Vulture (comics)

This article is about the Marvel Comics character. For the Vulture in DC Comics, see Vulture (DC Comics).

The Vulture is the name of six comic book supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The best known Vulture in the Marvel Universe is Adrian Toomes, an elderly enemy of Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in The Amazing Spider-Man #2 (May 1963).

Fictional character biographies

Golden Age Vulture

In Young Men #26, a scientist named Dr. Isidoro Scarlotti went by the name Vulture and was an enemy of the original Human Torch and Toro.^[1]

Adrian Toomes

Vulture
Art by Terry Dodson
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #2 (May 1963)
Created by	Stan Lee Steve Ditko
In-story information
Alter ego	Adrian Toomes
Team affiliations	Sinister Twelve Sinister Six Legion Accursed
Abilities	Heightened physical attributes and flight which derives from electromagnetic tailored body-harness High intelligence

Adrian Toomes was born in Staten Island, New York. He is a former electronics engineer who was once the business partner of a man named Gregory Bestman; Bestman handled the finances whilst Toomes handled the inventions. One day, after creating a flight harness, Toomes eagerly rushed into Bestman's office to share the happy news. However, Bestman was not there, and Toomes discovered that Bestman had secretly been embezzling funds and that Toomes had no legal recourse, meaning he lost his job. Enraged, Toomes wrecked the business, discovering that the harness also granted him superhuman strength. He then decided to turn to crime professionally as the Vulture.

His wings are as sharp as swords and can be used as projectile weapons. They will replenish themselves so he can maintain flying abilities.

The Vulture employs a special harness of his own design that allows him to fly; his flight is directed by a pair of wings worn on his arms. The harness also endows him with enhanced strength and (according to some sources) increases his lifespan. Although Toomes is advanced in age, he is a strong fighter and a remorseless killer. On one occasion, he restored his youth through biochemical means,^[2] though this wore off after exposure to the corpse of an elemental superhuman.^[3] At one point he had used a device to steal Spider-Man's youth, leaving Vulture young and Spider-Man elderly, but this effect wore off within hours.^[4]

The Vulture first encountered Spider-Man when he was on a robbery and burglary spree throughout New York City. Spider-Man realized for the first time he could sell photos to Jameson after the Daily Bugle offered a reward for a picture of the Vulture. Spider-Man was beaten in the first battle due to his occupation with the camera, he was knocked out by the Vulture and sealed in a watertank with sides too slippery to climb up, but was able to break free. The Vulture then challenged the police, saying he was going to steal diamonds; however, he escaped through the sewer. Spider-Man had created a device that stopped the Vulture's harness working and activated it during an airborne fight with the Vulture, causing the two to crash onto a roof, knocking the Vulture unconscious. He was then arrested.^[5] The Vulture modified his harness, and attempted to rob the Daily Bugle payroll.^[6] He joined Doctor Octopus's first Sinister Six, and gave the message to the Daily Bugle that they had captured Betty Brant. He was the last foe to battle Spider-Man before Doctor Octopus. He forced Spider-Man to remove his web-shooters by threatening to fly away, then squirted oil onto the roof, and tried to push Spider-Man off using a wind created by his wings, but Spider-Man escaped this. The Vulture was caught after Spider-Man swung onto him using a lasso the Vulture had tried to use against him. He then told Spider-Man where to find the lair of Doctor Octopus, and like the rest of the team was jailed by the end of the story.^[7]

Later, believing himself to be dying in prison due to injuries in the prison workshop, Toomes revealed the location of an extra Vulture outfit on the prison grounds to his cellmate Blackie Drago, who became the second Vulture. Blackie reveals to Toomes he caused the accident for this purpose. Toomes is angry, but seems to fall unconscious within the next few minutes. Blackie knocked out a guard, dug up the wings, and escaped.^[8] Drago, as the Vulture, teamed with Kraven against Spider-Man.^[9] Toomes ultimately got out of prison and defeated Drago,^[10] and then defeated Spider-Man in battle as well.^[11] Some time later, Dr. Clifton Shallot mutated his body into a form resembling Toomes's, but possessing natural wings and flight capability.^[12]

The Vulture later humiliated the racketeering mobster, Mr. Morgan, who hired the Hitman to kill Spider-Man, trying to rob the Vulture of his revenge.^[13] The Vulture then arranged the murder of New York's top mobsters to become New York's new crime lord, and battled Spider-Man.^[14] The Vulture later escaped prison, and battled Spider-Man again.^[15]

The Vulture later came out of retirement to claim vengeance on Gregory Bestman, his former research partner who embezzled him out of the profits.^[16] He then confronted the Vulturians, a group of youths who stole his designs.^[17]

He became involved in Atlantic City casino racketeering to prepare for his own ostentatious funeral, but was thwarted by the Hobgoblin.^[18] He moved his gambling operations to Las Vegas, where he attacked Snake Diamond in the middle of the desert for stealing his formula for a special embalming fluid.^[19] He later confronted the mutants Rusty Collins and Skids in an attempt to release Nitro.^[20]

On more than one occasion Toomes has been in league with several other Spider-Man villains in order to destroy the wall crawler. The Vulture has been in every incarnation of the Sinister Six, and appeared in the Sinister Twelve. He has a strong friendship with fellow villain Electro; the two of them nearly beat Spider-Man to death.^{[volume & issue needed]}

During one of his many periods of ill health, Toomes struck a friendship with Nathan Lubensky, a man who had become the new love of May Parker's life. Nathan was unaware of Toomes' true identity, and encouraged the injured criminal to take his chances with life and not to let handicaps drag him down (Nathan was a paraplegic). Toomes followed Nathan's advice and attempted to take over his rehab clinic as the Vulture. A battle with Spider-Man led to Toomes almost killing Nathan, the shock of almost taking the life of a man who had helped to save his own distracted Toomes and led to his capture.^[21]

The Vulture would seemingly cherish Nathan's influence, but irony would serve him a cruel blow when he was hired by the Kingpin to assassinate a high ranking casino runner. During another conflict with Spider-Man as part of Doctor Octopus's new Sinister Six, the Vulture sought to use a hostage as a shield, and selected May Parker from the crowd. Little did he suspect though that Nathan was also with May, and he defiantly leapt from his wheelchair and grabbed Toomes, still not realizing who it was, Toomes flew high into the air with Nathan on his back, warning the man to get off, Nathan took one look down and realized how high they were, triggering a fatal heart attack. Toomes fled as Nathan fell. Though he was successfully caught by Spider-Man, Nathan would die in May's arms.^[22]

Toomes was later diagnosed with cancer, caused by frequent exposure to the essentials needed to power his flying apparatus. In an attempt to be forgiven for all of his previous sins, the Vulture terrorized the Parker household, pleading that May Parker forgive him for indirectly causing Nathan's death. An enraged Parker attacked Toomes, forcing The Vulture to capture him and take him back to his old lair. After escaping Toomes, Peter switched to Spider-Man and brutally assaulted The Vulture, and in the ensuing battle, the Vulture's own power pack malfunctioned and exploded, setting his wings ablaze. Spider-Man successfully ripped the burning pack off of Toomes, and the two crash landed in a muddy ditch.^[23]

After being arrested, Toomes was returned to the Parker home so May, reunited with Peter, could identify him. May hoped that Toomes' death would be slow and full of suffering. The next day, she visited Toomes in prison and apologized to him for her cruel remarks, but also stated that she could not forgive him, and that any kind of redemption would be left up to him and God.^[24]

The Vulture once stumbled across a plot by the Chameleon and the Green Goblin to drive Spider-Man insane by having shapeshifting androids impersonate his late mother and father; due to Toomes' interference, the androids were destroyed, leading the wall-crawler to a brief nervous breakdown. The Vulture absorbed the artificial life force from the Mary Parker android, and the effect on the Vulture was twofold; not only did he become a young man again, but he was instantly cured of the cancer that had been slowly killing him for some time.^[2] During this period he attempted to kill everyone who'd ever known him as an old man in an attempt to get a clean slate for his life, but this plan went wrong when he targeted a Prowler impersonator (the Prowler having once thwarted his attempted takeover of his old company) and Spider-Man; although Toomes nearly gutted the fake Prowler, Spider-Man managed to get him to the hospital. During a later fight with Spider-Man, the Vulture was 'attacked' by David Kalen, a man capable of dissolving anything he touched and had turned his power on himself in his grief at the death of his brother. Toomes subsequently reverted back to his old age, presumably due to Kalen's power having negated the youth effect.^[3]

Toomes' identity as the Vulture has been claimed by impostors on several occasions. Blackie Drago and Professor Clifton Shallot are some of them. The Vulture technology was later copied by a group of thugs called "The Vulturions"; Toomes defeated these usurpers as well. Also, Toomes himself was not the first comic villain to use the name. In the 1941 comic Doll Man Quarterly, a robber named the Vulture used his pet vultures to carry bombs and commit crimes.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In the Identity Disc series, it was revealed that Toomes, with the help of Sandman, manipulated Marvel villains Bullseye, Deadpool, Juggernaut, and Sabretooth into laying siege to terrorist group A.I.M. headquarters in order to retrieve a disc containing the identities of undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives (including that of Toomes' daughter).^{[volume & issue needed]}

During a brief time working for the Owl, he failed in a mission (and had his face brutally slashed by the Black Cat) and was severely beaten as punishment. He subsequently revealed himself as a member of Norman Osborn's Sinister Twelve — though he wore a helmet, presumably to mask the wounds.^[25]

Under the tutelage of Alyosha Kravinoff, the son of Kraven the Hunter, Toomes briefly attempted a stint at heroism, but before long he returned to the other side of the law.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Aside from his daughter, Toomes also has a son, whom he has dismissed, and a grandson from that son. The Vulture has come to care deeply for both his grandson and his mother, committing a series of robberies to finance a cure for his grandson's terminal illness. He once had a nephew, Malachai Toomes, and flew into a killing rage when he was murdered by a gang-lord.^{[volume & issue needed]}

During the Civil War, he was apprehended along with the Grim Reaper and the Trapster, by Captain America and his growing Resistance, who chained him together with Grim Reaper to a pole and broke his nose. When he was found and taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D., he complained, "that lunatic broke my damn nose." After Spider-Man unmasked himself, Toomes was seen in his jail cell, knitting his fingers together. As someone on the television set said they hoped it would not be any trouble for Spider-Man, Toomes said, "Oh I think it will be." ^[26]

After Spider-Man goes rogue, Toomes is seen in a S.H.I.E.L.D prison cell speaking with Agent Jamie Madrox, and commenting on Spider-Man's inherent weakness, that being his unwillingness to use his powers for personal gain. S.H.I.E.L.D. then returns his flying harness and encourages him to hunt down Spider-Man, saying that he "is now an outlaw, same as you."^{[volume & issue needed]}

Later, the Vulture attacks Spider-Man at a book signing, and manages to slash him with a powerful sedative. Toomes, however, falls unconscious and, sensing something is wrong, Spider-Man rushes him to the hospital.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Toomes wakes up a few hours later, where a doctor reveals that he has suffered a stroke, and many of his muscles on the left side of his body have been paralyzed. When the doctor leaves, Spider-Man sneaks in and Toomes asks him to kill him because he is weak. When Spider-Man refuses to do so, he says that Spider-Man is also weak, and always has been. After making remarks about Uncle Ben, Spider-Man takes a pillow and begins suffocating him. He fights back, and Spidey removes the pillow, commenting that "For somebody who's begging to die, you fight for life pretty hard." ^[27]

When Alyosha Kravinoff began collecting a zoo of animal-themed superhumans, Vulture was one of his captives.^[28] To stop Vulture from using his intellect to find a way to remove his bomb collar, Kraven broke his hands repeatedly^[29] but with the help of Rhino, Vulture escapes.^[30]

Spider-Man later visits Vulture's cell to ask him about the latest person who calls himself the Vulture. Toomes says calmly that he has no connection to him, though he heard that the new Vulture was made that way by the mob and is out for revenge. He just as blandly states that while he normally hates people who steal the Vulture name, he would have no problem with him killing Spider-Man.^[31]

"Blackie" Drago

Vulture
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #48 (May 1967)
Created by	Stan Lee John Romita
In-story information
Alter ego	Raniero "Blackie" Drago
Partnerships	Adrian Toomes

Raniero "Blackie" Drago, was a prison cellmate of Toomes' who tricked Toomes by causing an accident in the prison workshop that made Toomes think he could die soon, and stole the Vulture harness and costume which was recently rebuilt. He used the suit to make money through air piracy which ended up in a three-way battle against Spider-Man and Kraven the Hunter — Kraven resented Drago's claims that he'd recently killed Spider-Man when in fact Spidey had merely collapsed due to a cold — which Spider-Man won.^[8] After robbing a helicopter, Drago was pursued by Kraven the Hunter and ended up fighting him until Spider-Man arrived. Spider-Man managed to defeat them and webbed them up for the police.^[9]

He later teamed up with Toomes when escaping from prison, but that was merely so that Toomes could prove himself the true Vulture once again. Once free, he was subsequently defeated and humiliated by Toomes whom regained the recognition he deserved. A humbled Blackie was taken away by the police, vowing "I'm through!! I'll never put these wings on again!"^[10]

He was seen in the same prison that Norman Osborn was incarcerated in during the "Sinister Twelve" storyline.^[32]

Clifton Shallot

Vulture
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #127 (Dec. 1973)
Created by	Ross Andru Gerry Conway John Romita
In-story information
Alter ego	Clifton Shallot
Team affiliations	Empire State University

Professor Clifton Shallot, was an expert on bio-mutation and professor at Empire State University.^[33] He also had a Vulture wings and costume making project which he requisitioned from the State Prison Authority. When one of his courses was canceled by the university trustees, something snapped in the doctor's head, and so he underwent the final stage of the mutation himself when he donned the Vulture costume. The result was a change in himself which no amount of expertise and practice could do for the original Vulture...his face, teeth, and fingernails mutated, and for a short time, the wings became part of his body. The only one who knew his secret was his lab assistant Dr. Christine Murrow and her roommate Gloria Jenkins.^[34]

Mary Jane Watson witnessed him killing Gloria (whom he had mistaken for Christine) and she became a target. While flying around Mary Jane's apartment, he noticed Spider-Man and attacked him. Vulture managed to defeat Spider-Man and leave him for dead. Clifton then searched for a way to reverse the transformation. He stole some chemicals from a ship called Düsseldorf at Dock 20. The next morning as he was flying to Christine's lab, Vulture noticed Mary Jane in her car. He dove toward the car and grabbed Mary Jane. He was then encountered in the air by Spider-Man who dropped Mary Jane giving Vulture enough time to reach the Biology Lab. He attacked Christine only for Spider-Man to arrive and defend her. Vulture managed rip the webbing with his talons and teeth. Their fight continued with Spider-Man blinding Vulture with the webbing as the cops arrived and threw a net over them. Still blinded by the webbing, Vulture broke free from the net and grabbed Spider-Man thinking he was Catherine. When he saw it was Spider-Man, Vulture ended up dropping him.^[12]

Vulture went back to his lab and transformed back into Clifton. He then had an agreement with Christine stating that he will not kill her if she does not betray his trust. Later that night, Vulture flew back to Dock 20 and stole some chemicals. He noticed that Peter Parker had followed him and picked him up and dropped him into the water. When he flew above Mary Jane's apartment, Vulture noticed her getting into a taxi. Vulture attacked the taxi and kidnapped Mary Jane only for Spider-Man to interrupt him causing Vulture to flee. He makes it back to his lab where Christine is. Spider-Man then arrives an hour later finding Christine there. Vulture then attacks Spider-Man who subdues him and force-feeds Vulture the antidote stolen from the Düsseldorf. After reverting back from Vulture, Clifton fainted. Clifton Shallot is presumably still serving his sentence for the murder.^[34]

Vulturions

While in prison for dealing heroin, an engineer named Honcho becomes the cellmate of Adrian Toomes, who has revealed the designs of his Vulture harness to him. Memorizing how to construct the Vulture harness, Honcho, when released on parole, builds four red, yellow and silver Vulture harnesses with which he equips himself and three petty criminals (Gripes, Pidgeon, and Sugar Face); gaining all the powers of the Vulture, the group members call themselves the Vulturions.^[35] Wanting to make names for themselves and become big-time criminals, the Vulturions make several attempts to kill Spider-Man and accumulate wealth, ultimately failing in all their attempts. Learning of the Vulturions' existence and exploits, Adrian Toomes builds a new Vulture harness and breaks out of prison, intent on hunting down his "rip-offs." Locating the group, Adrian beats them all and comes close to killing them, only to be stopped by Spider-Man, who defeats the Vulture and turns him and the Vulturions in to the police.^[36]

A new group of Vulturions, consisting of three members, appear in Avengers: The Initiative, where they steal a briefcase containing classified research on gamma radiation from Baron Von Blitzschlag. One of the Vulturions is identified as Honcho, apparently released from prison and back to crime. They are stopped with ease by a costume-less Peter Parker and the Scarlet Spiders.^[37]

Jimmy Natale

Vulture
Jimmy Natale's Villain Variant cover for The Amazing Spider-Man #623. Art by Joe Quinones
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #593 (June 2009)
Created by	Mark Waid
In-story information
Alter ego	Jimmy Natale
Abilities	Flight Acid-Spitting

In the story arc, Spider-Man 24/7, a new Vulture has appeared. He is revealed to be a mutate. This Vulture, however, is a vigilante rather than a super-villain, as he mercilessly kills and eats criminals. He is found by Spider-Man, who at first thinks it will be an easy battle, having beaten Adrian Toomes and those who have used his harness before. Surprised to find that this Vulture's wings are apparently real and he also has a separated beak-like mandible, Spider-Man is temporarily blinded by an acid the creature spits in his face.^[38] After escaping the battle, Spider-Man questions the incarcerated Toomes on the new Vulture, who says he has no connection to him, and while he hates other Vulture name stealers he has no problem with this one killing Spider-Man. Spider-Man defeats the new Vulture in a battle in the new Yankee Stadium.^[31]

During The Gauntlet storyline, he is broken out of prison by Electro under the orders of the Kravinoffs. He escapes and goes after the mobsters responsible for his transformation. The first mobster he finds reveals at least part of Vulture's past, as he was originally mob "cleaner" Jimmy Natale, and then claims that the transformation was caused by J. Jonah Jameson. Jameson claims innocence, and Spider-Man also believes it to be a frame-up, but finds the Vulture attacking Jameson in his office.^[39] Jimmy kills a security guard that saves Jameson's life and flies away, convinced that the mob had in fact turned him into a monster. He is last seen supposedly killing the mob member who tells him the truth about his origin where he was their "ace up their sleeve" when Mysterio started helping the other Maggia families. Jimmy is later seen soaring past a jobless, depressed Peter Parker into the night.^[40]

During the "Origin of the Species" storyline, Jimmy is invited by Doctor Octopus to join his supervillain team where he becomes involved in securing some specific items for him. Jimmy went after Spider-Man for Menace's infant. While trying to grab the baby from Spider-Man, Jimmy collided with Freak before Rhino showed up. The two begin to fight while Spider-Man gets away. The two of them are next seen coming after Spider-Man together and attack him. Spider-Man pulls a water tower down on the Freak but loses the baby to Vulture, only for Vulture to find that it's really a bundle of trash bundled up. He turns around to be knocked out by Spider-Man.^[41]

During the opening arc of the new Punisher series, Jimmy attacks the Punisher under orders of a criminal organization called the Exchange. After a fierce battle in the skies over New York, Jimmy is apparently killed after being stabbed in the chest and head before falling to the city below.^[42]

Powers and abilities

Utilizing his harness, the Vulture is able to fly as if by natural winged flight. He wears a costume of synthetic stretch fabric housing a tailored electromagnetic harness with bird-like wings attached beneath the arms. This consists of an electromagnetic anti-graviton generator worn on his body as a harness enabling him to fly silently with precise maneuverability. The harness also increases his resistance to injury to the point that he can survive blows from Spider-Man's enhanced strength despite his age. Another by-product of his exposure to the harness is that despite his age and lack of exercise, his physical strength represents the upper limit of human development. When he removes the harness some of his enhanced abilities slowly fade, although the rate at which this transpires remains unclear (some writers have suggested that his strength is permanent). The Vulture is elderly and depends on his electromagnetic harness to augment his strength, vitality, and athletic prowess as well as absorbing life force to maintain his vitality. It has recently been revealed that, due to his prolonged use of the harness, the Vulture can levitate or float his body even without the harness, although he requires his wings to maneuver while airborne. The Vulture has a new version of his flight harness that has supposedly been augmented by the Green Goblin. Though Vulture claimed that it increased his strength by five-hundred percent it appeared to be a bluff to frighten the Black Cat, who proceeded to beat him half to death. The Vulture is intellectually brilliant in the fields of electronics and mechanical engineering, with a great talent for invention. He has earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering.

The Jimmy Natale version of Vulture not only can fly, but he can also spit acid from his mouth.

Other versions

Marvel 1602

In the Marvel 1602 reality, the group of warriors working for Otto von Doom are referred to as the Vulture-Fliers and wear flight enabling armor similar to the mainstream universe Vulture.^[43]

MC2

In the timeline of MC2, Blackie is revealed to have had a daughter named Brenda Drago, the Raptor.^[44]

Marvel 2099

Spider-Man 2099 and Vulture 2099 on the cover of Spider-Man 2099 #7.

In the year 2099, a new Vulture is a recurring foe of Spider-Man 2099; this version of the Vulture wears high-tech armoring, possessing metallic wings and claws, as well as a helmet, and is also a mentally unstable cannibal. In the character's first appearance, the Vulture 2099 appears as the leader of a gang known as "The Freakers" and reveals to Spider-Man 2099 his ambition to rule the sky.^[45]

When most of the civilized world is flooded, the Vulture creates a floating boat-colony off the shores of the Savage Land. His new crew is called the 'Wild Boys'. There, he recovers an old associate, Wulff, whom his gang torments.^{[volume & issue needed]}

House of M

Vulture is one of Rhino's friends who helped him attack and detain the Green Goblin for ruining the best chance at a good life Rhino ever had.^[46]

Earth X

In this reality, Adrian has mutated into a more vulture-like appearance, with real wings, claws and beak, due to the action of the Terrigen Mists. He has been a member of the Enforcers, bodyguards of the USA President Norman Osborn, but since Osborn's death, his current whereabouts remain unknown.

Marvel Zombies

In the second issue of Marvel Zombies, an undead Adrian Toomes can be seen among a group of zombified heroes, whom he later aids in attacking the Silver Surfer.^[47] The zombified Vulture is among those who battled against the Silver Surfer, and is seemingly killed. In "Marvel Zombies 3," it is revealed he survived, and along with Angel, The Falcon, and Beak, he attacks the Earth-616 Machine Man and Jocasta, but is quickly killed.^[48]

In the one-shot prequel to Marvel Zombies, Marvel Zombies: Dead Days, the Vulture is part of an undead version of the Sinister Six, alongside Sandman, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Electro, and Mysterio, who he helps in attacking and devouring the inhabitants of New York.

Ultimate Marvel

The Ultimate Marvel Vulture made his official appearance in Ultimate Spider-Man #90, though it was not Adrian Toomes but rather "Blackie" Drago.^[49] A disgruntled former S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Drago had been hired to kill Donald Roxxon, head of the Roxxon Corporation. Drago received his equipment from a former employee of Roxxon named Elijah Stern (the Ultimate Marvel version of Tinkerer). He was defeated by Spider-Man and taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, imprisoned in the Triskelion, headquarters of the Ultimates. When Norman Osborn broke out in Ultimate Spider-Man #113, several other villains including Drago escape in the chaos; a news report depicts the Vulture's recapture at the hands of Captain America. He was apprehended by Spider-Woman and Human Torch after a robbery.^[50] Alongside the rest of the Ultimate Six, Vulture plays a role in the Death of Spider-Man storyline. Norman Osborn breaks him and the rest out of the Triskelion, and after their escape, informs them that God wishes for them to kill Peter Parker.^[51]

Ultimate Adrian Toomes (Dr. Adrian Toomes) made his first appearance in issue #125 as an employee of Bolivar Trask.^[52]

Marvel Noir

In the Marvel Noir reality, Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. the Vulture is depicted as a former circus freak, a geek who lived in a cage, feeding on chicken heads. The Vulture was taken by mob boss Norman Osborn, alias The Goblin, to become one of his hitmen. Toomes was responsible for the death of Ben Parker, whom the Vulture cannibalized after Parker was beaten by Osborn's Enforcers.^[53]

In issue #4, the Vulture took May Parker hostage and attempted to kill her, but Spider-Man killed him instead.^[54]

In other media

Television

• The Vulture's first appears in the 1960s Spider-Man TV series voiced by Gillie Fenwick. In this series, Blackie Drago uses the Vulture moniker since the character resembled him. In the episode "The Sky is Falling," Vulture attacks the city with an army of vultures wanting a $2,000,000 ransom until they attack him due to Spider-Man sabotaging his control. He apparently escapes, but Spider-Man gets the money back. He is referred to here as Vulture Man. In the episode "The Vulture's Prey," he commits penthouse robberies and traps J. Jonah Jameson in a clock tower after he accidentally stumbles upon the Vulture's loot in there. He hears from Jameson about an experimental missile and steals it to try and help him commit crimes, using Jameson to inform him. He loses the missile due to Spider-Man, who webs him up. In the episode "To Catch a Spider," Dr. Noah Boddy frees him, Electro, and Green Goblin from prison by knocking a guard out and unlocking the doors. The Vulture weakens Spider-Man with concussion bombs, before Electro challenges Spider-Man to a battle at midnight. Electro knocks him out after Spider-Man makes the villains fight using ventriloquism. All the villains are webbed up and arrested. In the episode "The Winged Thing," Spider-Man sees him robbing a millionaire's penthouse then putting into action the robbery of an experimental missile, which is apparently going to be used to bring him down, as part of a plot to steal an experimental device to control a flock of vultures. This episode uses footage from the first two Vulture episodes.

• The Vulture appears in the 1981 solo Spider-Man series episode "The Vulture Has Landed" voiced by Don Messick. In it, he kidnaps several scientists and forced them to make inventions that will help him steal the Jupiter Space Probe. Also he has an assistant named "Vultress" who is his granddaughter.

Vulture as he appears in the Spider-Man animated series.

• Vulture appears in the Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Eddie Albert as an old man and by Alan Johnson as a young man. In his first three appearances in the episodes "Ravages of Time", "Shriek of the Vulture" and "The Final Nightmare," Adrian Toomes is an old man who seeks revenge on Norman Osborn for rejecting his work. Later, he used the Vulture talons to suck youth out of people to temporarily make him young. In "The Final Nightmare", the Vulture transformed into the Man-Spider after absorbing Peter Parker's DNA and youth. Eventually, Spider-Man enlisted the aid of Dr. Connors, who helped defeat the Vulture and return Spider-Man's youth, although he reprogrammed the device so that the Vulture would absorb the excess DNA that had caused Spider-Man to become the Man-Spider originally. The episode "Partners" reveals that the Scorpion afterwards captured the Vulture (who then began shifting between his young and old selves). His intent was to have the Vulture cure him once he had enough money for a laboratory. The Vulture saves Spider-Man, Black Cat and Scorpion from Silvermane's clutches. He also becomes young full-time by swapping energy with the then-baby Silvermane regressing Silvermane back to an old man. In the episode "Six Forgotten Warriors" part 1-5, Vulture became a member of the Insidious Six replacing Mysterio (who was originally a member but died in an earlier episode). He went after Miss America for the key to the doomsday device that she had as she had flying powers. By the end of the story arc he has been arrested.

The Vulture in Spider-Man Unlimited.

• In the Spider-Man Unlimited animated series, a Counter-Earth version of the Vulture appeared and was voiced by Scott McNeil. Like the Counter Earth Green Goblin, this version of the Vulture is a hero instead of a villain and also like the Counter-Earth Goblin, he first mistook Spider-Man for a villain. It is explained the Vulture was a human who got Bestial powers, hanging out with Bestials and disrespecting humans while he was also playing with one. When he caused his human friend trouble, he hated the High Evolutionary for what he did and rebelled against him.

Vulture as he appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man animated series.

• Vulture appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man voiced by Robert Englund.^[55] This version of the Vulture uses the costume Terry Dodson gave him during his run on Marvel Knights Spider-Man with some differences and has a more bird-like nose. He appears in the first episode Survival of the Fittest. Here, Adrian Toomes is an elderly scientist who claims that Oscorp has stolen his flying technology and, seeks revenge against Norman Osborn.^[56] He takes his name from Osborn's insult (Osborn's actual name was "buzzard"). He, alongside the Enforcers, are defeated and soon jailed by Spider-Man. Vulture reappears in Group Therapy in which he alongside Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Shocker and Sandman are busted out of Ryker's Island by Electro and form the Sinister Six, and has his flight tech protected by reinforced steel. During a later battle, Vulture is defeated yet again when Spider-Man damages his helmet, causing him to pass out mid-flight. Vulture escapes prison once again in the episode Reinforcement, to join a new Sinister Six created by the Master Planner. The Planner sends the Six to attack Spider-Man. Vulture teams up with Electro to fight the web-slinger at Rockefeller Center, but he is caught in Spider-Man's webs and tied to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, then zapped by an overeager Electro and trapped when the tree collapses. He is retrieved before the police arrive. In Shear Strength, Vulture continues to aid the Master Planner, who is revealed to be Doctor Octopus, in his plan for world domination by gaining control over all the computers in the world. Doctor Octopus attempts to kill Norman Osborn with an explosion, to satisfy Vulture's hunger for revenge, but is stopped by Spider-Man. Vulture is later sent with Electro to kidnap Gwen Stacy, in order to blackmail her father into downloading the codes that would give the Master Planner access to all the computers in the United States, and possibly the world. The Planner sends Vulture, now with a laser-firing attachment to his flight pack, to distract Homeland Security agents so that Stacy can more easily steal the codes. When the plan is foiled by Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus sends Vulture the order to withdraw. In the episode Gangland Vulture accompanied Dr Octopus to a sit-down with Silvermane and Tombstone. When Hammerhead instigated a fight between the three crime lords, Vulture leapt to protect Octopus, but was quickly dispatched by Hammerhead. He escaped with Silver Sable before the police could arrest them.

Cancelled film

• It was reported on December 8, 2009 that John Malkovich was in negotiations to play Vulture in the then-upcoming Spider-Man 4.^[57] Malkovich himself confirmed the casting in January 2010.^[58] However, production of the movie was subsequently canceled so that the Spider-Man franchise can be rebooted with a different director (Marc Webb) and cast.^[59]

Video games

• The Vulture appears in the Sega CD adaptation of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.
• The Vulture appears in Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six.
• The Vulture appears in the SNES Spider-Man game based on the animated series.
• In the video game adaptation of Spider-Man, the Vulture (voiced by Dwight Schultz) is working with Shocker to rob a jewelry store. Having defeated Shocker, the player is directed to a clock tower in the lower east side of New York, where they must pass various bombs and traps to catch Vulture, followed by a chase through the streets of New York before confronting him by the Chrysler Building, where the player must force the Vulture to land to attack him.
• The Vulture appears as a boss in the Nintendo DS adaptation of Spider-Man 2, based on the film of the same name. Vulture's feathers can be seen on the Chrysler Building in a reference to the first game. The Vulture also makes a cameo in the PlayStation 2 adaptation of Spider-Man 2 as one of the many villain assistants for Quentin Beck in his scheme to humiliate Spider-Man. Vulture also appears in the PSP version of Spider-Man 2 (voiced again by Dwight Schultz). Rhino has broken him, Mysterio, and Shocker out of prison. Vulture then plants bombs around the city. After Spider-Man shuts them down, Vulture flees with Spider-Man in pursuit. Spider-Man defeats him at a construction site, where a webbed up Vulture tells Spider-Man that he was kicked out of a job with Rhino and Shocker at the docks. Spider-Man then leaves Vulture for the police to take care of.
• Adrian Toomes appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man game for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Xbox voiced by Brian George. However, he does not appear as The Vulture. Here, he is a researcher for Trask Industries who used to work with Peter Parker and Eddie Brock's fathers. He injects the micro-samples of the Venom symbiote in Peter Parker as he makes a reference on how he knew Peter's father. When Peter Parker is turned into Carnage, Adrian Toomes ends up knocked out.
• Vulture appears as a primary character in Spider-Man: Web of Shadows voiced by Kristoffer Tabori. In this game, his wings are sword-like blades that attach to his suit through magnetic means and be used to attack when launched. He is shown supplying the Kingpin with high-tech armor for his henchmen to wear and gliders for some of them to ride. Spider-Man finds his hideout in the Kronas Corporation and battles him. If the player takes the Red Suit path, Spider-Man webs up Vulture and leaves him for the police. If the player takes the Black Suit path, Spider-Man still webs up Vulture, but Spider-Man also tells Vulture not to mess with him again. Over the course of the game, he is seen working with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Kingpin to defeat the symbiote threat. When Spider-Man needed a ride to an island prison to gain the Tinkerer's help, if he chooses the Black Suit path, he uses Vulture to travel there instead of Moon Knight and his moonjet. When Vulture becomes infected, he also tries to coax Spider-Man into embracing his evil symbiote when Tinkerer has completed his device to stop the symbiotes. If the player takes the Red Suit Path, Spider-Man activates the machine and destroys the symbiotes. If the player takes the Black Suit Path, Spider-Man knocks the device off the Trask Building. In a follow-up with the Black Suit path, Spider-Man will force Vulture to fly him toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and Vulture will reprogram the Helicarrier's hangar for access to the bombs that will blow up the Helicarrier. Despite this, he still threatens to blow the Helicarrier up with Spider-Man still on it.
• The Noir Vulture appears as a villain in the video game Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions^[60] voiced by Steven Blum. In this game, it is specifically stated that Vulture not only killed Uncle Ben but also ate him alive further increasing Spider-Man's grudge against him. It is the fact that he is "Osborn's right-hand monster." It's also stated that his love of human meat began with people laughing at him for is appearance during his time in a cage. In combat, Vulture is gifted with agility on par with that of Spider-Man and utilizes throwing knives and bolas against Spider-Man. When Vulture uses a tablet fragment, he gains the ability to teleport away in a puff of black feathers. Light is his only weakness as he seems to be a strong photosensitivity. Spider-Man manages to defeat him and claim the tablet fragment. On the DS version of the game, the 2099 version of Vulture appears instead, also voiced by Steven Blum. Spider-Man 2099 runs into Vulture 2099 on the rooftops when he is looking for the Tablet of Order and Chaos fragment. Spider-Man 2099 defeats Vulture 2099 and claims the tablet fragment.

Toys and collectibles

• The Vulture was thrice made in action figure form by Toy Biz, first (in his young form) as part of line based on Spider-Man: The Animated Series, then later (as his older self) in the regular Spider-Man line and again as part of the Marvel Legends line.

• The Vulture was made in mini-bust form as part of Art Asylum's Rogues Gallery collection.

• A statue of him comprises one seventh of Diamond Select's "Sinister Six" collection.

References

1. ^ Young Men #26
2. ^ ^{a b} The Amazing Spider-Man #388
3. ^ ^{a b} The Sensational Spider-Man #18
4. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #387
5. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #2
6. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #7
7. ^ Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
8. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #48
9. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #49
10. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #63
11. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #64
12. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #127
13. ^ Spectacular Spider-Man #4-5
14. ^ Spectacular Spider-Man #44-45
15. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #224
16. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #240-241
17. ^ Web of Spider-Man #1-2
18. ^ Web of Spider-Man #24
19. ^ Web of Spider-Man #45
20. ^ New Mutants #86
21. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #224
22. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #336-339
23. ^ The Spectacular Spider-Man #187
24. ^ The Spectacular Spider-Man #188
25. ^ Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #9-12
26. ^ Civil War #2
27. ^ Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #16
28. ^ Punisher War Journal vol.2 #13
29. ^ Punisher War Journal Vol.2 #14
30. ^ Punisher War Journal vol.2 #15
31. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #594
32. ^ Marvel Knight: Spider-Man #10
33. ^ Sanderson, Peter (2007). The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City. New York City: Pocket Books. pp. 30–33. ISBN 1-14653-141-6. 
34. ^ ^{a b} Amazing Spider-Man #128
35. ^ Louise Simonson (w), Greg LaRocque (p), Jim Mooney (i). "Till Death Do Us Part!" Web of Spider-Man 1 (April 1985), Marvel Comics
36. ^ Louise Simonson (w), Greg LaRocque (p), Jim Mooney (i). "Iron Bars Do Not A Prison Make... Or Vulture Is As Vulture Does!" Web of Spider-Man 3 (June 1985), Marvel Comics
37. ^ Dan Slott (w), Stefano Caselli (p), Stefano Caselli (i). "Triple Threat" Avengers: The Initiative 7 (December 2007), Marvel Comics
38. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #593
39. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #623
40. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #624
41. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #644
42. ^ The Punisher #003
43. ^ Marvel: 1602 #1-6
44. ^ Spider-Girl #18
45. ^ Spider-Man 2099 #7
46. ^ Spider-Man: House of M #3
47. ^ Marvel Zombies #2
48. ^ Marvel Zombies #3
49. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man #90
50. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man #129
51. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man #156
52. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man #125
53. ^ Spider-Man: Noir #1
54. ^ Spider-Man: Noir #4
55. ^ Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Monday, February 11, 2008
56. ^ Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Saturday, December 8, 2007
57. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Spider-Man 4 Circling John Malkovich, Anne Hathaway". Movieline LLC. MoveLine. 2009-12-08. http://www.movieline.com/2009/12/exclusive-spider-man-4-circling-john-malkovich-anne-hathaway.php?page=all. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
58. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a195487/john-malkovich-confirmed-in-vulture-role.html
59. ^ http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned/
60. ^ "San Diego Comic-Con 2010: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension Updates". http://marvel.com/news/vgstories.13289.sdcc_2010~colon~_spider-man_sd_updates?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Pulse250&utm_term=Link3&utm_content=SDCC2010ShatteredDimensions&utm_campaign=Pulse250Newsletter07202010. Retrieved 2010-07-22. 

External links

• Vulture I at Marvel.com
• Vulture II at Marvel.com
• Vulture II at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Vulture III at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• New Vulture appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #592-4