Enforcers (comics)
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The Enforcers are a fictional Marvel Comics villain team. They are one of the earliest enemies of Spider-Man, debuting in Amazing Spider-Man #10 (1964). The original lineup consisted of:
- "Big Man," their leader Frederick Foswell, a long-time Daily Bugle journalist
- "Fancy Dan," a diminutive, but lightning quick master of martial arts
- "The Ox," a brute strongman
- "Montana," an expert lasso-wielder
[edit] History
The Enforcers appear often in the early issues of Amazing Spider-Man, debuting in #10, returning in #14, and again in #18 and #19, this time teaming with Sandman. They have also clashed with other superheroes, including the Human Torch and Daredevil. After The Ox's apparent death in Daredevil #86, Montana & Fancy Dan teamed with a new Big Man, Sandman, and a new Crime Master (Nick Lewis, Jr. son of the original) in Marvel Team-Up #39-#40. They were defeated once again by Spider-Man and the Human Torch. During the battle, Crime Master shot the new Big Man. However, he was unaware that the new "Big Man" was, in fact, a woman - Janice Foswell, daughter of the original, Frederick Foswell, to whom he was romantically attached.
The Enforcers returned in Spectacular Spider-Man #19-#20 where a new Ox was introduced. This Ox was actually the twin brother of the original. These Enforcers would return to fight Dazzler in #7-8 of her series. In Marvel Team Up #138, The Enforcers return with two new members Snake Marston, a master contortionist and Hammer Harrison, an expert boxer who used two steel gloves. They were defeated by Spider-Man and the Sandman (now a reformed criminal). This lineup only appears one more time in Daredevil #356-#357.
At this point the continuity of the Ox gets convoluted. The original Ox (Raymond Bloch) returns in Spider-Man, (1st series) #94-#95, revived by the Kingpin. It is unclear whether it is the original Ox or his brother (Ronald Bloch), who teams up with Montana and Fancy Dan in their next appearance in Spider-Man, (2nd series) #28. Also unclear is which brother appears as the Ox in She-Hulk, (4th series) #1.
Recently, in Marvel's Civil War crossover event, an Ox (once again, it is unclear which one) and Snake Marston have been recruited into the latest incarnation of the Thunderbolts.
In Thunderbolts #103-104, the titular team is shown apprehending established super-criminals and giving them the choice of joining the team or facing incarceration. The Ox and Marston apparently took the former choice, appearing in #104 as Thunderbolts-in-training. The absence of the other Enforcers might be explained by the fact that all villains thus far shown as Thunderbolts recruits all possess some degree of superhuman or near-superhuman ability, or employ technology to simulate such powers; while the Ox and Marston fall loosely under that definition, Fancy Dan, Montana and Hammer Harrison do not.
[edit] Ultimate Enforcers
In the Ultimate Marvel continuity, the Enforcers were reimagined as the hitmen of the Kingpin, pitted against Spider-Man. Following changes took place:
- "Mr. Big", was not associated with the Daily Bugle - but videotapes of his untimely murder by the Kingpin were sent to Ben Urich and used for a Daily Bugle Exclusive
- "Fancy Dan", was reimagined as a gunslinger and was called Dan Rubinstein
- "The Ox", was reimagined as an African-American called Bruno Sanchez
- "Montana" had the civil name Montana Bale and used a whip instead of a lasso (although he often used it to strangle Spidey and like a lasso).
After losing twice to Spider-Man, the Enforcers supposedly disbanded. Much later, they came back together to work for Hammerhead. This pitted them directly against their former employer.
