Clown (comics)
| The Clown | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Incredible Hulk #3 (Sep 1962) |
| Created by |
Stan Lee (writer) Steve Ditko (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Eliot Franklin |
| Team affiliations |
Circus of Crime The Masters of Menace Gamma Corps |
| Notable aliases | Crafty, Griffin, Funny Man, Crafty Clown |
| Abilities | Use of clown paraphernalia (As Griffin): Sharp claws and talons Ability to spit a slimy corrosive venom |
The Clown is the name of three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The first Clown first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #3 (September 1962), and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The character subsequently appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #16 (September 1964), #22 (March 1965), The Avengers #22 (November 1965), The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 (1965), Thor #145-147 (October–December 1967), The Avengers #60 (January 1969), Super-Villain Team-Up #8 (October 1976), Ghost Rider #70 (July 1982), #72-73 (September–October 1982), #75 (December 1982), #80 (May 1983), The Sensational She-Hulk #1 (May 1989), The Incredible Hulk #471 (December 1998), Deathlok #4 (November 1999), X-Men and Power Pack #3 (February 2006), Civil War: War Crimes #1 (February 2007), The Amazing Spider-Man: Free Comic Book Day - 'Swing Shift' (June 2007), and The Amazing Spider-Man #552 (April 2008). The character briefly appears as the Griffin in World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1-4 (September 2007-January 2008). The Clown appeared as part of the "Circus of Crime" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #2.
Eliot Franklin was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of a man named Corky. When he began his criminal career, he joined the Ringmaster's Circus of Crime, working as a circus clown, comedian, juggler, and unicyclist. He uses a number of gimmicks such as a trick cane, unicycle, and juggler's balls.
He is apparently a member of the Circus of Crime from the outset but he is indistinguishable from the other clowns until he meets in a Hotel room with Human Cannonball, the Great Gambonnos and Princess Python when they decide to kick the Ringmaster out and go out on their own. They call themselves the Masters of Menace and elect Eliot as their leader. The Clown comes up with a plan to rob a Madison Avenue Art Gallery and they get away with a load of valuable paintings, but the whole plot is eventually foiled by Spider-Man. He tries to leave with the paintings, but is knocked out from behind by Ringmaster, and the police arrive and capture them all. After they get out of jail, the Masters agree to rejoin the Ringmaster as the Circus of Crime. They try to recruit Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch to the cause but fail, and the Clown is defeated by Scarlet Witch causing him to trip over a rope.
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