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Silvermane ( Silvio Manfredi) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A notorious crime boss and prominent figure in the Maggia, a fictional organized crime syndicate, he is usually depicted as an adversary of the superhero Spider-Man and the father of Joseph Manfredi.Jeff Rovin (1987). 081601356X, Facts on File. 081601356X[1] Silvermane later became a cyborg in an attempt to extend his lifespan.
The character has made appearances in several forms of media outside of comics, including animated series and video games.
The character's original storyline was about a mysterious stone tablet coveted by several villains. The "Tablet Saga" proved popular, although artist John Romita Sr. said that it was not originally intended as an arc, stating "We never even thought up Silvermane until the seventh issue of, let alone a 'socko' ending." (2025). 9781605490557, TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 9781605490557
In his first appearance, an elderly Silvermane forces Curt Connors to make a potion from an ancient clay tablet to grant himself immortality. However, the serum instead causes him to rapidly de-age and eventually fade from existence. The Amazing Spider-Man #73-75. marvel Comics. Silvermane eventually reappeared, revealing that he had mystically aged to his forties. He started a new career and again quickly rose through the Maggia's ranks until he regained control of his family, the sought to form an alliance with Hydra, determined to take over the world as their leader, the Supreme Hydra. He was defeated by Daredevil, Nick Fury, and S.H.I.E.L.D. Daredevil #121-123. Marvel Comics. Silvermane reappeared in New York in an attempt to unite all of New York's gangs under his leadership and take over the criminal underworld, but his plans were complicated by the Green Goblin, who opposed him. During a confrontation between the Goblin, Silvermane and Spider-Man, Silvermane fell from a great height but survived. The Amazing Spider-Man #176-180. Marvel Comics.
Silvermane has worked with many super-villains, such as Hammerhead, and he has also been known to be a rival of the Kingpin, even once trying to assassinate the crime lord while he was suffering from amnesia. The Amazing Spider-Man #197. Marvel Comics. His former partner, Dominic Tyrone, assumed the identity of the Rapier and sought vengeance against Silvermane for betraying him by attempting to take his life. The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #2. Marvel Comics. A flashback one-shot focused heavily on Silvermane's lifetime of corruption and crime, going back to his early career in Italy. The framework was reporter Ben Urich investigating the background of the Maggia. He learned that Silvermane was a legendary criminal figure for decades; mothers would even warn their children to behave or "One-Eye" would get them. Spider-Man: Made Men #1 (August 1998). Marvel Comics.
In his old age, Silvermane's injuries caused his youth serum to wear off, rendering him an invalid. Though bedridden, he continued to run his criminal empire until Dagger nearly killed him. Silvermane attempted to prolong his life by transforming himself into a cyborg. The Spectacular Spider-Man #69-70. Marvel Comics. Kingpin gained control of his cyborg body until Dagger restored his life energy to him. The Spectacular Spider-Man #94-96. Marvel Comics. His cyborg body was badly damaged by the first Jack O'Lantern during a gang war between Hammerhead and the Kingpin. The Amazing Spider-Man #284. Marvel Comics. Silvermane used a remote-controlled android doppelganger to battle Spider-Man. This was part of an attempt to boost the power of his remaining organic parts by harvesting new ones from Spider-Man's body. He attempted to drain his nemesis's radioactive blood to power a new, much stronger cyborg body. Web of Spider-Man #79-80. Marvel Comics. Silvermane also confronted Deathlok and the Punisher while setting up a major drug operation outside a grammar school. Deathlok #8-9. Marvel Comics. Even though he is no longer human, he has continued to remain active in the Maggia.
Silvermane attempted to take part in a meetup of various criminal warlords, during a time when Wilson Fisk had fallen from power. The meeting's goal was to divide up Fisk's territory and assets, but it did not go well. Silvermane was caught in the crossfire between the Secret Empire's forces and the Punisher. This was purely by coincidence as he was simply staying at the same motel as Punisher was. Silvermane used the resources of his personal semi-trailer and the cyborg bodies stored within to battle his way through the attackers and escape. Punisher War Journal #46-48. Marvel Comics.
It was revealed some time later that Silvermane was killed during a shootout with Owl's gang at a New York City scrap yard. He was picked up by a magnet and dropped into a garbage compactor, crushing him to death and leaving his already weakened criminal syndicate without a leader. Months later, he apparently returns along with other deceased members of his gang during the Maggia's losing battle with the forces of Mister Negative. However, this is later revealed to be a ruse orchestrated by a mobster named Carmine: "Silvermane" is actually a lifelike robotic duplicate controlled by a hired Mysterio to give Carmine more influence within the Maggia and position him to take over. The tables are turned on Carmine when Mysterio uses the duplicate to murder him, seemingly as a plot to take over the Maggia himself. The Amazing Spider-Man #618-620. Marvel Comics.
Silvermane's head is shown to still be alive as it was found by a young boy when he traveled into the scrap yard, before then being stolen by the Shocker. The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #3. Marvel Comics. The head is used as leverage by The Superior Foes of Spider-Man to take control of the Maggia, but the team members turn on each other when it comes time to decide who will actually be in charge. Shocker protects Silvermane from Punisher. In return, the crime boss nominates him as his successor to head the Maggia. The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #17. Marvel Comics.
Silvermane is among the crime lords competing with Mister Negative in obtaining the Tablet of Life and Destiny to win the favor of Mayor Wilson Fisk. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #59. Marvel Comics.
During the "Gang War" storyline, Silvermane and Count Nefaria talk about the upcoming gang war. In a turn of events, Silvermane loses control of his body and attacks Count Nefaria. He is reduced to a disembodied head once more and accompanies the Maggia in fighting Spider-Man. The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #38 - 44 (January - April 2024)
His preferred weapons are numerous machine guns, especially the Thompson .45 caliber.
Later, Silvermane's brain, vital organs, and head were transplanted into a robotic body, thus increasing his physical attributes to abnormal levels. However, his remaining biological parts needs careful protection because of their extreme vulnerability. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 1 #10 (September 2009). Marvel Comics.
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