Tumbler (comics)

Tumbler is the name of four fictional character in Marvel Comics.

Publication history

John Keane first appeared in Tales of Suspense #83 (Nov 1966) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Fictional character biography

John Keane

Tumbler
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Tales of Suspense #83 (Nov 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	John Robert Keane
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Secret Empire
Abilities	exceptional acrobatic skills

John Keane is a costumed criminal acrobat. Intending to test himself against Captain America, he broke into Avengers Mansion. He easily beat Captain America in two separate struggles—although, this turned out to be the Super-Adaptoid, who had taken Captain America's form and lacked his fighting skills. The real Captain America freed himself from the Adaptoid's trap and defeated the Tumbler in combat.

Later, the Tumbler was hired by Quentin Harderman as a part of the Secret Empire's plot to discredit Captain America. The Tumbler robbed a store, and Captain America tried to capture him but the Tumbler escaped. The next day, John Keane in civilian clothes was told to meet Captain America at a charity boxing match; however the Captain recognized Keane and he ran. Captain America knocked Keane down with his shield, and as the two struggled, the first Moonstone shot and killed Keane with a micro laser under orders from Harderman while hiding out of sight. Harderman accused Captain America of murdering the Tumbler as part of the scheme to discredit him.

Spider-Squad

The second Tumbler is a member of the Spider-Squad.

Michael Keane

It was later revealed that John Keane was using his ill-gotten gains that he had taken as the Tumbler to pay for his mother's living and her home, while his brother Michael was in the army. He had also taken out a million-dollar life insurance policy with the Guardian Life Insurance Policy. When Michael tried to collect on this policy, Guardian Life Insurance Policy refused to pay the claim since John had been killed in an illegal act. Michael trained hard and took on his brother's identity as the Tumbler, getting Captain America's help to expose the insurance company's fraud.

Unnamed criminal

After receiving the Tumbler gear from Michael Keane, Roderick Kingsley sold it to an unnamed criminal. Tumbler, Ringer, and Steeplejack are shown to be in the services of Roderick Kinglsley. They were later ambushed by the Goblin King's servants Menace and Monster (the "Goblin" form of Carlie Cooper).

External links

• Tumbler at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe