Gibbon (Martin Blank) is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was a villain from Spider-Man. Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1921[1]) is an American writer, editor, was the Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics, and memoirist. ... John Romita, Sr. ... In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a human being who is born with genetic modifications that allow for abilities not possessed by regular humans is commonly called a mutant. ... Kraven the Hunter is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an enemy of Spider-Man. ... Grizzly is the name of two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe. ... For other uses of the term spot, see Spot (disambiguation page). ... The Kangaroo is the alias of two fictional Spider-Man villains in the Marvel Universe. ... In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a human being who is born with genetic modifications that allow for abilities not possessed by regular humans is commonly called a mutant. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... Spider-Man swinging around his hometown, New York City. ...

Fictional character biography

Seemingly born a mutant, The Gibbon later joins a circus where he does well as an acrobat. His powers are later enhanced by a potion given to him by Kraven the Hunter to "Unleash the Beast within". Martin Blank begins his career out as a friend of Spider-Man's. He even wants to be his partner, but Spider-Man laughs at him. Sick of being seen as a freak Martin can not take further ridicule and lashes out. He then catches the eye of Kraven the Hunter who enhances the Gibbon's powers with a herb broth, also giving him a great animal rage. After being defeated by Spider-Man, Martin wasn't seen for awhile. In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a human being who is born with genetic modifications that allow for abilities not possessed by regular humans is commonly called a mutant. ... Look up acrobat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Kraven the Hunter is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an enemy of Spider-Man. ...

Later, Gibbon seeks revenge on Spider-Man, trying to prove he is as good as him. He is caught in the middle of a fight with Spider-Man and the Beetle. Eventually Gibbon helps Spider-Man by punching out the Beetle. Gibbon later joins up with other "has-beens" the Kangaroo, Grizzly and The Spot to form the Legion Of Losers. MACH-IV (real name Abner Ronald Jenkins, formerly the Beetle and MACH-1, 2 and 3 ) is a fictional character, a former supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Kangaroo is the alias of two fictional Spider-Man villains in the Marvel Universe. ... Grizzly is the name of two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe. ... For other uses of the term spot, see Spot (disambiguation page). ...

This team falls apart when Spider-Man carted the Spot and the Kangaroo to jail for bank robbery. He and the Grizzly would later attempt to go hero, helping Spider-Man thwart a bank robbery by the White Rabbit and eventually getting an action figure deal.

The Gibbon has been shown as retaining his physical mutation, but showed no sign of his former mutant abilities.

Civil War/The Initiative

In The Punisher War Journal #4, The Gibbon is a self-confessed loser at the wake of Stilt-Man. Almost all of the supervillans at the wake were the victims of murder/attempted murder. The Punisher disguised himself as a barman, poisoned drinks, and then blew up the bar. It was later mentioned in She-Hulk (volume 2) #17 that "they all had to get their stomachs pumped and be treated for third-degree burns." The Punisher War Journal is a comic book spin-off series of The Punisher. ... Stilt-Man, aka Wilbur Day, is a Marvel Comics supervillain, most commonly associated with Daredevil. ... The Punisher is a fictional vigilante and anti-hero in the Marvel Comics Universe. ... She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters-Jameson) is a Marvel Comics superheroine. ... Gastric lavage, also commonly called a stomach pump, is the process of cleaning out the contents of the stomach. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Martin is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.