Absorbing Man

Carl "Crusher" Creel was a boxer who was jailed for cheating the rink out of money. In prison, Thor’s stepbrother Loki was breaking the Wrecking Crew out of prison and left behind a potion. Carl drank it, turning him into the Absorbing Man.

At some point, Absorbing Man was employed by Miss Allure, a criminal with the power to hypnotize people. Absorbing Man fell in love of Allure, but she showed no interest in return. When Allure's powers began to causing her headaches, she hypnotized Bruce Banner in order to having him develope a cure for her, but the jealous Absorbing Man tried to kill Banner. Banner survived by transforming into the Grey Hulk. When Absorbing Man recaptured Banner, he had recovered from Allure's power, but faked to be still hypnotized in order to create a machine which removed not only Allure's headaches, but her power as well. The now powerless Allure accepted the love of Absorbing Man just before being both sent to prison.

Some time later, Absorbing Man joined the Masters of Evil.