Missing villains and "imposters" in Savage Hulk (1996)

[Leoparis]

There was an earlier thread about the number of dead villains appearing in this issue. Contrary to what one commenter said, the Gargoyle has actually reappeared in the canonic The Order Vol 2 #1 and #2 (and earlier in the non-canonic RAMH 1, which provided an explanation of his survival).

Note: Hammer and Anvil turn up alive in DOD 3. Per Fall of the Hulks: Alpha (pages 12 & 17), the Leader (since IH2 400) and his group the Intelligencia (whose members Mad Thinker and Modok are also present among the attackers) possess resurrection technology, which they used to revive several super-villains (Red Ghost, Klaw, Venom, Absorbing Man, Sandman). Although Hammer and Anvil were not mentioned, that is the best explanation (rather than assuming imposters who would have a beef with the Hulk.) Their ability to reconstitute villains is also the best explanation for It the Living Colossus who was smashed to bits in IH2 244.

ANVIL/JOHNNY ANVIL
IH2 182
M/TU 86
M/TALES2 256/2
SW 34
M/FAN 29
*SAVH add
*DOD 3 add

*ANVIL IMPOSTER delete
SAVH

*ANVIL II delete
DOD 3

Note: There is a Thor-looking character that I cannot definitely identify (you do not see the head) but is most certainly Beta Ray Bill (although I don't know if he had ever met the Hulk at this point).
BETA RAY BILL
T 489
*SAVH add here
SS3 111
STARMAS 1

Note: Since the villains are Hulk enemies, the otherwise unidentified Crimson Dynamo should be Bukharin (who fought the Hulk in IH2 393) rather than Shatalov, who is purely an Iron Man villain.
CRIMSON DYNAMO V/DIMITRI BUKHARIN
IG 2
IH2 393
*SAVH move here
IIM 14

CRIMSON DYNAMO VI/VALENTIN SHATALOV
SOVSSOLS
IM 255
X2 17
IM 316
IM 317
*SAVH remove from here

Note: The Executioner is dead but Hulk also fought a future Executioner from a future Earth in TTA 76-77 who should have his own entry rather than be mixed with the regular Executioner who died. There are two time-travelers present in SAVH (Kang and Zarrko) who could have brought him along.

EXECUTIONER/SKURGE
FF@ 3 (19:6 - 22:2)
*TTA 76/2 remove
*TTA 77/2 remove
A@ 1

*EXECUTIONER/SKURGE|EARTH ???? add
TTA 76/2
TTA 77/2
SAVH

FIN FANG FOOM
Note: He got blown to bits in IM 275 and only reforms in IM3 16-18 so should not be there. He could just be another Makluan but what would make that unnamed Makluan a Hulk enemy? It seems we might have to settle on two (or more) different Fin Fang Fooms (one living in China and another who was stuck under the ice in Antarctica).

Note: Gargoyle turns up alive in The Order Vol 2 #1-2 (and Mongu from IH 5/2 shows up with him). The events of Gargoyle's survival in the non-canonic RAMH 1 must have occurred in the same way on Earth 616. Though in ORDER2 he is said to have been frozen since around the Cuban crisis (Nov 1962) that comment can also work as a joke but if a different Gargoyle from the one who was cured of his misshapen appearance in IH 1 he would take his numbering spot.
GARGOYLE III/YURI TOPOLOV
IH 1
*SAVH add
*ORDER2 1 add
*ORDER2 2 add

*GARGOYLE III IMPOSTER delete
SAVH

alternate:

Spoiler:

*GARGOYLE III IMPOSTER change to GARGOYLE III
SAVH
*ORDER2 1 add
*ORDER2 2 add

GARGOYLE III/YURI TOPOLOV (change to GARGOYLE IV)
IH 1

GARGOYLE IV/ISAAC CHRISTAN (change to GARGOYLE V)

HAMMER/LEROY JACKSON
M/FAN 29
*SAVH add
*DOD 3 add

*HAMMER IMPOSTER delete
SAVH

*HAMMER V delete
DOD 3

Note: Omnibus is controlled by Leader in IH2 436 and seen turning into a physical duplicate of him in IH2 438 & 439 so there is a ready-made explanation by placing the issue closer to IH2 438.
LEADER II
IH2 400
IH2 436
*CEDGE add
*IH2 437 (1 - 6)-BTS add
*SAVH add
*IH2 437 (7 - 22) add range

LEADER II IMPOSTER delete
SAVH

MADMAN/PHIL STERNS
IH2 409
*SAVH
TB2 4-FB

MONGU/BORIS MONGUSKI
IH 4/2
*ORDER2 1 add
*ORDER2 2 add

NEBULON
DEF@ 1
DEF 93
A@ 11
*SAVH

**OMNIBUS/BURT HOROWITZ add real name /"LT. DALLAS" add quote marks
IH2 345
IH2 400
IH2 401
IH2 436
CEDGE
*IH2 437 (1 - 6)-BTS add
*SAVH|cf IH2 438 add
*IH2 437 (7 - 22) add range
IH2 438

Note: No reason Piecemeal is an imposter.
PIECEMEAL III
IH2 403
IH2 404
IH2 405
IH2 407
IH2 408
*SAVH add

*PIECEMEAL III IMPOSTER delete
SAVH

VECTOR/SIMON UTRECHT
AF 121
*SAVH
TB '97-FB

Revised Sept 3 to update Leader and Beta Ray Bill.
Revised Sept 7 to further update Beta Ray Bill.
Revised Nov 28 to mention an earlier thread on that issue.

[dimadick]

Note: The Executioner is dead but Hulk also fought a future Executioner from a future Earth in TTA 76-77 who should have his own entry rather than be mixed with the regular Executioner who died. There are two time-travelers present in SAVH (Kang and Zarrko) who could have brought him along.

EXECUTIONER/SKURGE
FF@ 3 (19:6 - 22:2)
*TTA 76/2 remove
*TTA 77/2 remove
A@ 1

Skurge has been unusually active for a dead man over the years.

*In Thor vol. 1 #362 (December, 1985), Skurge dies in an apparent last stand against Hela's army. He sacrifices himself to rescue the Asgardians.
*In Thor vol. 1 #382 (August, 1987), Skurge is held prisoner by Hela. Hela notices that Skurge is unusually lively for a resident of her realm. She decides to send him to Valhalla, where he will find kindred spirits.
*In Avengers Annual #16 (Summer, 1987), a version of Skurge appears as part of the Legion of the Unliving. Thor suspects that he is a mere shade of Skurge, but this is not confirmed.
*n Thor vol. 1 #402 (April, 1989), the Enchantress is grieving for the recent death of her sister Lorelei. Skurge exits Valhalla to meet his former lover. He tries to convince the Enchantress that she can restore Lorelei to life, at the price of committing suicide and joining him in Valhalla. A scared Enchantress refuses.
*In Thor vol. 1 #403 (May, 1989), the Enchantress decides to use Skurge's axe to create a doppelganger of Skurge's form. She transforms "Brute" Benhurst (a recent enemy of Thor) into a version of Skurge. Benhurst returns to his original form when he is separated from the axe. The Enchantress reclaims the axe,
*In Doctor Strange:Sorcerer Supreme #12 (December, 1989), the Enchantress has been assigned to attack Doctor Strange (as part of the Acts of Vengeance crossover). She uses Skurge's axe to create another doppelganger of Skurge. This Skurge reverts to a mortal human form once separated from the axe. Dr. Strange is uncertain whether this guy is "Brute" Benhurst or someome new.
*In New Mutants #83 (December 1989), Hela has managed to capture the Einherjar (the warriors of Valhalla). Skurge is among them. Mist, Sunspot, and Wolfsbane free the Einherjar. Skurge leads the warriors in an assault against Hela.
*In New Mutant #85 (January, 1990), Skurge and and his Einherjar have been defeated by Hela. They are held prisoners, but fellow prisoner Eitri unlocks the prison door. Skurge brings his forces to the nearby battlefield, where the Asgardians were fighting Hela. Hela's plan is thwarted by Cannonball.
*In Thor vol. 1 #449 (July, 1992). the Enchantress reclaims Skurge's axe. She wants to give it to Heimdall. who is in peril. The Enchantress is taken out by another foe. The axe is accidentally picked by Jackie Lukus, who starts transforming into a new version of Skurge.
*In Thor vol. 1 #450/3 (August, 1992), Jackie Lukus tries to get used to her new, masculine form. She learns how to modify her form, and renames herself to Bloodaxe, the Executioner.
*In Thunderstrike #22 (July, 1995), Thunderstrike defeats Bloodaxe. She reverts to Jackie Lukus once separated from the axe. Thunderstrike decides to claim the axe for himself, but is partially transformed and corrupted by the axe.
*In Thunderstrike #23 (August, 1995), a Skurge-like Thunderstrike defeats Seth and removes him from Earth. He then attacks the Avengers. Odin travels to Valhalla, seeking help from the real Skurge.
*In Thunderstrike #24 (September, 1995), the real Skurge enters Thunderstrike's mind and confronts the Bloodaxe persona. Bloodaxe is revealed to be a demonic version of Skurge, representing the darkest sides of Skurge's personality. Thunderstrike sacrifices his life to defeat Bloodaxe. Skurge returns to Valhalla, and Thunderstrike joins him there. Thunderstrike asks Odin to send him to Heaven.
*In Thor vol. 2 #35 (May, 2001), Hela transforms one of her demons into a new Skurge doppelganger. The demon possesses the form of Dr. Keith Kincaid.
*In Thor vol. 2 #36-41 (June-November, 2001), Skurge-Kincaid slays Marnot and imprisons the Enchantress.
*In Thor vol. 2 #43 (January, 2002), Thor defeats the Skurge doppelganger, and returns him to Hela. Thor decides to claim Skurge's axe for himself.
*In Thor vol. 2 #49 (July, 2002), a wounded Thor is unable to defeat Desak. Thialfi brings Skurge's axe to Thor. A seemingly empowered Thor easily defeats Desak.
*In Thor vol. 2 #50 (July, 2002), Thor is still holding Skurge's axe while passionately kissing the Enchantress.
*In Thor: God-Size Special #1 (February, 2009), the Enchantress casts a spell on Yggdrasil in an attempt to resurrect Skurge. The spell has unforeseen consequences and tampers with reality. Asgardians in Earth-616 suddenly have "memories" of various versions of Skurge from different realities. Thor prematurely ends the Enchantress' spell. He destroys a new body that she had created for Skurge.

Any possibility that the Skurge in the story you describe is either the warrior of Valhalla or one of the many Skurge doppelgangers?

[dimadick]

FIN FANG FOOM
Note: He got blown to bits in IM 275 and only reforms in IM3 16-18 so should not be there. He could just be another Makluan but what would make that unnamed Makluan a Hulk enemy? It seems we might have to settle on two different Fin Fang Fooms (one living in China and another who was stuck under the ice in Antarctica).

His spirit already turns up in IM3 15, plotting on how to orchestrate his own resurrection. Could the guy in the Hulk story be a clone or a doppelganger?

[dimadick]

*EXECUTIONER/SKURGE|EARTH ???? add
TTA 76/2
TTA 77/2
SAVH

The Skurge in TTA 76-77 is a time-traveler who has invaded Earth-6676. He is not a native of this reality. According to the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition #17 (August, 1987), Skurge returned to his own era after this story. Indicating that this was supposed to be the Earth-616's Skurge.

[dimadick]

Note: No reason Piecemeal is an imposter.
PIECEMEAL III
IH2 403
IH2 404
IH2 405
IH2 407
IH2 408
*SAVH add

This would indicate that Piecemeal is not truly dead, and may have regenerative powers.

In IH2 408, the Hulk uses a spear to impale Piecemeal. The Hulk then throws Piecemeal's body into a nearby lake, where it sinks. In IH2 409, the Hulk searches the lake for Piecemeal's corpse. He finds no trace of it.

By the way, Piecemeal's appearance is modeled after various older villains, though it was unclear if he had aspects of their powers. One of Piecemeal's templates was Sabretooth, which would explain the regenerative powers.

[Leoparis]

As you may have noticed my purpose was to make sure the characters were actual Hulk villains rather than made-up imposters who would have no personal enmity with the Hulk. Deluxe Editions are fine, they try to explain oddities the best way they can but I do not consider them as canonic as the published comics and I just ignore them generally. When I imagine something I will do so based exclusively on the actual content of related comics (like I did for Leader and others). In TTA 77 it is clear that the Executioner is in the future because he's an immortal not because of time travel.

Some of the Skurge's doppelgangers you list were created after this issue (1996) and none of the dopplegangers was a Hulk villain anyway.

I could have also said that the villains are all androids from the Mad Thinker because this mass attack is similar to FF #100 but the Mad Thinker is not much of a Hulk villain. He is however part of the Intelligencia, which already existed. The lack of coordination bewteen the attackers does not fit with the Mad Thinker's modus operandi either.

In preparation of my posts I do raise many questions, I do not necessarily list them all. Solutions are more useful than questions. I rarely if ever throw vague ideas, I do come up with what I think are solid proposals backed by evidence.

The Fin Fang Foom that was blown to bits in IM seems to have a different backstory (sleeping for centuries in China) from the one in Hulk vs Fin Fang Foom & Hulk 78-79 (stuck for enturies in Antarctica then Monster Island). Recent issues of Agents of Wakanda (#7-8) showed him split in four but he seemed surprised by it. Maybe a valiant soul will fully sort this one day.

[dimadick]

The Fin Fang Foom that was blown to bits in IM seems to have a different backstory (sleeping for centuries in China) from the one in Hulk vs Fin Fang Foom & Hulk 78-79 (stuck for enturies in Antarctica then Monster Island). Recent issues of Agents of Wakanda (#7-8) showed him split in four but he seemed surprised by it.

His depictions and motivations have been at best inconsistent over the years, if not incoherent.
*His native planet has variously been called Maklu IV or Kakaranthara, with little explanation of why it has two names.
*His fellow aliens learned to shapeshift into human form, but he has never demonstrated this ability.
*He has supposedly hibernated in China for centuries or millennia. But he has also mentioned centuries-old battles against the Hydra (from Greek mythology), real dragons, and Ulysses Bloodstone.
*The bones and skull of Fin Fang Foom were used by Thor to build a tomb for an old ally, but he has since turned up alive. Indicating that he has had more than one body.
*Foom was supposedly defeated by the Fantastic Four (in an unrecorded battle) and exiled to Monster Island. His acquaintance with other exiled monsters derive from this period. However, this is a retcon from 2006. It fails to take regard of Foom's other past adventures.
*Another past tale depicts Foom encased in ice in Antarctica. Once released, he learns to possess the forms of human hosts. Something rarely displayed in other stories. The tale ends with the Hulk trapping Foom in the Moon, something never mentioned again.
*Foom turns out among the Collector's prisoners in a story where the Collector hunts monsters. How long was he captive is never mentioned.
*In "Astonishing Tales", Foom is under the mental control of Dr. Vault and struggles to regain his freedom.
*In "Legion of the Night", Foom is under the demonic possession of Aan Taanu. Aan Taanu also learns to shapeshift his own form into a Foom doppelganger.
*In Iron Man vol. 1 #261-275, Foom is awakened by Chen Hsu (one of his fellow aliens) and the Mandarin. He has apparently been sleeping for so long that he finds that China has changed a lot. Foom expresses the desire to destroy humanity, but he is caught in the machinations of his benefactors. Foom reunites with the other aliens from his planet that have been stranded on Earth. They are all supposedly killed by the combined powers of Iron Man and the Mandarin. Foom has since returned to life, but the status of the others is undetermined.
*In Iron Man vol. 3 #15-18, Foom's disembodied spirit is somehow connected to a dragon statue in Seattle. He manipulates a young man into stealing the statue, starting the process of his own resurrection. The bodies of numerous lizards merge into a new body for Foom. Foom demonstrates magical powers of unknown origin. Once knocked out, Foom's unconscious body is delivered to Sunset Bain. This plot point is never mentioned again.
*In Marvel Monsters:Fin Fang Four, Foom has converted to Buddhism. He has a years-long legal battle to gain freedom from Monster Island. He gains a parole thanks to his lawyer She-Hulk. He is shrunk to human size, and gets a regular job as a chef. He befriends Mr. Fantastic. Much of his human-like appearances in subsequent years derive from this story.
*In "Fing Fang Four Return", Foom is diagnosed as suffering from arthritis. His health problem is not mentioned again.
*In "Astonishing X-Men" and "Amazing Spider-Man", a malevolent Foom struggles against first the X-Men, and secondly the Avengers. That he had reformed is never mentioned.
*In "Incredible Hulks", Foom is part of group of Hulk foes summoned by magic. His fondest wish is described as conquering the world, something which he had never expressed before.
*In "Drax", Foom finally decides to leave Earth. He wants to return to his native planet, and help dragon eggs hatch. He eventually finds a newborn Makluan, but realizes that he is not suitable as a father. Foom allows the newborn to be adopted by someone else, and retires into a farming life.
*In "Totally Awesome Hulk", Foom is inexplicably back on Earth. He is hunted by monster hunters, despite trying to avoid a fight.
*In "All New Wolverine", Professor Holt uses a special pheromone to turn Foom into a rampaging monster. Foom is far from his usual self.
*"Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix-Up has two Foom stories, each with entirely different characterizations. In one story, . Foom considers himself a super-villain. He is part of a super-villain team-up with MODOK, Red Skull, and Thanos. In the other story, all he wants is to spend Christmas with his new girlfriend, Big Ronnie.
*In "Monsters Unleashed" vol. 2, Foom is one of the monsters summoned by Kid Kaiju to assist Earth's heroes in battle. Foom is depicted as heroic, but finds the frequent teleportations annoying.
*In "Monsters Unleashed" vol. 3, Foom has returned to living as a farmer. He reluctantly helps Kid Kaiju again, but demands time to harvest his crops.
*In "Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" vol. 2, Foom is one of the super-villains gathered under the leadership of Iron Ring/Melissa Morbeck. They are all defeated by Galactus.
*In "Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda", Foom uses meditation techniques to rid himself of his rage, guilt, and selfishness. He unintentionally creates new bodies for the darker sides of his personality, while he is shrunk to a miniature form. He is eventually able to reabsorb the unwanted aspects of himself, but now feels in control of his own destiny.

Nearly every writer seems to add a completely different interpretation of Foom. Either the character suffers from multiple personality syndrome, or his temper is more mercurial that Namor's.