MUD-THING

Real Name: Inapplicable--hybrid of William Baker (Sandman) and Morris Bench (Hydro-Man)

Identity/Class: Merged human mutates

Occupation: Rampager

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Sadie Frickett, Matt Murdock, Travis Rave

Enemies: New York Police Department, Spider-Man, S. W. A. T.

Known Relatives: See individual entries

Aliases: The Unbelievable Mud-Thing

Base of Operations: Manhattan, New York

First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man I#217 (June, 1981)

Powers/Abilities: The Mud-Thing was immensely strong (Class 100, enabling it to lift/press up to 100 tons) and immune to most forms of injury. Its body was composed of wet sand, able to absorb and distribute most impacts, reform after a penetrating attack, etc. By absorbing more and more sand and water, it could grow in size and strength, to an unknown limit. Initially, it was about 12-15 feet tall, but it was closer to 25 feet later on. Its mental capacity was severely diminished, and its only known thought was its interest in Sadie Frickett.

Height: 12-25' Weight: 5-15 tons

History:
(Amazing Spider-Man I#217) - Apparently due to a combination of beer goggles and the fact that your vision must suffer when your eyes are made of 100% sand or water, Sandman and Hydro-Man got into a fight over the affections of Sadie Frickett. The brawl drew the attention of Spider-Man, who tried to stop it, and ended up only getting them to team up against the web-spinner. The battle reached its climax when the two criminals rushed Spidey, and he jumped out of the way. Their sand and water forms mixed together and fell over the dock and into the water. Seconds later, a mindless Mud-Thing rose to the surface.

(Amazing Spider-Man I#218) - Spidey tried to stop the Mud-Thing, which had no interest in him and flicked him off its shoulder. Spidey recovered and followed the Mud-Thing back to Sadie's apartment. By that time, both the cops and a SWAT team had gathered to stop the monster, but Sadie convinced them that the creature meant no harm, and wouldn't attack anyone or destroy anything unless provoked.

     A week later, attorney Matt Murdock succeeded in winning a court case for Sadie and the Mud-Thing, stating that the combined creature represented a new entity, independent of the crimes of either of its component selves. It was remanded into the custody of Sadie until a final judgment could be made. Sadie was approached by Travis Rave, a "representative of the theatrical arts," who convinced her that she could become rich by exploiting the Mud-Thing.

     Several weeks later, the show "Sadie Frickett and her Monster" opened at the Winter Garden arena. After the show, Sadie was overwhelmed by her newfound success and planted a big kiss on Travis Rave. This did not sit well with the Mud-Thing, whose only desire was for Sadie. It tore free from its solid steel restraints, scooped up Sadie, burst out of the arena, and proceeded to climb to the top of a tall building, like any good monster. However, having prepared for such an event, the NYPD sent out several helicopters, which doused the Mud-Thing in a chemical desiccant, removing all of its moisture, and causing it to crumble into inert sand.

     The Mud-Thing's remains were scooped up by the NYPD, and taken to the police scientists for evaluation.

(Marvel Two-In-One#87 (fb) ) -  After failing to find any evidence of life in the sand despite a variety of attempts to stimulate it, the Mud-Thing's remains were dumped into a disposal unit. From there, Sandman and Hydro-Man split back into their individual selves and went their separate ways.

Comments: Mud-Thing, Sadie Frickett, and Travis Rave were created by Denny O'Neil (writer), John Romita Jr. (artist), and Jim Mooney (inker).

This profile deals strictly with the composite Mud-Thing. Hydro-Man and the Sandman have profiles elsewhere, such as the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe books or the Unofficial Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe site. However, the experience as part of the Mud-Thing turned the Sandman off to being a criminal, and after a few beers with the Thing, he started his efforts towards being one of the good guys. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons I like to call "crappy," the Sandman is now a criminal again.

I didn't feel the need to point out the OBVIOUS parallels between the fate of the Mud-Thing and that of King Kong.

sigh...this character harkens back to my first year of comics collecting.

I remember that particular story. And, to this day, I still think the writers should have used the line: "He who kisses Sadie Frickett...SMOTHERS AT THE MUD-THING'S TOUCH!" It would've been classic!!--Carycomix 

Thanks to Stunner for pointing out and giving a summary for Sadie Frickett's real first appearance.

Profile updated/edited by Kyle Sims

CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to: