Strongman | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Incredible Hulk #3 (Sep 1962) |
Created by |
Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Bruce Olafsen |
Team affiliations | Circus of Crime |
Notable aliases | Bruto |
Abilities | Skilled wrestler |
The Strongman is the name of three different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Bruce Olafson version of Strongman first appeared in 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), The Avengers #22 (November 1965), Thor #145 (October 1967), Ghost Rider #72-73 (September–October 1982), The Sensational She-Hulk #1 (May 1989), and X-Men and Power Pack #3 (February 2006). The Strongman appeared as part of the "Circus of Crime" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #2.
Bruce Olafsen was born in , but later came to the United States and became a naturalized American citizen. As a longtime member of the criminal organization Circus of Crime, Bruto the Strongman works as a circus strongman and weight-lifter. He has particularly strong biceps and teeth. Bruto the Strongman first assisted the Circus of Crime to rob the people that attended the circus and were hypnotized by Ringmaster with one of the attendees being Rick Jones. When Hulk came bursting through the tent, Strongman and the rest of the Circus of Crime attacked Hulk where Ringmaster manages to hypnotize Hulk in order to be part of his next circus act. The next day, Hulk manages to break free from Ringmaster's control and defeat the Circus of Crime before leaving with Rick upon the arrival of Thunderbolt Ross' army.
Strongman was later seen with Ringmaster when he has hypnotized Daredevill into serving him. Spider-Man manages to break Daredevil free of the hypnosis as they both defeat the Circus of Crime.
Strongman was seen at the Circus of Crime when Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch wanted to join the circus where they were unaware that it was a cover for the Circus of Crime. Strongman joins the Circus of Crime into fleeing when they claimed that the three superheroes were trying to rob their circus.