BEN BART

Real Name: Ben Bart

Identity/Class: Human (Old West Era)

Occupation: Law enforcement officer

Group Membership: Texas Rangers

Affiliations: Rawhide Kid (Johnny Bart)

Enemies: Hawk Brown, Spade

Known Relatives: Johnny Bart (adopted nephew)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Rawhide, Texas, USA

First Appearance: Rawhide Kid I#17 (April, 1957)

Powers/Abilities: Ben was an experienced Texas Ranger who usually carried two pistols on his hip. He had a fast draw and was an excellent marksman.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 167 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black-gray

History:

(Rawhide Kid I#100 (fb)) - After a wagon train of settlers were massacred by Indians, Ben Bart of the Texas Rangers found one infant alive. Unaware that two of the infant's siblings had likewise escaped the massacre, Ben adopted the infant as his nephew and called him "Johnny Bart."

(Rawhide Kid I#17) - At a ranch in the town of Rawhide, Ben taught Johnny how to fire a gun, emphasizing that he should squeeze the trigger, never snap it. Under Ben's guidance Johnny became an excellent shot with a pistol. One day Ben surmised he had taught Johnny all that he knew and judged that Johnny was better than he had ever been. He only hoped Johnny would never have to use the deadly skills he had learned.

Just after Johnny turned 18, Ben was stalked by two gunfighters, Hawk Brown and Spade. The duo wanted to establish their reputations by killing Ben Bart. They waited until Johnny left then Hawk stepped out to demand Ben face him in a duel, while Spade remained hidden. Just as Ben was tense and ready to draw his pistols, Spade suddenly called to Ben from behind. Ben turned to see who was calling him and Hawk drew his gun then shot Ben to death. That night Johnny returned and found Ben's body then buried him, vowing revenge upon his killers. Ben's death inspired Johnny to avenge his uncle, setting in motion the circumstances which would brand him an outlaw as the Rawhide Kid.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers.

Only the best heroes have a dead Uncle Ben.

The Rawhide Kid's origin in Rawhide Kid I#17 was retold by the same creative team in Rawhide Kid I#23 but with no new information or dialogue, just different angles on the same events.

Ben also appeared in flashbacks in Rawhide Kid I#45 and Rawhide Kid II#1 recapping the Rawhide Kid's origin, but no new information was added.

The Rawhide Kid sees a hallucinatory image of Ben in Rawhide Kid II#4.

It was established in the Rawhide Kid's first appearance that Ben had adopted him but it wasn't until issue #45 that the Kid's past was delved into.

This profile was completed on 11/24/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Ben Bart should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Rawhide Kid I#17, page 3, panel 2
Rawhide Kid I#100, page 6, panel 1 (with infant Johnny)

Appearances:
Rawhide Kid I#17 (April, 1957) - Stan Lee (writer, editor), Jack Kirby (penciler), Dick Ayers (inker)
Rawhide Kid I#100 (June, 1972) - Larry Lieber (writer, penciler), George Roussos (inker), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 09/13/2026
Last updated: 11/24/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
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