Last week for m y showcase we dove into the Spider-Verse and talked about the Original Spot. Today, we will continue our journey in the Spider-Verse but we will focus on the original Prowler. In the Ultimate's Universe as well as the Spider-Verse movies, the Prowler is Miles Morales' Uncle but when the Prowler first came into being, he was known as Hobie Brown.
Hobie Brown is the original Prowler. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a bright but angry African-American teenager who got fired from his window washer job. Intending to use his engineering skills for personal profit, he devised a plan to steal items while disguised as a supervillain and then return said items as Hobie. Donning his green and purple Prowler costume for the first time, Hobie set out to rob the payroll office of the Daily Bugle, figuring that would garner him quick publicity. However, he was caught in the act by Peter Parker. While struggling with Parker, he drew editor J. Jonah Jameson's attention. Parker, with no way to defeat Prowler without giving away his own secret identity, contrived to get thrown through a window during the struggle, and used spider-powers to save himself once outside. Traumatized by the events, the shaken Hobie made his escape to the building's roof, only to be confronted by Spider-Man. When Spider-Man vanquished and unmasked Hobie, he realized he was just a misunderstood kid, so instead of handing him over to the police, he advised him to rethink his life.
Hobie took Spider-Man's advice to heart and gave up his criminal ways. He later impersonated Spider-Man at the hero's request – Spider-Man wearing a webbing mask – to convince Peter's friends that Parker was not Spider-Man after Peter 'confessed' the truth while suffering delirium due to the flu, thus creating the impression that Parker had merely been confused. Hobie was convinced that Spider-Man was involved somehow in Police Captain George Stacy's death, and unsuccessfully tried to bring Spider-Man to justice.
Hobie began to look after his 'little brother' Manuel "Manny" Lopez as a part of the Big Brother Program. When Manny was murdered, Prowler believed the White Tiger (Hector Ayala) was responsible and attempted to bring White Tiger to justice. Prowler attempted to join the super-hero group the Defenders, only to be tossed into the harbor by Valkyrie, at which point he decided to retire his identity.
Prowler later attempted to vindicate Spider-Man of a crime and first encountered Silver Sable and the Outlaws (including rehabilitated villains like Sandman, Rocket Racer and Puma). His safety designs were stolen by Justin Hammer. Hobie proved the design flaws during an encounter with Hammer's hirelings. Hobie fought Black Tiger as an initiation test for Silver Sable to join the Outlaws.
Hobie was forced to retire for good when he was paralyzed in a battle later in life. He eventually regained the ability to walk again only to be captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. during the Civil War. Hobie may have retired his role as the Prowler, but he is known to have a few tricks up his sleave if he is needed,
Publication Information
Publisher: Marvel Comics
First Appearance:
The Amazing Spider-Man #78 (November 1969)
Created by Stan Lee, John Buscema, & Jim Mooney
Team Affiliations
Defenders
The Outlaws
Wild Pack
Parker Industries
Powers & Abilities
Technological genius
Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
Use of hypnotic aids and conventional hand-held weapons
Battle Suit grants:
- Wall crawling
- Gliding via cape
- Titanium-laced claws
- Gauntlets capable of shooting compressed air blasts, sleeping pellets and other projectiles
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