Acrobat (comics)
Encyclopedia
Acrobat is a fictional character
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 in the 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...

, a minor enemy of 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...

 (primarily the Human Torch
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 a former circus performer. As the acrobat, he has often clashed with other heroes like Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

 (whom he once impersonated in order to rob a bank) and sometimes Spider-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...

. His first appearance was in Strange Tales
Strange Tales
Strange Tales is the name of several comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It introduced the features "Doctor Strange" and "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", and was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the...

#106 in 1963.

Circus Life

Carl Zante began his career as the "World's Greatest Acrobat" in a circus, where he was a world famous stuntman. As a performer, Zante never quite saw happiness in his life, so he began to pursue a different career that would still make his abilities useful but would not be as hostile. He decided that he would be a criminal
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...

 due to his natural abilities and he could use them to rob banks and steal power. On one of his first days of being a criminal, he met the Human Torch, a superhuman who he believed could help him.

Criminal Life

Zante asked the Torch to leave the Fantastic Four and join him as the crime fighting pair the Torrid Twosome. Seeing the opportunity as a chance to really become famous and rich, Johnny Storm agreed, and the Acrobat tricked him into melting a bank vault
Bank vault
A bank vault is a secure space where money, valuables, records, and documents can be stored. It is intended to protect their contents from theft, unauthorized use, fire, natural disasters, and other threats, just like a safe...

, claiming a Teller was locked inside and it could not be opened until tomorrow. Zante gassed everybody in the bank, sprayed the Torch with a liquid that stopped his flame and stole a million dollars. The Acrobat shot Johnny in the arm, but the Torch was then aided by the Fantastic Four. The team defeated Zante, and later clashed with him on several other attempts to take power from society. Each time, the Acrobat's plans were foiled. Some time later, Zante was posing as Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

 after shaving of his moustache at an auto show
Auto show
An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year...

where, with the help of some co-workers, he managed to steal valuable automobiles. He broke two thugs out of jail and they led the police out of town on a chase. Zante bound and gagged the only guard left in the bank, then stole a fortune from it. Before the Acrobat could escape with the valuables, he was met by the Human Torch. He finally locked the Torch in a truck used for transporting flammable materials, but the Torch heated up the air in there, breaking the lock. He then captured and unmasked Zante (in Strange Tales #114). He has never been seen or mentioned again.

Powers and abilities

Carl Zante is, as his name suggests, a highly skilled acrobat as well as a gymnast, tumbler, and martial artist. He often incorporates these skills into fighting styles. The Acrobat uses a liquid asbestos gun capable of dousing flames, and has access to expensive equipment such as a rocket-equipped sky platform.

External links

  • http://www.marvel.com/universe/Acrobat_(Carl_Zante)
  • http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/acrobath.htm
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK