Ox (comics): Difference between revisions

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It has been suggested that this article be merged into Enforcers (comics). (Discuss) Proposed since March 2014.

Ox is the alias of two fictional Marvel Comics supervillains that usually works for the Kingpin, Mister Fear or Hammerhead.

The original Ox (Raymond Bloch) first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (March 1964), and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The character subsequently appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 (July 1964), #19 (December 1964), The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 (1964), Daredevil #15 (April 1966), and #86 (April 1972)

The second Ox (Ronald Bloch) first appeared in The Spectacular Spider-Man #19-20 (June–July 1978), and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema. This character subsequently appears in Dazzler #7-8 (October–September 1981), Marvel Team-Up #138 (February 1984), Tales of the Marvels: Inner Demons #1 (1996), She-Hulk #1 (December 2005), Thunderbolts #104 (September 2006), Civil War: Thunderbolts - Swimming With Sharks #1 (January 2007), Daredevil #99-100 (September–October 2007), World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #2 (October 2007), Daredevil #102-105 (January–April 2008), and The Amazing Spider-Man #552-553 (April–May 2008), and #562-563 (August 2008).

Ox appeared as part of the "Enforcers" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #4.

Nothing is known about Ox's history before founding the Enforcers alongside Fancy Dan and Montana, although he was born in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Ox is a burly strongman possessed of superhuman strength.

Ox eventually falls under Mister Fear's control who partners him with the criminal Eel as The Fellowship of Fear as he is released earlier than the other Enforcers. Fear attempts to use his enthralled minions to destroy Daredevil, but all three are defeated.^[1]

Ox became fatally-afflicted with radiation poisoning during his criminal machinations. He breaks out of prison with reclusive scientist Dr. Karl Stragg who used a mind-transfer device to "swap bodies" with the villain, craving control of Ox's strength. "Ox" dies in combat with Daredevil when he fell to his death.^[2]

Meanwhile, the original Ox sought to build a new life in the scientist's body. However, this hope for redemption proves short-lived. While acting as a test subject for radioactive isotopes, the scientist's body mutates into an unstable duplicate of Ox's original frame. Ox goes on a rampage, soon succumbing to the radiation's lethal effects. He explodes in battle with Daredevil.^[3]

During the Heroic Age storyline, Raymond Bloch turns up alive and is seen as an inmate at the Raft.^[4]

Following his twin brother's apparent death, Ronald Bloch becomes the second Ox and is paired with the remaining Enforcers.^[5] Comments and actions taken by this Ox suggest he may be, in fact, one of the two versions of the original, somehow having survived his battles with Daredevil.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Ox was later seen working as a tough for various underworld figures, such as the current Mr. Fear,^{[volume & issue needed]} the Kingpin,^{[volume & issue needed]} and the Maggia.^{[volume & issue needed]} While collecting a gambling debt on behalf of the criminal 'Fat Teddy', he is confronted by Spider-Man.^[6] The hero stops the mugging, but then experiences the delusion that Ox is the more powerful, stronger villain called Morlun.^{[volume & issue needed]} Spider-Man, already afflicted by illness and the belief he doomed to die, beats upon Ox until stopped by an enraged Daredevil.^{[volume & issue needed]} Ox is left in a pool of blood and Daredevil makes sure the man receives medical attention.^{[volume & issue needed]}

During the Civil War event, Ox is arrested by Baron Zemo and is forced to either join Zemo's team of Thunderbolts, or go to jail. Ox chooses to join.^{[volume & issue needed]} He, King Cobra and Unicorn, fellow villains, attack the Thunderbolts member Swordsman as part of a training mission. All three are swiftly defeated.^[7]

Later, Ox and the other Enforcers came back together to work for Mister Fear, which pitted them directly against Daredevil.^{[volume & issue needed]} After Mister Fear's arrest, the Enforcers are taken in by the Hood's organization.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Following the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Ox and the Enforcers are patrons at the Bar with No Name. They take bets with a person calling himself "The Bookie" over whether Spider-Man will show up to battle "Basher" (an unknown villain who claimed to have fought the hero in the past) in the broadcast fight on YouTube. Spider-Man shows up, but is revealed to be a fake when the real Spider-Man arrives.^{[volume & issue needed]} The Enforcers decide to get revenge for The Bookie's deception, capturing him. The Bookie's father calls Spider-Man for assistance, and he agrees to help. Spider-Man defeats Fancy Dan and Montana, and saves Ox from being flattened by a falling rollercoaster. Grateful for the save, Ox agrees to come along quietly.^[8]

Both versions of Ox possess tremendous (possibly superhuman) strength and resistance to injury.

Another character bearing the name of Ox, appeared in Alpha Flight Vol.1 66 as a member of China Force. Nothing has been revealed about the origins of this villain. He, along with other super human agents, formed China Force—the official superhuman team of China. The team was intended to be China's first line of defense against the U.S. and U.S.S.R's numerous super humans.^[9] However, China Force saw little action and split up under unexplained circumstances. The group was later reformed and sent to retrieve the Jade Dragon from Canada.^[10]

This Ox has enhanced strength, agility, endurance and wears a suit of armor that provides him with some protection from physical attack.

In the Earth X universe, Ox had mutated to having the form of a humanoid ox (somewhat similar to a minotaur). He and his fellow Enforcers would be hired as protectors of President Norman Osborn. However, the Ox and the other Enforcers would become slaves of the Red Skull when he invaded New York. They would be a part of Red Skull's army that battles against Captain America and the heroes he gathered from around the world to stop Red Skull's conquest of the world. Ox's whereabouts following Red Skull's death remain unrevealed.^[11]

In the House of M series, Ox 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.^[12]

In the Marvel Noir series, Ox and the other Enforces are muscle for Norman Osborn.^[13]

The Ultimate Marvel version of Ox is Bruno Sanchez in this continuity. This version is an exceptionally tall and strong bald African-American, and worked for the Kingpin until he was arrested. Upon Kingpin's release from jail, Ox was rehired. Once in jail, Ox was revealed not to be that evil, just misguided.^[14]

During the Spider-Verse storyline, the Earth-001 version of Ox appears as a member of Verna's Hounds.^[15]

• Ox appeared in the 1967 Spider-Man TV series. Portrayed as stupid and greedy, he and Cowboy were hired to steal blueprints for the Plotter.

• Ox appeared in The Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced by Clancy Brown (first appearance) and Danny Trejo (subsequent episodes). This version is a large man with a black handlebar mustache, and a member of the Enforcers. In the pilot episode, his mustache is yanked by Spider-Man's webbing. Spider-Man then leaves him suspended from a high building, a thin sheath of web wrapped about his fists, recommending sardonically that he 'wouldn't recommend' breaking it, though he easily can. In the episode "Group Therapy", Ox and other villains escape from Ryker's Island. He escapes with Fancy Dan on Hammerhead's helicopter. In the episode "Probable Cause", Ox is given a power suit that increases his strength by the Tinkerer (although Ox keeps his original name). He joins his fellow teammates Shocker (Montana) and Ricochet (Fancy Dan) as the New Enforcers to stage several robberies while also fighting Spider-Man along the way. In the end, the they're all captured and arrested. In the episode "Opening Night", Ox is shown as one of the inmates at the Vault when Spider-Man tests out the security system. When the inmates are freed by the Green Goblin, Ox helps Silvermane take down Spider-Man. He seems to break the fourth wall due to the fact that he was humming the theme song. His comrades look at him and he replies "It's catchy.".

• Ox appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Nightmare on Christmas", voiced by Mark Hamill.

• Ox is referenced in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. The Noir version is mentioned to be the stupidest of the Enforcers.

• Ox (Raymond Bloch) at Marvel Wiki
• Ox (Ronald Bloch) at Marvel Wiki
• Ox (Ronald Bloch) at Comic Vine