Gibbon (comics)

Gibbon
Gibbon. Art by Ramon Bachs.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #110 (July, 1972)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) John Romita Sr. (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Martin Blank
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	Legion of Losers Ape-Vengers Hateful Hexad
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed, agility, dexterity, reflexes, coordination, balance and endurance

Gibbon is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., the Gibbon first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #110 (July 1972). The character subsequently appears in Amazing Spider-Man #111, The Spectacular Spider-Man #59-#60 (October–November 1981), #245-246 (April–May 1997), #252-253 (December 1997-January 1998), #256 (June 1998), She-Hulk #6 (May 2006), Punisher War Journal #4 (April 2007), #16 (April 2008), and Marvel Apes #1-4 (September–October 2008). The Gibbon received an entry in the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #4 (2006)

Martin Blank is a man who was seemingly born a mutant with an ape-like build and agility. Gibbon later joins a circus where he does well as an acrobat while wearing a gibbon suit. His powers are later enhanced by a potion given to him by Kraven the Hunter to "Unleash the Beast within". Martin Blank begins his career as a friend of Spider-Man's. He even wants to be his partner, but Spider-Man laughs at him. Sick of being seen as a freak, Martin cannot take further ridicule and lashes out. He then catches the eye of Kraven the Hunter who enhances the Gibbon's powers with a herb broth, also giving him a great animal rage. After Spider-Man defeats him, Martin is not seen for a while.

Gibbon was one of the inmates at Ryker's Island. Gibbon sought revenge on Spider-Man, trying to prove himself as good as his foe. He is caught in the middle of a fight with Spider-Man and the Beetle. Eventually Gibbon helps Spider-Man by punching out the Beetle. Gibbon later joins up with other has-beens: the Kangaroo, Grizzly, and the Spot to form the Legion of Losers.