Straw Man (Earth-616)

Straw Man
Name	Unrevealed
Current Alias	Straw Man
Aliases	Skirra Corvus, Scarecrow, Guardian
Affiliation and Relationships
Affiliation	Fear Lords, Horror TV
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	5′10″ (1.78 m)
Weight	60 lb
Eyes	Irises: Red
Hair	Yellow
Unusual Features	Takes the form of an animated scarecrow
Origin and Living Status
Origin	Mysterious being that emerges from a painting
Living Status	Alive
Reality	Earth-616
Personal Information
Identity	Secret
Occupation	Apparent protector of Earth, owner of Horror TV
Base of Operations	A painting
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Scott Edelman, Rico Rival
First	Dead of Night #11 (May, 1975)
First	Dead of Night #11 (May, 1975)

History

Origin

Like each of the Fear Lords, the Straw Man was a mystery, and his origin (or even his very existence) was known to few.

The Straw Man is a benevolent entity that appears to emerge from a dimension within its painting to terrorize the wicked and evil while sparing the good and innocent. Centuries ago, he opposed the demon Kalumai.

Early years

During one of their early battles, the Straw Man ripped one of Kalumai's horns from his head and closed the gateway through which he manifested on Earth, sealing it behind an oil painting known only as "The Scarecrow." As a result, the Cult of Kalumai was virtually destroyed and the painting became a sought after occult item as occultists tried to fathom its secrets and Kalumai attempted to reopen the gateway.

Modern Age

In more modern times, the painting found its way to New York City. Cultist Gregor Rovik attempted to purchase it but writer Dave Duncan intervened so that his younger brother Jess could win it. Later Rovik stole the painting and tried to sacrifice Jess' girlfriend Harmony Maxwell using Kalumai's horn. The Straw Man intervened, rescued Harmony and the painting and killed Rovik.

Later, Kalumai sent his agent Bartolome to retrieve the horn by commanding night demons through the use of his flute. The Straw Man, however, succeeded in defeating and banishing both Bortolome and the demons, much to the chagrin of Kalumai.

The Scarecrow painting was eventually publicly displayed and Kalumai found a sympathetic onlooker whom he was able to recreate into an avatar for his power. The possessed man came into conflict with the Fantastic Four's Thing who had been at the gallery with his artist girlfriend Alicia Masters. The Straw Man appeared, presumably controlling Dave Duncan again, and tricked Kalumai's pawn into sealing the painting's gateway permanently with Kalumai's own power. The Straw Man then vanished into the burning painting.

Years later, the Fear Lords gathered to discuss how they might cause more fear and terror on Earth in order to strengthen themselves. The Straw Man opposed the others, having gone to the meeting only to inform the others that Earth was under his protection and he would oppose their plans. To aid humanity in resisting their fear-mongering, the Straw Man manifested on Earth under the name of Skirra Corvus and created the "Horror TV" cable network to help inoculate humanity against fear. He also informed Doctor Strange of the Fear Lords' actions through 'Horror TV.' The Straw Man's avatar was soon destroyed by the Lurking Unknown but he left Strange with the Scarecrow painting, through which he could again return. As the Fear Lord' plot unfurled, D'Spayre betrayed the other Fear Lords and absorbed their powers. He was opposed by the Straw Man who allowed D'Spayre to set another one of his straw manifestations on fire, in order to use the flames to free Dr. Strange from his restraints. The Straw Man continues to observe humanity from his otherworldly home.

The Straw Man later met with the other Fear Lords to discuss the Serpent's attempted conquest of Earth and the group was gathered again by Kid Loki to stop Nightmare from becoming the King of Fear by forging the Serpent's fear into a crown and usurping all the other Lords. To this end they were tricked into a stalemate where none could possess the crown without it being taken by another. This seemingly lasted until Mephisto claimed the crown for himself and the Fear Lords bent to his will, feeding off the fear Mephisto gave them from the crown. It is presumed that when Kid Loki sacrificed himself the crown faded and the Fear Lords left Mephisto's service.

Attributes

Power Grid

Powers

• The Straw Man forms scarecrow-like grain-stalk bodies to exist beyond his painting. His manifestations are immune to almost all physical damage except flame. Bullets and bladed weapons do superficial damage at best, and his straw-packed limbs restitch themselves immediately after suffering the slightest injury.

• His manifestations are apparently mute apart from their hideous laughter, which causes paralyzing fear in those who hear it.

• These bodies can also summon and control a murder of crows, animate plant life, affect weather, open spatial or dimensional warps, communicate telepathically, and assume human appearance.

Weaknesses

His straw bodies are vulnerable to fire and it takes him some time to reform.

Notes

• Straw Man first appeared in Dead of Night #11. It was intended for Scarecrow #1, which even made it to subscription pages, but that series was never published. Straw Man was also intended to appear bi-monthly in following issue of Dead of Night, but the title was canceled with issue #11.

See Also

• 10 appearance(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)
• 8 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)
• 1 minor appearance(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)
• 2 mention(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)
• 3 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)
• 10 image(s) of Straw Man (Earth-616)

Links and References

• Straw Man on Marvel.com
• Straw Man at the Marvel Appendix