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Slug (Ulysses X. Lugman) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
| Slug | |
|---|---|
 The Slug battles Spider-Man. From Web of Spider-Man Annual #4 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America #325 (Jan 1987) |
| Created by | Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Ulysses X. Lugman |
| Species | Human Mutant |
| Abilities | Gifted intellect Use of his immense fat |
Publication history
editThe supervillain Slug first appeared in Captain America #325 (January 1987) and was co-created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary.
In regards to the character's concept, Mark Gruenwald once commented that he initially thought a 1,200 pound man was implausible, but later discovered the existence of such individuals through reading People magazine.[1]
Fictional character biography
editUlysses Lugman was born in Miami, Florida. He is a notorious drug kingpin and criminal organizer, as well as the president and owner of several legal businesses in Miami. Due to his obesity, he took on the name "Slug."
After it was discovered that he was the Miami drug connection for the Kingpin, Nomad infiltrated his organization. Slug fought against Nomad and Captain America, but ultimately his criminal empire was dismantled. With the help of Vagabond, his yacht was sunk and his business was toppled.[2]
The Slug later conferred with the Kingpin about a disruption in the drug supply caused by the High Evolutionary's agents.[3] The Slug agreed to eliminate investment counselor Joe Trinity for his employee Dallas Kerr. He encountered a transformed Trinity and Poison.[4]
Lugman is one of the villains shown in the crossover event Dead Man's Hand. A mysterious organization created a meeting in Las Vegas to divide up the territory and related situations of the deposed criminal mastermind the Kingpin. Among the many criminal groups that attended are the Secret Empire, Werner von Strucker and Hammerhead's group. The situation falls apart due to various factors, including infighting among the group leaders and the slightly successful infiltration of Microchip and Mickey Fondozzi.[5]
After receiving a warning from Nomad's enemy, known as the "Favor Broker," Lugman attempts to flee the situation in a vehicle that is specially designed to accommodate his weight. The vigilantes Daredevil, Punisher, and Nomad track down the vehicle due to its unique size and the limited number of ways out of town. Nomad has a personal vendetta against Lugman, making the confrontation particularly significant.[volume & issue needed]
Fortunately for Lugman, circumstances intervene, and Nomad is the one who reaches him first rather than the Punisher, a criminal who is known for killing his targets. After confronting Lugman and realizing that he has been forgotten, Nomad experiences a moral dilemma before ultimately knocking him out.[volume & issue needed]
Despite Nomad's intervention, Punisher still attempts to kill Lugman. However, he soon discovers that his weapon is empty and he is unable to carry out his plan.[6]
Later, Lugman is seen bowing under the pressure and blackmail of Don Fortunato who wishes to be the new Kingpin of Crime. Spider-Man and Daredevil help break up this meeting, seemingly leaving Ulysses free with his territory intact. He was seen imprisoned in The Raft, a prison for superhuman criminals.[7]
Slug breaks out of the Raft and joins the Hood's criminal empire. He helps them fight the New Avengers but is taken down by Doctor Strange.[8]
During the "Secret Invasion" storyline, Hood's crime syndicate were questioning one of a group of Skrulls that had tried to take Madame Masque. It is soon discovered that Slug is a Skrull in disguise when Hood uses a spell that successfully reveals the Skrull. As a result, the Skrull posing as Slug is killed by the Hood who then orders his group to burn its body. The other villains present wonder when Slug had been replaced.[9]
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, the real Slug is later seen as part of the Hood's criminal gang that is sent by Norman Osborn to attack the New Avengers. The fight takes place inside the former Hellfire Club. He and most of the group are defeated in battle.[10]
After video footage of Tigra being beaten by the Hood is released onto the internet, Tigra and Giant-Man identify Slug as the source of the footage. Now penniless after the Hood's fall from power, Slug sold the footage to a celebrity video website for money needed to leave the country. He is defeated by Tigra and Giant-Man and placed under arrest.[11]
Slug returned to Miami and reestablished his criminal empire. In the midst of the "Last Days" part of the Secret Wars storyline, Mary Morgan hires Scott Lang to steal back an Asgardian artifact that she had lost to Slug over a game of contract bridge.[12]
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Slug used Power Broker II's Hench App to hire the second Hijacker to steal a Giganto egg from a S.H.I.E.L.D. cargo ship.[13]
During the "Search for Tony Stark" arc, Slug rejoins Hood's gang as they attack Castle Doom.[14]
During the "Hunted" storyline, Slug is among the animal-themed characters that were captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for Kraven the Hunter's "Great Hunt" which was sponsored by Arcade's company Arcade Industries.[15]
Powers and abilities
editThe Slug possesses a gifted intellect and is a master strategist with a sharp business acumen, often leading through a combination of intimidation and rewards.
His most notable attribute is his immense weight, which can exceed one thousand pounds. According to The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update '89, it is possible that the Slug is a mutant, given how difficult it is for a normal person to achieve such tremendous mass and remain alive. Unlike the Blob, the Slug lacks the ability to compensate for his mass, rendering him practically immobile unless he is utilizing a high-tech personal hovercraft. The Slug's high percentage of body fat allows him to float effortlessly in water, and his metabolism grants him limited immunity to drugs and poisons. The Slug is known to asphyxiate his victims (usually his underlings who have failed or displeased him) in the folds of his flesh.
Due to his extreme obesity, the Slug is incapable of supporting his own weight while standing or moving his body mass under his power. Therefore, he must consume vast quantities of food and liquid every day, often eating during most of his waking moments.
Equipment
editDue to his extreme sensitivity to light, the Slug is almost always seen wearing shaded eyeglasses.
In order to move around, the Slug makes use of special custom-designed heavy-duty electric wheelchair/forklifts that are outfitted with tank treads or heavy tires. His chairs seem to operate by remote control and may even include built-in flotation devices or rocket boosters to allow for air escape. For longer distances, the Slug travels in a custom semi-trailer.
References
edit- ^ Zimmerman, Dwight Jon (January 1988). "Mark Gruenwald". Comics Interview. No. 54. Fictioneer Books. p. 15.
- ^ Captain America #325. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Web of Spider-Man Annual #4. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Marvel Comics Presents #61-66. Marvel Comics.
- ^ "Daredevil" #307-309; "Nomad v2" #4-6; "Punisher War Journal" #46-48. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Nomad Vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers Annual #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers #46. Marvel Comics.
- ^ New Avengers #50. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Academy #8. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Nick Spencer (w), Ramon Rosanas (p), Ramon Rosanas (i), Jordan Boyd (col), VC's Travis Lanham (let), Wil Moss (ed). Ant-Man: Last Days, vol. 1, no. 1 (26 August 2015). United States: Marvel Comics.
- ^ Astonishing Ant-Man #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Invincible Iron Man #597. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 #17. Marvel Comics.