WILDMAN OF BORNEO

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Alternate reality (Earth-54225) human (Post World War II-era)

Occupation: International trade spy, circus attraction

Group Membership: International trade spy ring posing as traveling midway circus

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Kid Marvelman (Johnny Bates)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "Wildy"

Base of Operations: Unidentified midway, unidentified city (see comments), United States of America

First Appearance: Marvelman#105 (17th August 1955)

Powers/Abilities: The Wildman was an extremely capable climber, able to scale a factory chimney (estimated to be over 100 feet high) with his bare hands and feet and no other equipment. He also had an incredible head for heights, steady footwork and strength well above average, as he stood on the chimney's rim while leaning over to haul equipment up by rope. Additionally he had astonishingly good core muscles, as he was able to lie prone across the gap at the top of the chimney, keeping his whole body level with only his lower legs and upper arms actually touching anything solid.

 

Height: 5'5" (by guesstimation)
Weight: 145 lbs. (by estimation)
Eyes: Unrevealed
Hair: Unrevealed

 

History:
(Marvelman#105 (fb) - BTS) - The "Wildman of Borneo" was a spy working as part of an international ring that stole trade secrets. After hearing of a secret conference soon to take place they discovered that there was a high chimney at the side of a factory that overlooked it. A skilled climber, the spy was to climb the tower during the night and set up automatic equipment to record the comings and goings at the conference and all the conversations within. To cover their activities and explain why they were hanging around near the conference (and perhaps a general cover they used anyway), the group posed as a midway carnival and set up shop on the outskirts of town, with the climber posing as the Wildman of Borneo attraction.

 

(Marvelman#105) - Acting out his role for the crowds, the Wildman stood in his cage and bent a steel bar (or fake substitute) with his teeth and bare hands. This fascinated one boy in particular, Johnny Bates, the secret alter ego of the superhero Kid Marvelman, who was reassured by a circus staff member that the Wildman was secure behind a cage made of the strongest steel. Once the fair closed for the night the Wildman left his cage and went to one of the caravans to prepare for his real job, unaware that Bates, who had been concerned that the circus might be mistreating the Wildman, had returned, discovered the object of his concern wasn't in his cage, and was now in his hero persona spying on the group through the caravan window. Covertly tailed by Kid Marvelman the Wildman was driven to the factory and climbed the chimney, then lowered down a rope to pull up the monitoring equipment. As he was setting it up Kid Marvelman flew up and joined him atop the chimney. Though surprised to see the boy, the Wildman announced he would have to kill the lad by throwing him off the chimney, but when he tried to punch his target Kid Marvelman flew back suddenly. Overbalanced by his own attempted attack, the Wildman lost his footing and was about to fall down inside the chimney stack when Kid Marvelman caught him by the ankles, then threatened to drop him if he didn't explain his actions. Terrified, the Wildman hastily confessed his crimes.

(Marvelman#105 - BTS) - Kid Marvelman alerted the authorities and the entire gang was arrested and sent to jail.

 

Comments: Created by Mick Anglo and Don Lawrence.

   The city Kid Marvelman lives in isn't identified in this story, but he appears to stay in the same city as Marvelman and Young Marvelman, and in Young Marvelman#114 a criminal robs the Ballahoo City Bank, suggesting that all three heroes, and thus also the Wildman's circus, are based in Ballahoo.

   This profile was completed on 08/22/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25th anniversary's celebratory event to represent Kid Marvelman.

Profile by Loki.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Wildman of Borneo has no known connections to:

Other spies/fairground staff

Other spies working as fairground staff included the man who told Johnny Bates that the Wildman's cage was secure (the ringmaster?), two men who threatened the boy when he tried to warn them the Wildman was free and then got pounded by him when he turned into Kid Marvelman, and at least two more men who were in the caravan briefing the Wildman before he began his mission.

--Marvelman#105

images: (without ads)
Marvelman#105, p1 of Kid Marvelman story, pan1 (main image)
Marvelman#105, p4 of Kid Marvelman story, pan1 (setting up monitoring equipment, and demonstrating some impressive extreme planking)
Marvelman#105, p1 of Kid Marvelman story, pan2 (ringmaster?)
Marvelman#105, p2 of Kid Marvelman story, pan5 (thugs threatening Johnny Bates)
Marvelman#105, p3 of Kid Marvelman story, pan4 (briefing spy)

Appearances:
Marvelman#105 (17th August 1955) - Mick Anglo (writer), Don Lawrence (art)

First Posted: 09/09/2026
Last updated: 08/22/2026

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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