Crusher (comics)

Crusher
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	(Unrevealed) Tales of Suspense #91 (Jul 1967) (Aponte) Daredevil #119 (Mar 1975)
Created by	(Unrevealed) Stan Lee and Gene Colan (Aponte) Tony Isabella and Bob Brown
In-story information
Alter ego	- Unrevealed - Juan Aponte
Species	(Both) Human Mutate
Notable aliases	(Unrevealed) "El Professor" (Aponte) Dr. Jakkelburr
Abilities	(Both) Super-Strength, Durable Skin, Heavyweight

Crusher is the name of two fictional characters; both Marvel Comics supervillains.

Publication history

The first Crusher first appeared in Tales of Suspense #91 (July 1967), and was created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. The character died in his second appearance in Iron Man #6 and his body later appeared in Daredevil #119 (March 1975).

The second Crusher first appeared in Daredevil #119 (March 1975), and was created by Tony Isabella and Bob Brown. The character died in the same issue.

Fictional character biography

Unrevealed

An unnamed Cuban scientist in South America has created a formula that would make the President of his country the "master of the world." The President didn't trust him and had him test it on himself by injecting it (which is what the scientist anticipated). The formula caused the scientist to grow in size and strength in front of the President's eyes. Thus, the scientist became Crusher, a giant, rock-hard, immensely heavy menace. None of the President's weapons could pierce the Crusher. The President knew he would made a great asset to his army and told Crusher to kill Iron Man as a way of becoming a general in his army. Crusher went to America and attacked Stark Industries. This attracted Iron Man and both of them fought in battle. Iron Man used the Centrifugal Ray on Crusher causing him to fall through the floor and fell underground somewhere.^[1]

Crusher eventually landed in Subterranea where the formula that gave him his powers wore off. While exploring Subterranea, he stumbled upon Tyrannus' abandoned base and used the materials there to recreate the Crusher formula. After it was complete, Crusher began to dig his way up to the surface to get revenge on Iron Man. After making his way to the surface, Crusher found the men that smuggled him into America and forced them to help him to Stark Industries. He fought Iron Man and took Whitney Frost hostage to force Iron Man to hand over the Centrifugal Ray to him. Crusher's fingers were too big for him to operate the controls in his revenge against Iron Man causing it to accidentally overload. Iron Man then took the opportunity to tackle Crusher and carried the Crusher to the ocean where he threw him in.^[2]

Juan Aponte

A coroner named Dr. Jakkelburr received the Crusher's body and studied it in hopes to recreate the formula. Dr. Jakkelburr's formula recreation was a success when he gave it to a bantomweight boxer named Juan Aponte (who wanted to become a heavyweight boxer). Juan began to take the formula, but it had a side-effect that gave him mood swings and violent fits of temper. Former boxer Father Gawaine and Coach Pop Fenton both wanted to help Juan and enlisted the help of Matt Murdock. However, Dr. Jakkelburr sent men to rough up the three of them. Murdock managed to slip away to become Daredevil. The effects of the formula finally overwhelmed Juan causing him to transform into a mindless version of the Crusher. Crusher fought Daredevil and tore up Fogwell's gym in the fight. When he accidentally caused a wall to topple toward Father Gawaine and Pop Fenton, Crusher dove to their rescue and was crushed by the falling wall. Juan reverted back to normal and died in his coach's arms.^[3]

Powers and abilities

Both Crushers have superhuman strength, durable skin, and enhanced weight.

In other media

Video games

• Crusher is featured in a trivia question in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

References

1. ^ Tales of Suspense #91
2. ^ Iron Man #6
3. ^ Daredevil #119

External links

• Crusher I at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Crusher II at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe