Hornet is an identity used by five fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics: two supervillains, and three superheroes. Both the first and third versions have suffered from physical disabilities.

Although the armor of the third Hornet first appeared in Spider-Man as one of the four new superheroes Peter Parker had taken on, this version first appeared in Slingers #0 and was created by Joseph Harris, Todd DeZago, and Mike Wieringo. Speculation that the deceased Hornet in Wolverine vol. 3 #23 was not Eddie, but instead someone else who took on the name and costume, has been disproven by The Loners writer C. B. Cebulski,^[1] and The Loners #2 states that Hornet was indeed killed by Wolverine.

Scotty McDowell was a wheelchair-using criminologist who assisted Spider-Woman's cases. After Karl Malus kidnaps him and turns him into an insect-like superhuman with electric abilities, McDowell becomes a superhero and begins helping Spider-Woman.^[2][3] However, he becomes aggressive and resentful of Spider-Woman, in part due to the side effects of his transformation, and attacks her until she returns him to normal.^[4][5][6]

After being accused of murder during Identity Crisis, Spider-Man donned four different identities to continue battling crime, one of which was Hornet. As Hornet, he wielded gauntlets and a cybernetically-controlled wing harness.^[7]

Peter used the Hornet identity with great success for several days, being a popular hero with the media after his debut featured him thwarting the Looter's attempt to rob the Daily Bugle. But the Vulture realized that "Hornet" was actually Spider-Man after recognising his characteristic banter and exposed him. Parker abandoned the Hornet persona,^[8] and soon after cleared his name.^[9][10][11]

Eddie McDonough is an intelligent member of the Slingers who compensates for his palsied right arm with a knack for inventing. After obtaining the Hornet costume, he modifies it to be more powerful and resemble armor. After giving up their respective powers to save Black Marvel, Hornet and Prodigy retire from superheroics.^[12] However, they eventually return to fighting crime together, during which Hornet is killed in a battle with Hydra.^[13][14]

Years after his death, his teenage niece Melinda McDonough takes on the identity Red Hornet.^[15]

Following Hydra's takeover of America, Cyber is resurrected by an unknown entity and takes on the Hornet identity.^{[16][17][18][19][20]}

During the King in Black storyline, Hobie Brown takes on the Hornet identity during the Symbiote invasion.^[21]

Scotty McDowell possessed superhuman strength and insect-like wings enabling him to fly at high-speeds. His "Hornet Sting" could project focused bursts of bio-electricity that could stun or kill a person.

In addition to Peter Parker's regular abilities, the Hornet costume gave Peter the ability to fly and shoot fast-acting sedative stinger darts.

Eddie McDonough's Hornet costume had a jet-powered wing harness that enabled him to fly at high speeds. Micro-servos in the armored suit enhanced his strength to superhuman levels. His gauntlets contained wrist blasters that could fire darts filled with a fast-acting sedative, or powerful laser-beams.

Silas Burr retains his predecessor's costume, which includes a jet-powered wing harness that enabled high-speed flight, enhanced strength through micro-servos in the armored suit, and wrist blasters in the gauntlets that could fire darts filled with a fast-acting sedative, or powerful laser-beams. He has also been shown using an amulet that allows him to summon a twisted demon creature, but it is unclear if he can do this on a regular basis after the amulet that allowed him to summon the creature was destroyed.

• Hornet appears as a downloadable costume in Spider-Man: Edge of Time.^[22][23]
• Hornet appears as an additional costume in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
• Hornet appears as a playable character in Spider-Man Unlimited.

• Hornet on the Marvel Univerese Character Bio Wiki
• Hornet (McDonough) at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe