This article is about the character involved in Avengers: The Initiative. For the character with the same name, who is a member of the Dark Riders, see Gauntlet (Inhuman). For the Spider-Man story, see The Gauntlet and Grim Hunt.
Gauntlet made his first appearance in She-Hulk #100 and was created by Dan Slott, Stefano Caselli and Eric Powell.[1] He was not referred to by name until the first issue of Avengers: The Initiative. His origin was revealed in the 2007 Avengers: The Initiative Annual.
Fictional character biography
Two aliens of unknown origin–one fully armored, the other multi-limbed—were killed after entering Earth's atmosphere during a battle, with their weapons being scattered across Earth's surface. The US government tracks the crash site of two of the weapons to the Middle East, where Sergeant Joseph Green is dispatched to secure the area. On arrival, Green's unit is attacked by Hydra troopers. Green uses the right gauntlet of the alien's armor to defeat them. After securing victory, Green finds that he is unable to remove the gauntlet.[2]
Various other individuals come into possession of the alien's weapons: its other gauntlet is acquired by Southpaw, its leg armor by Grasshopper, and its Tactigon, an empathic weapon, by Armory.
In the Civil War storyline, Henry Peter Gyrich recruits Gauntlet to be a drill sergeant at Camp Hammond. He is fully aware of the "darker" aspects of the camp and is apparently willingly going along with some hidden agenda by the powers behind the camp's activities.[volume&issueneeded]
After the events of World War Hulk, Gauntlet is angered at the many cadets who disobeyed orders to confront the Hulk themselves.[3] He is badly beaten and left with a "NW" on his chest, daubed in his blood. The team had learned of a social movement, indicated by "NW" graffiti, of young people in general defiance of the current power structure. Gyrich eventually has Hank Pym briefly revive him. Before going into a coma as a result, he identifies his assailant as Ghost.[4] It is later revealed that the attacker was actually Slapstick, an Initiative recruit who was angered at Gauntlet's pejorative usage of the New Warriors' name.[4] After Gauntlet is incapacitated, Taskmaster takes over his drill instructor duties.[5]
During Gauntlet's coma, Gyrich attempts to equip KIA, a clone of Michael Van Patrick, with the Tactigon. After the weapon successfully bonds with KIA, he is flooded with memories of the original Michael Van Patrick's death, seeking vengeance on those involved. Arriving at Gauntlet's hospital room, KIA is surprised to find Gauntlet's bed empty. Following this, the gauntlet controls Green, forcing him to acquire the sword element of the alien's armor.[6] Following an altercation with KIA, the clone's attacks cause the gauntlet to lose its control over Gauntlet, causing him to revert to normal.[7]
During Secret Invasion, Gauntlet and Taskmaster attempt to ensure the safety of the cadets at Camp Hammond by locking down the facility. However, a Skrull posing as Yellowjacket gives orders to Gauntlet to send the Initiative cadets to help fight the Skrulls in New York City.[8]
Following the invasion's end, Gauntlet is placed in charge of Camp Hammond. Many of the other instructors left, unwilling to place themselves under Norman Osborn's control, and the real Pym declines to be a part of the Initiative, leaving Gauntlet to reluctantly assume the position.[9]
When Osborn threatens to take Gauntlet's arm, Gauntlet escapes and joins the Avengers Resistance.[10] His wife pretends to be ashamed of him for abandoning his family, so that she will not be harassed when he is not there to protect her.[11] As Osborn's regime ends following the Siege of Asgard, Gauntlet is sent to Afghanistan.[12]
During the Iron Man 2020 event, Gauntlet joins Force Works. During the "Reckoning War" storyline, he is attacked by Cormorant, who removes his gauntlet as part of his plan to reassemble the Gauntlet Armor.[13][14]
Powers and abilities
Gauntlet wields a robotic alien gauntlet that is fused to his body and can envelop itself in energy and enable him to fly. Additionally, the gauntlet can take control of Gauntlet's body, specifically when he is in a state of low-brain activity.[15][16]
Other versions
In one possible future, Gauntlet inspires Southpaw to reform and become a superhero, while his daughter Kid Glove acts as her sidekick. He sports a more traditional superhero costume and is seemingly linked to a cosmic event known as "The Reckoning War".[1]
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