Beetle
- Not to be confused with the Scarlet Beetle.
The Beetle, born Abner Jenkins, is a villain who employs an insectoid suit equipped with a technologically powered helmet, wings, and powerful suction gloves.
Biography
In mid-1964, factory mechanic Abner Jenkins used his skill with machinery to develop a criminal suit and persona known as the Beetle. He attempted multiple robberies, including one of the world's fair in Flushing, but was thwarted and brought to justice by the Human Torch and the Thing.[1] Jenkins was released from prison in early 1965, and immediately set his sights on getting revenge on the Human Torch. He found Torch flying through the city, and trailed him back to the home of his girlfriend Doris Evans. Beetle hid out around the house in street clothes to observe Torch and Doris. After staking the place out for a day, Beetle laid in wait for the Torch to return and spring his attack. Surprisingly, Spider-Man arrived, and the Beetle attacked him instead. The two fought into the house, and the Beetle grabbed Doris and flew away with her. But Spider-Man, and soon the Torch himself, gave chase. The two heroes confronted Beetle on the roof of a condemned building, and were able to overpower him before long and bring him to justice.[2]
Beetle was soon free once more, and he returned to action upon being coerced by Doctor Doom's emotion machine into attacking the Baxter Building on the day of the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Beetle fought alongside a veritable legion of villains against a similarly powerful force of heroes defending the Baxter Building. In the end, Reed Richards used a device provided by Uatu to transport all of the villains back slightly in time and wipe their memories of these events. Reed and Sue Storm were thus successfully and peacefully married.[3]
References
- ↑ Strange Tales #123a: "The Birth of the Beetle!" (August 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Burgos, Carl (p), Ayers, Dick (i), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ The Amazing Spider-Man #21: "Where Flies the Beetle...!" (February 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ Fantastic Four Annual #3a: "Bedlam at the Baxter Building!" (October 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).