H.A.M.M.E.R.

Last updated
H.A.M.M.E.R.
H.A.M.M.E.R. logo.jpg
H.A.M.M.E.R. logo
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Secret Invasion #8
Created by Brian Michael Bendis
In-story information
Type of organizationGovernment intelligence agency
Leader(s) Norman Osborn
Deidre Wentworth
Formerly:
Victoria Hand
Agent(s) Dark Avengers
Dark X-Men
Thunderbolts

H.A.M.M.E.R. is a fictional espionage and law enforcement agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The organisation is led by Norman Osborn and was formed in Secret Invasion #8 to replace S.H.I.E.L.D. The organisation plays a large part in Marvel's "Dark Reign" and Siege storylines that ran from 2008 to 2010.

Contents

What "H.A.M.M.E.R." stands for, or whether it stands for anything at all, has not been revealed. In Dark Avengers #1, Osborn told Victoria Hand that it does stand for something, but when she questioned him further, he told her to "get on that for [him]". [1] Also, in the Captain America: Reborn Prelude, when Sin, who is captured by H.A.M.M.E.R, asks what it stands for, the agent present claims that it's classified information which she does not have the necessary security clearance to divulge. [2]

Publication history

H.A.M.M.E.R. first appeared in Secret Invasion #8 and was created by Brian Michael Bendis.

Fictional organization history

The ramifications of the alien Skrulls' invasion of Earth forced a massive restructuring of the United States' defense network. At the time, the country's primary peace keeping agency was S.H.I.E.L.D., led by civilian industrialist Tony Stark, aka, Iron Man. Because the Skrulls were able to compromise S.H.I.E.L.D.'s StarkTech technology, it was decided that S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer an effective organization and Tony Stark was personally held accountable for the Skrull invasion. In the wake of this controversy, Thunderbolts leader Norman Osborn manipulated the U.S. government into allowing him to serve as director of a replacement agency called H.A.M.M.E.R. Under Osborn's leadership, H.A.M.M.E.R. had administrative control over the entire Fifty State Initiative. [3]

As the director of H.A.M.M.E.R., one of Osborn's first initiatives was to issue warrants for the arrest of former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Tony Stark and deputy director Maria Hill. Moreover, Osborn wanted access to the database containing the identities of every hero registered under the Superhuman Registration Act. To prevent Osborn from gaining the information in the database, which could potentially be used for malicious purposes, Tony Stark took measures to erase all known resources containing this sensitive information, including his own mind. [4]

When Stark failed to surrender himself to Osborn, Norman sent contingents of H.A.M.M.E.R. squads to Stark Industries facilities worldwide with orders to arrest Tony Stark with extreme prejudice. The militant agents caused substantial damage in their efforts to find Stark, often brutalizing Stark Industries' personnel. [5]

In an effort to make H.A.M.M.E.R.'s image more palatable to the general public, Osborn reorganized the Avengers, filling their ranks with members of the Thunderbolts. Two previous members of the team who remained on Osborn's Avengers were the Sentry and Ares, the God of War. Osborn himself donned his own suit of armor (based upon Stark's designs) and became known as the Iron Patriot. [1]

During the Siege of Asgard , Osborn took H.A.M.M.E.R., the Dark Avengers, and the Initiative members who were on his side to partake in the attack on Asgard. [6] The President was watching the invasion of Asgard with his security council; he ordered the Secretary of State to dispatch all available military forces to Broxton and to have Osborn and the Dark Avengers arrested for treason. After this, the President exclaimed a need for a miracle, which was met by Captain America, along with his friends, arriving to help. The President then decided to let Captain America deal with Osborn and sent an order to the arriving military forces to focus on H.A.M.M.E.R. as the military shot down one of the H.A.M.M.E.R. Helicarriers. [7]

H.A.M.M.E.R. was soon officially dissolved. [8] Some remnants of the organization attempted to reorganize themselves after Osborn's defeat, contacting Victoria Hand to lead them, only to have her give their location to the New Avengers in her new role as their S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison. [9] H.A.M.M.E.R. was soon reassembled by Superia. [10] The New Avengers captured Superia after getting a tip from Victoria Hand. [11]

Following the Fear Itself storyline, Osborn escaped from the Raft and freed Superia as well. [12] Osborn reclaimed control of H.A.M.M.E.R. and recruited Madame Hydra, Gorgon, and some A.I.M. Agents as new members. [13] H.A.M.M.E.R. later ended up in an alliance with A.I.M. and HYDRA. [14] When Norman Osborn was defeated, H.A.M.M.E.R. ended up disbanding, with Madame Hydra using the remaining members to reinforce HYDRA. [15]

Later, members of H.A.M.M.E.R. along with S.H.I.E.L.D., S.T.R.I.K.E., Alpha Flight and other organizations established the group called Orchis. Orchis began building cosmic-level Sentinels in an orbital base to take on mutantkind after Professor X turned Krakoa into a sovereign nation state for mutants and used its unique abilities to created massive plantlike "Habitats" with embassies around the world. Through the combination of technology and mutant power, Professor Xavier developed three drugs that could change human life: A pill that extends human life by five years, an adaptable universal antibiotic, and a pill that cures “diseases of the mind, in humans.” In exchange for recognizing the sovereignty of Krakoa, Professor X said he will give these drugs to mankind, with mutants living in peace on the island. [16]

Known members

Agents

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Fury</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury Sr. is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, he first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1, a World War II combat series that portrayed the cigar-chomping man as leader of an elite U.S. Army Ranger unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helicarrier</span> Fictional flying aircraft carrier in Marvel

The Helicarrier is a fictional airborne aircraft carrier appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the aircraft first appeared in Strange Tales #135.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stark Tower</span> Marvel Comics location

The Stark Tower Complex is a high-rise building complex appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA, the complex is named after its owner Tony Stark, who is the alter ego of the superhero Iron Man. The structure is composed of a 93-story Main Tower flanked by a 35-story South Building and 55-story North Building. Located at the top of the Main Tower was the Watchtower of the superhero The Sentry, but it has been replaced by Heimdall's observatory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viper (Madame Hydra)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Viper is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Steranko, the character first appeared in Captain America #110. Ophelia Sarkissian is a foe of the X-Men and the Avengers. She has also been known as Viper and Madame Hydra at various point in her history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madame Masque</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Madame Masque is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, the character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #97. An occasional love interest and enemy of Iron Man and the daughter of Count Nefaria, she originally wore a golden mask to cover up her disfigured face and continues to do so after her face was healed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Hill</span> Comic book character

Commander Maria Christina Hill is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, the character first appeared in The New Avengers #4. As a former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., she appears in various storylines which often feature the Avengers or members of that group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hood</span> Marvel Comics fictional comic book supervillain

The Hood is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Kyle Hotz, the character was introduced in his own self-titled limited series, which started with Hood #1. Robbins was originally a petty criminal, until an encounter with a Nisanti demon, which he defeated and robbed of its hood and boots, gaining superpowers in the process, such as levitation and invisibility. As "the Hood", he became a well-known figure in the New York City criminal underworld, and eventually formed his own crime syndicate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shockwave (comics)</span> Comics character

Shockwave is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasper Sitwell</span> Fictional character

Jasper Sitwell is a fictional character, an espionage agent appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<i>Avengers: The Initiative</i> Comic book series from Marvel Comics

Avengers: The Initiative is a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series handles the aftermath of Marvel's "Civil War" storyline. A preview of the title was shown in Civil War: The Initiative.

<i>Secret Invasion</i> 2008 Marvel Comics event

"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, that ran through a self-titled eight-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term invasion of Earth by the Skrulls, a group of alien shapeshifters who have secretly replaced many superheroes in the Marvel Universe with impostors over a period of years, prior to the overt invasion. Marvel's promotional tagline for the event was "Who do you trust?".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Warriors (Team White)</span> Fictional comic book group

Secret Warriors is an alias for the fictional group Team White created by Nick Fury, a team of superpowered agents appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The name "secret warriors" also refers to the members of other hidden groups in the comics series Secret Warriors and its related titles. Team White was the main team led by Nick Fury from 2009 to 2011. First appearance was in "The Mighty Avengers" #13.

<i>Dark Reign</i> (comics) 2008 - 2009 Marvel Comics Event

Dark Reign is a 2008 to 2009 comic book branding used by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which leads to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the ramifications thereof. Joe Quesada, then-editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, stated that "Dark Reign is not really an event, it's what's happening in the Marvel Universe." He believes that "Dark Reign leads to an interesting place in the Marvel Universe. I think you'll see a pulling back at the end of Dark Reign, but you'll understand at the end of it what we were trying to get to."

<i>Dark Avengers</i> Group of fictional characters

Dark Avengers is a 2009–2013 American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that features various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers, with this version of the team - unbeknownst to the public in its stories - having several members who are actually supervillains and anti-heroes disguised as the established superheroes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Patriot</span> Fictional character appearing in the Marvel universe

The Iron Patriot is a patriotism-themed exoskeleton used by several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ragnarok (comics)</span> Supervillain in Marvel Comics

Ragnarok is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A cyborg clone of the hero Thor, Ragnarok has a similar appearance and abilities but uses them in opposition to the established heroes.

<i>Siege</i> (comics) Marvel comic book storyline dealing with the culmination of the "Dark Reign" storyline

Siege is an American comic book, published by Marvel Comics from January to May 2010. It deals with the climax of the "Dark Reign" storyline, which saw Norman Osborn become the United States primary defense officer, leading H.A.M.M.E.R. as well as employing his own evil Avengers. The story depicts Loki manipulating Osborn into leading an all-out assault on Asgard, at the time located within the United States. Captain America and his own Avengers lead a rebellion against Osborn. The events in Siege led to Marvel Comics introducing the subsequent storyline "Heroic Age".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Hand</span> Comics character

Victoria Hand is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the American espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D. of which Hand was a member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S.H.I.E.L.D.</span> Fictional intelligence agency in the Marvel Comics Universe

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, special law enforcement, and counter-terrorism government agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this agency first appeared in Strange Tales #135, and often deals with these, paranormal activity, and superhuman threats to international security.

References

  1. 1 2 Dark Avengers #1. Marvel Comics
  2. Captain America: Reborn Prelude Online Preview
  3. Secret Invasion #8. Marvel Comics
  4. Invincible Iron Man #9. Marvel Comics
  5. Invincible Iron Man #10
  6. Siege #1
  7. Siege #3
  8. Siege #4
  9. The New Avengers vol. 2 #11
  10. The New Avengers vol. 2 #12
  11. The New Avengers vol. 2 #13
  12. The New Avengers vol. 2 #16.1
  13. 1 2 The New Avengers vol. 2 #16
  14. The New Avengers vol. 2 #18
  15. The Avengers vol. 4 #24
  16. House of X #1
  17. The New Avengers #62
  18. 1 2 The New Avengers #61
  19. Siege: Embedded #2
  20. Siege: Embedded #3
  21. The Avengers vol. 4 #22
  22. Siege: The Cabal #1
  23. Dark Reign: Zodiac #3
  24. The Avengers vol. 4 #20
  25. Wolverine: Weapon X #4
  26. Invincible Iron Man #18
  27. 1 2 The Avengers vol. 4 #21
  28. X-Force vol. 3 #13
  29. Dark Reign: Zodiac #1
  30. War Machine #6 (2009)
  31. Daredevil #504
  32. 1 2 Punisher vol. 7 #11
  33. Secret Warriors #5
  34. The Avengers vol. 4 #18
  35. The New Avengers vol. 2 #17
  36. X-Force vol. 3 #18
  37. Dark Wolverine #83
  38. 1 2 Skull Kill Krew vol. 2. #4