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Killer Shrike is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
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The Simon Maddicks version of Killer Shrike first appeared in The Rampaging Hulk #1 (Jan. 1977) and was created by John Warner and John Buscema. [1]
| Killer Shrike | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Rampaging Hulk #1 (Jan. 1977) |
| Created by | John Warner John Buscema |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Simon Maddicks |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | |
| Notable aliases | Harold Simmons |
| Abilities | Expert hand to hand combatant and martial artist Possesses various weapons Anti-gravity device grants: Enhanced physical attributes Flight Armored suit grants: Resistance to injury Electrical bolt projection via twin power-blasters |
Simon Maddicks was born in Williamsburg, Virginia. He began his career as a soldier in the United States Army. After that, he recalls little of his own past for some reason. When he was selected to be a special agent of the Roxxon Oil Company, Maddicks became a mercenary and professional criminal, more specifically, a special agent in covert operations. He was sent to the Mutagenics Laboratory of the Brand Corporation, where he underwent extensive conditioning which increased his human abilities. He also underwent surgery which implanted a miniature anti-gravity generator in his spine. Roxxon later gave Maddicks his super-villain costume and the codename "Killer Shrike". [2]
For his first mission, Roxxon sent him to infiltrate the subversive organization called the Conspiracy, which Roxxon learned about through major purchases of technology from the Brand Corporation. The Conspiracy sent Killer Shrike to capture a monster known as Goram. The plan was thwarted by the super-hero known as Ulysses Bloodstone who short-circuited the villain's electrical weapons, badly injuring him. Feeling sorry for Killer Shrike's condition, Bloodstone's agents sent the villain to a New York hospital, where he lay comatose for several weeks. [3]
Upon awakening from the coma, Maddicks was contacted once again by Brand scientists led by Dr. Stephen Weems. Weems, better known as the villain Modular Man, sought revenge against his enemies Spider-Man and Beast. In return, Modular Man promised Shrike information about his past. [4] In battle with Spider-Man and the Beast, Weems was killed before he could uphold his end of the bargain. [5] Shrike escaped and was soon contacted by agents of the Brand Corporation. They helped restore his memory, and assigned him to undercover work as a bodyguard to Brand president James Melvin. His costume became controlled by the Will-o'-the-Wisp, and he was forced to abduct Dr. Marla Madison to reconstitute the immaterial Wisp. In the end, he was defeated by Spider-Man. With Brand's public dissolution, Killer Shrike became a free agent. [6]
With other superhuman adventurers and criminals, Killer Shrike was later captured and imprisoned by the Locksmith. He was freed by Spider-Woman. [7] He later robbed a bank, but was defeated by Spider-Man. [8] He then attempted a theft of a power booster from the Tinkerer after commissioning him to build it for him, but was again defeated both by Spider-Man and a failsafe function the Tinkerer installs in his products to deal with such situations. [9]
During the events of the "Acts of Vengeance", Killer Shrike attacked Moon Knight, alongside the second Ringer and Coachwhip. He shot down the Mooncopter, seriously injuring Moon Knight's pilot Frenchie and then escaped. [10]
Killer Shrike was later hired by Surge and battled the She-Hulk alongside Grey Gargoyle and Dragon Man, but was defeated. [11]
Ever since, Killer Shrike was most often seen getting beaten up by several super-heroes, most often the Hulk. Killer Shrike was briefly a member of the Cardinal's team of flying super villains known as Air Force. [12] Then, Killer Shrike appeared to have been murdered by the Soldiers of Misfortune. [13]
In the "Secret War" miniseries, Killer Shrike's equipment got updated by the Tinkerer. This still was not enough for Maddicks to gain a victory, as he was soon afterward defeated by the Avengers, and apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D. [14]
During the GLX-Mas Special, Killer Shrike tried to steal a device from Roxxon Company known as "Project Z" but was defeated by the Grasshopper, an employee of the company. [15]
Killer Shrike was later apprehended by Baron Helmut Zemo and forced to join the Thunderbolts, for so far unclear reasons. [16]
Killer Shrike later made a cameo at the Bar With No Name. [17]
Killer Shrike was beat up by Moon Knight and attacked in the hospital by the Black Spectre.[ volume & issue needed ]
Killer Shrike later appeared as a member of the Shadow Council's Masters of Evil. Killer Shrike is present when Max Fury and the Masters of Evil capture John Steele after he attempts to escape Bagalia with the Serpent Crown and the Crown of Thorns. [18]
Killer Shrike was among the villains to join Swarm's Sinister Six when they attacked Spider-Man and the students of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. After Swarm was defeated by Hellion, Killer Shrike and the other villains surrendered. [19]
During the "Hunted" storyline, Killer Shrike is among the animal-themed characters that were captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for Kraven the Hunter's "Great Hunt" that was sponsored by Arcade's company Arcade Industries. He watched the fight between Spider-Man and Scorpion until the Hunter-Bots created by Arcade Industries arrived. [20] He then ran from the Hunter-Bots. [21] Killer Shrike later helped the animal-themed characters fight the Hunter-Bots. [22]
During the "Devil's Reign" storyline, Killer Shrike was seen as an inmate of the Myrmidon. Moon Knight fought him and Cactus in one of the prison matches and defeated them. [23]
Killer Shrike sold his original costume to Roderick Kingsley, who then sold it to an unnamed criminal. Killer Shrike was present with Hobgoblin (who was actually Roderick Kingsley's butler Claude) when he led his forces into battle against the Goblin King's Goblin Nation. After Hobgoblin was killed by Goblin King, Killer Shrike was among the villains that defected to the Goblin Nation. [24]
Following Spider-Man's victory over the Goblin King, Killer Shrike was seen with the former Hobgoblin henchmen at the Bar with No Name where they encounter Electro. [25] Killer Shrike is later among the villains at the Bar with No Name that convinces Black Cat to lead them. [26]
During the "AXIS" storyline, Killer Shrike was among the supervillains that Missile Mate assembled to join the side of Phil Urich (who was operating as Goblin King) and the remnants of the Goblin Underground upon claiming that Roderick Kingsley "abandoned" them. [27]
Killer Shrike and Melter later beat up Ringer to serve as Black Cat's warning to anyone who steals from her. [28]
Extensive conditioning and surgery by Brand Corporation scientists enhanced Simon Maddicks's strength and other physical abilities. He is capable of flight by means of a surgically implanted anti-gravity generator at the base of his spine, activated by a neural link.
Besides that, he has extensive training and experience in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts, and proficiency with hand weapons including guns and knives.
Killer Shrike wears body armor, an armored suit made of an insulated steel alloy mesh capable of protecting him from flight turbulence and small caliber weapons fire. His major weapons system is the twin power-blasters worn on his wrists, with titanium talons capable of slashing flesh, wood, cinderblock, and light metals, and of discharging high-frequency electrical bolts.
The Ultimate Marvel version of Killer Shrike made a cameo in Ultimate Spider-Man #72, trying to rob Roxxon Energy Corporation Industries of their supply of Adamantium - but was apprehended by Spider-Man. This version was a deranged, desperate man who seemed to almost froth at the mouth. Spider-Man himself referred to him as 'Steroid-Boy with a Laser Tag Fetish'. It was later revealed that he was an employee of the Tinkerer, hired specifically to bother Donald Roxxon as part of his revenge for firing him. [29]
The Simon Maddicks incarnation of Killer Shrike appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures , voiced by Ty Olsson.[ citation needed ] This version is an enforcer for the Maggia in the first season and Justin Hammer / Titanium Man in the second season who is often paired with Unicorn. Additionally, his anti-gravity generator is incorporated into his wrist blasters.
The Hobgoblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most of whom are depicted as enemies of the superhero Spider-Man and belong to the collection of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.
The Rhino is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita Sr., and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41. The character is a Russian thug who underwent an experimental procedure that gave him an artificial skin covering and superhuman strength. Rebelling against the scientists responsible for his transformation, Rhino used his newfound powers to become a successful criminal, and soon clashed with superheroes like Spider-Man and the Hulk. The character is typically portrayed as a dimwitted brute, capable of great destruction, but ultimately easily deceived.
The Sinister Six are a group of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, mainly those featuring Spider-Man. The members are drawn from the character's list of enemies, with the original members forming the team in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1. Led by Doctor Octopus, the team in its premiere followed swiftly the very early appearances of many of the most enduring members of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery: Vulture, Sandman, Electro, Mysterio, and Kraven the Hunter. While Doctor Octopus has generally remained its leader, the Sinister Six has had multiple variations of composition.
Demogoblin is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Jack O'Lantern is an alias used by several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Tinkerer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of the superhero Spider-Man and the father of Rick Mason. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #2. The Tinkerer is generally depicted as a genius in engineering who is able to create gadgets and other devices from nothing more than spare parts left over from ordinary household appliances. While in his initial appearances he sought to personally eliminate Spider-Man, more recent storylines depict him under the employ of other supervillains, whom he supplies with his gadgets for their personal vendettas against Spider-Man or other heroes.
The Enforcers are a team of supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as adversaries of the superheroes Spider-Man and Daredevil. The original Enforcers consisted of Montana, the Ox, and Fancy Dan.
Grizzly is the name of four unrelated fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first is a wild west villain, the second is an A.I.M. Agent, the third is a foe of Spider-Man, and the fourth is a mutant and member of Six Pack.
Roderick Kingsley is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally created by Roger Stern and Mike Zeck for Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #43, the character was later brought back in the 1997 storyline Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives, in which he was retroactively revealed as the first incarnation of the supervillain Hobgoblin before Ned Leeds, created by Stern and John Romita Jr. in The Amazing Spider-Man #238.
"Acts of Vengeance" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through several titles published by Marvel Comics from December 1989 to February 1990.
Gibbon is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Roxxon Energy Corporation is the name of a fictional massive petroleum industrial conglomerate in the Marvel Universe appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The company is depicted as having been run by various executives who are typically ready and eager to use any underhanded and illegal option to secure profits, up to and including violent crimes. As such, Roxxon is a consistent opponent of various superheroes.
Unicorn is the name of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Melter is the name of three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Melter, Bruno Horgan, first appeared in Tales of Suspense #47.
Philip Benjamin "Phil" Urich is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #125. He was a superhero as the Green Goblin, and a supervillain as the Hobgoblin. He was later crowned the Goblin Knight before dubbing himself the Goblin King.
Stegron the Dinosaur Man is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Gil Kane, the character first appeared in Marvel Team-Up #19.
The Modular Man is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Rampaging Hulk #2 and was created by John Warner and Val Mayerik.
Norman Virgil Osborn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 as the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin. He has endured as one of Spider-Man's most prominent villains, and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside Doctor Octopus and Venom.
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