[3] Desperate to prove the value of the insect world, as well as to gain enough wealth to continue his research, Mitty designed the Humbug costume to achieve his goals, by whatever means necessary.

Humbug intended to begin his career by stealing a shipment of black pearls, but a group of criminals beat him to the punch, and he fled when Spider-Man showed up to take them out.

While he overpowered the guards and blew open the car, he had no way to transport the large shipment, as he had previously blown out one of the tires, to prevent them from escaping.

At this time, Spider-Man came on the scene and, after a short struggle, turned Humbug's sonics back on himself, destroying his equipment.

The noise of his assault drew Spider-Man, who again turned Humbug's power back on him, this time blasting him out through a window.

[5] In his very own one-shot special called "Spider-Man: Bug Stops Here", Humbug attacked the New York Museum of Natural History to finance his research by attempting to steal a rare scarab amulet.

[6] Discovering that Humbug had renewed his attack on the museum, the mercenary known as Deadpool was hired by unknown parties to prevent it.

[8] Following the events of the superhuman Civil War, Humbug began trying to redeem himself,[9] and in doing so joined up with the new Heroes for Hire super-hero team.

[18] Humbug's remains beneath New York served as material used by the Bug-Lords of the Savage Land to create their agent Macrothrax, who wore a costume with a helmet very similar to that of its progenitor.

[19] Humbug uses some audio tapes and a series of amplifiers to broadcast the noises of various insect species, which can incapacitate others or damage materials.

He has demonstrated superhuman strength, speed, agility and senses, and the ability to communicate with any insectoid in the world and possibly beyond Earth.