Overdrive (character)

Last updated
Overdrive
Overdrive Marvel.jpg
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift (May 2007)
Created by Dan Slott
Phil Jimenez
In-story information
Alter egoJames Beverley
Species Human
Team affiliations Sinister Six
AbilitiesAbility to convert any vehicle into a high-powered one

Overdrive (James Beverley) is a fictional villain, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man.

Contents

Publication history

Created by Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez, Overdrive first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift (May 2007), a Free Comic Book Day issue set after the events of the Spider-Man: One More Day storyline.

Something of a throwaway joke character, Overdrive made a few inconsequential appearances throughout Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man . As part of Marvel NOW! and the Superior Spider-Man relaunch, Overdrive joined the Sinister Six and featured as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man .

Fictional character biography

James Beverley is a race car driver who had dreams of being a superhero. When every attempt failed and he ended up in an accident, he gained the assistance of Power Broker. Mister Negative approached him and offered him a job in his criminal organization. [1]

Overdrive was hired by Mister Negative to steal an artifact from a museum, but was unable to deliver it because of interference from Spider-Man. Overdrive led Spider-Man on a high-speed chase through the streets of Manhattan. When Spider-Man smashed the windshield of Overdrive's car, it revealed dozens of pieces of Spider-Man-related merchandise such as bobble-heads, air-fresheners, and action figures. Overdrive declared that he was Spider-Man's "biggest fan", even asking for an autograph as Spider-Man was trying to stop him. [2]

The chase finally culminated in a car-wreck that had Overdrive and his vehicle hanging from a bridge in New York by Spider-Man's webbing with Spider-Man's trademark note, "Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man". Overdrive asked the police who were on the scene to arrest him if he could keep the note. Overdrive was then sent by Mister Negative to steal the Sonic Pulse Generator from a laboratory but he failed again when he met Spider-Man once again. Mister Negative told his men to dispose of Overdrive and they put him in the trunk of Mister Negative's limo and Overdrive was able to escape them by converting the limo into one of his "tricked out" cars. [3]

Ever since Lily Hollister's baby was stolen by the Chameleon, Spider-Man had been going on a rampage against any villains involved. The police recovered a web ball containing Overdrive, Spot, and Diablo. [4]

Peter Parker later sees Overdrive kidnapping Terri Hilman, the daughter of a powerful socialite. Since his costume is dirty after the battle with Doctor Octopus, Peter is forced to use a Halloween Spider-Man costume. Overdrive transforms the limousine he is driving into a copy of the Spider-Mobile. He then shoots Peter with webs pinning him into a wall. However, Peter manages to take Overdrive out from the car and leave him hanging for the police. [5]

While working for Kingpin, Overdrive fought Black Panther. [6]

In Marvel Now! , Overdrive joins Boomerang's incarnation of version of the Sinister Six. Overdrive stole the original Big Wheel vehicle and upgraded it through his powers. However, the Superior Spider-Man (Doctor Octopus' mind in Peter Parker's body) defeats Overdrive and the rest of the Sinister Six using a power-dampening field. [7] Overdrive features as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man . He secretly admitted that he only became a villain to gain a reputation, then planned to convert to the good side like Hawkeye. [8]

The new Hijacker that fought Ant-Man and Captain America in Miami claimed that his superpowers were derived from Overdrive's nanites. [9]

Overdrive later worked for Mister Negative again and became a getaway driver for his henchmen. Following a bank heist, Overdrive drives the Inner Demons away from the police. [1] However, he is attacked and killed by the Sin-Eater before mysteriously resurrecting. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Following Sin-Eater's suicide which caused those that he purged of their sins to regain them, James Beverley encounters Carlie Cooper and reveals that he is considering reforming. [16]

Powers and abilities

Overdrive can generate nanites which transform vehicles to his will, improving its physical abilities. These changes will revert if Overdrive is away from the vehicle for too long.

In other media

Related Research Articles

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

Electro is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chameleon (character)</span> Supervillain appearing in Marvel Comics

The Chameleon is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #1. The Chameleon is the first ever antagonist of the superhero Peter Parker / Spider-Man. He is a master of disguises who is known for his ability to impersonate virtually anybody. The character is also the half-brother of Kraven the Hunter. This relationship helped evolve him as a major villain compared to his original depiction of being just a solo villain in the original issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. He has also been a member of the Sinister Six and the Sinister Twelve at various points in his history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kraven the Hunter</span> Fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics

Kraven the Hunter is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 as an adversary to the superhero Peter Parker / Spider-Man. He since endured as one of the web-slinger's most formidable foes, and is part of the collective of adversaries that make up Spider-Man's rogues' gallery. Kraven has also come into conflict with other heroes, such as Black Panther and Tigra. He is the half-brother of the supervillain Chameleon, and is one of the founding members of the Sinister Six.

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

Doctor Octopus, also known as Doc Ock for short, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #3. He is a highly intelligent, myopic, and stocky mad scientist who sports four strong and durable appendages resembling an octopus's tentacles, which extend from his body and can be used for various purposes. After his mechanical harness became permanently fused to his body during a laboratory accident, he turned to a life of crime, and came into conflict with the superhero Spider-Man. He has endured as one of Spider-Man's most prominent villains, and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside the Green Goblin and Venom. He is the founder and leader of the Sinister Six, the first supervillain team to oppose Spider-Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shocker (character)</span> Fictional Marvel supervillain

The Shocker is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr, the character debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #46 in March 1967. He is usually depicted as an enemy of the superhero Spider-Man, and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinister Six</span> Comic book supervillains

The Sinister Six are a group of supervillains 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.

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

Hammerhead is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is primarily depicted as an adversary of the superhero Spider-Man. He is a temperamental mobster who often dresses and acts in the 1920s style, and a prominent member of the Maggia, a fictional organized crime syndicate. Following an accident, he had most of his skull replaced with an inflexible steel alloy by Jonas Harrow, giving his head a flattened shape and near-indestructibility, hence his nickname. The Hammerhead crime family, of which he is the second and current head, is named after the character.

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

Speed Demon is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema, the character made his first appearance in The Avengers #69 as a member of the Squadron Sinister known as the Whizzer.

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

The Spot is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man and Daredevil. The Spot gained the ability to open interdimensional portals and smaller-scale portals, which he uses to travel long distances instantly and commit crimes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinkerer (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional character, adversary of Spider-Man

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.

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

White Rabbit is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by J.M. DeMatteis, Kerry Gammill, and Mike Esposito, the character first appeared in Marvel Team-Up #131. White Rabbit is a wealthy criminal who based her supervillain persona on Alice in Wonderland. She is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Spider-Man.

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

Morlun is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr., the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana (character)</span> Character in Marvel Comics

Montana is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #10. In his comic book appearances, Montana is depicted as the leader of the Enforcers, a group of assassins usually employed by other villains such as the Big Man, the Green Goblin, and the Kingpin, which often places them in conflict with the superheroes Spider-Man and Daredevil.

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

Sin-Eater is a name given to several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character usually appears in comics featuring Spider-Man and Ghost Rider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mister Negative</span> Fictional character in Marvel Comics

Mister Negative is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man, the Punisher, Shang-Chi, and Cloak and Dagger. The character was created by Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez, and first appeared in "Swing Shift", a story in Free Comic Book Day: The Amazing Spider-Man #1. The name "Mister Negative" is a reference to photographic negative, as the colors of his skin, hair, and costume are inverted when he transforms into his alter ego.

<i>Spider-Man: Brand New Day</i>

"Brand New Day" is a comic book storyline in The Amazing Spider-Man, published by Marvel Comics beginning in 2008. It chronicles the start of Spider-Man's adventures in the aftermath of the status quo-altering "One More Day" storyline, and continues afterwards into "Spider-Man: Big Time". Although the banner only runs across the front covers of #546-564 and the Spider-Man: Swing Shift one-shot, "Brand New Day" is also used to refer to the entire 102-issue run of stories featured in Amazing Spider-Man #546-647 and accompanying tie-in series, one-shots, and annuals.

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

Norman Virgil Osborn is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 as the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin. He has since endured as one of the superhero Spider-Man's most prominent villains and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside Doctor Octopus and Venom.

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dying Wish</span> 2012 Spider-Man comic storyline

"Dying Wish" is a 2012 comic book storyline in The Amazing Spider-Man, published by Marvel Comics. The story began with a prologue in The Amazing Spider-Man #698 and ended in The Amazing Spider-Man #700, the final issue of that series, ending over fifty years of Marvel's publication of The Amazing Spider-Man. The series was replaced with The Superior Spider-Man, which premiered in January 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janice Lincoln</span> Supervillainess appearing in Marvel Comics

Janice Lincoln is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Jackson "Butch" Guice, the character first appeared in Captain America #607. Janice Lincoln is the daughter of supervillain Tombstone. She is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Spider-Man. The character has also been known as Beetle and Lady Beetle at various points in her history.

References

  1. 1 2 The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #39. Marvel Comics.
  2. The Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift. Marvel Comics.
  3. The Amazing Spider-Man #642. Marvel Comics.
  4. The Amazing Spider-Man #645. Marvel Comics.
  5. The Amazing Spider-Man #647. Marvel Comics.
  6. Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #524. Marvel Comics.
  7. The Superior Spider-Man #1. Marvel Comics.
  8. The Superior Spider-Man #14. Marvel Comics.
  9. Nick Spencer ( w ),Ramon Rosanas ( p ),Ramon Rosanas ( i ),Jordan Boyd ( col ),VC's Travis Lanham ( let ),Wil Moss ( ed ). The Astonishing Ant-Man,vol. 1,no. 3(23 December 2015).United States:Marvel Comics.
  10. Zachary, Brandon (August 1, 2020). "Spider-Man: A Superior Marvel Villain Meets a GRISLY End". CBR. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  11. Wood, Robert (January 10, 2021). "Marvel's Coolest New Hero is a Former Spider-Man Villain". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  12. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #44. Marvel Comics.
  13. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #45. Marvel Comics.
  14. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #46. Marvel Comics.
  15. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #47. Marvel Comics.
  16. The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 5 #56. Marvel Comics.
  17. 1 2 "Overdrive Voices (Spider-Man)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 14, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.