Hippo (character)

Publication history

Hippo first appeared in Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man #1 (August 2009), and was created by Brian Reed, Chris Bachalo, and Tim Townsend.

Fictional character biography

Hippo is an ordinary zoo hippopotamus named "Mrs. Fluffy Lumpkins" (this was the name given to the hippopotamus despite the fact that it was a male) who was turned into a anthropomorphic form by the High Evolutionary. While Hippo is on a crime spree, his left leg is eaten by Venom, who was masquerading as Spider-Man as a member of the Dark Avengers. After that experience, he joined up with the Redeemers alongside Dementoid, Doctor Everything, Eleven, and General Wolfram in a plan to redeem "Spider-Man".

Hippo is later seen fighting New Avengers members Spider-Man and Ronin. During this appearance, Hippo is shown to have his leg restored, with no explanation as to how he regained it. Both heroes have a hard time taking down Hippo, who is ultimately defeated when Luke Cage falls on him.

Hippo begins attending Super Villains Anonymous meetings at a church, which is also attended by Boomerang, Doctor Bong, Grizzly, Looter, Mirage, and Porcupine. At another meeting, Grizzly and Looter tell Hippo about their run-ins with Spider-Man.

Hippo later appears as a member of the Menagerie alongside Skein, White Rabbit, and a new villain called Panda-Mania. They were on a rampage stealing expensive eggs from an auction until Spider-Man arrives. Hippo throws cars at Spider-Man while claiming that the eggs would "secure his future." He and the Menagerie are defeated by Spider-Man. Hippo and the rest of the Menagerie later reunite to commit a diamond heist, but they are once again defeated by Spider-Man.

During the "Hunted" storyline, Hippo is among the animal-themed superhumans who are captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for Kraven the Hunter's Great Hunt. He is freed when Kraven has Arcade lower the force field around Central Park.

Powers and abilities

As a hippopotamus, Hippo possesses superhuman strength and durability. He is also shown to be very adept in the water.

Reception

In 2020, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Hippo 4th in their "Spider-Man: 10 Weirdest Animal Villains From The Comics That We'd Like To See In The MCU" list.

In other media

Hippo appears in the Spider-Man episode "Bring on the Bad Guys", voiced by Zack Shada.

References

References

1. ''[[Dark Reign (comics). Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man]]'' #2 (September 2009)
2. ''Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man'' #1 (August 2009)
3. ''[[New Avengers. New Avengers: Luke Cage]]'' #1 (June 2010)
4. ''[[The Superior Foes of Spider-Man]]'' #3 (November 2013)
5. ''The Superior Foes of Spider-Man'' #11 (June 2014)
6. ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (vol. 3) #1 (June 2014)
7. ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' Annual (vol. 3) #1 (February 2015)
8. ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #17 (May 2019)
9. ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #22 (July 2019)
10. (May 12, 2020). "Spider-Man: 10 Weirdest Animal Villains From The Comics That We'd Like To See In The MCU".
11. "Hippo Voice - ''Spider-Man'' (2017) (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors.