Forbush Man
Encyclopedia
Forbush Man is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics
. Originally the mascot
of Marvel Comics
' Not Brand Echh
, he is the alter-ego of Irving Forbush, a fictional employee of Marvel Comics
. Forbush was dreamed up in 1955 by Marvel editor Stan Lee
to refer to an imaginary low-grade colleague who was often the butt of Lee's jokes. In his guise of Forbush-Man, he first appeared in 1967.
According to Alternate Universes 2005
, Forbush Man is a native to Earth 665, as opposed to Marvel's regular Earth-616
.
(Snafu was itself a virtual clone of Mad). Forbush was given a line in the magazine's content page where he was credited as Snafu' s founder (much as Benjamin Franklin
was given the same credit in the Saturday Evening Post). (Snafu also listed another Forbush family member, as the other side of the magazine's content column read "Losted [sic] by his cousin, Melvin Forbush.") During Snafu' s three-issue run, starting in November 1955, the "actual face" of Irving Forbush was often shown (of course, this face was of someone not named Irving Forbush).
— an in-joke between Lee and his readers. The "Bullpen Bulletins]" page often promised to answer the question "Is Irving Forbush a real person?", but the following month's column would not mention him.
Eventually, in Lee's March 1979 "Stan's Soapbox," he explained the true history of the Forbush phenomenon.
, and features Doctor Doom
, the Fantastic Four
and the Silver Surfer
cowering in fear as Forbush Man approaches. Forbush-Man is a wannabe superhero (albeit one with no superpowers), with a costume comprising red long johns
with the letter F on the front and a cooking pot with eye-holes on his head. Forbush-Man's appearance may be a tribute to the Golden Age
Red Tornado
character.
Forbush-Man's first major appearance was in the lead story of Not Brand Echhs #5 (December 1967): "The Origin of Forbush-Man," which was "conceived, created and cluttered-up" by Lee and Kirby. In this story, Forbush-Man's secret identity is revealed as Irving Forbush, the fictitious office gofer
at Marvel Comics (here referred to as "Marble Comics"). The character's back story includes a shrewish maiden aunt (Auntie Mayhem) who is indirectly responsible for her nephew becoming a superhero. (In a fit of pique, she slams the fabled cooking pot over Irving's head, inadvertently providing him with the disguise he'd been looking for.) Numerous in-jokes peppered throughout the dialogue suggest that Irving and his aunt are both Jewish (a schtick repeated in at least two subsequent storylines). In the fictional October 13, 1939, edition of the Daily Bugle
, it was claimed an "Irving Forbush" was born on Friday the 13th, his parents Stan and Jacqueline wanting a daughter instead.
Like his better-known Marvel contemporaries, Forbush-Man goes on to triumph over a number of super powered adversaries (starting with 'The Juggernut
' in Not Brand Echh #5). All of his victories are purely accidental; lacking superhuman powers, dumb luck necessarily plays a major role in all of the character's adventures.
Forbush-Man's next "canon" appearance came in Not Brand Echh #8 (June 1968), when he applies for membership with "The Revengers" (The Avengers
), "S.H.E.E.S.H" (SHIELD
), and finally "The Echhs-Men" (X-Men
). After each attempt ends in disaster for the group concerned, Forbush is offered a position in "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band," which he declines, believing it better to "quit while I'm still behind."
Forbush-Man's third major appearance came in Not Brand Ecch #13 (May 1969, the comic's final issue), where he fights "The Strangie" in a loose parody of Silver Surfer
#5 (April 1969). The story, once again rife with Jewish references, features caricatures of various Marvel characters (including Spidey-Man
, The Thung
, The Human Scorch
, and The Simple Surfer). Writer Lee himself puts in an appearance as Marble Comics' "Fearless Leader" in the final two panels.
, Chapter Five focuses on drawing a humanoid figure. The introduction states, "...Most anyone can draw a stick figure. (Even Irving Forbush!)"
In the early 1990s, when Comics Buyer's Guide
begin their annual fan awards, Marvel came up with its own award for assistant editors (as they were ineligible for the CBG awards). Some ballots, which appeared on Marvel's letters pages, listed Forbush as a choice for top assistant editor.
, an ensemble book that encompassed and poked fun at the entirety of the canon Marvel Universe and beyond.
In 1993, What The?!-- published a story chronicling the death of Forbush Man. The story was a parody of DC Comics
' "Death of Superman" story arc, and featured Forbush Man dying in battle against the villain Dumsday
.
as a member of "The New Paramounts," a team consisting of Not Brand Echh characters including The Inedible Bulk. This Forbush Man was apparently killed by Tabitha Smith
after he failed to mind control her (she apparently had no mind). Nextwave and the Beyond Corporation©
exist within the mainstream Marvel Universe
.
as, in Nextwave, she has no apparent mind at all. It is also possible that he has powers far beyond this: he cites during his recruitment to the New Paramounts several occasions on which he claims to have saved the Earth from certain doom so quickly and efficiently that nobody realized he'd done anything. He also purports to be "mighty with women," though whether this is one of his many powers is debatable. Forbush Man even goes so far as to purport that he is "the greatest power in human history", although the veracity of these claims is unverified, and Tabitha Smith defeated him with apparently very little effort.
, Irving Forbush was fused with DC's AL to form Al Forbush, proprietor of Lobo the Duck's favorite diner in the series' parody installment. He wears Forbush Man's trademark cooking pot with eye holes on his head.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Originally the mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' Not Brand Echh
Not Brand Echh
Not Brand Echh was a satiric comic book series published by Marvel Comics that parodied its own superhero stories as well as those of other comics publishers. Running for 13 issues , it included among its contributors such notable writers and artists as Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, Bill...
, he is the alter-ego of Irving Forbush, a fictional employee of Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Forbush was dreamed up in 1955 by Marvel editor Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
to refer to an imaginary low-grade colleague who was often the butt of Lee's jokes. In his guise of Forbush-Man, he first appeared in 1967.
According to Alternate Universes 2005
Multiverse (Marvel Comics)
Within Marvel Comics, most tales take place within the fictional Marvel Universe, which in turn is part of a larger multiverse. Starting with issues of Captain Britain, the main continuity in which most Marvel storylines take place was designated Earth-616, and the multiverse was established as...
, Forbush Man is a native to Earth 665, as opposed to Marvel's regular Earth-616
Earth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
.
Snafu
Irving Forbush was introduced in Marvel's short-lived Snafu magazine as a clone of the Mad Magazine mascot Alfred E. NeumanAlfred E. Neuman
Alfred E. Neuman is the fictional mascot and cover boy of Mad magazine. The face had drifted through American pictography for decades before being claimed and named by Mad editor Harvey Kurtzman...
(Snafu was itself a virtual clone of Mad). Forbush was given a line in the magazine's content page where he was credited as Snafu
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
was given the same credit in the Saturday Evening Post). (Snafu also listed another Forbush family member, as the other side of the magazine's content column read "Losted [sic] by his cousin, Melvin Forbush.") During Snafu
"Bullpen Bulletins"
When Lee began to use the Irving Forbush character again the 1960s, however, part of the joke was that the reader never saw his face. Forbush's name cropped up repeatedly in credit panels, "Marvel Bullpen Bulletins," and letter columnsComic book letter column
A comic book letter column is a section of a comic book where readers' letters to the publisher appear. Comic book letter columns are also commonly referred to as letter columns , letter pages, letters of comment , or simply letters to the editor...
— an in-joke between Lee and his readers. The "Bullpen Bulletins]" page often promised to answer the question "Is Irving Forbush a real person?", but the following month's column would not mention him.
Eventually, in Lee's March 1979 "Stan's Soapbox," he explained the true history of the Forbush phenomenon.
Not Brand Ecch
Forbush-Man first appeared on the cover of the first issue of Not Brand Echh (August 1967), which was drawn by Jack KirbyJack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, and features Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
, the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
and the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
cowering in fear as Forbush Man approaches. Forbush-Man is a wannabe superhero (albeit one with no superpowers), with a costume comprising red long johns
Long underwear
Long underwear, also called long johns, Granny pantys, or thermal underwear, is a style of two-piece underwear with long legs and long sleeves that is normally worn during cold weather. It offers an advantage over the one-piece union suit in that the wearer can choose to wear either the top,...
with the letter F on the front and a cooking pot with eye-holes on his head. Forbush-Man's appearance may be a tribute to the Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
Red Tornado
Red Tornado (Golden Age)
The Red Tornado is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe, debuting during the Golden Age of Comic Books. Created by Sheldon Mayer, she first appeared in her civilian identity as Abigail Mathilda "Ma" Hunkel in All-American Publications' All-American Comics #3 , and became the...
character.
Forbush-Man's first major appearance was in the lead story of Not Brand Echhs #5 (December 1967): "The Origin of Forbush-Man," which was "conceived, created and cluttered-up" by Lee and Kirby. In this story, Forbush-Man's secret identity is revealed as Irving Forbush, the fictitious office gofer
Gofer
A gofer or go-fer is an employee who is often sent on errands. "Gofer" reflects the likelihood of instructions to go for coffee, dry cleaning, or stamps, or to make other straightforward or familiar procurements. The term gofer originated in North America...
at Marvel Comics (here referred to as "Marble Comics"). The character's back story includes a shrewish maiden aunt (Auntie Mayhem) who is indirectly responsible for her nephew becoming a superhero. (In a fit of pique, she slams the fabled cooking pot over Irving's head, inadvertently providing him with the disguise he'd been looking for.) Numerous in-jokes peppered throughout the dialogue suggest that Irving and his aunt are both Jewish (a schtick repeated in at least two subsequent storylines). In the fictional October 13, 1939, edition of the Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...
, it was claimed an "Irving Forbush" was born on Friday the 13th, his parents Stan and Jacqueline wanting a daughter instead.
Like his better-known Marvel contemporaries, Forbush-Man goes on to triumph over a number of super powered adversaries (starting with 'The Juggernut
Juggernaut (comics)
The Juggernaut is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #12 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
' in Not Brand Echh #5). All of his victories are purely accidental; lacking superhuman powers, dumb luck necessarily plays a major role in all of the character's adventures.
Forbush-Man's next "canon" appearance came in Not Brand Echh #8 (June 1968), when he applies for membership with "The Revengers" (The Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
), "S.H.E.E.S.H" (SHIELD
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
), and finally "The Echhs-Men" (X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
). After each attempt ends in disaster for the group concerned, Forbush is offered a position in "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band," which he declines, believing it better to "quit while I'm still behind."
Forbush-Man's third major appearance came in Not Brand Ecch #13 (May 1969, the comic's final issue), where he fights "The Strangie" in a loose parody of Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
#5 (April 1969). The story, once again rife with Jewish references, features caricatures of various Marvel characters (including Spidey-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, The Thung
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, The Human Scorch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, and The Simple Surfer). Writer Lee himself puts in an appearance as Marble Comics' "Fearless Leader" in the final two panels.
Continued references
In the 1978 instructional paperback, How To Draw Comics The Marvel WayMarvel Fireside Books
The Marvel Fireside Books Series was a series of full-color trade paperbacks featuring Marvel Comics stories and characters co-published by Marvel and the Simon & Schuster division Fireside Books from 1974 to 1979....
, Chapter Five focuses on drawing a humanoid figure. The introduction states, "...Most anyone can draw a stick figure. (Even Irving Forbush!)"
In the early 1990s, when Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide , established in 1971, is the longest-running English-language periodical reporting on the American comic book industry...
begin their annual fan awards, Marvel came up with its own award for assistant editors (as they were ineligible for the CBG awards). Some ballots, which appeared on Marvel's letters pages, listed Forbush as a choice for top assistant editor.
What The--?!
During the 1980s Forbush Man became a staple cast member in the satirical Marvel Comics title What The--?!What The--?!
What The--?! was a Marvel Comics comic book series parodying the Marvel Universe, similar in vein to the 1960s series Not Brand Echh. It was billed as, "The Marvel mag of mirth and mayhem!" The series ran for 26 issues from August 1988 through Winter 1993, with issue #26 being a "Fall Special"...
, an ensemble book that encompassed and poked fun at the entirety of the canon Marvel Universe and beyond.
In 1993, What The?!-- published a story chronicling the death of Forbush Man. The story was a parody of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
' "Death of Superman" story arc, and featured Forbush Man dying in battle against the villain Dumsday
Doomsday (comics)
Doomsday is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Superman: The Man of Steel #18 , and was created by writer-artist Dan Jurgens. IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Doomsday as #46...
.
Nextwave
Forbush Man appeared in the 2006 series Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.Nextwave
Nextwave is a comic book series by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen, published by Marvel Comics between 2006 and 2007.-Concept:The series was written exclusively in two-issue story arcs, a choice deliberately bucking the trend in modern American comics toward decompression...
as a member of "The New Paramounts," a team consisting of Not Brand Echh characters including The Inedible Bulk. This Forbush Man was apparently killed by Tabitha Smith
Tabitha Smith
Tabitha Smith is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom, the character first appeared in Secret Wars II #5 . She later appeared as a member of the X-Force and, more recently, as a member of Nextwave...
after he failed to mind control her (she apparently had no mind). Nextwave and the Beyond Corporation©
Beyond Corporation©
The Beyond Corporation© is a fictional multinational corporation that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The corporation acts as a recurring antagonist in the Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. series, appearing in every story arc....
exist within the mainstream Marvel Universe
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...
.
Powers
While the original Forbush Man had no superpowers, the Forbush Man who appeared in Nextwave (who may or may not have been a Broccoli Man) had the power to project utterly realistic visions into the minds of others when he removed the cast-iron pot on his head. The hallucinations typically depicted a reality that was hellish to each victim, slowly killing them as they struggled against it. This power had no effect on Tabitha SmithTabitha Smith
Tabitha Smith is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom, the character first appeared in Secret Wars II #5 . She later appeared as a member of the X-Force and, more recently, as a member of Nextwave...
as, in Nextwave, she has no apparent mind at all. It is also possible that he has powers far beyond this: he cites during his recruitment to the New Paramounts several occasions on which he claims to have saved the Earth from certain doom so quickly and efficiently that nobody realized he'd done anything. He also purports to be "mighty with women," though whether this is one of his many powers is debatable. Forbush Man even goes so far as to purport that he is "the greatest power in human history", although the veracity of these claims is unverified, and Tabitha Smith defeated him with apparently very little effort.
Lobo the Duck
During the DC/Marvel Amalgam Universe crossoverIntercompany crossover
In comic books, an intercompany crossover is a comic or series of comics where characters published by one company meet those published by another...
, Irving Forbush was fused with DC's AL to form Al Forbush, proprietor of Lobo the Duck's favorite diner in the series' parody installment. He wears Forbush Man's trademark cooking pot with eye holes on his head.
Television
- Forbush Man is referenced in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "Tales of Suspense."
Toys
- Forbush Man is a Bystander Token in the Supernova series of the game Heroclix. The token has a low attack power, but high defense value.
Books
- Forbush Man makes an unnamed appearance in the second and third books of the Time's Arrow trilogy of Spider-Man and X-Men novels.
- In the hardcover book The Bible On Film: A Checklist, 1897-1980 (Scarecrow Press, 1981), page 214 lists creator and co-author R. H. Campbell as being a member of "the Irving Forbush Appreciation Society."
External links
- Forbush Man at Toonopedia
- Forbush Man's origins
- Monomythic: "Marvel Mystery Monday: Irving Forbush, Man and Myth"
- MDP: Forbush Man (Marvel Database Project)