Bronson has no known connection to:

• Bear, a Soviet warrior @ Spider-Man 2099 Annual#1
• Bear, Punisher foe @ Punisher II#66
• Bear, of Earth-Guardians @ Guardians of the Galaxy#9
• Bear Brother, of the Tribe of the Moon @ Alpha Flight I#83
• bear people, of Goldilux @ Dragon's Claws#6
• Bronson, Anthony, night watchman @ Mystique#11
• Bronson, Bobby, defeated the alien Sandman @ Journey into Mystery I#70
• Bronson, John, of SHIELD I @ Strange Tales I#144
• Bronson, Spencer, mutant, son of Anthony @ Mystique#11
• Bronson, Steve, father of Bobby @ Journey into Mystery I#70
• Grizzly Grogan, Two-Gun Kid foe @ Two-Gun Kid#64 (see comments)
• any other character with a similar name

images:
"Bear" Bronson body shot: Marvel Fanfare I#49, p29, pan1
"Bear" Bronson head shot: Marvel Fanfare I#49, p32, pan7
"Rattler" Redlin: Marvel Fanfare I#49, p27, pan3

Appearances:
Marvel Fanfare I#49 (February, 1990) - Mike W. Barr (writer), Tod Smith (artist), Al Milgrom (editor)

Last updated: 09/04/11

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Back to Characters