Seniority is a funny thing. Sometimes it means you’re the first person to reap the rewards of success, while other times you are taken for granted and consistently passed over to make way for the latest thing.
Few toy lines demonstrate this like Hasbro’s Marvel Legends. While relative newbies like Ashley Barton Spider-Woman and Silk receive action figures, older, more established characters are left gathering dust on the shelf. And though its great that these newer creations are getting their moment in the spotlight, long-time collectors can be forgiven for wondering, “Where is the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime?”
Maynard Tiboldt is the son of Nazi agent Fritz Tiboldt. Fritz was the original Ringmaster, who tangled with Captain America waaay back in Captain America Comics #5 (Aug 1941). For those interested in that sort of thing, this makes the Ringmaster one of Marvel’s first legacy characters. Inheriting the family circus after his parents are murdered, Maynard decides to use the performance troupe’s unique abilities to commit crimes.
His father’s checkered past gives him access to miniaturized nullatron, a mind control weapon designed by Nazi scientists at the close of World War II. Implanting the device in his ringmaster’s hat allows Fritz to enslave large crowds and rob them blind. Even worse, he is then able to implant false memories in his victims, making them forget they were robbed and instead thinking they had a wonderful night out. I know, it seems like a goofy concept, but how else do you explain spending $120 apiece on Cirque du Soleil tickets?
Maynard first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #3, inadvertently enslaving the jade giant via his telepathic link with circus audience member Rick Jones. At this early stage, the Hulk was in a constant state of flux — readers of this issue not only witnessed Rick gaining mental control over Bruce Banner’s alter ego, but the Hulk himself turning from slate-gray to the now world-famous green. And while Ringmaster and his group were quickly subdued, a glorious future in evil beckoned. Adding more insidious members to his troupe, Ringmaster and his newly dubbed “Circus of Crime” hit New York, where they battled both Spider-Man and Daredevil. It was here the team truly came into it’s own, with Stan Lee’s snappy writing and Steve Ditko’s dazzling pencils showcasing each member’s unique abilities and attributes.
Snake charmer Princess Python verbally commands a powerful 25-foot serpent to do her evil bidding. She also knows how to use her femininity against her male foes, dazzling unwitting male heroes with her scaly attributes while she makes her getaway. The Princess is joined by Clown, the, uh, clown. His main attribute is a murderous nature, which seems self-consciously ironic even for the Silver Age. Still, it is a circus, so you gotta have at least one of those pasty, grease-painted freaks. Next up are the Great Gambonnos, twin acrobats in leotards that leave little to the imagination. Then there is Cannonball, the human projectile. He wears a metal hat and shoots himself out of a cannon, which is fine if you happen to be 300 feet away. I guess when he’s closer he just takes off the hat and hits you with it. Hey, don’t laugh, that thing is pointy! The team is rounded out with a strong man, a fat woman, and probably a slumming Jimmy Olsen.
The Circus made its way through the Marvel Universe, notably crashing the wedding of Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne. Twenty years before the Masters of Evil got the courage to do it, the Ringmaster and his cronies infiltrated Avengers mansion and caused all sorts of snake-on-cake havoc.
Over the years, the Circus tangled with Thor, Daredevil, and Power Man, conclusively losing but refusing to give up the dream. Even a humiliating loss the Howard the Duck didn’t stop them, even though the team was frequently incarcerated and members often came and went. Most recently, the Circus appeared in Marvel media like the Spider-Man episode “Carnival of Crime,” as well as the Avengers: United They Stand episodes “Comes a Swordsman” and “Crime and Circuses.”
Remarkably, neither the Ringmaster or his Circus of Crime has ever had toys. Not even a set of Minimates! This will not stand. The Circus of Crime has a history almost as old as the Marvel Universe itself. They are colorful characters with a unique look and attributes tailor-made for action figures. Imagine a 25-inch Build-a-Figure of the Princesses’ ball python! That’s big enough to wrestle the new Giant-Man Build-a-Figure — and win. Their ubiquity in the Marvel Universe means they could be slotted into just about any series and make sense, while their unique costumes and modus operandi would be sure to catch a consumer’s eye. Sometimes getting a Marvel Legend is like getting an Oscar; other times it’s like getting a gold-plated watch. Either way, it’s a win in my book.
