| For alternate versions of Sandman, see Sandman's Character Hub |
- "I didn't choose to be this. The only thing left to me now... is my daughter."
- ―Sandman to Peter Parker[src]
Flint Marko is a small time crook who is the father of Penny Marko and the ex-husband of Emma Marko. During his criminal career, he was the partner of Dennis Carradine. He was also responsible for the unintentional death of Ben Parker, despite Carradine's initial blame for the death. Unintentionally killing Ben is something that would haunt him over the next few years.
A few years following the death of Ben Parker, while being chased by policemen, Marko fell down into a super collider, fusing his body with surrounding sound, he became the villain known as Sandman. As the Sandman, he would become a frequent enemy of Spider-Man, as he was in fact Peter Parker, Ben's nephew, and was bonded to an alien substance that drove him to revenge. Marko, tired of Spider-Man in his way, then agreed with Venom-bonded Eddie Brock to kill Spider-Man. However, after discovering that Spider-Man was Peter by the end of the battle, he let go of his hatred and regretfully admitted that killing his Uncle was an accident. Spider-Man forgave Marko and they ended on good terms.
19 years later, Sandman was unintentionally transported to an alternate universe, due to a botched spell. He teamed up with this universes Peter, two variants of the villains from his universe and two variants of villains from another alternate universe to get cured and return to their universes. However, after the Green Goblin emerged, he persuaded Flint to join him. Eventually with the help of this Peter, his Peter and another alternate Peter, Flint and the other villains were cured, and are sent back to their universes.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Daughter's health[]
- "My daughter was dying. I needed money. I was scared."
- ―Flint Marko to Peter Parker[src]
Years before he became a crook, Flint Marko married Emma Marko, and they had a daughter, Penny Marko. A few years after Penny was born, Penny suffered from an unknown illness, causing Flint to turn to criminal ways and get money to support for her.[1]
Criminal Career[]
Allying with Dennis Carradine[]
During his criminal career, Marko met up with carjacker and criminal Dennis Carradine, who would become his partner in his criminal activities. Marko also carried a gun in case, as he was scared when he felt defenseless against anyone he came across.[1]
Murder Of Ben Parker[]
- "No, wait, son. You don't want to do this."
- ―Ben Parker to Flint Marko[src]
One night in 2002, as Dennis Carradine robbed an underground wrestling tournament, Marko took the opportunity to find a man in his car. He then threatened the man to give up his car, so that he could sell it and earn money. However, the man who was known as Ben Parker, told him to put the gun and go back home. Realizing that Ben was trying to help him, Flint hesitated. Carradine then arrived. However, Carradine's sudden appearance startled Flint, who accidentally pulled the trigger, killing Ben, much to his horror. Despite Carradine telling him to get in the car, a horrified Flint stayed with the body, causing Carradine to drive off. His death would continue to haunt Flint, wishing every day he could take it back.
After the death of Ben Parker, Marko and Carradine went their separate ways, while Carradine later died when he fell out of a window of a warehouse the night Ben died. Eventually, Marko was incarcerated at an unknown prison, while he was divorced from Emma following the murder.[1]
2005 Year[]
Breaking Out of Prison[]
- "I promise I'll make you healthy again. Whatever it takes. I'll get the money."
- ―Flint Marko to Penny Marko[src]
Three years later, Marko broke out of prison. He decided to return to his old house to see his daughter and hide, however, the police were still chasing him. After making it to his house, he placed some letters under Penny's bed where she was sleeping and got changed out of his prison clothes. However, Emma, Marko's ex-wife found him, and they had a brief argument over Ben Parker's death. Eventually, Penny woke up to the arguments and went downstairs to the kitchen. She met Marko who promised to find the money to cure her, before Emma asked him to leave. Marko then left, but not before telling them he wasn't a bad person, he just had bad luck.[1]
Becoming Sandman[]
Super Collider Incident[]
Marko found himself on the run from policemen, he stumbled into an area before a police guard dog attacked him. He managed to subdue the dog and climbed over a fence, not noticing a sign that it was a restricted test facility and to keep out. He ran over and accidentally falling into a pit filled with sand and with a super collider above. Unknown to Marko, scientists were experimenting to see if sand could shield people from radiation and it was eventually switched on, not noticing Marko's presence. The super collider began to spin the sand around in circles, Marko tried to escape but was deflected back in the center. As the collider reached to maximum levels, the mutated sand entered through the pours of Marko's skin and to be infused with his cells, turning them into sand. He then watched in horror as his skin started turning into specks of sand, disappearing before the police arrived and the collider was switched off.[1]
New Form[]
The following morning, Flint survived and sand started to self-reform him. After struggling to sit up, due to his body now made of pure sand, Marko then exhaled and observed his new form and realizes he was now made of sand, before his attention was drawn to the locket Penny gave him. He tried to pick it up but his hand fell apart due to being made of sand. Eventually, he managed to reform his fingers and he obtained his locket. Observing the picture of the locket, Flint became determined to help his sick daughter and realizing he could now use his newfound powers to do so, becoming the Sandman. He got the strength to stand up and turning back into his human form, as well his color. Now turned back into his human form, Sandman then walked away, ready to try and fix Penny's disease.[1]
Clashing with Spider-Man[]
Battle at the Van[]
Marko being spotted by the police
- "I don't wanna hurt you. Leave now."
"I guess you haven't heard. I'm the sheriff 'round these parts."
"Okay." - ―Sandman and Spider-Man[src]
One day, while walking around the street, a few policemen saw him and recognized him as the escaped convict from the Ben Parker case. After telling him to halt, Marko ran inside a truck containing sand. After the police searched the truck looking for him, Marko then threw the policemen away and flew around the city in his new sand form. After this, he decided to rob a van containing money and surrounded it with sand. However, the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man showed up and fought with him. Testing his new capabilities, Marko morphed his hand to be bigger and punched Spider-Man. After a while, Spider-Man took the money bags from Sandman, and left to help the people trapped inside the van. After seeing Spider-Man rescue them, Marko walked away, annoyed that Spider-Man thwarted his plans.[1]
Bank Robbery and Subway Fight[]
Marko is confronted by the black-suited Spider-Man
- "What do you want from me?"
"Remember Ben Parker? The old man you shot down in cold blood!?"
"What does it matter to you anyway!?" - ―Sandman and Spider-Man[src]
After the botched van robbery, Marko robbed a bank. Spider-Man, now sporting a black suit, decided to hunt down Marko. This was due to the fact that he was actually Peter Parker, who was Ben's nephew. When Marko got confused on what Ben meant to him, Spider-Man attacked Marko kicking him across the trains. Sandman was unaware that Spider-Man was being controlled by the black suit that was amplifying negative emotions, causing him to attack Sandman relentlessly, and putting his face on the moving trains, which defigured him. Marko then attacked Spider-Man and slammed him across the trains, but Spider-Man punched Marko and disfigured him yet again, yet he managed to self-reform again. As Marko fell into a puddle, Spider-Man then realized his weakness, and opened a water pipe. After this, the black suited Spider-Man believed that he had killed him and left.[1]
Reforming[]
After a few days, Marko managed to escape from the sewers and regained his form, and looked on the locket containing a picture of young Penny. Vengeful over Spider-Man thwarting his plans again, he went to find him.[1]
Alliance with Venom[]
Meeting Venom[]
- "Look. I wanna kill the Spider. You wanna kill the Spider. Together, he doesn't stand a chance. Interested?"
"Yeah." - ―Eddie Brock and Sandman[src]
While walking down an alleyway, Sandman saw a black suited figure, whom he initially believed to be Spider-Man but later realized he was someone else. Eddie Brock, the person wearing the suit, then revealed how he also knew about Flint and how Spider-Man wouldn't let him save his own daughter. As they both wanted Spider-Man dead, Eddie asked Sandman for an alliance, the latter who complied.[1]
Battle at the Construction Site[]
Sandman in giant form
After Venom kidnapped MJ, Spider-Man showed up, ready to save her. However, Venom pushed him down to the ground. Eventually, a hulking form of Sandman appeared and attacked Spider-Man. Venom then held Spider-Man, and Marko pulled some punches on Spider-Man. However, Harry Osborn showed up and threw a pumpkin bomb at Sandman, disfiguring him. Eventually Sandman was attacked by the combined forces of Spider-Man and Harry. Harry, using his glider, then used the glider's flares on Sandman which was able to destroy his arm. After firing torpedoes at Sandman, Harry was able to successfully defeat Marko's hulking form.[1]
Making Peace with Spider-Man[]
- "Did a terrible thing to you. I spent a lot of nights wishing I could take it back. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I just want you to understand."
- ―Sandman to Spider-Man[src]
After Eddie Brock and Venom's death, Sandman approached Peter Parker, coming to the sense he was Ben's nephew. He told Parker that he only wanted money for his daughter which was all he had, and Ben's death was purely an accident of him trying to get more money for Penny. He then admitted that what he did to Peter was terrible and had been wishing every day since he never did it. Peter acknowledged that he had done terrible things as well. Believing that Marko was genuinely remorseful, Parker was able to forgive Marko as well as himself for the death. Touched by Peter's compassion and respect, Marko accepted this and Peter allowed him to escape peacefully, ending their relationship on good terms. Marko transformed into a sandstorm and flew away through the city.[1]
Spider-Man Multiversal Crisis[]
19 years after being forgiven by Peter, Sandman was suddenly pulled from his universe (Earth-96283) and transported to an alternate universe (MCU universe), where he arrived in a forest in New York, not knowing what happened. While wandering around, Sandman noticed Electro (an alternate version of Electro from the Earth-120703 universe, which is another alternate universe) trying to shoot a bolt of electricity at the MCU Spider-Man, so Sandman, thinking it was his Spider-Man from Earth-96283, became a wall of sand to whirl up and take the brunt of the shock. As he was protecting the MCU Spider-Man, Sandman asked him if he remembered him, thinking it was his Spider-Man until the web-slinger told him he was not the Peter Parker he knew, much to Sandman's confusion.
Despite his confusion, Sandman agreed to help the MCU Spider-Man fight Electro by acting as a wall of protective sand around Spider-Man. Sandman turned into a sand typhoon swirling around Electro while the MCU Spider-Man destroyed the utility poles that were feeding Electro energy. After Electro was defeated, Sandman appeared next to an unmasked MCU Spider-Man, not recognizing him as his Spider-Man.
The pair approached Electro on the surface, and Sandman listened as the MCU Spider-Man revealed that Sandman and Electro were in another universe, much to Sandman's surprise. When Electro's eyes started flashing, Sandman attempted to calm him down. Sandman pretended Electro wasn't naked until the MCU Spider-Man found some clothes and had Electro wear them, before using magic from his web-shooters to transport him away.
Uneasy at the sight of Electro seemingly disintegrating, Sandman asked the MCU Spider-Man what he did and accused Spider-Man of killing the villain, which angered and freaked him out. The MCU Spider-Man pleaded for him to calm down and trust him, but Sandman told him he didn't trust him since he didn't know this Spider-Man. Before Sandman could attack him, the MCU Spider-Man used his web-shooters to transport him to a holding cell at the New York Sanctum, where other villains, including Electro, were held at.
He furiously pounded his fists against the barrier, asking what this was. Annoyed at Electro and Lizard (an alternate version of the Lizard from Electro's universe) talking to each other, Sandman told them to be silent and asked the MCU Spider-Man's friends, Michelle Jones and Ned Leeds where they were, and they responded it was a wizard's dungeon.
Offered Help[]
- "They both died. Fighting Spider-Man. It was all over the news. Green Goblin? Impaled by the glider he flew around on. And a couple years later, you, Doc Ock, drowned in the river with your machine."
- ―Sandman[src]
The next day, the MCU Spider-Man brought Norman Osborn (an alternate version of Osborn from his universe) to the New York Sanctum, where he reunited with Doctor Octopus (an alternate version of Octopus from his and Osborn's universe). Osborn was told by Doctor Octopus that he was supposed to be a dead, and when the MCU Spider-Man was about to say otherwise, Sandman intervened, revealing that both Osborn and Doctor Octopus died fighting their universe's Spider-Man. He explained to the shocked scientists how they died, making every villain concerned for their fates when they would return to their home realities.
When Doctor Strange was about to use the Macchina di Kadavus to send the Multiversal travelers back home, the villains reacted nervous and uneasy, until the MCU Spider-Man stole the box and teleported Strange to Sandman's cell. Strange managed to easily walk through the barrier, making Sandman try to walk out but bumped into the transparent wall. The MCU Spider-Man managed to steal the box and trap Strange in the Mirror Dimension, returning to the sanctum. He offered the villains help by fixing them of their afflictions, with Sandman noting that he just wanted to go home. The villains then decided to go along with Spider-Man's plan.
Spider-Man's Science Project[]
- "I have a daughter, and I want to see her. But he's not gonna send anyone home until he's finished his little science project back there."
- ―Sandman to Electro[src]
With the MCU Spider-Man's help, the villains were snuck into Happy Hogan's apartment complex in a F.E.A.S.T. truck, allowing Sandman, Electro, Norman Osborn and a restrained Doctor Octopus to hustle into Hogan's apartment. Sandman took a seat on the black leather sofa, accidentally causing sand from his body to fall onto the cushions. He apologized and tried to brush the sand off the sofa but was unsuccessful.
While the MCU Spider-Man and Osborn were creating a Neural Inhibitor Chip for Doctor Octopus, Sandman and Electro began conversing. Electro told Sandman about how he could so much more in this universe with the Arc Reactor, and asked Sandman why he came along. Sandman responded that he wanted to see his daughter, saying that Spider-Man would not send them home until he finished curing them. After admitting that he didn't trust anyone, Sandman asked Electro how he ended up the way he did. Electro explained that he fell into a vat of electric eels, and Sandman told him he himself fell into a super collider. Electro took sympathy in this, reminding that they needed to be careful where they could fall. Sandman and the rest looked up from below as the MCU Spider-Man placed the chip onto Doctor Octopus' tentacles, successfully curing Octavius, and Sandman was even admirably impressed after Otto Octavius was back to his normal self.
Escape from Spider-Man[]
- "Leave it alone. The sooner you guys get through this, the sooner we go home."
- ―Sandman[src]
When Electro's Cure was placed onto Electro's chest, he admitted that he didn't like it, but Sandman told him to leave it alone, since the sooner they are cured, the sooner they could go home. Later, everyone noticed that the MCU Spider-Man was sensing something was off in the apartment, so they all looked concerned. Green Goblin took over Norman Osborn's body and insisted they didn't need to be fixed, referring to their afflictions as gifts. Sandman then backed out from the apartment into a cloud of sand.
As a battle broke loose and the rest of the villains escaped, Sandman disintegrated into a whirl of sand, retreating. The swirling cloud of sand that was Sandman approached the burst-open living room wall. Sandman propelled himself forward, taking to the wind and flew off.
Battle at Liberty Island[]
- "Where's the box, Peter?"
- ―Sandman to MCU Spider-Man[src]
Once the MCU Spider-Man made a broadcast message through The Daily Bugle announcing his presence at the Statue of Liberty with the Macchina di Kadavus, Sandman headed towards there to use the box to send himself home. While the MCU Spider-Man, Sandman's Spider-Man and the Earth-120703 Spider-Man (Lizard's and Electro's Spider-Man) fought Electro and Lizard, Sandman's massive fist grabbed onto the MCU Spider-Man, clutching him in mid-air. Sandman demanded for the box, but when the MCU Spider-Man told him they could help Sandman and the villains, Sandman yelled that he didn't care.
After Electro told Sandman that nobody was going home, Electro accidentally blasted a crane, sending it falling down and severing Sandman's massive arm and head, freeing Spider-Man. Angered by the loss of his hand and head, Sandman drew sand from all over, creating a massive sandstorm. When the three Spider-Men landed on the statue's crown as a team, Sandman, Electro, and Lizard rose directly across from them. A gigantic Sandman chased his Spider-Man through another part of the scaffolding. Sandman's Spider-Man was scrambling to evade Sandman, who was closing in.
His Spider-Man crawled inside the statue and climbed his way to the top. He tried to convince Sandman that they were trying to help him, but Sandman didn't give up the chase. Sandman's Spider-Man was stuck in the crown and sand was quickly flooding in all around him. Arms of sand started grabbing at Spider-Man, pulling him under. Finally, Sandman's Spider-Man was completely engulfed in sand, save for his grasping hand, which received Sandman's Cure and clicked the device on. A blast of golden light filled the Statue, and eventually, the sand quickly retreated, allowing Spider-Man to gasp for air. Marko rose up from the sand in his human form and stared at his hand in shock, as he returns to flesh and bones.
His Spider-Man reassured him that it was okay and that they were going to get him home, telling him to stay in the Statue as they proceeded to cure Lizard, Electro and Green Goblin. As the sun began to rise, Doctor Strange conjured the spell again, resulting in Marko and the others returning to their universes.
Fate[]
It is unknown when Flint was pulled when Strange's spell got out of control. However, since he is not known to have died or suffered a consequence since being forgiven by Peter, it is possible he was pulled from the present time of the Earth-96283 universe. If he was pulled from the present time, then he would return back to his original timeline like his Peter.
Personality[]
- "I'm not a bad person, just had bad luck"
- ―Flint Marko[src]
Flint Marko's personality before his incarceration is unclear, but it was more than obvious that he truly cared for his daughter Penny to the point of committing thefts to support her illness. However, he used a gun as he became afraid when he attempted to rob a place or someone. He felt terrible remorse when he unintentionally murdered Ben Parker as it clearly haunted him and put a lot of pain into Ben's family, particularly his nephew, Peter, who also indirectly led to Ben's death. This same love for Penny was further amplified after his transformation into Sandman, causing him to literally attack money transporters with his newfound abilities. When Spider-Man tried to stop him, Sandman saw him only as an obstacle to the healing of his daughter and did not hesitate to try to kill him when he got in his way.
Following his loss to Spider-Man when he was controlled by the alien symbiote, during which he gets brutally beaten by him and loses the stolen money for Penny, Sandman became even more ruthless and desperate to the point of falling into a relationship with Venom to take out Spider-Man after the new villain makes an offer to kill Spider-Man together. He then had no more detention, putting civilians in danger and almost crushing Spider-Man to death. This was because, Sandman's antagonistic actions were mostly the result of his fear of losing his daughter.
However, when he found out that Spider-Man was really Peter Parker, Flint lost all his animosity and vengeance towards him, realizing that he had hurt him by unintentionally killing his Uncle Ben. He explained to Peter that the killing of Ben was an accident that he still wished he could take it back, accepting that it was too late to change the past but claiming that all he has left is his daughter. Flint learned that Peter was also indirectly responsible for Ben's death, because he let Carradine escape and it led to Ben's death and that Peter was also haunted by this ever since. Flint came to the conclusion that Peter was being controlled by the symbiote and that he was too noble to harm someone relentlessly. After Peter respectfully and compassionately forgave him, Flint made his peace with him and Peter allowed him to leave peacefully, now a man who made peace with his mistakes and putting the past behind both of them.
Many years later, when Flint was transported to the MCU Universe, he was shown to be distrustful and bent on going back home to be with his daughter. His desperation to go back home led to him being persuaded by the Green Goblin to side with him. He, however, respected his Peter, as when he protected the MCU Peter from Electro, he mistook him for his Peter by asking him if he remembered him.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Sand Manipulation: Due to falling into super collider that fused sand particles to his cells, Marko's body is made entirely out of sand. Thereby, this granted him the ability to control and manipulate sand at will, as well to shape-shift himself into a huge bulk version of himself, as well to transport himself through the air, via a sandstorm, self-reform his missing body parts and self-sustenance. His powers also grant him virtual immortality, thereby making him unkillable. His powers include:
- Superhuman Strength: Because of the super collider granting him the ability to control sand, it granted Marko immense superhuman strength, allowing him to rip through the roof of a bank truck, smash his way through doors and crushing various objects with his fists, such as cars and trucks. His strength is superior to Spider-Man's as he is able to overpower him.
- Superhuman Durability: Marko's body is made entirely out of sand, which grants him immense durability, allowing him to survive great impacts that would kill or injure an ordinary human. Bullets have no harm on him as they simply just go through him. He was able to survive falls from great heights and crashing through pipes.
- Superhuman Stamina: Marko, due to his stamine being enhanced to high levels, is able to perform physical activities for a longer period without getting exhausted.
- Sand Transformation: Being made out of sand, Marko is able to shape his body any size he wants. As a result, he can turn himself into a giant sand figure, but can also appear to look like he is in his human form too. He is able to shape-shift his hands into giant fists, hammers and spiky balls. Marko is able to extend his arms and legs out at will. He is able to shape-shift back into his human form and regain his color, rather than having the colour of pure sand.
- Sand Transportation: Marko can also use his sand abilities to move around easily and quickly, allowing him to pass through manholes, windows and doors.
- Flight: Due to his sand transportation ability, Marko is able to fly through the air via the use of a sandstorm.
- Self-Sustenance: Due to being made of sand, Marko no longer requires food, water or rest. He also does not need to require oxygen or air to breathe, as he was able to survive from being swept in the sewer waters for a long period of time.
- Self-Reformation: Because his body is made of sand, Marko is able to self-reform his missing body parts if any of them get knocked or removed off. He was able to reform his head after being struck by a train and his entire body after he escaped the sewer waters, despite being sulky from the waters.
Abilities[]
- Expert Crook: Before he became the Sandman, Marko was a small time crook in New York, having worked with Dennis Carradine. After becoming the Sandman, he was still an expert thief, having able to break into a bank truck and a normal bank and robbing the money to support for his sick daughter.
- "I don't want to hurt you. Leave now."
- ―Sandman to Spider-Man[src]
- Expert Combatant: Despite not having any formal training, Marko's sand powers have made him a skilled fighter. He was able to take down two police officers guarding a bank truck, and multiple other guards while robbing a normal bank. He also has good experience with fighting, being seen when he fought the experienced Spider-Man.
Equipment[]
Former[]
- "I told your uncle all I wanted was the car. He said to me, "Why don't you just put down the gun and go home?" I realize now he was just trying to help me. Then I saw my partner running over with the cash. And the gun was in my hand."
- ―Sandman to Spider-Man[src]
- Colt Python: Flint Marko, before becoming the Sandman, carried a Colt Python pistol as he was scared when he needed money to support for his sick daughter. He used it to intimidate people, but when he attempted to carjack Ben Parker's car, the latter attempted to reason with him, but Carradine startled Flint which made him pull the trigger, accidentally shooting Ben.
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Emma Marko - Ex-Wife
- Penny Marko - Daughter
Allies[]
- Dennis Carradine † - Partner
- Ben Parker † - Unintended Victim
- Eddie Brock/Venom
- Peter Parker/Spider-Man - Former Enemy turned Friend, Former Attempted Killer, and Former Attempted Victim
Enemies[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Sandman's name was William Baker, who was a prisoner at Ryker's Island. While escaping prison, he was exposed to nuclear energy and became the Sandman. He has become an enemy of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Sandman in the Spider-Man trilogy is the first live-action incarnation of the character.
- Thomas Haden Church reprises his role as Flint Marko / Sandman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home, with the character transported after the events of Spider-Man 3.
- Sandman is the first and only villain in the Spider-Man Trilogy to not die.
