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{{Primary sources|date=February 2017}}
{{Primary sources|date=February 2017}}
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'''Benjamin "Big Ben" Donovan''' is a [[fiction]]al [[Character (arts)|character]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Depending on his appearance in the comics, he can be depicted as either a lawyer or a criminal who has appeared in the comics that starred [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] and [[Luke Cage]].
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{{Lead too short|date=May 2022}}
'''Big Ben Donovan''' is a [[fiction]]al [[Character (arts)|character]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]].


Donovan was portrayed by Danny Johnson in the [[Marvel Television]] series ''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]'' and ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]'', set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU).
Donovan was portrayed by Danny Johnson in the [[Marvel Television]] series ''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]'' and ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]'', set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU).
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==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
Big Ben Donovan is a large man that is close to {{convert|8|ft|m}} in height. Mrs. Jenks hired him to settle the last of Mr. Jenks' affairs. When Mrs. Jenks would be giving Big Ben Donovan the payoff, he drunkly went after Mrs. Jenks who ran to the office of [[Luke Cage]]. This led to a fight between Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan which ended with Big Ben Donovan surrendering upon the misunderstanding being cleared up. Big Ben Donovan agreed to help Luke Cage out in any way.<ref>''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' #14. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan is a large man and a [[lawyer]] that is close to {{convert|8|ft|m}} in height. Mrs. Jenks hired him to settle the last of Mr. Jenks' affairs. When Mrs. Jenks would be giving Big Ben Donovan the payoff, he drunkly went after Mrs. Jenks who ran to the office of [[Luke Cage]]. This led to a fight between Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan which ended with Big Ben Donovan surrendering upon the misunderstanding being cleared up. Big Ben Donovan agreed to help Luke Cage out in any way.<ref>''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' #14. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Big Ben Donovan later witnessed Mrs. Jenks' confession of killing a reporter named Phil Fox (who was actually killed by [[Albert Rackham|Billy Bob Rackham]]). He then informed Luke Cage about Mrs. Jenks' confession before she died.<ref>''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan later witnessed Mrs. Jenks' confession of killing a reporter named Phil Fox (who was actually killed by Billy Bob Rackham). He then informed Luke Cage about Mrs. Jenks' confession before she died.<ref>''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Big Ben Donovan acted as [[Claire Temple]]'s lawyer in order to clear her of the murder charge. He then continued working as Luke Cage's lawyer until he started working with [[Jeryn Hogarth]].<ref>''Power Man and Iron Fist'' #61. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan acted as [[Claire Temple]]'s lawyer in order to clear her of the murder charge. He then continued working as Luke Cage's lawyer until he started working with [[Jeryn Hogarth]].<ref>''Power Man and Iron Fist'' #61. Marvel Comics.</ref>
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Big Ben Donovan had a brother named Paul who just became the leader of the Thunderbolts Gang where they made the mistake of fighting the [[Maggia (comics)|Maggia]] for control of their turf. After his brother was killed in prison by operatives of the Maggia, Big Ben Donovan's sanity broke where he vowed vengeance on those responsible starting with Assistant District Attorney [[Thunderbolt (Marvel Comics)|William Carver]]'s brother Lonnie. During the struggle with William Carver, a sniper tried to shoot them at Lonnie Carver's funeral only to end up orchestrating the event that turned Bill Carver into Thunderbolt. Then Big Ben Donovan hijacked a Maggia shipment that was under the supervision of [[Caesar Cicero]]. When Big Ben Donovan turned to Luke Cage for help, they defeated Caesar Cicero's men before being defeated by [[Man Mountain Marko]] who brought them to Caesar Cicero. Before Caesar Cicero's men could bury Luke Cage alive, [[Iron Fist (comics)|Iron Fist]] and Thunderbolt arrived to help Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan. Upon Thunderbolt realizing that Big Ben Donovan had Lonnie Carver killed, Thunderbolt removed his mask and advanced towards Big Ben Donovan as Luke Cage emerged from the ground to intervene. Before Thunderbolt died of his powers' side effects that aged him to an old man, he was happy that he now knows who killed his brother.<ref>''Power Man and Iron Fist'' #62. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan had a brother named Paul who just became the leader of the Thunderbolts Gang where they made the mistake of fighting the [[Maggia (comics)|Maggia]] for control of their turf. After his brother was killed in prison by operatives of the Maggia, Big Ben Donovan's sanity broke where he vowed vengeance on those responsible starting with Assistant District Attorney [[Thunderbolt (Marvel Comics)|William Carver]]'s brother Lonnie. During the struggle with William Carver, a sniper tried to shoot them at Lonnie Carver's funeral only to end up orchestrating the event that turned Bill Carver into Thunderbolt. Then Big Ben Donovan hijacked a Maggia shipment that was under the supervision of [[Caesar Cicero]]. When Big Ben Donovan turned to Luke Cage for help, they defeated Caesar Cicero's men before being defeated by [[Man Mountain Marko]] who brought them to Caesar Cicero. Before Caesar Cicero's men could bury Luke Cage alive, [[Iron Fist (comics)|Iron Fist]] and Thunderbolt arrived to help Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan. Upon Thunderbolt realizing that Big Ben Donovan had Lonnie Carver killed, Thunderbolt removed his mask and advanced towards Big Ben Donovan as Luke Cage emerged from the ground to intervene. Before Thunderbolt died of his powers' side effects that aged him to an old man, he was happy that he now knows who killed his brother.<ref>''Power Man and Iron Fist'' #62. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Big Ben Donovan later came under the employ of [[Tombstone (comics)|Tombstone]] at the time when Tombstone was working for the Serbian Black Maria Gang. When the "[[Marvel Knights]]" investigated the criminal activity, Tombstone sent [[Bengal (comics)|Bengal]], Big Ben Donovan, and [[Bullet (Marvel Comics)|Bullet]] to deal with them.<ref>''Marvel Knights'' #11</ref> Big Ben Donovan faced off against [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] where [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]]'s "widow bites" managed to take down Big Ben Donovan.<ref>''Marvel Knights'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan later came under the employ of [[Tombstone (comics)|Tombstone]] at the time when Tombstone was working for the Serbian Black Maria Gang. When the "[[Marvel Knights]]" investigated the criminal activity, Tombstone sent [[Bengal (comics)|Bengal]], Big Ben Donovan, and [[Bullet (Marvel Comics)|Bullet]] to deal with them.<ref>''Marvel Knights'' #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Big Ben Donovan faced off against [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] where [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]]'s "widow bites" managed to take down Big Ben Donovan.<ref>''Marvel Knights'' #12. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Big Ben Donovan was incarcerated in the Cage where he gained weight. Upon Tombstone being incarcerated at the Cage, he enlisted Big Ben Donovan, [[Hypno-Hustler]], and a second [[Rocket Racer]] to help him against [[Kangaroo (comics)|Kangaroo]]. When the three villains held Kangaroo down so that Tombstone could kill him, the prison guards intervened.<ref>''Spider-Man's Tangled Web'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref> Kangaroo beat back his attackers which landed Big Ben Donovan, Hypno-Hustler, and Rocket Racer II in the prison infirmary.<ref>''Spider-Man's Tangled Web'' #17. Marvel Comics.</ref>
Big Ben Donovan was incarcerated in the Cage, where he gained weight. Upon Tombstone being incarcerated at the Cage, he enlisted Big Ben Donovan, [[Hypno-Hustler]], and a second [[Rocket Racer]] to help him against [[Kangaroo (comics)|Kangaroo]]. When the three villains held Kangaroo down so that Tombstone could kill him, the prison guards intervened.<ref>''Spider-Man's Tangled Web'' #16. Marvel Comics.</ref> Kangaroo beat back his attackers, which landed Big Ben Donovan, Hypno-Hustler, and Rocket Racer II in the prison infirmary.<ref>''Spider-Man's Tangled Web'' #17. Marvel Comics.</ref>


It was revealed that Big Ben Donovan has a son named Little Ben Donovan who Big Ben Donovan left as a kid. He did managed to put money into his son's trust fund so that he can go to Columbia University after high school. During that time, Eric Slaughter took over the criminal organization at the docks where he had his minion Floyd kill a dock worker.<ref name="Daredevil #109">''Daredevil'' #109. Marvel Comics.</ref> Agent Purcell of a rogue task force had found Big Ben Donovan in his prison and forced him to take the rap for the dock worker's murder and be sentenced to death or else they will harm Little Ben Donovan.<ref name="Daredevil #110">''Daredevil'' #110. Marvel Comics.</ref>
It was revealed that Big Ben Donovan has a son named Little Ben Donovan who Big Ben Donovan left as a kid. He did manage to put money into his son's trust fund so that he could go to Columbia University after high school. During that time, Eric Slaughter took over the criminal organization at the docks, where he had his minion Floyd kill a dock worker.<ref name="Daredevil #109">''Daredevil'' #109. Marvel Comics.</ref> Agent Purcell of a rogue task force had found Big Ben Donovan in his prison and forced him to take the rap for the dock worker's murder and be sentenced to death or else they will harm Little Ben Donovan.<ref name="Daredevil #110">''Daredevil'' #110. Marvel Comics.</ref>


Five days from his execution, Big Ben Donovan was visited by [[Dakota North (comics)|Dakota North]] where she recorded his confession and his conversion to Islam. He later got a visit from Matt Murdock who wanted to be his lawyer.<ref>''Daredevil'' #107. Marvel Comics.</ref> Matt Murdock expressed his interest in helping Big Ben Donovan getting cleared of all charges. Though Big Ben Donovan denied that he was innocent and later tried strangling himself in his cell.<ref>''Daredevil'' #108. Marvel Comics.</ref> Matt Murdock later visited Big Ben Donovan in the prison's hospital where he told Matt Murdock to back off.<ref name="Daredevil #109"/> Upon bringing Little Ben Donovan with him, Matt Murdock visited Big Ben Donovan and told him that Floyd confessed to his crimes.<ref name="Daredevil #110"/>
Five days from his execution, Big Ben Donovan was visited by [[Dakota North (comics)|Dakota North]] where she recorded his confession and his conversion to Islam. He later got a visit from Matt Murdock, who wanted to be his lawyer.<ref>''Daredevil'' #107. Marvel Comics.</ref> Matt Murdock expressed his interest in helping Big Ben Donovan getting cleared of all charges. Though Big Ben Donovan denied that he was innocent and later tried strangling himself in his cell.<ref>''Daredevil'' #108. Marvel Comics.</ref> Matt Murdock later visited Big Ben Donovan in the prison's hospital where he told Matt Murdock to back off.<ref name="Daredevil #109"/> Upon bringing Little Ben Donovan with him, Matt Murdock visited Big Ben Donovan and told him that Floyd confessed to his crimes.<ref name="Daredevil #110"/>


During the "[[Shadowland (comics)|Shadowland]]" storyline, Big Ben Donovan met [[Nightshade (Marvel Comics)|Deadly Nightshade]] at Ryker's Island when it comes to dealing with the members of the [[Flashmob (comics)|Flashmob]] (consisting of [[Chemistro]], [[Cheshire Cat (comics)|Cheshire Cat]], [[Comanche (comics)|Comanche]], [[Cockroach Hamilton|Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton]], [[Mr. Fish]], and [[Spear (comics)|Spear]]). While Dontrell Hamilton, Mr. Fish, and Spear were released, Big Ben Donovan was unable to secure the release of Chemistro, Cheshire Cat, and Comanche due to their warrants and/or parole violations.<ref>''Shadowland: Power Man'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>
During the "[[Shadowland (comics)|Shadowland]]" storyline, Big Ben Donovan met [[Nightshade (Marvel Comics)|Deadly Nightshade]] at Ryker's Island when it comes to dealing with the members of the [[Flashmob (comics)|Flashmob]] (consisting of [[Chemistro]], [[Cheshire Cat (comics)|Cheshire Cat]], [[Comanche (comics)|Comanche]], [[Cockroach Hamilton|Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton]], [[Mr. Fish]], and [[Spear (comics)|Spear]]). While Dontrell Hamilton, Mr. Fish, and Spear were released, Big Ben Donovan was unable to secure the release of Chemistro, Cheshire Cat, and Comanche due to their warrants and/or parole violations.<ref>''Shadowland: Power Man'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Gang War (comics)|Gang War]]" storyline, Big Ben Donovan was shown on the map to have territory in [[Mott Haven, Bronx]] and [[Port Morris, Bronx]].<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man - Gang War First Strike'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> A flashback showed that the gang members that worked for him had fought the A.I.M. Agents on [[Madame Masque]]'s side to keep them out of their territory. His territory was claimed by the [[Menagerie (Marvel Comics)|Menagerie]] offscreen.<ref>''Jackpot'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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==In other media==
==In other media==
* Big Ben Donovan appears in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]''. In the episode "To Steal an Ant-Man", he appears as a member of [[Crossfire (comics)|Crossfire]]'s gang at the time when [[Cassandra Lang|Cassie Lang]]'s captured so that [[Ant-Man (Scott Lang)|Scott Lang]] can pay off Crossfire's debt. During Scott Lang's meeting with Crossfire, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and [[Hank Pym]] showed up where they help fight Crossfire. Big Ben Donovan was among the gang members defeated by the heroes.
* Big Ben Donovan appears in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]'' episode "To Steal an Ant-Man" as a member of [[Crossfire (comics)|William Cross]]' gang.
* Benjamin Donovan appears in the Marvel's [[Netflix]] series, portrayed by Danny Johnson while his younger self is portrayed by Chaundre Hall-Broomfield. This version of the character is a crooked defense attorney at the law firm Donovan and Partners who represents high-profile criminals and corrupt politicians in New York City's underworld.
* Benjamin Donovan appears in [[Marvel's Netflix television series]], portrayed by Danny Johnson as an adult and Chaundre Hall-Broomfield as a child. This version is a crooked defense attorney at the law firm Donovan and Partners who represents high-profile criminals and corrupt politicians in New York City's criminal underworld.
** Donovan makes his debut in ''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2018/09/26/daredevil-season-3-promo-wilson-fisk-returns/|title=Daredevil Season 3 Releases Teaser for Wilson Fisk's Return, Storyline Info|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|work=TV Line|date=September 26, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205719/https://tvline.com/2018/09/26/daredevil-season-3-promo-wilson-fisk-returns/|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=live}}</ref> In season two, he is [[Kingpin (character)|Wilson Fisk]]'s main attorney as well as consigliere, taking over James Wesley's duties. Unable to get the case against Fisk thrown out, Donovan tells Fisk that his firm is doing everything they can to get Fisk an early release from Rikers. He is also responsible for managing Fisk's limited financial resources.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Seven Minutes in Heaven|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Surjik, Stephen (director); Marco Ramirez and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=March 18, 2016|season=2|number=9}}</ref> After Frank Castle is arrested, Fisk arranges for Donovan to bribe a guard to send Castle an instruction to throw the trial, though Donovan warns Fisk that any money needed after this will have to be taken from [[Vanessa Fisk|Vanessa Marianna]]'s protection. Fisk assures Donovan that he won't need any more money once this plan is complete. After Fisk arranges Frank's escape, Matt Murdock visits Fisk in jail and Donovan makes Murdock sign a legal contract in braille prior to letting Matt through.<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Man in the Box|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Hoar, Peter (director); John C. Kelley (story); Whit Anderson & Sneha Koorse (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=March 18, 2016|season=2|number=10}}</ref> In season three, Donovan's duties as Fisk's lawyer and consigliere with his partner Nicholas Lee arranged his client's release by brokering a deal with the FBI for as an informant for Agent Ray Nadeem in exchange for Vanessa's safety by revealing information about the local Albanian mob. The Presidential Hotel where Fisk's house arrest is was sold to Donovan and Partners by the Kazemis. Fisk is informed by Donovan that [[Felix Manning]] has safely relocated Vanessa. Matt interrogates Benjamin about the situation with Vanessa until the FBI gets near. Donovan later tells Fisk that Daredevil has returned.<ref>{{cite episode|title=No Good Deed|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=[[Jennifer Getzinger|Getzinger, Jennifer]] (director); Sonay Hoffman (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=3}}</ref> Donovan informs Fisk that Murdock's body was not found in the taxi that crashed into the river. He and Fisk succeeded in a deal that gets Vanessa exonerated as an accessory. As Fisk goes through the information on Benjamin Poindexter, Donovan listens to an audiotape that he brought.<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Perfect Game|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Holmes, Julian (director); Tonya Kong (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=5}}</ref> Donovan was present during Fisk's press conference attended by protestors where the charges are dropped and was present when Tammy Hattley had revised Fisk's conditions for helping out the FBI.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Reunion|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Wilkinson, Jet (director); Jim Dunn & Dara Resnik (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=11}}</ref>
** First appearing in the [[Daredevil season 2|second season]] of ''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2018/09/26/daredevil-season-3-promo-wilson-fisk-returns/|title=Daredevil Season 3 Releases Teaser for Wilson Fisk's Return, Storyline Info|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|work=TV Line|date=September 26, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205719/https://tvline.com/2018/09/26/daredevil-season-3-promo-wilson-fisk-returns/|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=live}}</ref> Donovan represents [[Wilson Fisk (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Wilson Fisk]] as his attorney, consigliere, and financial advisor.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Seven Minutes in Heaven|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Surjik, Stephen (director); Marco Ramirez and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=March 18, 2016|season=2|number=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The Man in the Box|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Hoar, Peter (director); John C. Kelley (story); Whit Anderson & Sneha Koorse (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=March 18, 2016|season=2|number=10}}</ref> In the [[Daredevil season 3|third season]], Donovan successfully arranges for Fisk's release from prison by brokering a deal with the FBI to have the latter serve as an informant in exchange for [[Vanessa Marianna-Fisk|Vanessa Marianna]]'s safety.<ref>{{cite episode|title=No Good Deed|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=[[Jennifer Getzinger|Getzinger, Jennifer]] (director); Sonay Hoffman (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The Perfect Game|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Holmes, Julian (director); Tonya Kong (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Reunion|series=Marvel's Daredevil|credits=Wilkinson, Jet (director); Jim Dunn & Dara Resnik (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=October 19, 2018|season=3|number=11}}</ref>
** Donovan is also a recurring character in ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]''. In season one, he manages affairs for [[Black Mariah (comics)|Mariah Dillard]]. He represents [[Cottonmouth (Cornell Cottonmouth)|Cottonmouth]], after Cottonmouth is arrested for killing [[Misty Knight]]'s partner [[Rafael Scarfe]].<ref>{{cite episode|title=Manifest|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=September 30, 2016|season=1|number=7}}</ref> After Mariah kills Cottonmouth, Mariah and Shades pin the murder on [[Luke Cage]], and enlist Donovan to represent Candace Miller and make sure Candace does not deviate from the false story Shades has paid to give to the police.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Blowin' Up the Spot|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Martens, Magnus (director); Aida Mashaka Croal (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=September 30, 2016|season=1|number=8}}</ref> In season two, it is revealed that Donovan has been the family lawyer for the Stokes family for over 25 years, and Mama Mabel paid for his law school tuition. Donovan bails out Mariah's associates when they get arrested like Arturo Rey "El Ray" Gomez III.<ref>{{cite episode|title=All Souled Out|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Green, Steph (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=2}}</ref> Donovan represents Cockroach Hamilton when Luke sued for assault. At the advice of [[Foggy Nelson]], Luke agrees to pay Cockroach $100,000.00 to avoid taking this injury to court.<ref>{{cite episode|title=All Souled Out|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Lemmons, Kasi (director); Ian Stokes (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=5}}</ref> He temporarily drops Mariah and Shades as clients when [[Bushmaster (Marvel Comics)|Bushmaster]] uses [[Piranha Jones|Ray "Piranha" Jones]] to empty their bank accounts and burns down Mariah's brownstone. In a surprise move, he then switches loyalties to work for Bushmaster when the police visit Bushmaster.<ref>{{cite episode|title=If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Barnette, Neema (director); Nathan Louis Jackson (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=8}}</ref> Donovan takes them back on after he finds evidence that Bushmaster's acquisition of Mariah's money by torturing Piranha was not legally binding. At one point, Mariah referred to Benjamin as "Big Ben" where she even grabbed his crotch tightly.<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Main Ingredient|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=10}}</ref> When Mariah is arrested, Donovan is seen representing Mariah in court. He later relays Mariah's orders for witnesses to be purged (though he only agrees to it once his client tells him that he specifically is exempt). Donovan does allow Shades to visit under an alias following an attempt. Following Mariah's death in jail during Luke's visit, Donovan reads Mariah's will to Luke and [[Nightshade (Marvel Comics)|Tilda Johnson]] which leaves Harlem's Paradise to Luke and Cottonmouth's keyboard to Tilda.<ref>{{cite episode|title=They Reminisce Over You|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Lopez, Alex Garcia (director); Cheo Hodari Coker (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=13}}</ref>
** Donovan also appears in ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]'', managing [[Mariah Dillard (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Mariah Dillard]]'s affairs and representing [[Cornell Stokes (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes]] in court until Cottonmouth is killed by Dillard and Donovan represents Candace Miller, a hostess at the Harlem's Paradise nightclub who Dillard hired to help frame [[Luke Cage (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Luke Cage]] for Cottonmouth's murder.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Manifest|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=September 30, 2016|season=1|number=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Blowin' Up the Spot|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Martens, Magnus (director); Aida Mashaka Croal (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=September 30, 2016|season=1|number=8}}</ref> Later in the series, Donovan temporarily defects to [[Bushmaster (Marvel Comics)|Bushmaster]]'s side after the latter forces [[Piranha Jones|Raymond "Piranha" Jones]] to deplete Dillard's bank accounts until he discovers Bushmaster's act was not legally binding.<ref>{{cite episode|title=If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Barnette, Neema (director); Nathan Louis Jackson (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=The Main Ingredient|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=They Reminisce Over You|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Lopez, Alex Garcia (director); Cheo Hodari Coker (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=13}}</ref> Additionally, it is revealed that Donovan has been the Stokes family's lawyer for over 25 years, with his law school tuition being paid for by Dillard and Cottonmouth's grandmother, Maybelline "Mama Mabel" Stokes.<ref>{{cite episode|title=All Souled Out|series=Marvel's Luke Cage|credits=Green, Steph (director); Akela Cooper (writer)|network=[[Netflix]]|airdate=June 22, 2018|season=2|number=2}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Luke Cage}}
{{Luke Cage}}
{{Daredevil}}
{{Daredevil}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Big Ben}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Big Ben}}
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1973]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1973]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics male characters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics male characters]]
[[Category:Fictional lawyers]]
[[Category:Fictional American lawyers]]
[[Category:Luke Cage]]
[[Category:Luke Cage]]
[[Category:Characters created by Steve Englehart]]
[[Category:Characters created by Steve Englehart]]

Latest revision as of 14:08, 5 June 2024

Big Ben Donovan
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceLuke Cage, Hero for Hire #14 (October 1973)
Created bySteve Englehart
Billy Graham
In-story information
Full nameBenjamin Donovan
SpeciesHuman
AbilitiesSuper-strength

Benjamin "Big Ben" Donovan is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Depending on his appearance in the comics, he can be depicted as either a lawyer or a criminal who has appeared in the comics that starred Daredevil and Luke Cage.

Donovan was portrayed by Danny Johnson in the Marvel Television series Daredevil and Luke Cage, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Publication history

[edit]

Big Ben Donovan first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #14 and was created by Steve Engelhart and Billy Graham.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Big Ben Donovan is a large man and a lawyer that is close to 8 feet (2.4 m) in height. Mrs. Jenks hired him to settle the last of Mr. Jenks' affairs. When Mrs. Jenks would be giving Big Ben Donovan the payoff, he drunkly went after Mrs. Jenks who ran to the office of Luke Cage. This led to a fight between Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan which ended with Big Ben Donovan surrendering upon the misunderstanding being cleared up. Big Ben Donovan agreed to help Luke Cage out in any way.[1]

Big Ben Donovan later witnessed Mrs. Jenks' confession of killing a reporter named Phil Fox (who was actually killed by Billy Bob Rackham). He then informed Luke Cage about Mrs. Jenks' confession before she died.[2]

Big Ben Donovan acted as Claire Temple's lawyer in order to clear her of the murder charge. He then continued working as Luke Cage's lawyer until he started working with Jeryn Hogarth.[3]

Big Ben Donovan had a brother named Paul who just became the leader of the Thunderbolts Gang where they made the mistake of fighting the Maggia for control of their turf. After his brother was killed in prison by operatives of the Maggia, Big Ben Donovan's sanity broke where he vowed vengeance on those responsible starting with Assistant District Attorney William Carver's brother Lonnie. During the struggle with William Carver, a sniper tried to shoot them at Lonnie Carver's funeral only to end up orchestrating the event that turned Bill Carver into Thunderbolt. Then Big Ben Donovan hijacked a Maggia shipment that was under the supervision of Caesar Cicero. When Big Ben Donovan turned to Luke Cage for help, they defeated Caesar Cicero's men before being defeated by Man Mountain Marko who brought them to Caesar Cicero. Before Caesar Cicero's men could bury Luke Cage alive, Iron Fist and Thunderbolt arrived to help Luke Cage and Big Ben Donovan. Upon Thunderbolt realizing that Big Ben Donovan had Lonnie Carver killed, Thunderbolt removed his mask and advanced towards Big Ben Donovan as Luke Cage emerged from the ground to intervene. Before Thunderbolt died of his powers' side effects that aged him to an old man, he was happy that he now knows who killed his brother.[4]

Big Ben Donovan later came under the employ of Tombstone at the time when Tombstone was working for the Serbian Black Maria Gang. When the "Marvel Knights" investigated the criminal activity, Tombstone sent Bengal, Big Ben Donovan, and Bullet to deal with them.[5] Big Ben Donovan faced off against Daredevil where Black Widow's "widow bites" managed to take down Big Ben Donovan.[6]

Big Ben Donovan was incarcerated in the Cage, where he gained weight. Upon Tombstone being incarcerated at the Cage, he enlisted Big Ben Donovan, Hypno-Hustler, and a second Rocket Racer to help him against Kangaroo. When the three villains held Kangaroo down so that Tombstone could kill him, the prison guards intervened.[7] Kangaroo beat back his attackers, which landed Big Ben Donovan, Hypno-Hustler, and Rocket Racer II in the prison infirmary.[8]

It was revealed that Big Ben Donovan has a son named Little Ben Donovan who Big Ben Donovan left as a kid. He did manage to put money into his son's trust fund so that he could go to Columbia University after high school. During that time, Eric Slaughter took over the criminal organization at the docks, where he had his minion Floyd kill a dock worker.[9] Agent Purcell of a rogue task force had found Big Ben Donovan in his prison and forced him to take the rap for the dock worker's murder and be sentenced to death or else they will harm Little Ben Donovan.[10]

Five days from his execution, Big Ben Donovan was visited by Dakota North where she recorded his confession and his conversion to Islam. He later got a visit from Matt Murdock, who wanted to be his lawyer.[11] Matt Murdock expressed his interest in helping Big Ben Donovan getting cleared of all charges. Though Big Ben Donovan denied that he was innocent and later tried strangling himself in his cell.[12] Matt Murdock later visited Big Ben Donovan in the prison's hospital where he told Matt Murdock to back off.[9] Upon bringing Little Ben Donovan with him, Matt Murdock visited Big Ben Donovan and told him that Floyd confessed to his crimes.[10]

During the "Shadowland" storyline, Big Ben Donovan met Deadly Nightshade at Ryker's Island when it comes to dealing with the members of the Flashmob (consisting of Chemistro, Cheshire Cat, Comanche, Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton, Mr. Fish, and Spear). While Dontrell Hamilton, Mr. Fish, and Spear were released, Big Ben Donovan was unable to secure the release of Chemistro, Cheshire Cat, and Comanche due to their warrants and/or parole violations.[13]

During the "Gang War" storyline, Big Ben Donovan was shown on the map to have territory in Mott Haven, Bronx and Port Morris, Bronx.[14] A flashback showed that the gang members that worked for him had fought the A.I.M. Agents on Madame Masque's side to keep them out of their territory. His territory was claimed by the Menagerie offscreen.[15]

Powers and abilities

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Big Ben Donovan has super-strength.

Equipment

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Back in his early days, he sported really big platform shoes where the tips and the heels are made of steel that enable him to do powerful kicking attacks.

In other media

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  • Big Ben Donovan appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "To Steal an Ant-Man" as a member of William Cross' gang.
  • Benjamin Donovan appears in Marvel's Netflix television series, portrayed by Danny Johnson as an adult and Chaundre Hall-Broomfield as a child. This version is a crooked defense attorney at the law firm Donovan and Partners who represents high-profile criminals and corrupt politicians in New York City's criminal underworld.
    • First appearing in the second season of Daredevil,[16] Donovan represents Wilson Fisk as his attorney, consigliere, and financial advisor.[17][18] In the third season, Donovan successfully arranges for Fisk's release from prison by brokering a deal with the FBI to have the latter serve as an informant in exchange for Vanessa Marianna's safety.[19][20][21]
    • Donovan also appears in Luke Cage, managing Mariah Dillard's affairs and representing Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in court until Cottonmouth is killed by Dillard and Donovan represents Candace Miller, a hostess at the Harlem's Paradise nightclub who Dillard hired to help frame Luke Cage for Cottonmouth's murder.[22][23] Later in the series, Donovan temporarily defects to Bushmaster's side after the latter forces Raymond "Piranha" Jones to deplete Dillard's bank accounts until he discovers Bushmaster's act was not legally binding.[24][25][26] Additionally, it is revealed that Donovan has been the Stokes family's lawyer for over 25 years, with his law school tuition being paid for by Dillard and Cottonmouth's grandmother, Maybelline "Mama Mabel" Stokes.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #14. Marvel Comics.
  2. ^ Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #16. Marvel Comics.
  3. ^ Power Man and Iron Fist #61. Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ Power Man and Iron Fist #62. Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ Marvel Knights #11. Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Marvel Knights #12. Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Spider-Man's Tangled Web #16. Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Spider-Man's Tangled Web #17. Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ a b Daredevil #109. Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ a b Daredevil #110. Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Daredevil #107. Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Daredevil #108. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Shadowland: Power Man #2. Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Amazing Spider-Man - Gang War First Strike #1. Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Jackpot #1. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (September 26, 2018). "Daredevil Season 3 Releases Teaser for Wilson Fisk's Return, Storyline Info". TV Line. Archived from the original on 2018-09-26. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  17. ^ Surjik, Stephen (director); Marco Ramirez and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (writer) (March 18, 2016). "Seven Minutes in Heaven". Marvel's Daredevil. Season 2. Episode 9. Netflix.
  18. ^ Hoar, Peter (director); John C. Kelley (story); Whit Anderson & Sneha Koorse (writer) (March 18, 2016). "The Man in the Box". Marvel's Daredevil. Season 2. Episode 10. Netflix.
  19. ^ Getzinger, Jennifer (director); Sonay Hoffman (writer) (October 19, 2018). "No Good Deed". Marvel's Daredevil. Season 3. Episode 3. Netflix.
  20. ^ Holmes, Julian (director); Tonya Kong (writer) (October 19, 2018). "The Perfect Game". Marvel's Daredevil. Season 3. Episode 5. Netflix.
  21. ^ Wilkinson, Jet (director); Jim Dunn & Dara Resnik (writer) (October 19, 2018). "Reunion". Marvel's Daredevil. Season 3. Episode 11. Netflix.
  22. ^ Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer) (September 30, 2016). "Manifest". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 1. Episode 7. Netflix.
  23. ^ Martens, Magnus (director); Aida Mashaka Croal (writer) (September 30, 2016). "Blowin' Up the Spot". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 1. Episode 8. Netflix.
  24. ^ Barnette, Neema (director); Nathan Louis Jackson (writer) (June 22, 2018). "If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 2. Episode 8. Netflix.
  25. ^ Goddard, Andy (director); Akela Cooper (writer) (June 22, 2018). "The Main Ingredient". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 2. Episode 10. Netflix.
  26. ^ Lopez, Alex Garcia (director); Cheo Hodari Coker (writer) (June 22, 2018). "They Reminisce Over You". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 2. Episode 13. Netflix.
  27. ^ Green, Steph (director); Akela Cooper (writer) (June 22, 2018). "All Souled Out". Marvel's Luke Cage. Season 2. Episode 2. Netflix.
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