Marvel’s Combo Superhero Makes Surprise Cameo In A Different Comic Universe

Warning! Spoilers for Crossover #4 below

One of Marvel Comics’ strangest heroes, Combo Man, just made a shocking crossover appearance. In the latest issue of Image Comics’ Crossover series, Combo Man makes a small, but notable cameo. For a hero that was solely created to sell Combos snacks, the fact he would appear in another comic at all – especially in the year 2021, is completely surprising and out of the left field.

Combo Man was a product of the 90s, where comic publishers were more open to including characters that were essentially cash grabs – such as NFL SuperPro. One such character is based on the popular Combos snack. Combo Man first appeared in Combo Man #1, as Rick Wilder turned into a superhero after carrying Combos baked snacks while an explosion went off. His powers might be the most ridiculous ever given to a hero, as he essentially has the different parts and abilities of 14 other heroes, combined. Combo Man has Cyclops visor, Spider-Man’s web-shooters, Iron Man’s faceplate, the Hulk’s hair, and a mix of other character’s costumes. The whole concept is as bizarre as it sounds.

Unsurprisingly, Combo Man was a one-and-done character, as he never appeared in another comic again – besides a blink and you miss cameo in Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal – until today. In Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw’s Crossover series, where comic book characters come to life (including Madman), Combo Man can be seen in a background shot. After Madman and the heroes break into a museum to steal the Valofax sword from God Country, an agent receives a call from the president that they can launch the Amalgam Program. That’s when a lab full of captured heroes is seen, as scientists dissect one of them. If you take a close look, you can see Combo Man.

Now, is Combo Man going to play a huge part in the events of Crossover? Probably not. However, the small cameo is a nice nod to some of the weirder parts of Marvel’s history. Combo Man was never more than an advertisement for the snacks he was named off. Whether Marvel (if they even still own his rights) cares that he appeared in the background of a comic is doubtful. Regardless, it’s just a fun nod to an absurd character.

It would certainly be hilarious to see Combo Man in action in the series. His powers and look are so ridiculous, that to see him fight would be a treat for readers. For those clamoring to check out Combo Man in the comics today, Crossover #4 is in stores now.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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