Der Clown

Der Clown is a circus-themed villain appearing in German-language Marvel reprints, keeping company with Ringmaster and other carnival characters — suggesting membership in the Circus of Crime, the criminal big-top troupe that preys on unsuspecting audiences.

Der Clown steps out of the German-language Marvel reprint world, first catalogued in 1999 within the pages of Spider-Man Komplett — a series that brought the foundational genius of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko to new audiences. Sharing the stage with the likes of Ringmaster, Die Grossen Gambonnos, and Elliot Franklin, this character keeps genuinely colorful, carnival-tinged company across Hachette's German Marvel line. With appearances stretching across a remarkable 25 years through titles like Marvel Origins and Marvel Crossover, Der Clown has proven a quietly persistent presence in the catalog. A niche gem for the dedicated collector of European Marvel editions — sometimes the most intriguing finds are hiding in plain sight.