The Walrus
Real Name: Hubert Carpenter
First Appearance: Defenders 131
What's His Problem? Cab driver Hubert Carpenter has a knack for being talked into stupid things. His uncle Humbert, a janitor who moonlights as a Grade-B mad scientist, persuaded Hubert to act as a guinea pig for his bizarre super-power experiments. After many painful and humiliating failures, the Carpenters met with success of sorts when Humbert's omicron rays gave Hubert superhuman strength and durability. Urged on to super-villainy by his ambitious uncle, Hubert complied and, inspired by The Beatles, embarked on a super-criminal career as the Walrus.
Powers: The Walrus has superhuman strength and durability, though these attributes wane with fatigue. He also has a valid chauffeur's license and can finish the New York Times crossword puzzle every week.
Favorite Quote: "Woo woo! I do have the proportional strength of a walrus! I do! And just like uncle told me to--I can engage in mass destruction! I love mass destruction! Its just like driving my cab, only better! I bet I could be the best mass-destructionist in the world--or pretty near! I am the Walrus!" (Defenders 131. Hubert soliloquizes as only he can whilst laying waste to Brooklyn.)
Heroes He Keeps Running Into: Walrus actually managed to defeat the Defenders at his uncle's behest, but they were rescued from his wrath by the Fabulous Frog Man. A subsequent vengeful assault on Frog-Man went bad when Spider-Man, Frog Man and the Leapfrog ganged up on the corpulent criminal.
People Who Think He's Not So Bad: The Walrus's compliant nature makes him a good hench-dupe, which is pretty much how his uncle used him; Hubert later reprised that role as the other half of the White Rabbit's Terrible Two.
Most Despicable Act: Nearly killing the Defenders is as good (or as bad) as it got for poor Hubert, though he also tried to kill Frog-Man and Spider-Man with even less success. His villainous exploits are otherwise restricted to his self-proclaimed specialty, mass destruction.
by Sean McQuaid
Back to the Guys Who Should've Ought've Known Better page
