Killer Shrike

Last updated
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 egoSimon Maddicks
Species Human
Team affiliations
Notable aliasesHarold Simmons
AbilitiesExpert 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

Killer Shrike is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Contents

Publication history

The Simon Maddicks incarnation of Killer Shrike first appeared in The Rampaging Hulk #1 (January 1977) and was created by John Warner and John Buscema. [1]

Fictional character biography

Simon Maddicks

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 unknown reasons. After being selected to be a special agent of the Roxxon Oil Company, Maddicks becomes a mercenary and professional criminal. Maddicks is given powered armor and an anti-gravity generator implanted in his spine. [2]

For his first mission, Roxxon sends Killer Shrike to infiltrate the subversive organization called the Conspiracy, which Roxxon learned about through major purchases of technology from the Brand Corporation. The Conspiracy send Killer Shrike to capture a monster known as Goram. The plan is thwarted by Ulysses Bloodstone, who short-circuits Killer Shrike's weapons and badly injures him. Feeling sorry for Killer Shrike's condition, Bloodstone's agents send him to a New York hospital, where he remains comatose for several weeks. [3]

After recovering, Maddicks is contacted by a group of Brand scientists led by Stephen Weems. Weems, better known as the villain Modular Man, seeks revenge against his enemies Spider-Man and Beast. In return, Modular Man promises Shrike information about his past. In battle with Spider-Man and Beast, Weems is killed before he could uphold his bargain. Shrike escapes and is found by Brand agents, who restore his memory and assign him to undercover work as a bodyguard to Brand president James Melvin. Following the Brand Corporation's dissolution, Killer Shrike becomes a free agent. [4]

Killer Shrike is apprehended by Helmut Zemo and forced to join the Thunderbolts, for so far unclear reasons. [5]

Killer Shrike appears 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. [6]

Killer Shrike wis among the villains who join Swarm's Sinister Six when they attack Spider-Man and the students of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. After Swarm is defeated by Hellion, Killer Shrike and the other villains surrender. [7]

Unnamed criminal

Killer Shrike sells his original costume to Roderick Kingsley, who in turn gives it to an unnamed criminal. Killer Shrike is present with Hobgoblin (Kingsley's butler Claude) during his battle with the Goblin Nation. After Hobgoblin is killed by Goblin King, Killer Shrike defects to the Goblin Nation. [8]

Powers and abilities

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 an armored suit made of an insulated steel alloy that protects him from turbulence and small caliber weapons fire. His major weapons system is the twin power-blasters worn on his wrists, which possess powerful titanium claws and can generate electricity.

Other versions

An alternate universe version of Simon Maddicks / Killer Shrike from Earth-1610 makes a cameo appearance in Ultimate Spider-Man #72. [9]

In other media

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. Additionally, his anti-gravity generator is incorporated into his wrist blasters.

References

  1. ↑ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 204. ISBN   978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . New York: Facts on File. p. 177. ISBN   0-8160-1356-X.
  3. ↑ The Rampaging Hulk #2 (April 1977)
  4. ↑ The Spectacular Spider-Man #57 (August 1981)
  5. ↑ Thunderbolts #104 (September 2006)
  6. ↑ Secret Avengers #29 (September 2012)
  7. ↑ Spider-Man and the X-Men #4 (May 2015)
  8. ↑ The Superior Spider-Man #26 (March 2014)
  9. ↑ Ultimate Spider-Man #72 (April 2005)
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