PHONE RANGER

Real Name: A.G. Bell

Identity/Class: Human technology user

Occupation: Super-hero;
formerly telephone repairman

Group Membership: Alley Behind a Closed-Down Laundromat Comic Con guests (Aquarian/Wundarr, Armless Tiger Man/Gustav Hertz, Brute Force (Hip Hop, Lionheart, Surfstreak, Wreckless), Captain Ultra/Griffin Gogol, Jacob Chabot, Combo Man/Rick Wilder, Dark Angel (see comments), Fight-Man/Frank Bigelow, Flatman/Matt/Val Ventura, Forbush Man/Irving Forbush, Hawk-Owl/Jack Danner, Identity Girl, Lunatik, Mephisto, Mosquito Man, Obnoxio the Clown, Passed-Out Hobo, Rat, Skullboy, Spider-Ham/Peter Porker, Frank Tieri, Toughy Cat, Unit 1, Unit 2, Woody/Hank Kipple, Ziggy Pig)

Affiliations: Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Beast (Henry McCoy), Blue Shield (Joseph Cartelli), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Crime-Buster (Eugene Mason), Iceman (Robert Drake), Lectronn (Tommy Samuels), Lightbright (Obax Majid), Namorita, Siryn (Theresa Cassidy), Thing (Ben Grimm), Wildstreak (Tamika Bowden)

Enemies: Iron Man (Tony Stark), Lethal Legion (Attuma, Batroc the Leaper/Georges Batroc, Beetle/Abner Jenkins, Bulldozer/Henry Camp, Black Tiger, Kurr'fri, Dr. Arthur Nagan, Piledriver/Brian Calusky, Porcupine/Alexander Gentry, Sabretooth/Victor Creed, Thundra, Trapster/Peter Petruski, Unicorn/Milos Masaryk, Whirlwind/David Cannon, Wrecker/Dirk Garthwaite), Scourge of the Underworld, Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City

First Appearance: Marvel Age Annual#1 (1985)

Powers/Abilities: The Phone Ranger was skilled in repairing analog and digital telephone technology. His costume was outfitted with audio bugs, copper wire and fiber-optic cables that could hook into any standard telephone circuit, telephone exchange system that automatically handle multiple calls, voice activated recorders that encode multiple electric signals simultaneously, and high-powered radio receivers and transmitters that intercept mobile/cellular phone communications. His costume's plastic cable insulation provided him with enhanced durability.

Height: 5'6 1/2"
Weight: 188 lbs.
Eyes: Black
Hair: Reddish-black

History:
(Civil War: Battle Damage Report#1) - Years ago, telephone repairman Bell was sent to replace the broken phone that was for some time the trap for unidentified members of the Seltas race. He found the advanced circuitry they planned to use for their escape and took the phone back to his private workshop. There he was able to replicate the technology and create a homemade costume. Now he was able to tap into any phone line and monitor emergency hotlines. As the hero "Phone Ranger" he could be where his help was needed before first emergency responders could arrive.

(Marvel Age Annual#1) - After a day in which Marvel Comics writer Kurt Busiek had dialed a horde of phone numbers, the Phone Ranger appeared at Marvel Comics to oppose the Lethal Legion, declaring, "Too many telephones have died today! The Phone Ranger is here to avenge them!" He aided several other heroes against the Lethal Legion, and fought the Unicorn, who tangled him in his own phone cord. Tragically, Phone Ranger was seemingly taken off the hook for good when he was shot in the head by a Scourge of the Underworld, who possibly mistook him for another target.

(Civil War: Battle Damage Report#1) - But his headpiece had diverted the bullet and saved his life.

(Civil War: Front Line#5/4) - The Phone Ranger refused to sign the Superhuman Registration Act. Along with Lectronn, Wildstreak, and Lightbright, he was arrested by Spider-Man and Iron Man.

SECRET WARS III HAPPENED

(Ziggy Pig-Silly Seal Comics II#1) - Phone Ranger was a guest at the extremely down-market Alley Behind a Closed-Down Laundromat Comic Con, where he had the ear of a fan.

Comments: Created by Kurt Busiek, James Fry and Keith Williams.

The Phone Ranger also appeared on Marvel Age Annual#1's cover.

The Phone Ranger's real name was revealed in Civil War Files.

For a possible origin of this character (at least until somebody says differently), see above.

Phone Ranger received an entry in Civil War: Battle Damage Report#1 and Kaminski's suggestion for his origin was included.

Profile by Prime Eternal. Update by Markus Raymond.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Phone Ranger should not be confused with:

  • The Lone Ranger, an obvious inspiration

images:
Marvel Age Annual#1, p24, pan2
Marvel Age Annual#1, p24, pan3


Appearances:
Marvel Age Annual#1 (1985) - Kurt Busiek (writer), James Fry (pencils), Keith Williams (inks)
Civil War: Front Line#5/4 (October, 2006) - Paul Jenkins (writer), Roy Allen Martinez (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Civil War: Battle Damage Report#1 (2007)
Ziggy Pig - Silly Seal Comics II#1 (May, 2019) - Frank Tieri & John Cerilli (writers), Jacob Chabot (artist), Mark Paniccia (editor)


First Posted: 05/07/2005
Last updated: 01/15/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

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