Spider-Man’s First Enemy Was Actually a Tragic HERO

By now, everyone who’s followed Spider-Man in the comics and movies knows his origin story. Odds are, many remember that when Peter Parker first got his spider-powers, he used them in a wrestling match against the wrestler “Crusher” Hogan (or Bonesaw McGraw in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy). Spidey easily won the match and didn’t bother to think about the man he beat up in the ring.

Unknown to Peter, however, the man he defeated was much more than the arrogant blowhard he appeared. Although his story wouldn’t be told for many years, later comic book storylines revealed the man known as “Crusher” Hogan wasn’t a bad guy at all – just an unsung hero trying to protect the people and the sport that he loved.

Who Was the REAL “Crusher” Hogan?

When readers first see “Crusher” Hogan in Amazing Fantasy #15, he appears to be a stereotypical “bad guy” wrestler offering a hundred dollars to anyone who can last more than three minutes with him. With his massive build, bald head, and tough talk, “Crusher” certainly looks and sounds like a thug. Peter probably even thought he was a bully like Flash Thompson, which is likely why he takes such pleasure in making Crusher look like a fool. Before Crusher can even lay a hand on the young Spider-Man, Peter vaults over his head, lifts him up with one arm, and carries him high above the wrestling ring until Crusher surrenders. Peter pockets some quick cash for taking down a bad guy – never suspecting the truth behind the match.

Actually, later comics reveal that “Crusher” Hogan is much more than the dimwitted bully he appears to be. In the Spider-Man’s Tangled Web story “The Last Shoot,” readers learn Crusher was once the top wrestler in his boss’ company Championship. Unlike other wrestlers who rely on gimmicks and tough talk, Crusher was a genuinely skilled fighter (known as a “shooter”) who knew all the holds, locks, and pressure points to win practically any match. His skill earns him the attention of a wealthier company who offered to sign him up.

Crusher refuses, however, out of loyalty to his boss and his fellow wrestlers. When his exhibition matches fail to bring in any crowds, however, Crusher comes up with a unique gimmick. By pretending to disrespect the fans and acting like an arrogant bully, Crusher intentionally makes his audience hate him. He then offers a huge cash reward (a hundred dollars in the original Amazing Fantasy story, ten thousand dollars in “The Last Shoot”) to anyone who can beat him in the ring.

The ploy works and Crusher’s cash-strapped boss even acquires a loan from the crime boss Hammerhead to book Crusher at bigger venues to attract more people. Thanks to Crusher’s skill, he beats most of his opponents, but understands that he’s intentionally setting himself up for a big fall – as the man who inevitably takes him down will end his career. As readers know, that man ended up being Spider-Man – who unintentionally helped and hurt Crusher in ways Peter Parker would never know. “The Last Shoot” was co-written by Scott Levy, a professional wrestler who fought under the ring name “Raven.” A huge comic book and Spider-Man fan, Levy also challenges stereotypes about wrestlers, as he reportedly has an IQ of 143 and is a member of Mensa International.

“Whatever Happened to Crusher Hogan?”

A story from The Amazing Spider-Man #271, “Whatever Happened to Crusher Hogan?” – published before “The Last Shoot” but occurring after Crusher’s defeat by Spider-Man – fills in the blanks of Hogan’s later life. In this story, readers discover that after being beaten by Spider-Man, Hogan becomes a washed-up ex-wrestler who could only get a job as a janitor at a boxing gym. In contrast to his earlier appearance, Hogan has now become timid and depressed.

Hogan holds no grudge against Spider-Man, however, and even comes to see the wall crawler as his personal hero. Unable to gain any respect from the other boxers, Hogan starts making up stories about his relationship with Spidey – claiming that he helped train Spider-Man, built his web shooters, and designed his first costume. While most of the other boxers treat Hogan like a joke, one of the top boxers, Bobby Chance, becomes Hogan’s friend.

Hogan gets a shot at redemption when he overhears the gym’s owners threaten to cripple Bobby for not renewing his contract with them. Warning Bobby, Hogan helps the young fighter beat up some thugs when they attack him. They’re joined by Spider-Man who recognizes Hogan. When Bobby relates the story Crusher told about his “relationship” with Spider-Man, Spidey – feeling he owes it to the wrestler – backs up the story. Crusher ends up gaining the respect of the other boxers for helping Bobby, and finally gets recognized as a hero.

Could Crusher Hogan Show Up in the MCU?

While his comic book appearances are sparse, “Crusher” Hogan remains an important part of Spider-Man’s origin and – as his backstory shows – an intriguing character in his own right. Even better, he’s already been established as existing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and having a link to the classic Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies! In Spider-Man: Far From Home, sharp-eyed viewers can see a wrestling poster next to Tony Stark’s friend “Happy” Hogan advertising a fight between “Crusher” Hogan and “Bonesaw McGraw.” Not only does this bring Crusher Hogan into the MCU, it also establishes that he fought the wrestler who faced off against Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man in the original Spider-Man movie. Played by the late Randy Savage, “Bonesaw” made a short but memorable appearance as the wrestler Peter Parker faced off in a cage match.

Could this mean that we could be seeing Crusher Hogan make an actual appearance in the MCU? While it seems unlikely, it’s also not impossible. Audiences have yet to see the origin of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, so it’s possible that he fought “Crusher” Hogan when he was just starting out. Moreover, considering that both “Happy” Hogan and “Crusher” Hogan share the same surname and similar backgrounds (Happy Hogan was once a boxer), it’s actually possible that the MCU may rewrite some of “Crusher’s” backstory and make him related to “Happy.”

Either way, for such a seemingly minor character, “Crusher” Hogan has received a very rich backstory that adds considerable depth to a character who could have been reduced to a stereotype. Marvel does strive to give many of its characters greater dimension, and it’s good to know that one of Spider-Man’s earliest opponents was more than a one-dimensional “bad guy.”

About The Author

Michael Jung
(700 Articles Published)

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Michael Jung is a mild-mannered freelance writer-for-hire, actor, and professional storyteller with a keen interest in pop culture, education, nonprofit organizations, and unusual side hustles. His work has been featured in Screen Rant, ASU Now, Sell Books Fast, Study.com, and Free Arts among others. A graduate of Arizona State University with a PhD in 20^th Century American Literature, Michael has written novels, short stories, stage plays, screenplays, and how-to manuals.

Michael’s background in storytelling draws him to find the most fascinating aspects of any topic and transform them into a narrative that informs and entertains the reader. Thanks to a life spent immersed in comic books and movies, Michael is always ready to infuse his articles with offbeat bits of trivia for an extra layer of fun. In his spare time, you can find him entertaining kids as Spider-Man or Darth Vader at birthday parties or scaring the heck out of them at haunted houses.

Visit Michael Jung’s website for information on how to hire him, follow him on Twitter Michael50834213, or contact him directly: michael(at)michaeljungwriter(dot)com.

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