Hangman (Marvel Comics)

Hangman is the name of two fictional characters in the Marvel Universe.

Harlan Krueger

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caption=
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Hangman
real_name=Harlan Krueger
species=
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Werewolf by Night" #11 (Nov 1973)
creators=Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane
alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff
status=
alliances=
previous_alliances=
aliases=
relatives=
powers=|

Fictional character biography

Harlan Krueger was born in Los Angeles, California. He was a fanatical moviegoer who idolized movie stars of the past (such as John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, and Alan Ladd). He identified with these heroic figures, developing a simplistic view of good and evil in real life, deciding that evildoers should pay for their crimes with their lives.

After being court-martialed from the army for torturing prisoners of war, Krueger resolved to take the law into his own hands and became the masked vigilante the Hangman. His modus operandi involved executing male criminals while leaving female ones alive but imprisoned to 'protect them' from corruption (many died of starvation while in captivity). After years of stalking criminals with a noose and scythe, he came into conflict with the Werewolf by Night. ["Werewolf by Night" #11] He later battled the Werewolf again and Deprave. ["Werewolf by Night" #26] Hangman then allied with Doctor Glitternight and Moon Knight against the Werewolf. ["Werewolf by Night" #37]

Hangman also battled the Spider-Woman. ["Spider-Woman" #4-5] He was later one of the criminals captured by the Locksmith. ["Spider-Woman" #50]

While attending a Hollywood costume party held for the premiere of a horror movie to 'purge' yet more 'unworthy souls' (in other words, target members of the film industry for execution), the Hangman killed a disguised woman, thus inadvertently violating his own moral code. As he knelt over the corpse in remorse, he was apparently fatally stabbed in the back by film reviewer Matthew O'Brien, who had been trying to stop the Hangman from his latest killing spree, impaling the Hangman on his own scythe. ["Bizarre Adventures" #31]

Powers and abilities

Harlan Krueger was an athletic man with no superhuman powers. He carried a 30-foot length of half-inch hemp rope, terminating in a hangman's noose. He also used a harvesting scythe with an eight foot wooden handle and curved four-foot single-edged steel blade. He received Army hand-to-hand combat training.

Krueger had extensive knowledge of American cinema, particularly the films of the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Jason Roland

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caption=
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Hangman
real_name=Jason Roland
species=
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut=Tower of Shadows #5 (May, 1970)
creators=Roy Thomas and Barry Smith
alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff
status=
alliances=Night Shift, Lethal Legion
previous_alliances=
aliases=
relatives=
powers=magically enhanced strength and durability|

Fictional character biography

Jason Roland was an aspiring actor who made a deal with a demon (later revealed to be Satannish) to make his career successful. He was trapped in a monstrous form and hid out for years. He eventually encountered the Night Shift and convinced them to deal with Satannish to increase their powers. They were defeated by the Avengers West Coast.

Satannish later used the Hangman as part of his Lethal Legion comprised of some of the most notorious figures in history. Mephisto aided the Avengers West Coast in defeating Satannish and his minions.

References

External links

*http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/hangman2.htm
*http://marvel.com/universe/Hangman