Hangman is the name of two fictional characters in the Marvel Universe.
Contents |
| Hangman | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Werewolf by Night #11 (Nov 1973) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Harlan Krueger |
Harlan Krueger was born in Los Angeles, California. He was a fanatical moviegoer who idolized movie stars of the past (such as John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, and Alan Ladd). He identified with these heroic figures, developing a simplistic view of good and evil in real life, deciding that evildoers should pay for their crimes with their lives.
After being court-martialed from the army for torturing prisoners of war, Krueger resolved to take the law into his own hands and became the masked vigilante the Hangman. His modus operandi involved executing male criminals while leaving female ones alive but imprisoned to 'protect them' from corruption (many died of starvation while in captivity). After years of stalking criminals with a noose and scythe, he came into conflict with the Werewolf by Night.[1] He later battled the Werewolf again and Deprave.[2] Hangman then allied with Doctor Glitternight and Moon Knight against the Werewolf.[3]
Hangman also battled the Spider-Woman.[4] He was later one of the criminals captured by the Locksmith.[5]
While attending a Hollywood costume party held for the premiere of a horror movie to 'purge' yet more 'unworthy souls' (in other words, target members of the film industry for execution), the Hangman killed a disguised woman, thus inadvertently violating his own moral code. As he knelt over the corpse in remorse, he was apparently fatally stabbed in the back by film reviewer Matthew O'Brien, who had been trying to stop the Hangman from his latest killing spree, impaling the Hangman on his own scythe.[6]
Harlan Krueger was an athletic man with no superhuman powers. He carried a 30-foot (9.1 m) length of half-inch hemp rope, terminating in a hangman's noose. He also used a harvesting scythe with an eight foot wooden handle and curved four-foot single-edged steel blade. He received Army hand-to-hand combat training.
Krueger had extensive knowledge of American cinema, particularly the films of the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
| Hangman | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Tower of Shadows #5 (May, 1970) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas and Barry Smith |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jason Roland |
| Team affiliations | Night Shift Lethal Legion |
| Abilities | magically enhanced strength and durability |
Jason Roland was an aspiring actor who made a deal with a demon (later revealed to be Satannish) to make his career successful. He was trapped in a monstrous form and hid out for years. He eventually encountered the Night Shift and convinced them to deal with Satannish to increase their powers. They were defeated by the Avengers West Coast.
Satannish later used the Hangman as part of his Lethal Legion, made up of some of the most notorious figures in history given superhuman powers; for example Stalin transformed into the superstrong giant Coldsteel. Mephisto aided the Avengers West Coast in defeating Satannish and his minions.
As Hangman, Roland possessed magically enhanced strength, durability, etc. He was strong enough to go head-to-head with Wonder Man. His rope was also magically enhanced, making it virtually indestructible. He could also levitate his rope and climb it without it being attached to anything. He was in almost constant communication with Satannish, who could enhance his powers as needed.