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GUS HOVANNES

Real Name: Gus Hovannes

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Security guard at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art;
former police officer

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Red Sonja (Mary Jane Watson), Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Enemies: None (possibly Kulan Gath, if Gus could remember the possession)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York City

First Appearance: Marvel Team Up I#79 (March, 1979)

Powers/Abilities: Gus Hovannes possessed no superhuman powers but as an experienced security guard and former cop, he doesn't scare easily. He also seemed remarkably tough for a middle aged, slightly pudgy man: only ending up with a sore jaw after Spider-Man punched him.

Height: 5'5" (by approximation)
Weight: 180 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White

History:

(Marvel Team Up I#79 (fb) ) - Gus Hovannes worked as a police officer in New York for ten years, before switching careers and spending the following two decades as a security guard at the New York Metropolitan Museum Of Art. (see comments).

(Marvel Team-Up I#79) - After an exceptionally busy day at the museum, Gus made the rounds at night. He noticed suddenly getting nervous in the giant, empty museum even after twenty years on the job. When he inspected the ancient Egyptian wing, a beam of moonlight struck a display case carrying Kulan Gath's onyx amulet. Its reflection caught Hovannes' eye and Gath instantly controlled Gus' mind. The wizard forced the guard to smash the display case, an act which caused him to cut his hand. Bleeding, he put on the necklace and was instantly taken over by Kulan Gath who used his magic to shift Gus' body into a copy of his own. Gath used Gus' form to take over the museum, leading to a conflict between Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Mary Jane Watson, who was possessed by the spirit of Red Sonja in a way similar to Gath's control of Gus.

   In the end, Spider-Man deduced Kulan Gath's powers were linked to his necklace. He yanked it off him, even as he slammed him across the room. The moment the sorceror lost his amulet, his magics vanished and Gus was returned to normal. He only suffered a headache and a sore jaw, while his experiences as Gath's host quickly vanished as if they were nothing but a bad dream.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (pencils), Terry Austin (inks).

The date given for Gus' brief existence as a Hyborean demon priest was Friday, December 22nd 1978, the night of the Winter Solstice. The date is topical, considering Marvel's sliding timeline. Gus apparently started working as as a cop in the late 40s. 

Gus Hovannes was yet another in a long line of security and law enforcement personel who ended up victimized and mind controlled in Chris Claremont's stories. He joins the likes of Eagle Plaza security guard Joe Huntley who fell victim to a Dire Wraith in Uncanny X-men I#187,  British police officer Ray Mulholland who involuntarily donated his body to the Warwolves in Excalibur: The Sword Is Drawn, and a number of New York police officers who were turned into demons during Inferno in Uncanny X-men I#240.

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Character name has no known connections to

images: (without ads)
Marvel Team Up I#79, page 2 panel 1 (main image)
Marvel Team Up I#79, page 2 panels 6 through 8 (Gus possessed)

Appearances:
Marvel Team Up I#79 (March 1979) - Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (pencils), Terry Austin (inks), Al Milgrom & Roy Thomas (editors)

Last updated: 10/17/13

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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