Several people have worn the mask of the Prowler over the years, with almost all of them having stolen the outfit from the previous owner.
Over the years, Spider-Man has famously had several amazing friends, even if some of his allies started out as his adversaries. One of the longest-serving allies has been the Prowler. Created by Stan Lee, John Buscema with a name from a young John Romita, Jr., the Prowler first appeared in 1969’s Amazing Spider-Man #78. Since then several people have worn the Prowler, but almost all of them have stolen the suit from its original creator and used it only briefly.
Now, we’re taking a closer look at the various people who’ve worn the mask and wielded the claws of the Prowler.
Hobie Brown
The original Prowler, Hobie Brown, is an inventor who created a superpowered suit after being rescued by Daredevil during a confrontation with Stilt-Man. Originally a criminal, Hobie Brown was a notable member of the Outlaws, a sub-team of Silver Sable’s Wild Pack.
A frequent ally of Spider-Man, Hobie appeared in 1994’s Prowler mini-series, written by Carl Potts and illustrated by Bill Reinhold. He was nearly killed by Francine Frye, the new Electro, but was saved and put in a healing pod where he was revived by Julia Carpenter. Hobie has stopped being the Prowler at the behest of his wife, Mindy, though he’s recently become the Hornet, one of Peter Parker’s former identities, instead.
The Cat Burglar
Originally appearing in 1965’s Amazing Spider-Man #30, The Cat Burglar is the first costumed thief. Red, or the Cat as he is sometimes called, was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko as a bit character who robs J. Jonah Jameson only to be foiled by Spider-Man. In Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #47-48 (both issues written by Roger Stern and penciled by Marie Severin) the Cat steals Hobie Brown’s Prowler suit but is caught by Spider-Man while trying to kill his employer, Belladonna. During Stilt-Man’s wake in 2007’s Punisher War Journal #4 (written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Mike Deodato Jr.), Red and Hobie Brown get in a barfight. Thankfully Brown was escorted out before Punisher bombed the place, and the Cat Burglar hasn’t been seen since.
Rick Lawson
Rick Lawson is the second of the costume thieves. Appearing only in three issues of Sensational Spider-Man, Lawson was a minor character created by Todd DeZago and Mike Wieringo. Lawson, an orderly at the hospital where Hobie Brown was treated for a spinal injury, hatched a plan after seeing the remains of Hobie’s Prowler suit in the operating theatre. He used the hospital’s medical files to steal Hobie’s extra Prowler costume and used it in a string of break-ins. Ironically, in a case of mistaken identity, Lawson was attacked by the Vulture. With help from Hobie, Spider-Man tracked Lawson to his home, saved him from the clutches of the Vulture, and recovered Hobie’s costume. It’s believed Lawson is still incarcerated.
Hobie Brown’s Clone
After the original Hobie Brown was nearly taken out by Electro, the Jackal sent a clone of Hobie to spy on Parker Industries. Created by Dan Slott and R.B. Silva, Hobie’s clone was a large part of the Clone Conspiracy storyline, particularly the 2016 Prowler mini-series written by Sean Ryan and illustrated by Jamal Campbell. The clone teamed up with Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Scarlet Spider and their allies to help prevent an outbreak of Jackal’s clones infected with the Carrion Virus. They managed to stop the outbreak but Hobie’s clone died saving Julia Carpenter from Electro.
Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis is the only character who has worn the Prowler outfit and is not somehow affiliated with Hobie Brown. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Davis is the Prowler in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. A career criminal, Davis is responsible for transporting the spider that bit his nephew Miles Morales, turning Miles into the new Spider-Man. Like Miles and his family, Davis survived 2015’s Secret Wars and ended up in the main Marvel Universe. While he’s often an antagonist to Miles, his nephew convinced him to retire, at least for a short time. When Davis became the Prowler again to rescue his nephew from the Assessor, he returned to a life of crime working for Assessor’s creator, Ultimatum, who is actually the original prime version of Miles himself. Since Hobie is flying around as the Hornet,Davis is currently the only person still using the Prowler identity.
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