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| Frederick Foswell | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (March 1964) |
| Created by | Stan Lee andSteve Ditko |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Frederick Foswell |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Daily Bugle Enforcers |
| Notable aliases | Patch Big Man |
| Abilities |
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Frederick Foswell, also known as theBig Man andPatch, is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.[1]
Frederick Foswell first appeared, as the Big Man, inThe Amazing Spider-Man #10 (March 1964), and was created byStan Lee andSteve Ditko.[2]
The character subsequently appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 (1964),The Amazing Spider-Man #23-27 (April–Aug. 1965), #29-34 (Oct. 1965-March 1966), #37 (June 1966),The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3 (1966),The Amazing Spider-Man #42-47 (Nov. 1966-April 1967), #49-52 (June–Sept. 1967). The Big Man also made appearances inMarvel Team-Up #40 (Dec. 1975) andMarvels #2 (Feb. 1994). The character died inThe Amazing Spider-Man #52 (Sept. 1967).[3]
The Big Man received an entry in theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #16, and inThe Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Spider-Man #1 (2005).
Frederick Foswell is a reporter at theDaily Bugle who was born inQueens, New York. He begins leading a double life as theBig Man, head of New York's crime and the boss of theEnforcers. Frail and diminutive in stature, Foswell conceals his identity by wearing a mask, oversized coat, and platform boots as the Big Man. Although he has a considerable run of success as a crime boss, a confrontation withSpider-Man ends with the Enforcers being apprehended, and shortly afterwards the police deduce his identity and arrest him.[4]
After Foswell serves his sentence, hisDaily Bugle bossJ. Jonah Jameson rehires him, which immediately earns Foswell's gratitude.[5] When another masked crime lord called theCrime Master arises, working in collusion with theGreen Goblin, Foswell assumes the identity Patch. Working as an informant, he tips off the police to planned crimes while getting scoops.[6]
Following a crime war, theKingpin takes over New York's underworld. Foswell tries to reinstate himself as the Big Man, but the Kingpin forcibly enlists him as a lieutenant.[7] After Kingpin attempts to drown both Jameson and Spider-Man, Foswell turns against him. While Kingpin and Spider-Man battle, Foswell runs into the basement of the Kingpin's building to try to help Jameson. After finding Jameson, Foswell is killed protecting him from a group of thugs.[8][9]
Frederick Foswell's daughter Janice assumes the Big Man identity and works with Crime Master,Sandman, and the Enforcers to seek revenge on Spider-Man. However, when Janice and Crime Master get into an argument about who is in charge, Janice is shot by her erstwhile partner, who is subsequently revealed to be Nick Lewis Jr., her fiancé and the son of the original Crime Master.[10] Foswell's younger son, Frederick Jr., attempts to avenge his father and sister's death, but is stopped by Spider-Man and Jameson.[11]
During theDead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline, Frederick Foswell is resurrected in a cloned body byBen Reilly's company New U Technologies.[12] He is later killed by theCarrion virus.[13]
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