Robert Frank Jr.

The son of Golden Age heroes the Whizzer and Miss America, Robert Frank Jr. was born with a debilitating radioactive blood condition that prevented him from ever living a normal life, leaving him in a permanent vegetative state from birth.

Born into the Bronze Age of Marvel storytelling, Robert Frank Jr. made his debut in The Avengers Annual #6 (1976), brought to life by the legendary team of Gerry Conway and George Pérez. An Avengers-affiliated figure whose presence has quietly persisted across an impressive span of nearly four decades — from 1976 all the way to 2019 — he's the kind of character that rewards the devoted reader who digs deeper into Marvel's rich ensemble tapestry. His catalog appearances span titles like Marvel Two-in-One, The Avengers, and Spider-Man Comic, placing him in the company of heavy-hitters like Captain America, The Thing, and Ben Grimm, and two of his issues carry genuine key-issue status for collectors on the hunt. A Marvel UK presence with Bronze Age roots and a surprisingly durable legacy — Robert Frank Jr. is a fascinating thread to pull in the larger Marvel weave.