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MAN MOUNTAIN MARKO

Real Name: Michael Marko

Identity/Class: Human mutate

Occupation: Federal agent; former "Thug-For-Hire," mob enforcer, professional body builder

Group Membership: Marko's ATF squad (Arnett, others), Hammerhead's "villain army" (Hammerhead/Joseph, Answer/Aaron Nicholson, the Ani-Men (Ape-Man, Bird-Man, Cat-Man), Armada/David Breyer, Aura/Ann Herd, Bloodshed/Wyndell Dichinson, Clown/Eliot Franklin, Commanda/Catherine, Discus/Tim Stuart, Electro/Maxwell Dillon, Great Gambonnos/Ernesto & Luigi Gambonno, Kangaroo/Brian Hibbs, Mindblast, Mauler/Brendon Doyle, Override/Dr. Gregory Herd, Ringmaster/Maynard Tiboldt, Spot/Johnathon Ohnn, the Squid/Don Callahan, Trapster/Peter Petruski, Will O' The Wisp/Jackson Arvad, others), Maggia (Big C/Caesar Cicero, Snaky Duvall, Eel (Edward Lavell), Hammerhead/Joseph, Silvermane/Silvio Manfredi, others)

Affiliations: Discus (Tim Stuart), Tommy Galvin, manager, Nightshade (Tilda Johnson), Norman Osborn, Stiletto (Tom Stuart), Louis Wilson, Mr. Zoumas

Enemies: Agents of Atlas (Gorilla-Man/Ken Hale, M-11/Human Robot, Marvel Boy/Bob Grayson, Namora, Venus, Jimmy Woo), Big Ben Donovan, Dazzler (Alison Blaire), Millicent Hogarth, Iron Fist (Danny Rand), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Jessica Jones, Lizard (Dr. Curt Conners), Mister Lao, Power Man (Luke Cage), S.H.I.E.L.D., Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Thunderbolt (William Carver)

Known Relatives: Mario (Man Mountain Mario, cousin, deceased), Louise (aunt)

Aliases: Big M

Base of Operations: Mobile in England and San Francisco, California, USA;
formerly Glen Cove estate of Caesar Cicero, New York, USA;
formerly Ryker's Island, New York, USA;
formerly Undisclosed office of Silvermane, New York, USA;
formerly Queens, New York (place of birth)

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man I#73 (June, 1969)

Powers/Abilities: An experienced brawler and body builder, Marko's genetic enhancements gave him increased durability and doubled his strength. Steroid use drastically increased Marko's genetically induced abilities. Using a special variety of steroids, Marko could increase his height to 8 feet, though this also made him somewhat unstable, suffering from frequent angry outbursts.

Height: 6'11"
Weight: 270 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown, formerly black

History: (Web of Spider-Man I#82 (fb)) - In his teens, Marko already had a run in with Peter Parker, the alter-ego of his future nemesis Spider-Man. While looking for trouble on a street corner, he targeted a seemingly normal looking teenager who walked by, unaware it was the already empowered Peter Parker. Parker was so concerned with the fate of his aunt May, who had fallen ill, that he had forgotten the world around him and used his full superhuman strength to slam Marko away. As he hit a pile of trashcans, Marko vowed to become strong enough that nobody could ever hurt him. Over time, this dedication grew into an obsession.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#73 - BTS) - After becoming a professional bodybuilder, Marko joined the service of the Maggia, a New York-based criminal empire. Through genetic enhancements subsidized by the Maggia, the brawler's physical strength was doubled while his durability was also considerably augmented.

(Web of Spider-Man I#82 (fb) - BTS) - Marko was barred as a professional bodybuilder due to his genetic enhancements.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#73 (fb) - BTS) - While in a power struggle for command over the Maggia, the elderly crime boss Silvermane (Silvio Manfredi) was on a quest to retrieve the Tablet of Life in the hopes of using its secrets to regain his lost youth. As soon as the Maggia learned the Tablet was stored at the apartment of the Shocker's ex, Marko was sent to retrieve it.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#73) - Marko broke into the girl's house and began tearing the place apart while threatening the woman. Just then, Spider-Man, who was following a lead on the Tablet himself, entered the same apartment and faced Marko the Man Mountain. Familiar with the wall crawler, Marko attacked the hero, knocking him out. After having dealt with his assailant, Marko located the Tablet and threatened to kill the Shocker's ex-girlfriend. Spider-Man regained consciousness in time to leap to the girl's rescue as Marko threw her out of the window. Correctly figuring Spider-Man would rescue her instead of stopping him, Marko made his escape and returned the Tablet to Silvermane. He learned that Silvermane's competitor Caesar Cicero had retrieved Louis Wilson and Doctor Curt Connors to research the Tablet's hidden secrets.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#74) - To persuade Connors into helping them, Marko threatened to harm his family, whom the Maggia had also captured. He became so violent and intimidating, Silvermane had to remind Marko he was still the leader of the Maggia. Marko was then tasked with guarding a special laboratory where Connors and Wilson were supposed to work on the formula. Connors and Wilson discovered the signs on the Tablet were biochemical symbols rather than words. Together, they formed a formula for a powerful rejuvenation serum. After the doctors created the serum, Marko witnessed Silvermane drink the formula and turn into a young man.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#75) - Silvermane continued to grow younger while Connors turned into the Lizard and made his escape. Shocked by all the proceedings, Marko fell for Caesar Cicero's claims that it was all a trick and he attacked the young Silvermane. After fighting Silvermane to a standstill, Marko saw how Silvermane again grew younger. Both were than caught off guard and attacked by Spider-Man, who defeated Marko. Marko then witnessed how Silvermane devolved into primal protoplasm.

("Spider-Man & the Cupcake Caper" Hostess ad, published in such books as Amazing Spider-Man I#154) - Seeing Man Mountain Marko roughing up some people outside Mary Jane Watson's apartment, Peter Parker made an excuse to pickup some milk in order to change into his Spider-Man outfit. Quickly covering Marko in a web net and leaving him for the arriving police, Spider-Man left the scene to pick up the milk and returned to Mary Jane's apartment, claiming he had gotten distracted along the way.

(Power Man and Iron Fist I#61 (fb) - BTS) - At an unrevealed point, Marko entered the employ of Caesar Cicero.

(Power Man and Iron Fist I#61) - Cicero sent Marko and a squad of his men to track down Big Ben Donovan, who had stolen a shipment of drugs. Marko located him at the Harlem office of Luke Cage, Hero for Hire. Donovan had sought out Cage's help, secretly hoping the encounter would lead to Cage's death as he wanted revenge on all who had wronged him. After Cage had dealt with his gunmen, Marko joined the fight. As luck would have it, Marko was thrown against a wall that housed a number of power cables. The Maggia mercenary used the exposed wires to shock Power Man into unconsciousness. Catching his breath, Marko noticed he had broken his hand in combat. He took both Donovan and Cage with him to Cicero's office. Cage's partner Iron Fist was kept from making a rescue attempt by Thunderbolt, who didn't reveal until it was too late that they were on the same side.

(Power Man and Iron Fist#62) - Iron Fist and Thunderbolt combined their efforts to track down Caesar Cicero, Marko and his men, who were about to kill Donovan and bury Luke Cage alive. During the battle, Marko almost managed to break Thunderbolt in half but was stopped by a flying kick courtesy of Iron Fist. As the two went head to head, the cocky Man Mountain was finally beaten by Rand's Iron Fist to the head. In the aftermath, the stolen drugs were located and Thunderbolt discovered it was Donovan who was responsible for his brother's death and could die in peace. Luke Cage managed to catch and trap the Maggia enforcers who tried to escape.

(Power Man and Iron Fist#92) - Marko teamed up with the Eel (Edward Lavell) in an attempt to free Hammerhead from prison just as he was being transported to a prison facility in upstate New York. A silent helicopter deposited them on the moving truck, where they found Power Man and Iron Fist. Itching to get a rematch against the Man Mountain, Luke Cage attacked Marko as the Eel fought Iron Fist. It wasn't until the heroes switched enemies that they were able to defeat them, Marko and Eel were soon arrested.

(Power Man and Iron Fist#110 (fb) - BTS) - Marko and the Eel were imprisoned on Ryker's Island, where they were seen by fellow mercenary inmates Discus and Stiletto.

(Power Man and Iron Fist#110) - Deadly Nightshade hired Marko and Eel and mesmerized Stiletto and Discus into aiding her in robbing a debutante ball. Eel set up an electric field around the building that would knock anyone who tried to leave unconscious. While they raided the party, Marko attacked Luke Cage, who was at the ball with Iron Fist to chaperone Millicent Hogarth, the daughter of their lawyer Jeryn Hogarth. Iron Fist and Luke Cage combined their efforts and defeated Marko, throwing his unconscious body on the other villains to stop them from attacking. When Stiletto shook off his mesmerization, he threw a knife at Eel that overloaded his system. Eel tried to switch to a back up but failed before Iron Fist knocked him out.

(Web of Spider-Man I#82 (fb) - BTS) - Marko began using new horse steroids, provided by his personal trainer. Due to these new steroids, Marko grew more irrational and violent as he got bigger and bigger.

(Web of Spider-Man I#82) - While collecting "protection" money at a local sports bar for the Maggia, Marko went berserk when he saw his enemy Spider-Man sling by. Acting on instinct, Marko used his bare hands to rip out the bar, which he threw right through the front of the pub, hitting and seemingly killing Spider-Man. Believing he had killed his enemy, Marko left, unaware the wall crawler had survived. When the police found Spider-Man, they informed him Marko had kidnapped a young boy named Tommy Galvin, which made Spider-Man determined to track down Marko. Galvin, however, was in good hands as he idolized the Man Mountain, hoping he could one day become as big and strong as him and he even convinced Marko to help train him. During the same evening while watching the News4 television channel, Marko learned that Spider-Man had survived their last encounter. Marko grew frustrated and increasingly irrational. He decided he had to work out even more to get ready for the inevitable confrontation with the wall crawler. That very night Spider-Man managed to track down Marko's whereabouts and tried to rescue young Tommy Galvin, who clearly didn't want to be saved and even called out for the Man Mountain to help him. Now grown to a staggering eight feet, Man Mountain Marko came crashing through the wall. Marko and Spider-Man fought until sunrise when Spider-Man used the last of his reserve to strike his opponent down. Surprisingly, Tommy Galvin forgot all about his former idol, declaring Spider-Man was the best as Marko was put into custody.

(Spider-Man Lifeline I#1 - BTS) - When a museum was getting ready to display a collection of newly discovered pieces of the Lifetime Tablet (aka the Tablet of Life) that were found by Louis Wilson, the Maggia sent Marko to retrieve them.

(Spider-Man Lifeline I#1) - Disguised as a waiter, Marko infiltrated the museum and was spotted by Peter Parker. When Marko stole the pieces and made a run for it, Peter disguised himself with a simple African mask and managed to grab the Lifeline pieces. However, he was unable to prevent Marko from escaping. When Wilson later left the museum in his car with the artifacts, Marko opened a manhole from below the street and grabbed the underside of Wilson's car so that the car crashed. Marko's partner the Eel then swooped in to grab the pieces. Caesar Cicero's joy was cut short however, due to a surprise attack by Boomerang. Boomerang trapped Marko under a pile of rubble and pinned the Eel on the wall with a gluemerang. Boomerang then made his way out to Hammerhead, who was working with Dr. Curt Connors.

(Spider-Man Lifeline#2) - Marko had Cicero's men clean up the mess left by the Boomerang. Just then, Spider-Man dropped in during his search for the Lifeline pieces. He webbed Marko's hands to an old clock he was moving around. With the clock webbed in his hands Marko slammed the antique against Spider-Man but before he could do any serious harm, he was defeated by the hero and firmly webbed to the ceiling.

(Spider-Man Lifeline#3 - BTS) - Marko and the Eel had made their way to Hammerhead's office and knocked out several henchmen, amongst them the guards who kept Connors' family hostage.

(Alias I#2 - BTS) - Political power broker Mr. Zoumas hired Marko to murder a casual girlfriend of Captain America as part of a scheme to disgrace the President. Zoumas used private investigator Jessica Jones as an unwitting pawn.

(Alias I#4) - When Jessica Jones discovered the truth about the murder, Zoumas send Marko to kill her. Tracking her down, he pulled Jones out of her car and tried to choke her.

(Alias I#5) - Marko had grabbed Jessica Jones, mockingly telling her he could do whatever he wanted with her body after he killed her, suggesting the proposed act to be the real reason behind his Man Mountain alias. A former superhero, Jones beat the surprised Marko to a pulp, forcing him to reveal the identity of his boss, Zoumas.

(Civil War: War Crimes I#1) - Marko joined Hammerhead's "villain army," designed to take advantage of the superhero civil war. Before they could make their move, the army's headquarters was raided by Iron Man and a small unit of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. The group disbanded following the raid, which resulted in the capture and hospitalization of several members.

(X-Men: Manifest Destiny I#5/3 (fb) - BTS) - Marko decided to start a new life for himself, abandoning his career as a Maggia thug. Instead, he traveled to Europe, where he thrilled audiences with his feats of strength. Eventually, Marko decided to take this act back to the USA.

(X-Men: Manifest Destiny I#5/3) - On a flight from Great Britain to San Francisco, Marko got rather drunk and became aggressive. He scolded a stewardess and even punched his manager who had tried to keep him calm. However, Alison Blaire (Dazzler) happened to be on the same flight. She used her light powers to knock Marko down. Not too impressed, he grabbed a stewardess and threatened to snap her neck if Dazzler wouldn't sing for him. Coerced, Dazzler complied and sang a song which thoroughly moved Marko, though he still refused to let the stewardess go. Dazzler then focused her light powers into one massively powerful beam she fired at Marko, which burned his face and knocked him out.

(Agents of Atlas II#1 (fb) - BTS) - During the events that became known as the Dark Reign, Norman Osborn was in charge of national security. Osborn saw Marko's potential and made him a federal agent with his own squad of ATF agents. Marko and his squad were tasked with tracking down Jimmy Woo and the Atlas Foundation. Marko managed to get a hold of Jason, one of Atlas' scientists, unaware "Jason" was really Woo himself.

(Agents of Atlas II#1) - Thanks to "Jason," Marko located one of Atlas' facilities in Eureka, California. Marko, backed up by his ATF agents, used his superhuman strength to burst through the doors. Just then, he and his men were attacked by the Agents of Atlas and Marko was singlehandedly defeated by Namora. Marvel Boy then used his superhuman powers to teleport Marko and his men to a desert. After a day, they made their way back to Norman Osborn, who was residing on a vessel in a naval fleet in the Pacific Ocean, northwest of San Francisco. From there, they blew up one of Atlas' facilities, which led to Venus infiltrating Osborn's base to deliver a message from Jimmy Woo. Woo, who hoped to infiltrate Osborn's corrupt regime, wanted to make an arrangement with Norman to help him in his endeavors. Osborn, however, wanted to send a fact-finding team before he would agree to any conditions. Marko, "Jason" and a few ATF agents were part of this team that was brought to the secret lair of the Atlas Foundation. As the ATF agents shot video footage of the base, Marko noticed that "Jason" had snuck away. Although warned not to stray from the path laid out for him, Marko was determined to track his fellow operative down. After catching up with him, Marko was stunned to see "Jason" reveal himself to be Jimmy Woo, leader of the Atlas Foundation. As his team appeared from the shadows, Marko stumbled, fearing Namora's might. He tried to take cover in the shadows but he found the Agent's dragon ally Mr. Lao waiting for him. The massive Lao swallowed Marko whole. Although the Agents of Atlas attempted to save Man Mountain, the dragon refused to give up his meal.

(Agents of Atlas II#2) - As the Grizzly took over Marko's ATF division, it was mentioned that they had received a torn piece of his predecessor's jacket with teeth marks.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee (writer), John Romita, Sr., John Buscema (pencils) and Jim Mooney (inks).

In Thunderbolts I#159, Marko's cousin Man Mountain Mario was introduced. In the same issue, his aunt Louise, an old woman who helps criminals cross the border into Canada, was shown.

In the pages of Superior Foes of Spider-Man, a new Man Mountain was introduced, albeit unidentified. It remains to be seen if this is the original Michael Marko, who somehow got resurrected after ending up as Lao's lunch. For my money, that seems a tad unlikely. Marko grew as a character over the years so it doesn't make too much sense he would suddenly put his original outfit on again. This new Man Mountain might well be another one of Marko's relatives, perhaps his second cousin Man Mountain Marlo...or Marto, Marso, Mardo, Marfo, Margo, Marzo..ow you get the idea.

Man Mountain Marko received a profile in 2006's All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#7 and 2009's Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z#7.

Man Mountain Marko was featured alongside Silvermane in a gallery of Spider-Man's most famous foes in Amazing Spider-Man I Annual#13.

Profile by MarvellousLuke

CLARIFICATIONS:
Man Mountain Marko has no known connections to

Marko's manager


He was Marko's manager during his short stint as a performer. While on a flight from England to San Francisco, he tried to calm down the intoxicated Marko, only to end up getting pushed down to the floor. When Marko threatened a stewardess, he was defeated by Dazzler, who happened to be on the same plane. Marko's manager came up to Dazzler, surprised she was still working as a singer. He offered her a residency at a San Francisco club.

--X-Men: Manifest Destiny I#5/3





Mountain Man


(Superior Foes of Spider-Man I#12) - The Mountain Man was hired by the Owl to join Boomerang's new Sinister Sixteen to assist him in stealing back a painting from the Chameleon, unaware that, in truth, Boomerang had stolen the painting himself. The Sinister Sixteen raided Chameleon's complex.

(Superior Foes of Spider-Man I#13) - The Sinister Sixteen, including Mountain Man, were apprehended by the authorities and Mach VII while Boomerang, Beetle, Overdrive and Speed Demon got away.

(Superior Foes of Spider-Man I#15) - After being bailed out of jail, Man Mountain joined Cyclone, Shriek and Kangaroo in instigating a bar fight against Boomerang's gang. Mountain Man fought Boomerang himself but was knocked unconscious by Speed Demon.

Note: The Sinister Sixteen are: Armadillo, Beetle, Bi-Beast, Boomerang, Clown, Cyclone, Fly, Kangaroo, Mountain Man, Mirage, Overdrive, Scorcher, Shriek, Speed Demon, Spot, Squid.

(Fantastic Four V#11) - At Ryker's, She-Thing ordered Man-Bull, Vermin, Mandrill, and Mountain Man in the showers to attack Thing, but Thing won with some help from Sandman.

--Superior Foes of Spider-Man I#12 (#13, 15, Fantatic Four V#11

images: (without ads)
Agents of Atlas II#1, p1, pan2 (main image)
Web of Spider-Man I#82, p14, pan3 (as teenager)
Amazing Spider-Man I#74, p20, pan1 (experiencing the Tablet of Life's effect)
Power Man and Iron Fist#62, p17, pan5,6,7 (defeated by Iron Fist)
Spider-Man: Lifeline#1, p4, pan3 (infiltrated)
All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z#7, Man Mountain Marko main image (full body image of original costume)
Agents of Atlas II#1, p19, pan1 (death)
X-Men: Manifest Destiny#5, p23, pan5 (Marko's manager)
The Superior Foes of Spider-Man#15, p13, pan5 (new Man-Mountain)

Appearances:
Amazing Spider-Man I#73 (June, 1969) - Stan Lee (writer), John Romita Sr., John Buscema (pencils), Jim Mooney (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Amazing Spider-Man I#74 (July, 1969) - Stan Lee (writer), John Romita Sr. (pencils), Jim Mooney (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Amazing Spider-Man I#75 (August, 1969) - Stan Lee (writer), John Romita Sr. (pencils), Jim Mooney (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
"Spider-Man & the Cupcake Caper" Hostess ad (March, 1976) - no credits given
Amazing Spider-Man Annual#13 (December, 1979) - Marv Wolfman (writer), Keith Pollard (pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), Marv Wolfman (editor)
Power Man and Iron Fist#61 (February, 1980) - Mary Jo Duffy (writer), Kerry Gammill (pencils), Bruce Patterson (inks), Roger Stern, Jim Salicrup (editors)
Power Man and Iron Fist#62 (April, 1980) - Mary Jo Duffy (writer), Kerry Gammill (pencils, inks), Dennis O'Neill, Mark Gruenwald (editors)
Power Man and Iron Fist#92 (April, 1983) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Denys Cowan (pencils), Mel Candido (inks), Dennis O'Neill (editor)
Power Man and Iron Fist#110 (October, 1984) - Tony Isabella (writer), Greg LaRocque (pencils), Jerry Acerno, Brad Joyce (inkers), Denny O'Neill, Linda Grant (editors)
Web of Spider-Man I#82 (November, 1991) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Ron Wilson (pencils), Don Hudson (inks), Danny Fingeroth (editor)
Spider-Man: Lifeline#1 (April, 2001) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Steve Rude (pencils), Bob Wiacek (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Spider-Man: Lifeline#2 (May, 2001) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Steve Rude (pencils), Bob Wiacek (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Spider-Man: Lifeline#3 (June, 2001) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Steve Rude (pencils), Bob Wiacek (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Alias#4 (February, 2002) - Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Michael Gaydos (pencils, inks)
Alias#5 (March, 2002) - Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Michael Gaydos (pencils, inks)
Civil War: War Crimes#1 (February, 2007) - Frank Tieri (writer), Staz Johnson (pencils), Tom Palmer, Robin Riggs (inkers), Tom Brevoort (editor)
X-Men: Manifest Destiny#5/3 (March, 2009) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Sara Pichelli (pencils, inks), Joe Caramagna (editor)
Agents of Atlas II#1 (April, 2009) - Jeff Parker (writer), Carlo Pagulayan (pencils), Jason Paz (inks), Mark Paniccia (editor)
Fantastic Four V#11 (December, 2014) - James Robinson (writer), Marc Laming (penciler), Scott Hanna (inker), Mark Paniccia (editor)

First Posted: 11/03/2014
Last updated: 12/14/2016

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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