Aliases: Jack in the Box (almost)

Base of Operations: Mobile

First Appearance: (identified only as Corky): Ghost Rider II#64 (January, 1982);
(full name revealed): Ghost Rider II#70 (July, 1982)

Powers/Abilities: Corky was an experienced entertainer, having spent years as a clown.

Height: 5'7" (by approximation)
Weight: 180 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

History: (Ghost Rider II#72 (fb) – BTS) – Corky Franklin put a lot of pressure on his son Eliot to be the best clown he could be.

(Incredible Hulk II#470 (fb) – BTS) – Corky repeatedly told Eliot a phrase that stuck with the boy: "Hold on 'til yer fingers bleed… if that's what you gotta do…"

(Ghost Rider II#64) – At the Quentin Carnival, Corky the clown showed reporter Cynthia Randolph, who was writing an article on carnival life, into the practice of cycle stuntmen Johnny Blaze and Red Fowler.

(Ghost Rider II#66) – Corky the clown went to mail his son, who he called the world-famous Clown, a letter, seeing Madam Olga and others. Red Fowler teased Corky for constantly bragging about his son.

(Ghost Rider II#69) – Corky greeted Johnny Blaze, who assured Corky he would mail a letter to Corky's son for him, as Corky said it was very important. As Johnny went to perform, not wearing all of his proper gear, Corky saw Red glowering at him. The next morning, Corky was delivering coffee to the others when an angry fan, Harry Donovan, nearly ran him down in his truck, but Blaze, Red and Ralph Quentin chased him off. Cynthia gave Corky a telegram from Eliot, stating he would be visiting soon, and Corky found himself scared. That night, Harry attacked the carnival but Ghost Rider defeated him.

(Ghost Rider II#70) –  Eliot arrived at the Carnival and met Jeremy the Monster Man and others before greeting his father. Corky hugged his son but was nervous to see him. After turning down an interview with Cynthia, Eliot rode with Corky, who asked his son if he was going to go straight this time. Days later, Corky was hosting a blackjack and poker night in his tent when the place was overrun with circus freaks sent by Renaldo, who were looking for Jeremy.

(Ghost Rider II#71) – Corky and the others briefly saw Null the Living Darkness emerge from Madam Olga's tent but Ghost Rider soon dispatched the demon.

(Ghost Rider II#72) – Corky bonded with Eliot, inviting him to join the Carnival as a father and son clown act but Eliot turned him down, not wanting to perform anymore. Over a period of days, members of the Circus of Crime sabotaged the Carnival and Corky wondered if Eliot was behind it. Eliot chose to leave, saying he wanted to protect the others, but then Fire-Eater set Corky's tent aflame. Corky fell unconscious from smoke inhalation and was narrowly saved by Johnny Blaze. Later, at the hospital, Corky was treated for severe burns.

(Ghost Rider II#75) – Corky got out of the hospital and, bandaged, returned to the Quentin Carnival, where he looked out for Eliot. Eliot mindlessly pushed a broom without speaking, unable to get over his treatment at the hands of Ghost Rider. The magician, the Great Vincenzo, tried cheering Eliot up, inspiring Eliot to speak again then Quentin showed in new cyclist performer, Steel Wind.

(Ghost Rider II#79) – Freakmaster, who had employed Renaldo in the previous freaks attacks, planned to turn the members of the Quentin Carnival into freaks, with plans to change Corky into a square-bodied, long-necked freak called Jack in the Box. Ultimately, Ghost Rider stopped him but Ralph Quentin had to face his past and left the encounter a broken man.

(Ghost Rider II#80) – As John Blaze left the Carnival with his old flame, Roxanne Simpson, Corky said goodbye, showing John that Eliot was still recovering his speech.

Comments: Created by Michael Fleischer, Jack Sparling and Tom Sutton.

Heroic Age: Villains (January, 2011) revealed the new Clown was Eliot Franklin's half brother.

Profile by Chadman.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Corky Franklin should not be confused with:

• Franklin 2099 of Earth-928, Mr. Fantastic robot @ 2099: World of Tomorrow I#2
• Buck Franklin, Destroyer host @ Journey Into Mystery I#118
• Benjamin Franklin, historical figure @ Dr. Strange II#18
• Jeremy Franklin @ Spectacular Spider-Man I#262
• Lois Franklin, Kingpin ally @ Daredevil I#229
• Dr. Michael Franklin, Steel Raven foe @ Marvel Comics Presents I#175
• Or any other "Corky" or "Franklin" characters.

images: (without ads)
Ghost Rider II#66, p4, pan1 (as clown, main image)
Ghost Rider II#72, p5, pan5 (out of makeup)
Ghost Rider II#79, p14, pan1 (Jack in the Box plans)

Appearances:
Ghost Rider II#64 (January, 1982) – Michael Fleischer (writer), Jack Sparling (penciler), Tom Sutton (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#66 (March, 1982) – Michael Fleischer (writer), Tom Sutton (artist), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#69-70 (June-July, 1982) – Roger Stern (writer), Bob Budiansky (penciler), Dave Simons (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#71 (August, 1982) – JM DeMatteis (writer), Don Perlin (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#72 (September, 1982) – Roger Stern (writer), Bob Budiansky (penciler), Dave Simons (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#75 (December, 1982) – JM DeMatteis (writer), Bob Budiansky (penciler), Dave Simons (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Ghost Rider II#79-80 (April-May, 1983) – JM DeMatteis (writer), Bob Budiansky (penciler), Kevin Dzuban (inker), Tom DeFalco (editor)
Incredible Hulk II#470 (November, 1998) – Joe Casey (writer), Ed McGuinness (penciler), Nathan Massengill (inker), Bobbie Chase (editor)

First Posted: 11/03/2018
Last updated: 10/01/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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