Randy Robertson is a fictional character appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. He is a
supporting character
A supporting character is a character in a narrative that is not the focus of the primary storyline, but is important to the plot/protagonist, and appears or is mentioned in the story enough to be more than just a minor character or a cameo ap ...
in Marvel's
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
series and is depicted as the son of
Robbie Robertson
Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson, OC (born July 5, 1943), is a Canadian musician. He is best known for his work as lead guitarist and songwriter for the Band, and for his career as a solo recording artist. With the deaths of Richard Manuel in ...
.
Publication history
Randy first appeared in ''
The Amazing Spider-Man
''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its main protagonist. Being in the Earth 616, mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a bim ...
'' #67 (December
1968
The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide.
Events January–February
* January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.
* Januar ...
), created by
Stan Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...
and
John Romita Sr.
John V. Romita (; born January 24, 1930) is an American comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics' ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' and for co-creating characters including the Punisher and Wolverine. He was inducted into the Will Eis ...
He was the first
African-American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
among
Peter Parker's friends, and was introduced in a storyline about student unrest at college, a move by Marvel to be more in touch with the teenagers of 1968.
Randy's father, Robbie, was a high-ranking editor at the fictional ''
Daily Bugle
The ''Daily Bugle'' (at one time ''The DB'') is a fictional New York City tabloid newspaper appearing as a plot element in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The ''Daily Bugle'' is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most ...
'' whose storylines didn't draw attention to his race; his portrayal was criticized by one letter-writer who said, "It seems to me that your Negroes are merely white people drawn by the artist with their skins darkened by the colors."
The creation of Randy was in part a response to this criticism. Randy directly leveled the challenge at his father: "I know you've got made here in whitey's world! But what about the ''other'' brothers who played it your way... who ''got'' their sheepskins... and ''still'' can't make it on the outside?" (''Amazing Spider-Man'' #73, June 1969).
[
In 1971, Randy played a similar role, acting as a voice of the people in an argument with ]Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first ...
about drug abuse: "It hurts us more than anyone else — 'cause too many of us got no ''hope'' — so we're easier ''pickin's'' for the pushers. But it ain't just ''our'' problem! It's ''yours'', too!" (''Amazing Spider-Man'' #96, May 1971). This compassionate take on the hot topic of drug abuse was applauded by readers, as well as teachers and parents.[
Randy never became a first-tier supporting character; he appeared off-and-on through the 1970s, and was then dropped for several years. There have been periods where Randy has appeared regularly, including 1988–1989, 2000–2001, and 2011–2012. Nick Spencer's "Back to Basics" arc at the beginning of ''ASM'' volume 5 (Sept 2018) brought Randy back as a regular character, living with Peter Parker as his roommate.
]
Fictional character biography
Randy Robertson, son of Daily Bugle
The ''Daily Bugle'' (at one time ''The DB'') is a fictional New York City tabloid newspaper appearing as a plot element in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The ''Daily Bugle'' is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most ...
city editor Joseph "Robbie" Robertson, enrolled at Empire State University
The comic book stories published by Marvel Comics since the 1940s have featured several noteworthy concepts besides its fictional characters, such as unique places and artifacts. There follows a list of those features.
Places
Certain places fe ...
a year behind Bugle photographer Peter Parker. A boisterous hothead unlike his even-tempered father, Randy quickly became involved in student activism, albeit usually as the voice of moderation to the more radical Josh Kittiling. On his father's advice, Randy sought Peter's friendship, although Parker's double life as Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
left him little time to help Randy promote social change. The day after meeting Peter, Randy joined Josh and other in protesting E.S.U.'s plans to turn an exhibition hall into a dorm for visiting alumni, rather than for needy students. The crime boss Kingpin interrupted their demonstration to steal the lifeline Tablet, allegedly containing the secret to longevity. When Spider-Man intervened, Randy tried to restrain Kingpin. Though he was easily knocked aside, but following Kingpin's defeat, Spider-Man did not forget Randy's act of courage. Randy soon joined Peter's circle of college friends, although he was rarely drawn into Spider-Man's activities at E.S.U. and elsewhere in New York City. His rebellious streak eventually faded, and after graduating from E.S.U. Randy pursued graduate studies in social work at Pittsburg State University, where he met and married fellow student Mandy Batavides, a Jewish woman.
Randy eventually returned to New York with Mandy, and although their hasty marriage troubled Robbie, he soon accepted Mandy as a daughter-in-law. Randy and Mandy stayed at Robbie's side after the hitman Tombstone crippled him. Following his father's recovery, Randy disagreed with Robbie about pleading guilty to misprison of felony and vigorously protested his father's imprisonment. He nonetheless continued to provide his mother Martha with emotional support. and the family was soon reunited when Robbie, after escaping death at Tombstone's hands during a forced prison break, received a pardon. When Mandy received a job offer in California, the younger Robertson couple relocated to the West Coast, but various factors strained their marriage, and Randy returned to New York alone following their divorce.
Randy gave up social work to become an actor, much to his father's disapproval.Renewing his friendship with Peter whose own wife Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane "MJ" Watson is a Character (arts), fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., and made her first appearance in ''The Amazing Spider-Man' ...
was believed dead, Randy offered to share his apartment with the widower. The two men became roommates, although Randy tended to spend more time with their mutual friends Glory Grant
Gloriana Grant, more commonly known as Glory Grant, is a Marvel Comics supporting character of Spider-Man. She is introduced in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #140 (January 1975) as a neighbor of Peter Parker. Peter then helps her secure a position as ...
and Jill Stacy
Jill is an English feminine given name, a short form of the name Jillian ( Gillian), which in turn originates as a Middle English variant of Juliana, the feminine form of the name Julian.
People with the given name
*Jill Astbury, Australian r ...
, little realizing the hazards he and Peter were sharing such as nocturnal experimentation by the extraterrestrial Brll'nah>zhhk< and drugged toothpaste from the Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first and best-known incarnation Norman Osborn, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is generally regarded as one of the a ...
. Following a direct encounter with Green Goblin, Randy sought advice from Robbie as his father had significant experience with super-villains from his Bugle position. While Randy and Glory began dating, Peter could not return Jill's flirtations. Peter moved out after Mary Jane turned up alive. Once Peter joined the Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
and moved into Stark Tower
The Stark Tower Complex is a fictional high-rise building complex appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA, the complex is named after its owner Tony Stark, who is the alter eg ...
, Randy lost touch with the Parkers. Randy was seen briefly at the Robertson's household after Robbie was fired from the Bugle. Randy recently reappeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' and began dating a reporter from the Front Line
A front line (alternatively front-line or frontline) in military terminology is the position(s) closest to the area of conflict of an armed force's personnel and equipment, usually referring to land forces. When a front (an intentional or uninte ...
named Norah Winters
Dorothy Walker
Dorothy Walker is a fictional character in Marvel Comics. She was created by Stuart Little and Ruth Atkinson and first appeared in ''Miss America Magazine'' #2 (November 1944). She was reintroduced in '' The Defenders'' #89 (Novem ...
. Later, Phil Urich
Phil may refer to:
* Phil (given name), a shortened version of masculine and feminine names
* Phill, a given name also spelled "Phil"
* Phil, Kentucky, United States
* ''Phil'' (film), a 2019 film
* -phil-, a lexical fragment, used as a root term ...
is jealous of Randy for dating Norah. When Alistair Smythe
Alistair Alphonso Smythe () is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of the superhero Spider-Man, and the son of Spencer Smythe. After his father dedicated his lif ...
’s minions attack the Front Line offices Phil breaks a support beam. This, along with the damage caused by the attack, causes the ceiling to collapse on Randy. Randy survives the collapse, but he is seriously injured.
During the "Spider-Island
"Spider-Island" is a 2011 comic book storyline starting in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' and crossing over into other comic books published by Marvel Comics, most of which were limited series or one-shots specifically for this storyline. The main ...
"' storyline, Randy Robertson goes to assist Norah during the outbreak. During this time, he is attacked by the Hobgoblin
A hobgoblin is a household spirit, typically appearing in folklore, once considered helpful, but which since the spread of Christianity has often been considered mischievous. Shakespeare identifies the character of Puck in his ''A Midsummer Nigh ...
(Phil Urich) when the villain had been trying to break them up for quite some time. To his surprise, Randy is one of the New Yorkers given spider powers. With his newfound powers he is able to fend off the Hobgoblin for some time, but begins to lose because of his lack of experience. While almost meeting his death, Norah is entranced in reporting the whole thing and misses an opportunity to save Randy. Randy manages to fend off the Hobgoblin, but decides to break up with Norah, citing that she cares more about the story than his life, or hers. However, his mutation, like the millions of others in New York City, turns him into a monstrous spider-being. Randy and the rest of the civilian population were eventually cured when Spider-Man uses Doctor Octopus' Octo-Bots to disperse the antidote.
Randy and Peter started living as roommates again in the recent Amazing Spider-Man run by Nick Spencer
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer and former politician best known for his Image series ''Morning Glories'', his collaborations with artist Steve Lieber on the comedic series '' Superior Foes of Spider-Man'' and '' The Fix'', a three-year run on ...
.
When Spider-Man goes to visit Randy Robertson, he finds him making out with Janice Lincoln
Janice Lincoln (also known as the Beetle, or otherwise Lady Beetle) is a supervillainess appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is the sixth character to assume the Beetle alias, and the daughter of Tombstone.
Janice L ...
. As Spider-Man secretly watches them, Randy learns that Janice's Syndicate kidnapped Boomerang and what had transpired at the F.E.A.S.T. building. He tells Janice that she needs to let Boomerang go. Beetle leaves stating that he would not use her disintegrator ray on him because she is nice to Randy. At the F.E.A.S.T. building where men working for Mr. Stone are helping to rebuild the building, Aunt May mentioned to Randy Robertson that a high-powered lawyer got Councilman Galazkiewicz to expedite a permit request in exchange for not suing the city on F.E.A.S.T.'s behalf. Randy learns that the lawyer is Janice who invites them to brunch this weekend. Randy sees Beetle on a nearby building while accepting the brunch invite.
Other versions
Spider-Gwen
On Earth-65, Randy Robertson was a rock 'n' roll reporter, and friend of The Mary Janes. He tried to convince the band's leader MJ Watson to ask for Gwen Stacy to return to the band.
In other media
* Randy Robertson appeared in the 1994 ''Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
'' series, voiced by Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro (born September 21, 1971) is an American actor, comedian and television host. He is best known for his roles as Alfonso Spears on the sitcom ''Silver Spoons'', Carlton Banks on the NBC sitcom ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ...
. In the series, he is a rebellious, immature teenager who is always getting into trouble and is easily influenced by the wrong crowd. In the episode "Tombstone", Randy is led to believe the gang of delinquents he has joined cares for him more than his father Robbie
Robbie or Robby is a surname. It is usually encountered as a nickname or a shortened form of Robert, Rob (given name), Rob or Robin (name), Robin. The name experienced a significant rise in popularity in Northern Ireland in 2003.
People Given nam ...
and becomes an underling of Tombstone, who has a personal vendetta against his father and plotted to use Randy to destroy his family's reputation. With Spider-Man's help however, Randy learns the error of his ways and reconciles with his father. In "Guilty", Robbie is framed by Tombstone and Richard Fisk
Richard Fisk is a fictional character, a criminal appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #83 (April 1970) and was created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. He is the ...
, though Randy blames Spider-Man for it until the webslinger helps clear Robbie's name.
* Randy Robertson appears in ''The Spectacular Spider-Man
''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' is a comic book and magazine series starring Spider-Man and published by Marvel Comics.
Following the success of Spider-Man's original series, ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', Marvel felt the character could support ...
'', voiced by Phil LaMarr
Phillip LaMarr (born January 24, 1967) is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. LaMarr was one of the original featured cast members on the sketch comedy television series ''Mad TV''. His voice acting roles in animated series include Jo ...
. This version is a quiet and laid-back individual, as opposed to the comics incarnation's fiery, militant personality, is a member of the Midtown High football team, and dating Sally Avril
Bluebird (Sally Avril), sometimes rendered Blue Bird, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is usually depicted as a supporting character in the Spider-Man series.
Publication history
Create ...
. Unlike the rest of his peers, Randy does not bully Peter Parker.
* Randy Robertson appears in the 2017 ''Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
'' series, voiced by Zeno Robinson
Zeno Robinson is an American voice actor. He has done voice acting for both Western animation and English dubs of Japanese anime. Some of his major anime roles include: Hawks in ''My Hero Academia'' (for which he won Best VA Performance (EN) at ...
. This version is a student at Midtown High School and has his own blog.
References
External links
Randy Robertson
at Marvel Wiki
Randy Robertson
at Comic Vine
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Randy
Comics characters introduced in 1968
Fictional African-American people
Fictional characters from New York City
Characters created by Stan Lee
Spider-Man characters
Characters created by John Romita Sr.