Prowler (Marvel Comics)

Hobie Brown is the original iteration of Prowler. Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a bright but angry African-American teenager who got fired from his window washer job. Intending to use his engineering skills for personal profit, he devised a plan to steal items while disguised as a supervillain and then return said items as Hobie. Donning his green and purple Prowler costume for the first time, Hobie set out to rob the payroll office of the Daily Bugle, figuring that would garner him quick publicity. However, he was caught in the act by Peter Parker. While struggling with Parker, he drew editor J. Jonah Jameson's attention. Parker, with no way to defeat Prowler without giving away his own secret identity, contrived to get thrown through a window during the struggle, and used spider-powers to save himself once outside. Traumatized by the events, the shaken Hobie made his escape to the building's roof, only to be confronted by Spider-Man. Spider-Man vanquished and unmasked Hobie, but realized he was just a misunderstood kid (just like Peter once was), so instead of handing him over to the police, he advised him to rethink his life.[7]

Hobie took Spider-Man's advice to heart and gave up his criminal ways. He later impersonated Spider-Man at the hero's request - Spider-Man wearing a webbing mask - to convince Peter's friends that Parker was not Spider-Man after Peter 'confessed' the truth while suffering delirium due to the flu, thus creating the impression that Parker had merely been confused.[8] Hobie was convinced that Spider-Man was involved somehow in Police Captain George Stacy's death, and unsuccessfully tried to bring Spider-Man to justice.[9] Hobie eventually married his love Mindy S. McPherson, and settled down into a career as a construction worker.[10][11]

Hobie began to look after his 'little brother' Manuel "Manny" Lopez as a part of the Big Brother Program. When Manny was murdered, Prowler believed the White Tiger (Hector Ayala) was responsible and attempted to bring White Tiger to justice.[12] Prowler attempted to join the super-hero group the Defenders, only to be tossed into the harbor by Valkyrie, at which point he decided to retire his identity.[13] However, his Prowler equipment is later stolen by a cat burglar to commit crimes for fashion criminal Bella Donna. Hobie was eager to join the search for the thieves, but Spider-Man insisted that he stay home so he would not get into trouble, since the second Prowler had committed a felony murder. When the second Prowler was subsequently defeated by Spider-Man, the stolen equipment was returned to Hobie.[14]

Prowler later appeared in California during Peter's Webs book deal.[15] He is first seen attacking the Black Fox (Raul Chalmers) for possession of a chalice in order to keep Mindy out of prison. Mindy accepted a bookkeeping job at Transcorp New York. The company was caught in some shady stock deals and Mindy was set up and blamed for the crimes. Seeing it as the only way to clear Mindy's name, Hobie re-donned his Prowler costume and found the books which Mindy had been blamed for stealing. He hid the books on an information chip and put the information chip on the chalice, where no one would look for it. Prowler and Spider-Man then teamed up to take on the Black Fox in order to regain possession of the chalice. Hobie vindicated his wife of stock fraud charges with the help of Spider-Man and the Black Fox.[16]

Prowler later attempted to vindicate Spider-Man of a crime and first encountered Silver Sable and the Outlaws (including rehabilitated villains like Sandman, Rocket Racer and Puma).[17] His safety designs were stolen by Justin Hammer. Hobie proved the design flaws during an encounter with Hammer's hirelings.[18] Hobie fought Black Tiger (a.k.a. his brother Abraham Brown of the Sons of the Tiger) as an initiation test for Silver Sable.[19] Prowler joined with Spider-Man and the Outlaws against the Avengers and the Space Phantom.[20] Prowler was hired along with the Outlaws to retrieve a Symkarian nuclear device in England.[21] Prowler then formally joined the Outlaws to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Canadian official.[22]

His costume and equipment were stolen by Nightcreeper and Prowler then battled him and the Vulture (Adrian Toomes). This story also revealed that his brother is Abraham.[23]

Later, Hobie was paralyzed during the Great Game.[24] In follow-up appearances,[25] he began regaining movement of his paralyzed limbs- evidence suggests that his paralysis was more a result of mental rather than physical damage, as he was feeling frustrated over the recent theft of his costume, eventually regaining full mobility.[26] While recovering, Brown provided Spidey with a jetpack used when assuming the Hornet identity during the Identity Crisis storyline.[27]

Prowler was captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. in Ms. Marvel's Civil War tie-in.[28] Escaping incarceration, he attended the wake for Stilt-Man (Wilbur Day), along with many other villains and former villains. Prowler narrowly escaped injury as Spider-Man and Puma escorted him from the wake shortly before it was bombed by the Punisher.[29]

When Peter Parker elevated Parker Industries into a global franchise with Spider-Man officially acting as a "bodyguard" as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel branding, Hobie Brown is hired to act as Spider-Man in situations where the public would expect to see Peter and Spider-Man in the same place. Following the fight against Zodiac's Pisces Sect, Peter tells Hobie to change into his Prowler costume and that they'll retrieve the Webware together before Zodiac undoes his encryption.[30]

Before The Clone Conspiracy storyline and crossover, wanting to know more about New U Technologies, Peter sent Prowler to infiltrate. He ended up encountering Electro (Francine Frye). Prowler was chased around by Electro and was accidentally killed.[31] In the aftermath, Doctor Rita Clarkson took Spider-Man to where some people that were subjected to the New U Technologies treatment were being held. The Prowler was among those people, as it turned out that he was not killed by Electro.[32] Julia Carpenter later talks to the real Prowler, who just emerged from cryo-sleep, and tells him about his clone's actions.[33] Hobie is then seen talking to Peter about his future, wondering which direction he will take. He then heads home, where he is last seen conflicted about his own identity.[34]

Hobie next attacks the F.E.A.S.T. Center, which was re-established by May Parker. He tells Spider-Man that he was investigating a crowdfunding group called Fairgray Pay after he funneled some money to help a sick friend, which never reached him, and broke into the center since it's almost wholly funded by the group. He and Spider-Man break into the company's head office with help from Marnie, Peter's neighbor known also as The Rumor.[35] After an intense battle, Spider-Man, Prowler and the Rumor escape, with help from Captain America. Prowler is left in his home after being knocked out from the fight. He later wakes up to find that Spider-Man managed to defeat the head of Fairgray Pay with help from Iron Man who bought the company and turned into a division of Stark Unlimited. During their conversation, Prowler is offered a job as the new head of Fairgray Pay, which he quickly accepts.[36]

At one point, Bella Donna (Narda Ravanna) stole Hobie Brown's costume and equipment and hired a cat burglar that Spider-Man fought a long time to become the new Prowler. During one of his crimes, Prowler accidentally kills a guard. Furthermore, the witnesses see his silhouetted profile and believe Spider-Man to be implicated in the murder. Eventually, Spider-Man captures both Bella Donna and the Prowler, cleared both his and the original Prowler's name, and returns Hobie's stolen equipment.[14][37] This Prowler is later seen at the "Bar With No Name" attending Stilt-Man's wake, and calls himself the "Second Prowler". He has a brief fight with the original Prowler at Stilt-Man's funeral. Sometime after the original Prowler leaves, the Punisher poisons the guests' drinks and blows the place up.[38] It is later mentioned that "they all had to get their stomachs pumped and be treated for third-degree burns".[39]

Rick Lawson is the third incarnation of Prowler. A medical intern, he was present when Hobie Brown was brought into a hospital due to a back injury. The costume was partly cut away to conceal Hobie's superhero identity, but his friends were unwilling to risk moving him due to the back injury, leading to Lawson finding a portion of the costume that was left unattended and deducing Hobie's identity. After finding Hobie's address from his medical files, Lawson steals a replica of the Prowler costume, using new tech to both rob patients in the ICU and get revenge on those who had "wronged" him in the past, such as a construction foreman who fired him when needing the job to complete medical school. He has an encounter with the Vulture, who seeks revenge against the original Prowler and nearly kills him, but Spider-Man interferes and defeats Vulture. Afterwards, Lawson is taken to the hospital and the Prowler costume is returned to Hobie (who is still recovering from paralysis).[40]

The fourth iteration of Prowler is a clone of Hobie Brown. The Jackal cloned Hobie, with all of his memories apparently intact. After learning about the Jackal's mission, Prowler became loyal to him and started acting as a spy to find out what Parker Industries was up to.[31] It is revealed that this Prowler is a clone that Jackal had gathered to grow clones with false memories that span all the way to their deaths.[41]

After stopping a bank robbery that a clone of Madame Web foresaw, Prowler returns to New U Technologies to stop a fight between clones of Jack O'Lantern, Kangaroo, Massacre, Mirage, Montana, and Tarantula. Jackal reminds Hobie that Hobie was brought back to keep the reanimated supervillains in line and that Hobie is wanted to warn when he leaves the building so his technology does not go out into the world. Knowing how annoying it is to be stuck in the same location, Jackal assigns Hobie to take care of a potential hacker in San Francisco. When Hobie goes to get more information on the hacker from Madame Web, he is told that of seeing buildings filled with agony that cannot escape. After confronting his killer, Electro, Prowler figures out Madame Web's precognition and goes to Alcatraz where he sets off a trap and gets caught in the process.[42] Hobie wakes up in a cell in Alcatraz and discovers that the hacker is Julia Carpenter who has been using the Shroud's leftover technology to investigate New U Technologies. Hobie angers Julia by severing a connection from looking more into New U Technologies. Back at the company, the villains are getting out of control, so Jackal sends Electro to find Prowler to put under check again. Julia senses that Madame Web is alive from telepathic feedback resulting from Electro's attack. Prowler tells Julia what New U Technologies has accomplished and tries to get Julia to join them but refuses and escapes in a puff of black smoke. Prowler's body then starts failing due to not taking his New U Pills for an extended period of time as he questions what he's doing with his life. He is then confronted by Electro.[43] Prowler tries to escape Electro's wrath in Alcatraz, which proves difficult with Electro's powers and his dying body. Using his weapons, the gift shop and his strategic thinking, Prowler manages to defeat the simple-minded Electro. When he makes it outside, he is found by Julia taking him on a boat and heads towards New U Technologies to get his New U Pills.[44]

When Spider-Man and Spider-Woman of Earth-65 are escaping from New U Technologies, Prowler helped the two out by diverting the cloned villains to another part of the city.[45]

Julia helps Prowler break into New U Technologies and takes Prowler to his room to get his pills.[46] When the Jackal orders the villains in the "Haven" part of New U Technologies to kill Spider-Man, Prowler works with Spider-Man to fight the villains off.[47] When the alarm goes off and all the clones start breaking down from clone degeneration, Prowler leaves Haven and tries to find the individual set off the system that has been killing the clones. Prowler accuses Julia of being the culprit. He tries to fight and Julia is left with no choice but to fight back, knocking him down as Prowler's body continues deteriorating.[46]

The clone assists Jean DeWolff's clone in helping Spider-Man get away from the villains.[32] During the final battle, Prowler and DeWolff battle the villains outside. Hobie's body is rapidly decaying, but the two receive assistance from Gwen Stacy of Earth-65 and Kaine Parker. Gwen leaves Hobie in an alley when he proves too weak to continue and he's found by the murderous Electro. Julia arrives and fends Electro off as Hobie is told that Spider-Man stabilized the human and clone cells. When Electro gets the upper hand on Julia, Prowler sacrifices himself to stop Electro and dies in Julia's arms.[33] Kaine later tells Spider-Man that the clones of Prowler and Jean died while fighting the villains.[32]

In the altered timeline of the "House of M" storyline, Hobie Brown serves as a technician in Luke Cage's resistance.[48]

A zombified version of Prowler (Hobie Brown) is seen during the Ultimate Fantastic Four story "Crossover". He is depicted in a scene standing near the side of Tigra on the two-page layout of the zombies.[49]

The Ultimate Marvel versions of Hobie Brown and Rick Lawson are alluded on a list of cat burglars on the Daily Bugle database.[50]

The Ultimate Marvel incarnation of Prowler is Aaron Davis, the uncle of Miles Morales and the brother of Jefferson Davis. Whereas Jefferson reformed by marrying Rio Morales, Aaron never came around and became the cat burglar "Prowler." In his first appearance, he broke into Oscorp's abandoned lab to steal a small red box and other rare items from a safe but Oscorp's genetically altered spider crawled into his duffel bag without his knowledge. Miles later visits his uncle's apartment and is bitten by Oscorp's spider. After Miles passes out and regains consciousness, Jefferson forbids Aaron to spend time with Miles on account of his criminal life.[51]

During a visit to Mexico City, Aaron fights off the Mexican crime boss Scorpion. When his deal with Scorpion goes bad, he is detained by Mexican authorities. Returning to New York, Prowler interrogates the Tinkerer about the Green Goblin. Realizing his nephew is Spider-Man, Prowler kills the Tinkerer to keep this a secret. He then claims Tinkerer's various tech for himself: an electric suit, a winged suit and electric gauntlets. Davis uses his winged suit in a vain attempt to kill Scorpion. The next day, Aaron confronts his nephew about being Spider-Man.[52] Davis initially convinces Spider-Man to assist in defeating Scorpion, however, Spider-Man comes to the realization of his uncle's exploitation.[53] When Miles decides to sever their relationship, Aaron threatens to tell Jefferson and Rio of his nephew's secret identity. Spider-Man ultimately gets into a fight with Aaron that results in Aaron's gauntlets exploding, killing him but not before accusing his nephew of being just like him.[54] Spider-Man later discovers that Aaron was hired to break into Oscorp by Donald Roxxon,[55] and was revealed to be Turk Barrett's criminal acquaintance when he and Jefferson used to commit various crimes in their youth.[56]

Sometime after the "Secret Wars" storyline, Aaron is seen on Earth-616 alive and well. Equipped with a recolored variant of "Iron Spider" armor, he forms his version of Sinister Six (consisting of Bombshell (Lori Baumgartner), Electro, the Hobgoblin, Sandman, and the Spot)[57] and manages to have a reunion with Spider-Man trying to stop him.[58][59] Despite Spider-Man's attempts, the Sinister Six carry out Aaron's heist and take off aboard a decommissioned S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.[60]

When the Champions interrupt a meeting with Lucia von Bardas as a buyer, Spider-Man attempts to persuade his uncle to give up his criminal ways.[61] Although the chaos results in his apparent death, Aaron is later revealed to be alive, seemingly having followed his nephew's advice.[62] Miles later goes to visit his reformed uncle.[63]

After Miles is kidnapped by the villain Assessor, Aaron obtains a new Prowler suit and tracks them down. With Jefferson's help, who uses S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponry, Aaron rescues Miles, although Assessor escapes.[64]

In the pages of Spider-Gwen which take place on Earth-65, Hobie Brown is a member of the Yancy Street Gang. He and the Yancy Street Gang rooted for Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy) and were graffiti-spraying a billboard attacking Spider-Woman when Officer Ben Grimm tried to catch them. However, they later witnessed Officer Grimm gets attacked and abducted by Vulture.[65]

The Earth-138 version of Hobie Brown operates as Spider-Man but is often called Spider-Punk as his design was inspired by punk rock.[66]

During the "Secret Wars" storyline in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, Prowler is part of the secret S.H.I.E.L.D. resistance against Regent.[67]

On Battleworld, an alternate version of Hobie Brown was part of Ho Yinsen's Defenders. Originally known as the Prowler, Hobie attempted to take on the Spider-Man identity after his world's Peter Parker was killed by the Inheritors. However, the public quickly realized Hobie wasn't the real Spider-Man, leading the Daily Bugle to dub him "Spider Hero" instead.[68]

• The Hobie Brown incarnation of Prowler appeared in a self-titled episode in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Tim Russ.[69] This version worked for the crime lord Iceberg, but felt he was not getting his fair share. Iceberg discovered that Hobie was stealing from him and ordered men to kill Hobie, who narrowly escaped. After getting into an argument with his girlfriend Angela over his criminal lifestyle, Hobie attempts to steal Mary Jane Watson's purse, but is stopped by Spider-Man and sent to jail for violating his parole. While in jail, he saves Richard Fisk from an attempt on the latter's life. As a reward, Fisk's father the Kingpin arranges for Hobie's release and provides him with the Prowler battlesuit. While taking it on a trial run, the Prowler encounters Spider-Man, whom he manages to evade before exacting revenge on Iceberg. However, he soon discovers his Prowler suit has to be "recharged" every so often and return to the Kingpin to do so, demanding that the Prowler begin working for him in return. To ensure the Prowler's loyalty, the crime boss modifies the Prowler suit to electrocute Hobie if he tries to disobey, and its belt to detonate if tampered with. Hobie seeks out Spider-Man's help through Peter Parker, and the two join forces to defeat the Kingpin and fix the Prowler's suit, allowing him to safely remove it. Afterwards, Hobie reconciles with Angela and gives up his life of crime.
• Hobie Brown appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Charles Duckworth.[70] This version is a football player at Midtown High and the subject of a recurring joke wherein he gets interrupted by someone before he can speak. His only speaking role came in the episode "Opening Night", when he takes on the role of Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream in lieu of Harry Osborn's absence.
• The Hobie Brown incarnation of Prowler appears in the 2017 Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Nathaniel J. Potvin.[69] This version acquired his Prowler equipment from his brother Abraham Brown. In the episode "Bring on the Bad Guys" Pt. 3, he is sent by Silvermane to capture Spider-Man in exchange for Abraham's life. After an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the web-slinger, the two form a reluctant alliance and manage to save Abraham and defeat Silvermane.[71] In "Vengeance of Venom" Pt. 1, the Prowler takes part in the fight to stop the invading symbiotes.[72]

• The Hobie Brown incarnation of Prowler was set to appear in the unproduced Spider-Man 4, during an opening montage which depicted Spider-Man apprehending several C and D-list villains.[73]
• Aaron Davis appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming, portrayed by Donald Glover.[74][75] The actor was cast in the role in part because of indirectly helping the creation of Miles Morales's character.[76][77] This incarnation is depicted as a low-level criminal with a sense of morality. He attempted to buy high-tech firearms from Herman Schultz and Jackson Brice, only to be interrupted by Spider-Man. The hero later confronts Aaron, webs his hand to his car, and questions him regarding Adrian Toomes's plans. Aaron gives information about a sale with his former acquaintance Mac Gargan, and admits to wanting to keep the weapons off the streets to protect Miles Morales. Spider-Man leaves, leaving Aaron trapped to his car. In a deleted post-credits scene, Aaron tries to use his keys to get the webbing off, without success. He calls his nephew to say that "he's not gonna make it".[78]
• The Aaron Davis incarnation of Prowler appears in Sony Pictures Animation's 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, voiced by Mahershala Ali.[79][80][69] This incarnation shares a close bond with Miles Morales, and encourages his nephew to pursue a passion for graffiti and a girl called "Gwanda". His brother Jefferson Davis was initially unaware of his criminal affiliations despite still being unhappy about Miles and Aaron spending time together. As the Prowler, Aaron works for the Kingpin and assists the Green Goblin in fighting the original Spider-Man. Miles later discovers his uncle is the Prowler and inadvertently leads him, the Kingpin, and several other supervillains to May Parker's house. The Prowler corners the new Spider-Man, but refuses to kill after discovering that it is his own nephew. The Kingpin kills the Prowler in response and Jefferson mistakes the new Spider-Man for Aaron's killer. Before dying, Aaron tells his nephew to keep going. The authorities eventually learn the Kingpin murdered Aaron and the original Spider-Man, leading to the Kingpin's arrest after the new Spider-Man defeats the crime lord.

• The Hobie Brown incarnation of Prowler appears as a playable character in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, voiced by Chris Gardner.[69] This version is portrayed as a superhero and does not sport a cape or his clawed gauntlets, instead using explosive canisters. The Prowler joined S.H.I.E.L.D. shortly before Spider-Man to help stop the P.H.A.N.T.O.M. invasion, and is one of three characters, alongside Spider-Man and Silver Sable, who is available from the very beginning.
• The Hobie Brown and Aaron Davis incarnations of Prowler appear as separate playable characters in Spider-Man Unlimited.[81]
• The Aaron Davis incarnation of Prowler appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
• The Aaron Davis incarnation of Prowler appears in Insomniac Games' PS4 and PS5 game Spider-Man: Miles Morales,[82] voiced by Ike Amadi. This version is a subway worker whose Prowler alter-ego is a thief-for-hire and does not sport a cape. Aaron started a career in crime as a teenager, much to the disapproval of his police officer brother Jefferson Davis, with whom they became estranged over time. After receiving his Prowler technology from Roxxon, the notorious thief's identity is discovered by Jefferson, but he agreed not to turn him in on the condition that Aaron stay away from their family. Deeply saddened by his brother's death in the previous game, Aaron believed it was his selfless nature that led to it and becomes overprotective of Miles Morales, not wanting to lose another relative in a similar manner. After discovering the second Spider-Man's identity, Aaron reveals his Prowler identity and manages to win over Miles's trust. The Prowler secretly makes a deal with Roxxon to help find the Tinkerer in exchange for Spider-Man's safety, however, Roxxon's R&D department head Simon Krieger reneges and captures both. After Spider-Man escapes from Roxxon, the Prowler kidnaps him to prevent him from endangering himself, but his nephew defeats him and explains that it is his duty to protect New York. Inspired, the Prowler helps Spider-Man evacuate Harlem and later turns himself in, offering to testify against Roxxon in exchange for a reduced sentence.

The Hobie Brown incarnation of Prowler made an appearance in an early story in The Amazing Spider-Man comic strip story "The Prowler". This version's gauntlets are restricted to using compressed air blasts.[83]