Publisher Marvel Comics | Alter ego Robert Ralston | |
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Created by Stan Lee (writer)
Jack Kirby (artist)
Dick Ayers (artist) Team affiliations Howling Commandos
V-Battalion First appearance Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963) Creators Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers Affiliation Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos Similar Pinky Pinkerton, Happy Sam Sawyer, Gabe Jones, Junior Juniper, Eric Koenig | ||
Robert "Rebel" Ralston is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is known for appearing in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos.
Contents
Publication history
Rebel Ralston first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963) and was created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Dick Ayers.
Fictional character biography
Robert "Rebel" Ralston is a native of Kentucky and a founding member of the original Howling Commandos led by Nick Fury. Rebel Ralston fought alongside the team during World War II. Ralston was an accomplished horseman and was skilled with a lasso. He was also the "creator" of the Howlers battle cry "Wahoo!". Mr. Ralston and Mrs. Ralston were seen.
After the war, he was one of the founding members of the V-Battalion and the Penance Council. He was later elected Senator of Texas, apparently with clandestine help from the V-Battalion. He rejoined his old comrades in the Howling Commandos to battle a Baron Strucker robot. The Commandos and Captain America stopped the Strucker robot but the Howling Commandos' superior Captain Sam Sawyer was killed. He survived an assassination attempt while co-chairing the Senate Defense Committee. He has worked closely with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Commission on Superhuman Activities.
When Fury was seemingly killed by Punisher, Ralston and Iron Man advised the President not to attend the funeral in the event that the supervillains attack it.
In the form of Lt. Dallas, Omnibus placed Ralston under mental control to turn over information that can used to fund a terrorist organization called "The Alliance". When the Hulk was captured by Major Glenn Talbot, Ralston observed Bruce Banner in custody and refused to have Talbot kill Banner until the President has made a decision. Robert attended a briefing on "The Alliance" with Talbot, Dum Dum Dugan, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and Henry Peter Gyrich. The Senator and his allies continued to debate about "The Alliance". They could not determine who "The Alliance" were and what their motive is. After Hulk had claimed responsibility for "The Alliance" in order to serve as an enemy that the people can fight back against, Thor confronted Ralston and the others stating that he will confront Hulk.
Robert was contacted by J. Jonah Jameson as he searched for support against Bastion and Operation: Zero Tolerance. Ralston suggested to Jameson to try Senator Robert Kelly who was more frustrated with the mutant issue than him. Jameson frustratingly then states of voting for a Republican by the next election.
Ralston traveled to Sudan where he met many of his former Howling Commandos teammates (consisting of Nick Fury, Captain America, Sharon Carter and John Garrett) at Fury's Sandbox for one last party together. Fury talked with Ralston for a moment about the support for Nick's operation that would get the U.S. Senate and the Senator only asked how soon Nick will need those votes. Robert listed to a good few stories from the past. Ralston raised his glass in a toast to the fallen members of the Howling Commanders.
Robert spoke to the United Nations about the President's plans for international funds to provide economic, political, and military stabilities in areas suffering from international terrorist threats. Ralston was appointed control over the fund. The Senator picked up Jasper Sitwell and Dum Dum Dugan from the United Nations' prison and brought them to his limousine waiting for them with Nick and Garrett already inside.
As part of the Marvel NOW! event, he attended a weapons expo where he met with Maria Hill and Nick Fury, Jr. as they noticed the Iron Patriot armor on display as one of the items at the convention. A fight broke out against A.I.M., and he was apparently killed by Yelena Belova during the fight.
Powers and abilities
In his prime, Rebel Ralston is a trained ranger where he was usually wielding a machine gun and grenades. Besides being an expert horse rider during his days as a jockey, he was an expert at wielding a lasso.
Other versions
The Ultimate Marvel version of Robert Ralston is seen as a United States Senator. He was present during the President of the United States's hearing regarding the Winter Protocols' implementation, and dies during the Maker's subsequent attack.