| Character Name: | Cockroach Hamilton |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Debut: | Luke Cage, Power Man #28 (December 1975) |
| Creators: | Don McGregor George Tuska Vinnie Colletta |
| Full Name: | Dontrell Hamilton |
| Species: | Human |
| Aliases: | Cockroach Roach |
| Alliances: | Flashmob Pride |
| Powers: | Skilled marksman |
| Villain: | y |
Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton is the name of a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is most closely related to Luke Cage, one of the early black Marvel superheroes.
The character first appeared in Luke Cage, Power Man #28 (December 1975), produced by Don McGregor, George Tuska, and Vinnie Colletta.
Growing up in Harlem, Dontrell was petrified by nocturnal noises. However, over time, he gradually becomes accustomed to them as well as to the cockroaches that infested his home. These early experiences lead to an affinity for cockroaches and "Cheese Snipz".[1]
Later in life, Hamilton turned to a life of crime, becoming a mob enforcer (alias "Cockroach") for Ray "Piranha" Jones.[2] During an investigation of Dontrell, Power Man is attacked by Dontrell and Ray's men at the Harlem River docks. Power Man is eventually knocked out and carried back to Ray's penthouse, but breaks free and attacks Ray. Power Man and Ray fall into a pool of piranhas allowing Dontrell to seal them in and escape.[3]
Dontrell and Ray escape conviction and move to Stamford, Connecticut. They demand protection money from the locals, who refuse, but are eventually accepted into the community. However, three women Vita Buchetta, Ann Repucci, and Annette Cortese shame the members of the community for accepting Dontrell and Ray, while secretly using them to start their criminal careers. When Terror Inc. is hired by an unknown party to kill Ray, Dontrell cannot defend him because his custom shotgun, "Josh", keeps jamming. Upon examining the information from the shotgun cartridges, Terror Inc. realizes that Ray hired them. Terror Inc. saved Ray from the mobsters and the arriving Punisher as Dontrell chased after Terror Inc. in their cars with Terror Inc. ultimately killing Ray.[4]
During the Shadowland storyline, Dontrell appears as a member of Nightshade's Flashmob and attacks Victor Alvarez. Dontrell fires on Victor until his gun is compressed by Luke Cage upon his arrival with Iron Fist. The Flashmob is later taken, arrested and taken to Ryker's Island, but Nightshade's solicitor Big Ben Donovan secures Dontrell's release.[5]
Hamilton later appears as a criminal, discussing the reward that Tombstone offered to anyone who could recover the Supersoul Stone from Luke Cage and Iron Fist.[6] When a group of "preemptive" vigilantes assault inactive villains, Hamilton joins the relatives of several of the victims in requesting help from the Heroes for Hire.[7] Cage has Hamilton assist with investigating the "Preemptive Strike" by having him consult with criminals like Piranha Jones.[8] After discovering that the Preemptive Strike work for Alex Wilder, Hamilton betrays the Heroes for Hire and joins Alex Wilder's New Pride alongside Black Mariah, Cottonmouth, and Gamecock.[9] [10]
Dontrell Hamilton has no superpowers but is a skilled marksman who uses advanced pieces of artillery. His first weapon was a six-barreled shotgun built by himself named "Josh".
In the Earth-X reality, Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton's history largely remains the same, though he has died in this reality.[11]
In the House of M reality, Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton is a mutant gangster with an appearance based on his namesake.[12]