Russian (comics)
| The Russian | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Punisher Vol. 5, #8 (November 2000) |
| Created by |
Garth Ennis (writer) Steve Dillon (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Human Cyborg |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Team affiliations | Gnucci Family General Kreigkopf's Army |
| Notable aliases | The Ivan |
| Abilities | Considerable strength, stamina and durability Nigh-invulnerability Enhanced smell |
The Russian is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is an enemy of the Punisher.
Created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, the character made his first appearance in The Punisher Vol. 5, #8 (November 2000).
The Russian debuted off-panel in The Punisher Vol. 5, #8, was fully introduced in the following issue, and appeared in every subsequent one up until his death in Issue #11. In the following series, the character was resurrected as a cyborg, and was featured in The Punisher Vol. 6, #1-5.
The Russian received profiles in Marvel Encyclopedia #5, All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #9, and Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #9
The earliest known sightings of the Russian occurred while he was vacationing in Afghanistan in the 1980s. He subsequently traveled the world, inserting himself into various conflicts for fun and profit; locations he is said to have fought in include Lebanon, Iraq, Rwanda, East Timor, Chechnya, the Balkans, and Belfast (where he consumed a man on a bet). The Russian's activities led to him being wanted dead or alive by numerous law enforcement agencies, as well as criminal organizations such as the Yakuza.
The Russian is contacted at his home in Kazakhstan by American crime lord Ma Gnucci, who offers him ten million dollars to kill the Punisher. The Russian agrees to the deal, boards a Russian airliner to North America, crashes it above Canada, and crosses the border into New York City, where he is briefed by Gnucci. The Russian is then brought to the Punisher's current address, and engages the vigilante, their fight (which the Russian dominates) bringing them into the apartment of the Punisher's morbidly obese neighbor, Mr. Bumpo. The Punisher burns the Russian's face with a hot pizza that Bumpo had been dining on, trips him, and then throws Bumpo on top of him. The Russian asphyxiates under Bumpo, and has his head cut off by the Punisher, who uses it to intimidate what remains of Ma Gnucci's forces into surrendering.
...
Wikipedia