Real Name: Johnny Horton, but it's been a while since he had a proper name. These days he's more likely to respond to "Here, boy! Here, boy!"
First Appearance: Amazing Adventures (second series) 15
What's His Problem? John Horton was your typical, semi-ambitious two-bit hood who got involved with an ambitious, semi-typical subversive group (the Secret Empire) that promised to make him into a genuine supervillain. Having most likely ignored the fine print, Horton went through selective surgery that would wreak havoc on both his mind and body for years, driving him insane early on and later costing him his human intellect. That temper of his was the last to go, but I doubt you'll hear any complaints.
Abilities: Horton was first made into the Griffin with surgically grafted wings, fangs and claws. The kicker proved to be a mutagenic serum that caused his body to mutate under extreme stress like fighting mighty wearers of spandex. His strength increased over and over again until it was somewhere in the Hulk's range; he also gained a spiked prehensile tail, scaly armor, accelerated healing and even mental control over sea gulls that hasn't been used in years.
Favorite Quote: "The jerk! He's forgotten about me! And turned his back!" (Champions 9. The "jerk" in question was the original Ghost Rider, who nearly got skewered for forgetting about Our Villain. This was the second spat between the two Johnnys and certainly one where spectators had trouble picking out the hero.)
by Ray Schaff
![]() Marvel Team-Up 78 1979 |
![]() Captain America 340 1988 |
![]() Namor 2 1990 |
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