| Silvermane | |
|---|---|
 Silvermane as depicted inPeter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #70 (September 1982). Art byEd Hannigan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #73 (June 1969) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) John Buscema (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Silvio Manfredi |
| Species | Humancyborg |
| Team affiliations | The Maggia Hydra |
| Notable aliases | Supreme Hydra |
| Abilities |
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Silvermane (Silvio Manfredi) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. A notoriouscrime boss and prominent figure in theMaggia, a fictionalorganized crime syndicate, he is usually depicted as an adversary of thesuperheroSpider-Man and the father ofJoseph Manfredi.[1] Silvermane later became acyborg in an attempt to extend his lifespan.
The character has made appearances in several forms of media outside of comics, including animated series and video games.
Silvermane first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #73,[2] and was created byStan Lee andJohn Buscema.
The character's original storyline was about a mysterious stone tablet coveted by several villains. The "Tablet Saga" proved popular, although artistJohn Romita Sr. said that it was not originally intended as an arc, stating "We never even thought up Silvermane until the seventh issue [of the story arc], let alone a 'socko' ending."[3]
Silvio Manfredi, nicknamed "Silvermane" for his near-white hair, is a professionalcriminal originally fromCorleone,Sicily, Italy. He started his criminal career as a racketeer in theMaggia, eventually forming his own crime family and becoming a powerful Maggia Don.
In his first appearance, an elderly Silvermane forcesCurt Connors to make a potion from an ancient clay tablet to grant himself immortality. However, the serum instead causes him to rapidly de-age and eventually fade from existence.[4] Silvermane eventually reappears, revealing that he had mystically aged to his forties. He regains control of his family, seeking to form an alliance withHydra, determined to take over the world as their leader, the Supreme Hydra. He is defeated byDaredevil,Nick Fury, andS.H.I.E.L.D.[5] Silvermane reappears in New York in an attempt to unite all of New York's gangs under his leadership and take over the criminal underworld. However, his plans are complicated by theGreen Goblin, who opposed him. During a confrontation between the Goblin, Silvermane and Spider-Man, Silvermane falls from a great height, but survives.[6]
Silvermane has worked with many super-villains, such asHammerhead, and he has also been known to be a rival of theKingpin, even once trying to assassinate the crime lord while he was suffering from amnesia.[7] His former partner, Dominic Tyrone, assumed the identity of theRapier and sought vengeance against Silvermane for betraying him by attempting to take his life.[8] A flashback one-shot focused heavily on Silvermane's lifetime of corruption and crime, going back to his early career in Italy. The framework was reporterBen Urich investigating the background of the Maggia. He learned that Silvermane was a legendary criminal figure for decades; mothers would even warn their children to behave or "One-Eye" would get them.[9]
In his old age, Silvermane's injuries cause his youth serum to wear off, rendering him an invalid. Though bedridden, he continues to run his criminal empire untilDagger nearly kills him. Silvermane attempted to prolong his life by transforming himself into acyborg.[10] Silvermane uses a remote-controlled android doppelganger to battle Spider-Man, attempting to boost the power of his remaining organic parts by harvesting new ones from Spider-Man's body.[11]
Silvermane is killed during a shootout withOwl's gang at a New York City scrap yard. Months later, he apparently returns along with other deceased members of his gang during the Maggia's losing battle with the forces ofMister Negative. However, this is later revealed to be a ruse orchestrated by a mobster named Carmine: "Silvermane" is actually a lifelike robotic duplicate controlled by a hiredMysterio to give Carmine more influence within the Maggia and position him to take over. The tables are turned on Carmine when Mysterio uses the duplicate to murder him, seemingly as a plot to take over the Maggia himself.[12]
Silvermane's head is shown to still be alive as it was found by a young boy when he traveled into the scrap yard, before then being stolen by theShocker.[13] The head is used as leverage by Spider-Man's foes to take control of the Maggia, but the team members turn on each other when it comes time to decide who will actually be in charge. Shocker protects Silvermane fromPunisher. In return, the crime boss nominates him as his successor to head the Maggia.[14]
During the "Gang War" storyline, Silvermane andCount Nefaria discuss the upcoming gang war. In a turn of events, Silvermane loses control of his body and attacks Count Nefaria. He is reduced to a disembodied head once more and accompanies the Maggia in fighting Spider-Man.[15]
Silvermane was considered to be one of the Maggia's most legendary bosses. He is an excellent unarmed combatant and marksman, as well as a brilliant planner, organizer, and strategist. Themagic potions he uses temporarily grant him a form ofimmortality, appearing in his early-to-mid 40s.
His preferred weapons are numerous machine guns, especially the Thompson .45 caliber.
Later, Silvermane's brain, vital organs, and head were transplanted into a robotic body, thus increasing his physical attributes to abnormal levels. However, his remaining biological parts needs careful protection because of their extreme vulnerability.[16]
Silvermane appears inSpider-Man: Forever Young, a novel written byStefan Petrucha that serves as a sequel to the comics' tablet storyline.[citation needed] Two years after the original storyline, Silvermane fluctuates between being a child and adult as he attempts to force Curt Connors and Spider-Man to retrieve the tablet and stabilize his condition. Even after Connors's research asserts that the tablet essentially cycles someone through their reincarnations in one lifetime to try to achieve truekarma, Silvermane refuses to accept this and attempts to blackmail Spider-Man to help him after deducing his true identity. Spider-Man eventually confronts Silvermane in the latter's church hideout. The ensuing battle ends with Silvermane burning the church down to try to kill Spider-Man, though his ultimate fate is left unclear.
[Man Mountain Marko] wasn't the biggest threat the web-slinger would face in this issue. That honor went to Silvermane, an elderly crime boss intent on regaining his youth.
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