Band of the Bland
Encyclopedia
The "Band of the Bland" is a group of mediocre super villains in the Marvel Universe
. They first appeared as a team in Marvel Treasury Edition #12 (1976).
on behalf of unknown parties. Doctor Angst tricked the group into believing he had enhanced their powers and abilities with a mystic placebo
, Promethium Mettle Spheres.
They assaulted Howard at Doctor Strange
's Sanctum Sanctorum
. Angst catching Strange off-guard, knocking him out, and trapping Strange's fellow Defenders
and Howard's friend, Beverly Switzler downstairs, where the Band then attacked them. Empowered by Strange, Howard mystically transported all the combatants to Shea Stadium
, where they had more room to fight. Howard confronted Angst alone in the mansion. The Band was eventually defeated, and all members were then arrested.
Years later, Doctor Angst escaped and reunited the group to assist him in his plan to destroy reality and create his own. This plan, the "Cosmic Squish Principle", would destroy current reality and establish the "Isipiverse" reality he desired. He was opposed by the Critic (an alien from an offshoot species of the Watchers
race), who enlisted the aid of the She-Hulk
, Howard the Duck
, and the Terror. Defeated by their efforts, Doctor Angst was removed from Earth by the Critic and the rest of the team incarcerated again.
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. They first appeared as a team in Marvel Treasury Edition #12 (1976).
History
The Band of Bland was originally assembled by Doctor Angst to assassinate presidential candidate Howard the DuckHoward the Duck
Howard the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
on behalf of unknown parties. Doctor Angst tricked the group into believing he had enhanced their powers and abilities with a mystic placebo
Placebo
A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
, Promethium Mettle Spheres.
They assaulted Howard at Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
's Sanctum Sanctorum
Sanctum Sanctorum
The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared with Doctor Strange in his debut in Strange Tales #110 .-Location:...
. Angst catching Strange off-guard, knocking him out, and trapping Strange's fellow Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
and Howard's friend, Beverly Switzler downstairs, where the Band then attacked them. Empowered by Strange, Howard mystically transported all the combatants to Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, where they had more room to fight. Howard confronted Angst alone in the mansion. The Band was eventually defeated, and all members were then arrested.
Years later, Doctor Angst escaped and reunited the group to assist him in his plan to destroy reality and create his own. This plan, the "Cosmic Squish Principle", would destroy current reality and establish the "Isipiverse" reality he desired. He was opposed by the Critic (an alien from an offshoot species of the Watchers
Watcher (comics)
The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 .-Fictional history:...
race), who enlisted the aid of the She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
, Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
, and the Terror. Defeated by their efforts, Doctor Angst was removed from Earth by the Critic and the rest of the team incarcerated again.
Members
- Black Hole: Morton Kebe, has a miniature black hole in his chest and is able to suck people and objects inside.
- Doctor Angst, Master of Mundane Mysticism: Floyd Mangles, a sorcerer whose use of magic revolved around everyday items.
- The Spanker: Fred Hovel, a former prep-school headmaster who patrols the streets to reprimand miscreants.
- Tillie the Hun: Matilda Von Tromp, large woman with great strength, dresses like a barbarian warrior.