Grizzly (comics)#Grizzly (Maxwell "Max" Markham)

{{Short description|Fictional supervillain character in Marvel Comics}}

Grizzly is the name of four unrelated characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first is a wild west villain, the second is an A.I.M. Agent, the third is a foe of Spider-Man, and the fourth is a mutant and member of Six Pack.

Publication history

The third Grizzly is ex-wrestler Maxwell "Max" Markham, one of Spider-Man's enemies.{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=6}} He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #139 (Dec. 1974) and was created by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru.{{cite book|last = Manning|first = Matthew K.|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura, ed.|chapter= 1970s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = Dorling Kindersley|year = 2012|page = 77|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= With every bit of order in Spider-Man's life came a fair amount of disorder, and in this [Gerry] Conway/[Ross] Andru issue, that chaos came in the form of another new Spider-Man villain, the Grizzly.}}

The fourth Grizzly is Theodore Winchester. He first appeared in X-Force #8 and was created by Rob Liefeld.

Fictional characters biographies

=Grizzly (Ace Fenton)=

{{Infobox comics character

|character_name = Grizzly

|image =

|caption =

|alter_ego = Ace Fenton

|species = Human

|publisher = Marvel Comics

|debut = Rawhide Kid vol. 4 #40 (June 1964)

|creators = Stan Lee
Dick Ayers

|alliances =

|aliases =

|powers=Wears a steel-lined grizzly bear costume
Ability to manipulate rifles with his paws

}}

Ace Fenton is a criminal in the Old West who went by the Grizzly name. As the Grizzly made off with money he robbed from the bank, he ran afoul of Two-Gun Kid and the Rawhide Kid. After his rifle ran out, he ran off with his steel-lined grizzly bear suit protecting him from their bullets. When Rawhide Kid was suspected of robbing a train, Two-Gun Kid advised him to turn himself over. Ace Fenton himself began stirring up the people of Tombstone to turn against the Rawhide Kid claiming that he trained the Grizzly to rob a train. On the day of the trial, Grizzly broke into the courtroom and abducted Rawhide Kid to make it look like they are partners in crime. He tried to kill Rawhide Kid, but this failed and his mask was removed. Rawhide Kid was not able to get a glimpse of the Grizzly's face when he ran off. Rawhide Kid and Two-Gun Kid found his empty costume and headed to a saloon that the Grizzly had made on mistake. When Ace Fenton revealed himself as the Grizzly, he and Rawhide Kid got into a gunfight. Rawhide Kid defeated Ace Fenton and handed him over to the authorities.Rawhide Kid vol. 4 #40. Marvel Comics.

=Grizzly (A.I.M. operative)=

{{Infobox comics character

|character_name = Grizzly

|image =

|caption =

|alter_ego = Unrevealed

|species = Human

|publisher = Marvel Comics

|debut = Captain America #120 (Dec. 1969)

|creators = Stan Lee
Gene Colan
Joe Sinnott

|alliances = A.I.M.

|aliases = Agent R-1

|powers = Use of a laser pistol

}}

A.I.M. had sent Grizzly and Agent R-2 to capture an atomic scientist named Paul Fosgrave at Manning University. Posing as students, they persuaded Mart Baker to help them by using the Hypno-Ray to turn protests into hostile activities as a cover to capture Paul Fosgrave. Mart Baker demanded that his committee be placed in control of the university and the student body divided against each other resulting in a massive fight. Captain America showed up at the scene and MODOK instructed Grizzly and Agent R-2 to capture Paul Fosgrave immediately. As they brought Paul Fosgrave to the roof where their portable copter was waiting, Captain America pursued them with the help of Mart Baker (learning that he was duped by them). Grizzly tried to escape on the copter with Paul Fosgrave, but Captain America shot the copter down with Grizzly's gun. Fosgrave was brought to safety, Agent R-2 was defeated, and Mart Baker and his followers were granted amnesty by the university. Grizzly's fate after the copter crashed is unrevealed.Captain America #120. Marvel Comics.

=Grizzly (Maxwell "Max" Markham)=

{{Infobox comics character

|character_name=Grizzly

|image= Amazing Spider-Man 139.jpg

|caption=Grizzly as seen on the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #139 (Dec. 1974)

|alter_ego=Maxwell "Max" Markham

|species=Human

|publisher=Marvel Comics

|debut=The Amazing Spider-Man #139 (Dec. 1974)

|creators=Gerry Conway
Ross Andru

|alliances=Legion of Losers
Thunderbolts

|partners=Jackal
Kraven

|aliases="Crazy Max" Markham

|powers=Adept wrestler
Exoskeleton bear suit grants:
Superhuman strength and durability
Razor-sharp claws

}}

Maxwell Markham is a professional wrestler who competed using the nom de guerre of Grizzly. His violent actions brought him to the attention of J. Jonah Jameson, whose articles got Maxwell expelled from wrestling. Ten years later, he met with the Jackal, who gave him a grizzly bear suit and an exoskeleton harness that amplified his strength and durability. He used this harness to attack the Daily Bugle in an attempt to get revenge against Jameson for ruining his wrestling career, but Spider-Man defeated him.The Amazing Spider-Man #139 Grizzly then attempted to defeat Spider-Man alongside Jackal, but was defeated again by Spider-Man and went to jail.The Amazing Spider-Man #140. Marvel Comics.

After his release, Markham took his grizzly suit and exoskeleton harness to Tinkerer for them to be fixed and upgraded. Grizzly demanded a rematch with Spider-Man so that he could take revenge on Spider-Man and save face among his peers. Spider-Man faked defeat, allowing Grizzly to think he defeated him.Web of Spider-Man #58. Marvel Comics.

He later joined up with Gibbon, Spot, and Kangaroo II to become the Legion of Losers. Planning only to get back at Spider-Man, Grizzly and Gibbon were shocked to see Kangaroo II and the Spot robbing a bank. They did capture Spider-Man, but released him, claiming that "He's an all-right guy".The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #245-246. Marvel Comics. The Grizzly and the Gibbon teamed up with Spider-Man to capture the Kangaroo II and the Spot. Grizzly and Gibbon later became crime-fighters and helped Spider-Man (disguised as the Bombastic Bag-Man) again to stop White Rabbit's bank robbery.The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #253. Marvel Comics.The Spectacular Spider-Man vol. 2 #256. Marvel Comics.

At one point, out on probation, Grizzly tries to turn his life around. His desire to keep wearing the suit, several accidents and the interference of his criminal friends make his life that much more miserable.

Grizzly was brought in by S.H.I.E.L.D. at one point or another, and his interrogation yielded key information that would drive the events of the "Secret War".

Later, Grizzly is receiving legal services from the law offices that employ She-Hulk.She-Hulk #6 (May 2006) He had been accused of a robbery at Madison Square Garden, but his defense was to be that he had been seen fighting Power Pack in New Jersey at the same time.

Grizzly meets Starfox moments later. Not understanding that Walter's employers have taken on villains for a client, he believes his old Avengers comrade is being menaced by supervillains. Grizzly is punched out by Starfox.

For a time, Maxwell works as an enforcer for the crime lord Hammerhead. With a new costume and fangs, he teams with a stylized Boomerang. At one point, he claims to have a child and that he used his child's college fund to pay for his fangs.Underworld Limited series (2006). Marvel Comics.

Following the "Civil War" storyline, Maxwell is a self-confessed loser at the wake of the Stilt-Man.The Punisher War Journal vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics. Almost all of the supervillains at the wake were the victims of murder/attempted murder: the Punisher disguised himself as a barman, poisoned the drinks, and then blew up the bar. Due to prompt medical attention, there were no actual fatalities.

Alyosha Kraven later began collecting a zoo of animal-themed superhumans,The Punisher War Journal vol. 2 #13. Marvel Comics. including Bushmaster, Gargoyle, Tiger Shark, Kangaroo II, the Vatican Black Knight's Aragorn, Vulture, Mongoose, Man-Bull, Dragon Man, Swarm, Mandrill, Frog-Man and Rhino. In the end, the Punisher managed to sabotage this zoo; though Kraven himself escaped to the Savage Land.

Stephen Colbert's fear of bears is well known, so Grizzly was the natural choice for a villain when Colbert teamed up with Spider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man #573. Marvel Comics. as part of a storyline where Stephen Colbert is a major candidate for the presidency in the fictional Marvel Universe.

The Hood sends the Grizzly to take out the Punisher and anyone working with him. However, the Grizzly walked into a trap, with nothing but explosives waiting for him, which the Punisher's assistant then detonated.The Punisher vol. 7 #4 (2009). Marvel Comics. The Grizzly somehow survived the explosion and was one of the criminals who later confronted the Punisher.The Punisher vol. 7 #5 (2009). Marvel Comics.

Norman Osborn then appoints the Grizzly to the Thunderbolts, sending him on a mission to aid them against the Agents of Atlas. During this time, the Grizzly started wearing a coat that has a bear-shaped hood on it instead of his usual exoskeleton bear suit.Thunderbolts #139. Marvel Comics. The Grizzly is also made the commander of a squadron of B.A.T.F.E. agents.Agents of Atlas vol. 2 #3 (2009). Marvel Comics. The Grizzly also joins the Thunderbolts in their mission to retrieve the Spear of Odin during the Siege of Asgard.Thunderbolts #139-143. Marvel Comics.

During the "Heroic Age" storyline, Grizzly was shown as an inmate at the Raft when Hank Pym brings the students from the Avengers Academy over for a tour.Avengers Academy #4. Marvel Comics.

Hobgoblin later gave an enhanced version of one of the Grizzly's old exoskeleton bear suits to an unnamed criminal who took on the name the Bruin in order to build his reputation. He, Blaze II, and the Devil-Spider II took part in a heist until they encountered the Superior Spider-Man (Doctor Octopus's mind in Spider-Man's body) in the Venom symbiote.The Superior Spider-Man #24. Marvel Comics.

Grizzly later attended a support group called Supervillains Anonymous that was held at a church and also attended by Boomerang, Doctor Bong, Hippo, Looter, Mirage, Porcupine II, and others.The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #3. Marvel Comics. At another Supervillains Anonymous meeting, Grizzly and Looter talk about their run-ins with Spider-Man.The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #11. Marvel Comics.

While sporting a new version of his exoskeleton bear suit, Grizzly travels to Miami and attacks Scott Lang, mistaking him for his enemy Eric O'Grady and unaware that Eric is dead. After the misunderstanding is cleared up, Scott offers Grizzly a job at the newly established Ant-Man Security Solutions.{{Cite comic|writer = Nick Spencer|penciller = Ramon Rosanas|inker = Ramon Rosanas|title = Ant-Man|volume = 2|issue = #2|date = 4 February 2015|publisher = Marvel Comics|location = United States}} On Scott Lang's behalf, Grizzly enlists Machinesmith to help rescue Cassandra Lang from Cross Technological Enterprises,Ant-Man vol. 2 #4 and later aids him against a revenge attack by Darren Cross, Crossfire, and Egghead.The Astonishing Ant-Man #13. Marvel Comics.

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Grizzly and Machinesmith join the Army of Evil during HYDRA's rise to power.Secret Empire: Brave New World #1. Marvel Comics.

=Grizzly (Theodore Winchester)=

{{Infobox comics character

|image=

|caption=

|character_name=Grizzly

|alter_ego =Theodore Wyatt Winchester

|species=Human Mutant

|publisher=Marvel Comics

|debut=X-Force #8 (March 1992)

|creators=Fabian Nicieza
Rob Liefeld

|alliances=Six Pack
Weapon P.R.I.M.E.

|aliases=

|powers=Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, senses and size
Razor-sharp claws and fangs
Use of conventional firearms

}}

Theodore Winchester was one of the members of Cable's mercenary group originally named the Wild Pack. Grizzly participated in the Wild Pack's raid on a HYDRA base ten years ago.{{efn|As seen in flashback in X-Force #8.}} Grizzly also participated in the Wild Pack's mission in Iran. Because of conflicts with Silver Sable's group of the same name, they later changed their name to the Six Pack instead. Grizzly participated in the Six Pack's confrontations with Stryfe in Afghanistan and Uruguay. During a mission for the arms dealer Tolliver, the Six Pack fell apart.flashbacks in Cable: Blood and Metal miniseries #1-2. Marvel Comics.

Years later, G. W. Bridge, another Six Pack-member, asked Grizzly to join Weapon P.R.I.M.E., a group created to capture Cable. Weapon P.R.I.M.E. attacked Cable and his team, X-Force. Grizzly was defeated by Warpath, and the mission failed.X-Force #12-13. Marvel Comics.

Grizzly left the team, then teamed up with Domino in her search for X-Force.X-Force #20. Marvel Comics. Grizzly is then reunited with fellow former Six Pack member Hammer.X-Force #21. Marvel Comics. Grizzly, Domino, and Hammer then captured the shape-shifter, Vanessa.X-Force #22. Marvel Comics. Domino joined X-Force shortly afterwards and Grizzly went home to lead a quiet life.Cable vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.

Some time later, he became a serial killer while under mind control from Genesis, Cable's son. Domino investigated the deaths and fought with Grizzly. She was forced to kill him, but promised the dying Grizzly not to tell Cable about his son's actions.Cable vol. 2 #23-24. Marvel Comics.

Grizzly reappeared alive in Deadpool & Cable: Split Second.Deadpool & Cable: Split Second #5. Marvel Comics.

Powers and abilities

Ace Fester wore a grizzly bear suit that is lined with steel to protect him from bullets. He can use his paws to manipulate rifles.

The A.I.M version uses a laser pistol in combat.

Maxwell "Max" Markham wears an exoskeleton bear suit which grants him superhuman strength and durability, designed by Professor Miles Warren and later modified by the Tinkerer. The Grizzly suit also has razor-sharp claws. As a former professional wrestler, he is adept in hand-to-hand combat.

Theodore Winchester is a mutant who possesses a bear-like body with superhuman physical abilities and powerful claws and fangs.

Reception

In 2022, CBR.com ranked the Max Markham incarnation of Grizzly 4th in their "Spider-Man's 10 Funniest Villains" list.{{Cite web |last=Sparkle |first=Billie |date=August 19, 2022 |title=Spider-Man's 10 Funniest Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/spiderman-funniest-villains-marvel-comics/ |access-date=November 8, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}

Other versions

=Age of Apocalypse=

An alternate universe variant of Theodore Winchester / Grizzly from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a mass murderer and servant of Apocalypse who is later killed by Forge.X-Man #2 (1995)X-Man #3. Marvel Comics.

=Ultimate Marvel=

An alternate universe variant of Grizzly from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate X-Men. This version is a Native American student of the Xavier Institute who can transform into an anthropomorphic bear. Additionally, an alternate universe variant from Earth-2107 appears as an ally of Cable and member of the Six Pack.Ultimate X-Men #75. Marvel Comics.Ultimate X-Men #81. Marvel Comics.

=1872=

An alternate universe variant of Maxwell Markham / Grizzly appears in the Secret Wars tie-in 1872. This version is a mercenary in the Valley of Doom, a Wild West-themed Battleworld domain formed from the remnants of Earth-51920.1872 #2. Marvel Comics.1872 #3. Marvel Comics.

In other media

File:Grizzly1024-thumb.jpg.]]

The Maxwell Markham incarnation of Grizzly appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by John DiMaggio.{{cite web |title=Grizzly Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Grizzly/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
An unnamed, original incarnation of Grizzly appears in a flashback in the Avengers Assemble episode "Yemandi", voiced by Trevor Devall.
An unidentified, alternate universe-displaced incarnation of Grizzly makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as a prisoner of the Spider-Society.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
The Theodore Winchester incarnation of Grizzly appears as a boss in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, voiced by Keith Ferguson.{{cite web |title=Grizzly Voice - X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (Video Game) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/X-Men-Legends-2-Rise-Of-Apocalypse/Grizzly/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version works for Apocalypse.

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.marvel.com/universe/Grizzly_%28Maxwell_Markham%29 Grizzly (Maxwell Markham)] at Marvel.com
[http://www.marvel.com/universe/Grizzly_(Age_of_Apocalypse) Grizzly (AoA)] at Marvel.com
[http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Ace_Fenton_%28Earth-616%29 Grizzly (Ace Fenton)] at Marvel Wiki
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160324180703/http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Grizzly_(AIM_Agent)_(Earth-616) Grizzly (A.I.M. Agent)] at Marvel Wiki
[http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Maxwell_Markham_%28Earth-616%29 Grizzly (Maxwell Markham)] at Marvel Wiki
[http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Theodore_Winchester_%28Earth-616%29 Grizzly (Theodore Winchester)] at Marvel Wiki
[http://www.comicvine.com/grizzly/4005-39695/ Grizzly (Maxwell Markham)] at Comic Vine
{{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/grizzlyrk.htm Grizzly (Ace Fenton)}}
{{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/grizzlyaim.htm Grizzly (A.I.M. Agent)}}