Sandman (Marvel Comics)

For the DC characters of the same name, see Sandman (DC Comics).

Sandman
Sandman as depicted in Thunderbolts #40 (July 2000).
Art by Mark Bagley.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Amazing Spider-Man #4 (September 1963)[1]
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Steve Ditko (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoWilliam Baker
SpeciesHuman mutate
Place of originQueens, New York
Team affiliationsSinister Six
Frightful Four
Avengers
Wild Pack
Enforcers
Outlaws
Intruders
Notable aliasesFlint Marko, Sylvester Mann, Quarryman
Abilities
  • Size and mass manipulation
  • Shapeshifting
  • Earth manipulation
  • Superhuman strength, durability and endurance
  • Density control
  • Flight (in sandstorm form)

The Sandman (William Baker, a.k.a. Flint Marko) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A shapeshifter endowed through an accident with the ability to turn himself into sand, he started out as a recurring adversary to the superhero Spider-Man, but has redeemed himself over time, eventually becoming an antihero. The Sandman has also been an enemy of the Fantastic Four and is a founding member of the supervillain teams the Sinister Six and the Frightful Four.

The character has been adapted into various other media incarnations of Spider-Man, including films, television series, and video games. In live-action, he was portrayed by Thomas Haden Church in Spider-Man 3 (2007) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). An illusionary creature based on the Sandman appeared in the MCU film Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). In 2009, the Sandman was ranked as IGN's 72nd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[2]

  1. ^ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  2. ^ Sandman is number 72 Archived December 31, 2013, at the Wayback Machine IGN. Retrieved 10–05–09.