Ben Heck is a popular recurring supporting villain, with a vaguely cowboy-ish style (a hold-over from his first appearance). Although he is usually a man of few words, he is a master at delivering a sinister silence that can ramp the tension up in any scene he’s in. Despite never playing the lead, he has appeared in many Tezuka series, typically in the role of a burgler, gang-member or drug smuggler. He first appeared in The Cactus Kid (1951-54), and he went on to appear in Astro Boy (1952-68), and Storm Fairy (1955). He has also appeared numerous times in Lion Books (1956-57), Black Jack (1973-83), and Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82) among many others. Based on the American actor Tom Tyler, best known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films, you can usually spot Heck Ben by his sneering eyes and slightly hooked nose. (Source: Tezuka in English)