History:
BIFF RAFTIS
Real Name: Biff Raftis
Identity/Class: Human (Old
West Era)
Occupation: Cowboy
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Bess, Silver Stallion, Ben Toby
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Sterling Junction, western USA
First Appearance: True Secrets I#6 (June, 1951)
Powers/Abilities: Biff could read tracks. He carried a six-shooter pistol and a rifle. he was also a good horse rider.
Height: Unrevealed
(approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 200 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
History:
(True Secrets I#6) - Biff Raftis had a reputation around Sterling Junction as the town bully. Biff was taken by Bess, who worked at the local diner, but Bess had no interest in him. On one visit to the diner he proposed to her but she refused his proposal. Saying he admired her "fire," Biff forced a kiss from her but she grabbed a hot pot of food from the stove and dumped it over Biff; Biff fled the diner in pain.
When Biff saw there was a $2,000 reward for catching the wild Silver Stallion dead or alive, he resolved he was going to collect the reward. He proudly told this to Bess, thinking she'd be impressed if he won the reward; in fact, Bess greatly admired the Silver Stallion and was horrified at his plan. She offered to accompany him, hoping to spare the horse. Biff welcomed her company, thinking he was wearing her down.
Biff followed the Silver Stallion's tracks into a canyon and finally spotted the horse on the canyon wall above. When Bess reached for his pistol, Biff thought she wanted the reward for herself and struck her away. Taking up his rifle, Biff was about to shoot the horse when suddenly Ben Toby stepped out and grabbed the rifle away from him. Ben insisted the Silver Stallion was his horse and refused to let Biff kill it. Biff started to draw his gun, but Ben swiftly punched him in face. Biff grabbed a rock to try and strike Ben from behind, but suddenly the Silver Stallion descended and threatened to trample him.
Ben let Biff live and as Biff climbed on his horse he told Bess to leave with him but Bess refused. Biff vowed to bring the sheriff after them.
Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Russ Heath.
This profile was completed on 04/02/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Biff Raftis should not be confused with:
Bess' father died in a gunfight before she was born and her mother died giving birth to her. Bess was raised in an orphanage, then sent to a work farm, where she was beaten. She fled the work farm and took up work in Sterling Junction at the town diner. Biff wanted to marry Bess but she no interest in him. Bess grew to admire the wild Silver Stallion, seeing in it a kindred soul that yearned for freedom. When Biff wanted to collect the reward for killing it, she went with him in the hopes of sparing its life. Ultimately, Ben Toby prevented Biff from killing the Silver Stallion and Bess asked to join Ben as a fellow outlaw, riding off with him upon the Silver Stallion.
--True Secrets I#6) 6 (fb) 6
The Silver Stallion was a wild horse that lived in the hills outside Sterling Junction. A $2,000 reward was offfered for it, dead or alive. However, Ben Toby had captured the Silver Stallion and helped tame it. Biff Raftis attempted to collect the reward but Ben stopped him and the Silver Stallion threatened to trample Biff until he left. Ben and Bess rode upon the Silver Stallion as they journeyed away from Sterling Junction.
--True Secrets I#6
Ben Toby lived near Sterling Junction. Ben had once been a ranch hand who couldn't bear to see his boss beat a horse. He stole the horse and fled, becoming an outlaw. Eventually Ben captured the horse Silver Stallion and claimed it as his horse. Ben prevented Biff from killing the Silver Stallion and when Biff vowed to send the sheriff after him, Ben decided to move on; Bess came with him, intending to marry Ben.
--True Secrets I#6
images: (without ads)
True Secrets I#6, page 2, panel 6 (main)
True Secrets I#6, page 3, panel 3 (face)
True Secrets I#6, page 3, panel 2 (Bess)
True Secrets I#6, page 1, panel 4 (Silver Stallion)
True Secrets I#6, page 8, panel 2 (Toby)
Appearances:
True Secrets I#6 (June, 1951) - unidentified writer, Russ Heath (artist)
Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/13/2026
Last updated:
04/02/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
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