Bessie,better known asHellcow,is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics.The character, a vampire cow, was created by writerSteve Gerberand artistFrank Brunner.She made herfirst appearanceinGiant-Size Man-Thing#5 (1975).
| Hellcow | |
|---|---|
 Hellcow as seen inDeadpool Team-Up#885 (April 2011) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Giant-Size Man-Thing#5 (1975) |
| Created by | Steve Gerber(writer) Frank Brunner(artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Bessie |
| Species | VampireCattle |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Partnerships | Deadpool |
| Notable aliases | Bovine, Blood-Beast, Cowled Cow, Farm Killer, Recreant Ruminant[1] |
| Abilities |
|
Publication history
editBessie, or Hellcow, made her official debut inGiant-Size Man-Thing#5, published in August 1975. The creative team in charge of the issue comprised writer Steve Gerber, penciller Frank Brunner, and inker Tom Palmer.[1]The same story is reprinted in the bonus pages ofSilver Surfer vs. Dracula(February 1994).[2]The character reappeared in April 2011'sDeadpool Team-Up#885, written by Rick Spears, pencilled byPhilip Bondand inked by Daniel Brown.[3]
Fictional character biography
editCirca 1675, Bessie, a domesticated cattle living in a Swiss farm, becomes the prey ofCount Dracula,who is unable to find any available humans to feed on. Bessie seemingly dies and her upset owner Hans lays her to rest. Unbeknownst to Hans, Bessie has become an undead monster known as Hellcow, and rises from her grave some three nights later, seeking revenge on Dracula.[1][4]
In the present day,Howard the Duckis investigating the deaths of four farmers in Cleveland, Ohio. Howard initially concludes that the perpetrator must be a chicken. Later, early in the morning, he disguises himself as a human. Hellcow notices him and lunges for him. A scuffle commences and Howard prevails, driving a stake through her heart and apparently ending her reign of terror.[1][4]
However, Hellcow did not die, as her head remained intact. Her corpse is recovered by insane scientist Doctor Kilgore, who revives her and attempts to use her milk to cure histuberculosisand gain immortality. When this plan does not fully work, Kilgore abductsDeadpooland extracts hishypophysisto gain his healing factor.[3]
However, the mixture of Hellcow's milk and Deadpool's gland in Kilgore's body goes awry, damaging his mind. Deadpool and Hellcow subsequently join forces to stop him. Deadpool and Hellcow escape from Kilgore's abode, but the latter is instantly burnt to a crisp as it is daytime. Deadpool travels back to the previous comic book panel and after a few tries, manages to rescue Hellcow.[3]
Hellcow later appears inSpider-Man/Deadpool,having assumed an anthropomorphic form and joined Deadpool Inc., a group assembled by Deadpool to steal and sell abandonedS.H.I.E.L.D.technology.[5]
Powers and abilities
editBefore becoming a vampire, Bessie could produce more milk than the average cow and hence was well-favored by her owner. As Hellcow, she possesses characteristics tantamount to that of Dracula's, such as being able to suck blood from humans and being immortal. She could transform into a half-cow, half-bat form, and an intangible gas cloud.[1]
Reception
editIn August 2009,Timelisted Hellcow as one of the "Top 10 Oddest Marvel Characters".[6]Similarly,Status Magazineincluded Hellcow in its list of "Top 5 Weirdest Marvel Characters" in April 2012.[7]Bjarki Dagur ofFilmophiliafound Hellcow to be either "the worst idea for a character I have ever heard, or the greatest thing that has ever existed" in his 2012 article "Best/Worst: Marvel Heroes That Should/Should Never Get Movies".[8]
In 2022,CBRranked Hell Cow 7th in their "10 Most Important Marvel Vampires" list.[9]
In other media
editHellcow appears as a playable character inLego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[10]
References
edit- ^abcdeMarvel Legacy: The 1960s–1990s Handbook.Marvel Comics. 2007. p. 96.ISBN9780785120827.
- ^"Hellcow!"Silver Surfer vs. Dracula,no. 1 (February 1994). New York City: Marvel Comics.
- ^abcRick Spears(w), Philip Bond (p), Daniel Brown (i). "Guest Starring: Hellcow"Deadpool Team-Up,no. 885 (April 2011). New York City: Marvel Comics.
- ^abGiant-Size Man-Thing#5. Marvel Comics.
- ^Spider-Man/Deadpool#23. Marvel Comics.
- ^"Top 10 Oddest Marvel Characters".Time.August 31, 2009.
- ^"The Other Guys: Top 5 Weirdest Marvel Characters".Status Magazine.April 24, 2012.
- ^Dagur, Bjarki (January 25, 2012)."Best/Worst: Marvel Heroes That Should/Should Never Get Movies".Filmophilia.Archived fromthe originalon September 5, 2013.
- ^Saffle, Ben (February 10, 2022)."The 10 Most Important Marvel Vampires, Ranked".CBR.RetrievedNovember 16,2022.
- ^Lunning, Just (October 10, 2017)."NYCC 2017: Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is for all superhero fans".App Trigger.Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2019.RetrievedJuly 29,2019.
External links
edit- Hellcowat The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- Hellcowat the Comic Book DB (archived fromthe original)