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| Big Ben Donovan | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #14 (October 1973) |
| Created by | Steve Englehart Billy Graham |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Benjamin Donovan |
| Species | Human |
| Abilities | Super-strength |
Benjamin "Big Ben"Donovan is afictionalcharacter appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Depending on his appearance in the comics, Big Ben Donovan is either a criminal lawyer who has appeared in the comics that starredDaredevil andLuke Cage, or a gang leader.
Donovan was portrayed by Danny Johnson in theMarvel Television seriesDaredevil andLuke Cage (both 2016-2018), set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Leilani Barrett voices the character in the MCU animated seriesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025).
Big Ben Donovan first appeared inLuke Cage, Hero for Hire #14 and was created bySteve Engelhart and Billy Graham.
Big Ben Donovan is alawyer who is hired by Mrs. Jenks to settle the last of Mr. Jenks' affairs. When Mrs. Jenks attempts to give Donovan the payoff, he drunkenly goes after Mrs. Jenks, who runs to the office ofLuke Cage. This leads to a fight between Cage and Donovan, which ends with the misunderstanding being cleared and Donovan surrendering.[1] Donovan proceeds to work as Cage's lawyer until he started working withJeryn Hogarth.[2]
Big Ben Donovan had a brother named Paul, who became the leader of the Thunderbolts gang. After his brother is killed by operatives of theMaggia, Donovan's sanity breaks. He vows vengeance on those responsible and hijacks a Maggia shipment under the supervision ofCaesar Cicero. When Donovan turns to Luke Cage for help, they defeat Cicero's men before being defeated byMan Mountain Marko, who brings them to Cicero. Before Cicero's men can bury Cage alive,Iron Fist andThunderbolt arrive to help Cage and Donovan.[3]
While in prison, Donovan is enlisted to assistTombstone againstKangaroo.[4] However, they are confronted by prison guards. Kangaroo beats back his attackers, landing Donovan in the prison infirmary.[5]
It was revealed that Big Ben Donovan has a son named Little Ben Donovan who Big Ben Donovan left as a kid. Donovan managed to put money into his son's trust fund so that he could go toColumbia University after high school. During that time, Eric Slaughter took over the criminal organization at the docks, where he had his minion Floyd kill a dock worker.[6] Agent Purcell of a rogue task force finds Big Ben Donovan in his prison and forces him to take the rap for the dock worker's murder.[7]
Five days before he is set to be executed, Donovan is visited byDakota North, who records his confession and his conversion to Islam. He later got a visit fromMatt Murdock, who intends to be his lawyer.[8] Murdock expresses interest in clearing Donovan of his charges, but Donovan believes himself to be guilty.[9] Murdock later tells Donovan that Floyd confessed to his crimes.[7]
During the "Gang War" storyline, Big Ben Donovan is shown to have territory inMott Haven, Bronx andPort Morris, Bronx.[10] His territory is later claimed by theMenagerie.[11]
Big Ben Donovan has super-strength.
Donovan once utilized large platform shoes with tips and heels made of steel, which enable him to perform powerful kicking attacks.
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