Kangaroo is the name of twosupervillains appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Both are noted for their leaping ability.
The Frank Oliver version of Kangaroo was introduced inThe Amazing Spider-Man #81 in 1970.[1]
The Brian Hibbs version of Kangaroo was first seen inCage #13 in 1993 and made his debut inThe Spectacular Spider-Man #242 in 1997.
| The Kangaroo | |
|---|---|
 The Kangaroo (Frank Oliver) makes his first appearance fromThe Amazing Spider-Man #81. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #81 (Feb. 1970) |
| Created by | Stan Lee John Buscema Jim Mooney John Romita Sr. |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Frank Oliver |
| Species | Human |
| Abilities | Professional boxer Peak physical condition Air jet implants grant: Superhuman strength in his legs Ability to leap great heights and distances |
Frank Oliver was born inSydney,Australia. As a young man, he studiedkangaroos in his native Australia. Oliver lived, ate and traveled with the kangaroos, developing a leaping ability that rivaled the animals he studied.[2] Seeing an opportunity to make money, Oliver decided to parlay his new-found leaping abilities into a boxing career. His superior speed and agility allowed him to best opponents time and again. During one match, Oliver jump-kicked one opponent in the face, severely injuring his opponent. Facing criminal charges, Oliver fled to the United States. Once he arrived, he was discovered without a passport and held for deportation.
Rather than be deported, Oliver broke free from detention and embraced a life of crime, calling himself Kangaroo. Oliver attacked several guards and stole a briefcase containing only a vial. While Kangaroo pocketed the vial, thinking it to contain jewels, the vial actually contained an experimental bacteria which would unleash a devastating plague if set free. Kangaroo was unhappy with his small amount of loot, and sought out another target. While attacking a group of people for their money, Kangaroo encountered and battledSpider-Man and lost the vial. While Spider-Man was busy with returning the vial, Kangaroo absconded.[3]
Oliver was later approached by Dr.Jonas Harrow who wished to enhance Kangaroo to a superhuman level. After a seven-hour procedure, Oliver gains air jet-enhanced leaping and punching ability. Harrow wanted to use Kangaroo as muscle, but the newly empowered superhuman refused and left to pursue Spider-Man. Upon finding Spider-Man, Kangaroo battled the web-slinger who had underestimated the previously underpowered enemy. As Kangaroo was gaining the upper-hand however, Harrow activated an implant in Oliver's brain. Forced by Harrow to obey or suffer agony, Kangaroo returned and was then ordered to retrieve a radioactive isotope. While breaking into the Hudson River lab which held the isotope, Oliver once again encountered Spider-Man. As the two battled, Spider-Man attempted to convince Kangaroo of the isotope's radiation's dangers. Refusing to listen to his enemy, Kangaroo burst into the room which held the isotope and was reduced to a pile of ashes upon exposure to the radiation.[4]
During the "Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy" storyline, Kangaroo is "reanimated" by theJackal's company New U Technologies in a cloned body.[5] He later died of clone degeneration.[6]
| The Kangaroo | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | (Pictured) Cage #13 (April, 1993) (Actual appearance) The Spectacular Spider-Man #242 (January, 1997) |
| Created by | (Pictured) Marc McLaurin Scott Benefiel (Actual appearance) J. M. DeMatteis Luke Ross |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Brian Hibbs |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Corporation Legion of Losers Sinister Sixteen |
| Partnerships | Jonas Harrow Grizzly Spot Gibbon |
| Notable aliases | Billy Bob Jenks |
| Abilities | Master hand to hand combatant Peak physical condition Armored suit grants: Enhanced strength, agility and endurance Semi-prehensile tail Pouch-level cannon Ability to leap great distances |
Brian Hibbs is the second person to take on the Kangaroo identity. He was first mentioned as an active operative of the crime-organizationCorporation opposed by a variety of superheroes includingLuke Cage,Iron Fist,Captain America,Hulk and others. Although not from Australia, Hibbs idolized the original Kangaroo, going so far as to spend years studying Frank Oliver's exploits and begin imitating his predecessor's speech and style. Hibbs adopted Oliver's costume and appearance, but decided against confronting Spider-Man. To better prepare himself to avenge his idol, Hibbs secured a job working for the Corporation as one of their agents, based out ofTaylor, Mississippi. Hibbs's success against non-costumed adversaries led to his break from the Corporation and his genesis as a menace to costumed enemies. While bounding throughNew York City and shouting for people to get out of his way, Hibbs was knocked out by a single punch from Spider-Man, who swung away laughing about the situation.[7]
After escaping from custody, Hibbs then spent a sizable amount of his trust fund to purchase a suit of armor from the "Sharper Villain Catalogue". The kangaroo-themed armor enhanced his strength and leaping ability, as well as provided him with a semi-prehensile tail and a pouch-level cannon. Once again bounding through New York's streets, Hibbs was again confronted by Spider-Man. After recovering from a blow by the superhero, Kangaroo unveiled his pouch cannon; Spider-Man hastily webbed the cannon shut, preventing from firing. Hibbs nonetheless fired his pouch cannon, without first considering his action's consequences. The pouch cannon exploded in his crotch region, rendering him unconscious, while Spider-Man webbed him upside-down from a streetlamp.[8]
Hibbs was freed shortly thereafter by another foe of Spider-Man,Grizzly. The Grizzly proposed an alliance between Kangaroo,Spot, andGibbon as a Spider-Man Revenge Squad. Kangaroo questioned the proposal, which resulted in him receiving a swift kick to the rear. Of his three teammates, Kangaroo found himself most in-line with the Spot as both wanted to pursue wealth from robberies rather than attack Spider-Man as Gibbon and Grizzly both wanted. After resolving their internal strife, the Spider-Man Revenge Squad then sallied forth, with Kangaroo wearing polka-dotted shorts instead of his armor's destroyed bottom half. Upon encountering Spider-Man again, the team received the moniker "Legion of Losers" and was almost defeated by Spider-Man. However, Gibbon managed to cold-cock Spider-Man, with Kangaroo landed a stomp to the hero's stomach which put out of commission. Upon returning to their secret lair, located at the Grizzly's apartment, the team was once again at strife. Grizzly and Gibbon had a change in heart and wished to return their stolen goods and go straight. Spot and Kangaroo, however, disagreed with their teammates. A battle then erupted, with the Kangaroo launching himself at Grizzly, flying through one of the Spot's spots, and smashing into a wall, knocking him out. Afterwards, Spider-Man took Kangaroo to prison.[9]
Once out of prison, Kangaroo tried to further emulate his idol by gaining superhuman powers. As a result, his stature increased with a corresponding decrease in his mental faculties. As a result, he attempted to make a name for himself by playing baseball and shunning the supervillain lifestyle. Taking the name Billy Bob Jenks, Kangaroo becomes a professional baseball player until his identity was revealed, resulting in his expulsion from the major leagues. Turning back to the supervillain path, Kangaroo then found himself incarcerated in the Cage, a prison where superhuman powers are dampened. Once again following his idol's path, Hibbs trained to become a master combatant. While in the Cage, he made a name for himself as a fighter alongsideBatroc the Leaper.[10]
During all of this activity, Hibbs's mutation was rapidly advancing, as he gained bulk, growing to nearly nine feet in height and gaining a deformed face and decreased intelligence. After a short time period, Hibbs believed he was the original Kangaroo. As a result, he took on a thick, unintelligible Australian accent.[11]
During the "Civil War" storyline, Hibbs attends an underworld summit held byHammerhead. In this appearance, he looks much as he did in his earlier appearances, implying that he lost his superhuman strength along with his malformed features.[12]
During the "Ends of the Earth" storyline, Kangaroo appears alive and assists Spider-Man in stopping Otto Octavius' satellites.[13] He later becomes a superhero, but is ambushed and nearly killed byLady Deathstrike.[14] Kangaroo survives and goes on to join theSinister Sixteen.[15]
The Frank Oliver version of Kangaroo had his natural abilities enhanced byJonas Harrow's implants connected to his nervous system, giving him superhuman strength in his legs and the ability to leap great heights and distances. He was also trained as a professional boxer.
The Brian Hibbs version of Kangaroo is a master hand-to-hand combatant and in peak physical condition. His armor gives him increased physical abilities, the ability to leap great distances, a stomach-mounted cannon, and a semi-prehensile tail.
An original, unidentified incarnation of Kangaroo from Earth-70019 appears inSpider-Man: The Manga #1. This version is a wrestler and wanted criminal who fled to Japan to avoid prosecution.[19]
An alternate universe variant of Frank Oliver / Kangaroo from Earth-1610 appears in theUltimate Marvel universe. This version is a gang leader.[20][21]
A new villain jumped into Spider-Man's life when the Kangaroo debuted, thanks to writer Stan Lee and artists John Buscema, Jim Mooney, and John Romita.
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