View source for Slug (character)

{{In-universe|date=July 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox comics character
|character_name = Slug
|image          = Slug-comics.jpg
|caption        = The Slug battles Spider-Man. From ''Web of Spider-Man'' Annual #4
|real_name      = Ulysses X. Lugman
|species        = [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|Human Mutant]]
|publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
|debut          = ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #325 (Jan 1987)
|creators       = [[Mark Gruenwald]] and [[Paul Neary]]
|alliances      =
|aliases        =
|powers         = Gifted intellect<br>Use of his immense fat
}} 
'''Slug''' ('''Ulysses X. Lugman''') is a fictional [[supervillain]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]].

[[Shea Couleé]] portrayed the character in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] [[Disney+]] series ''[[Ironheart (miniseries)|Ironheart]]'' (2025).

==Publication history==
The supervillain Slug first appeared in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #325 (January 1987) and was co-created by [[Mark Gruenwald]] and [[Paul Neary]].

In regards to the character's concept, [[Mark Gruenwald]] once commented that he initially thought a 1,200 pound man was implausible, but later discovered the existence of such individuals through reading ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | first = Dwight Jon | last = Zimmerman | date = January 1988 | title = Mark Gruenwald | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = 54 | page = 15 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Ulysses Lugman was born in [[Miami, Florida]]. He is a notorious drug kingpin and criminal organizer, as well as the president and owner of several legal businesses in Miami. Due to his obesity, he took on the name "Slug."

After it was discovered that he was the Miami drug connection for the [[Kingpin (character)|Kingpin]], [[Nomad (Marvel Comics)|Nomad]] infiltrated his organization. Slug fought against Nomad and [[Captain America]], but ultimately his criminal empire was dismantled. With the help of [[List of Marvel Comics characters: V|Vagabond]], his yacht was sunk and his business was toppled.<ref>''Captain America'' #325. Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Slug later conferred with the Kingpin about a disruption in the drug supply caused by the [[High Evolutionary]]'s agents.<ref>''Web of Spider-Man'' Annual #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> The Slug agreed to eliminate investment counselor Joe Trinity for his employee Dallas Kerr. He encountered a transformed Trinity and [[Poison (comics)|Poison]].<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #61-66. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Lugman is one of the villains shown in the crossover event ''Dead Man's Hand''. A mysterious organization created a meeting in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] to divide up the territory and related situations of the deposed criminal mastermind the Kingpin. Among the many criminal groups that attended are the [[Secret Empire (organization)|Secret Empire]], [[Werner von Strucker]] and [[Hammerhead (comics)|Hammerhead]]'s group. The situation falls apart due to various factors, including infighting among the group leaders and the slightly successful infiltration of [[Microchip (comics)|Microchip]] and [[Mickey Fondozzi]].<ref>''Daredevil'' #307-309; ''Nomad'' (vol. 2) #4-6; ''The Punisher War Journal'' #46-48. Marvel Comics.</ref>

After receiving a warning from Nomad's enemy, known as the "Favor Broker," Lugman attempts to flee the situation in a [[vehicle]] that is specially designed to accommodate his weight. The vigilantes [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]], [[Punisher]], and Nomad track down the vehicle due to its unique size and the limited number of ways out of town. Nomad has a personal vendetta against Lugman, making the confrontation particularly significant.{{issue|date=April 2023}}

Fortunately for Lugman, circumstances intervene, and Nomad is the one who reaches him first rather than the Punisher, a [[criminal]] who is known for killing his targets. After confronting Lugman and realizing that he has been forgotten, Nomad experiences a moral dilemma before ultimately knocking him out.{{issue|date=April 2023}}

Despite Nomad's intervention, Punisher still attempts to kill Lugman. However, he soon discovers that his weapon is empty and he is unable to carry out his plan.<ref>''Nomad'' (vol. 2) #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Later, Lugman is seen bowing under the pressure and blackmail of [[Don Fortunato]] who wishes to be the new Kingpin of Crime. [[Spider-Man]] and Daredevil help break up this meeting, seemingly leaving Ulysses free with his territory intact. He was seen imprisoned in [[The Raft (comics)|The Raft]], a prison for superhuman criminals.<ref>''The New Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Slug breaks out of the Raft and joins the [[The Hood|Hood]]'s criminal empire. He helps them fight the New Avengers but is taken down by [[Doctor Strange]].<ref>''The New Avengers'' Annual #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Secret Invasion]]" storyline, Hood's crime syndicate were questioning one of a group of [[Skrull]]s that had tried to take [[Madame Masque]]. It is soon discovered that Slug is a Skrull in disguise when Hood uses a spell that successfully reveals the Skrull. As a result, the Skrull posing as Slug is killed by the Hood who then orders his group to burn its body. The other villains present wonder when Slug had been replaced.<ref>''The New Avengers'' #46. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, the real Slug is later seen as part of the Hood's criminal gang that is sent by [[Norman Osborn]] to attack the New Avengers. The fight takes place inside the former [[Hellfire Club (comics)|Hellfire Club]]. He and most of the group are defeated in battle.<ref>''The New Avengers'' #50. Marvel Comics.</ref>

After video footage of [[Tigra]] being beaten by the Hood is released onto the internet, Tigra and [[Hank Pym|Giant-Man]] identify Slug as the source of the footage. Now penniless after the Hood's fall from power, Slug sold the footage to a celebrity video website for money needed to leave the country. He is defeated by Tigra and Giant-Man and placed under arrest.<ref>''Avengers Academy'' #8. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Slug returned to Miami and reestablished his criminal empire. In the midst of the "Last Days" part of the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, [[Miss Patriot|Mary Morgan]] hires [[Ant-Man (Scott Lang)|Scott Lang]] to steal back an [[Asgard (comics)|Asgardian]] artifact that she had lost to Slug over a game of [[contract bridge]].<ref> {{Cite comic|writer = Nick Spencer|penciller = Ramon Rosanas|inker = Ramon Rosanas|colorist = Jordan Boyd|letterer = VC's Travis Lanham|editor = Wil Moss|title = Ant-Man: Last Days|volume = |issue = #1|date = 26 August 2015|publisher = Marvel Comics|location = United States}}</ref>

As part of the ''[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]'', Slug used [[Power Broker (character)|Power Broker]] II's Hench App to hire the second [[Hijacker (comics)|Hijacker]] to steal a [[Giganto]] egg from a [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] cargo ship.<ref>''The Astonishing Ant-Man'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "Search for Tony Stark" arc, Slug rejoins Hood's gang as they attack Castle Doom.<ref>''The Invincible Iron Man'' #597. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Hunted (comics)|Hunted]]" storyline, Slug is among the animal-themed characters that were captured by [[Taskmaster (character)|Taskmaster]] and [[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]] for [[Kraven the Hunter]]'s "Great Hunt" which was sponsored by [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]]'s company Arcade Industries.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #17. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
The Slug possesses a gifted intellect and is a master strategist with a sharp [[business acumen]] where he is often leading through a combination of intimidation and rewards.

His most notable attribute is his immense weight, which can exceed one thousand pounds. According to ''[[The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update '89]]'', it is possible that the Slug is a mutant, given how difficult it is for a normal person to achieve such tremendous mass and remain alive. Unlike the [[Blob (Marvel Comics)|Blob]], the Slug lacks the ability to compensate for his mass, rendering him practically immobile unless he is utilizing a high-tech personal hovercraft. The Slug's high percentage of body fat allows him to float effortlessly in water, and his metabolism grants him limited immunity to drugs and poisons. The Slug is known to asphyxiate his victims (usually his underlings who have failed or displeased him) in the folds of his flesh.

Due to his extreme obesity, the Slug is incapable of supporting his own weight while standing or moving his body mass under his power. Therefore, he must consume vast quantities of food and liquid every day, often eating during most of his waking moments.

===Equipment===
Due to his extreme sensitivity to light, the Slug is almost always seen wearing shaded [[eyeglasses]].

In order to move around, the Slug makes use of special custom-designed heavy-duty electric [[wheelchair]]/forklifts that are outfitted with tank treads or heavy tires. His chairs seem to operate by remote control and may even include built-in flotation devices or rocket boosters to allow for air escape. For longer distances, the Slug travels in a custom semi-trailer.

==In other media==
A different version of Slug appears in ''[[Ironheart (miniseries)|Ironheart]]'', portrayed by [[Shea Couleé]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MarvelStudios|number=1935427388554330519|title=Ironheart crew teaser|date=June 18, 2025}}</ref> This version is a [[hacker]], former [[drag queen]], and a member of a Chicago street gang led by the [[Hood (Marvel Comics)|Hood]] who is described to be the most wanted person in [[Madripoor]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ulysses_Lugman_(Earth-616) Slug] at Marvel Wiki
* [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/slug/4005-3230/ Slug] at Comic Vine

{{Spider-Man characters}}
{{Captain America characters}}
{{Moon Knight}}

[[Category:Characters created by Mark Gruenwald]]
[[Category:Characters created by Paul Neary]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Miami]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with giftedness]]
[[Category:Fictional crime bosses]]
[[Category:Fictional gangsters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics mutants]]