The Kangaroo
First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #81
Last (and actually his second) appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #126

A native Australian, Frank Oliver became intrigued by the kangaroos he saw in his home-land and took it upon himself to study them, and trained to become a human kangaroo. After a long period of work, Frank discovered he could do what ever a kangaroo could, whether it be hopping in the air or using his legs as weapons. Deciding to use his powers as a boxer, Frank, who now called himself the Kangaroo, put his first opponent into a coma during their initial bout and charges were brought against him. The Kangaroo fled to America to escape the charges, but soon after his arrival on American soil, Frank was apprehended by immigration agents. Brought through New York city on his way back to Australia, the Kangaroo managed to escape custody, and began to embrace his new criminal lifestyle. Embarking on his first crimespree, the Kangaroo attempted to rob an armored car, assuming it would be full of money. Instead it was actually transporting a deadly virus, which Frank stole and took with him, assuming that the vial housing the virus actually contained jewels. Wishing to get quick cash as well though, the Kangaroo robbed a group of socialites, and gained an enemy in Spider-Man, who was actually trying just to get the vial, but the Kangaroo interpreted it as an attack. Spider-Man got the vial back, safe and sound and the Kangaroo got away.

Leaving his first battle with Spider-Man a broken man, the Kangaroo went on to become homeless, not daring to steal anything else, though dreaming of the moment when he could again challenge Spider-Man. That moment came soon when Dr. Jonas Harrow, a twisted criminal doctor responisble for the creation of Hammerhead, approached the Kangaroo with the promise of giving the power he so desired. After recieving treatments from Harrow, the Kangaroo's strength was increased and he could now jump higher, though unbeknowsnt to the Kangaroo, Harrow had implanted a bug in his head, forcing the Kangaroo to do his bidding. The Kangaroo's first job was to steal a radioactive isotope, and hearing of the Kangaroo's presense, Spidey arrived on the scene. A fight broke out in the lab and a hole was accidently made in the door of the room containing the isotope. Spider-Man warned Kangaroo that the radioactive waves are dangerous, but not believing Spidey before about the jewels, the Kangaroo didn't believe Spider-Man this time either. Knocking Spider-Man aside, the Kangaroo entered the room and was burnt to a crisp. The Kangaroo died, but not even death can keep a gimmick down.

The Kangaroo resurfaced years later, though it was revealed that the new Kangaroo was actually someone new who took up the mantle of his late hero Frank Oliver (see separate entry). The original Kangaroo returned from beyond the grave, however briefly, to fight the mercenary Deadpool, as part of a group of clones of deceased heroes and villains created by the twisted genetist Arnim Zola.

Powers and Abilities: The Kangaroo originally had developed himself extensivly to be able to mimic the powers of a kangaroo, and could leap very high, though having the strength of an average human. Later the Kangaroo had his powers enhanced, giving him superhuman strength and a pair of jet boots that allowed him to leap much higher.

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