Baron Strucker
Encyclopedia
Baron Wolfgang von Strucker is a fictional character
created for Marvel Comics
by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
, first appearing in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
#5 (1964). Campbell Lane
played him in the 1998 TV-movie Nick Fury: Agent of Shield.
n family who had relocated to Strucker Castle in Bavaria
following the Franco-Prussian War
, Wolfgang von Strucker became a Heidelberg
fencing
champion, and was disfigured by facial scars.
Strucker fought for Germany during World War I
, during which he first encountered the jewel "Momentary Princess," which was fated to appear and disappear at regular intervals of time. Wolfgang pursued the jewel in the decades that followed.
When Adolf Hitler
rose to power in Germany in 1933, Baron Strucker joined the Nazi Party, becoming infamous in the following years. In 1936 he and Geist
, one of Hitler's top men, allied themselves with the Egyptian mentalist Amahl Farouk (secretly the Shadow King
) in an attempt to dispute the lineage of England's royal family and install a new king who would be sympathetic to the Nazis. Their plot was thwarted by the Canadian adventurer Logan
and the time-traveling members of Excalibur
, Kitty Pryde
and Phoenix
.
In 1937, German Intelligence agent Strucker was sent to the United States to assassinate Senator Fulton, but he was foiled by brigand-for-hire Dominic Fortune
.
began, Strucker was appointed wing commander of the Death's Head Squadron by Hitler, and, in 1941, he was sent to Madripoor to help the Hand ninja cult transform young Natasha Romanova into their master assassin, only to be defeated by Logan (yet to acquire the adamantium skeleton which would transform him into Wolverine
), Captain America
, and Ivan Petrovitch. Later in 1941, Strucker invaded Latveria, seeking to use the Sturm-Fånger ("Storm-Catcher") to control cosmic energies; the device was wrecked by time-traveling members of X-Force
.
After the United States entered the war, the First Attack Squad of Able Company (the Howling Commandos
) became a constant thorn in the Nazis' side, and Hitler turned to Strucker, ordering him to publicly humiliate the Howlers' leader Nick Fury
. Strucker challenged Fury to a duel on the island of Norsehaven, and Fury violated direct orders to meet Strucker and satisfy his pride. Before their duel with plywood swords, Strucker offered Fury a toast, and secretly drugged Fury's drink. As they fought, Strucker was surprised to find that despite his superior swordsmanship and the effects of the drug, Fury was a tenacious foe, but Fury finally succumbed to the drug's effects. Strucker had the event recorded and sent back to Germany as propaganda material to destroy Fury's reputation. Soon after, Fury encountered Strucker again while on another mission, and was determined to regain his honor. Strucker tried to drug Fury again, but Howler Dino Manelli
warned Fury, who then bested Strucker in combat. Howler Dum Dum Dugan
photographed Strucker's defeat and circulated pictures, ruining the Nazis' earlier propaganda victory.
Hitler demanded that Strucker capture the Howlers so they could be executed in Berlin. Strucker assembled the Blitzkrieg Squad, who could match each of the Howlers skill for skill, but the Howlers defeated them at every turn. Strucker also led the Blitzkrieg Squad to England to assassinate Prime Minister Winston Churchill
and Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, but they were foiled by the Invaders
. Strucker finally abandoned the Blitzkrieg Squad, which was later led by Colonel Klaue.
While vacationing in Berlin, Strucker witnessed the Asgardian Thor
's attack on the Chancellery, after which Strucker followed a bandaged man through a portal in space. Realizing he had traveled decades into the future, Strucker stole some history books about the end of World War II. He encountered the time machine's creator, Doctor Doom
, who allowed him to return to the past, not believing that Strucker could win the war even with the knowledge he had obtained.
Tiring of Strucker's failures, Hitler assigned him to topple the resistance in the French town of Cherbeaux, or else destroy the town. Strucker rounded up the resistance to send them to camps to avoid having to destroy the town, but the Howling Commandos derailed his train, freeing the captives. Hitler demanded that Strucker destroy the town, and Strucker set the explosives, but then came face-to-face with Fury, who had rigged an explosive powerful enough to kill Strucker. Caught in a stalemate, Strucker agreed to let the people of Cherbeaux evacuate so that he and Fury could battle again. When the evacuation was complete, Strucker and Fury fought while Cherbeaux was destroyed around them, and Fury lost Strucker in the upheaval. For allowing the evacuation of Cherbeaux, Hitler had Strucker marked for death by the Gestapo
.
Strucker escaped Germany because of the Red Skull
, Hitler's right hand man, who foresaw Hitler's fall, and wanted an alternative power base. The Red Skull sent Strucker to Japan to form this organization, but Strucker intended to run it for himself. In Japan, Strucker joined forces with the Hand
and an underground subversive movement which later became HYDRA
. Strucker was instrumental in HYDRA's earliest raids on war plants to supply their troops, and finally confronted the Supreme Hydra, claiming that as the organization's true mastermind, he should be HYDRA's leader. The Supreme Hydra refused and shot him, but Strucker had worn a bulletproof vest, and slew the Supreme Hydra, claiming his title. Strucker also slew the jonin (leader) of the Hand in single combat, severing ties with the Hand to prevent HYDRA agents from being seduced by promises of the dark power of the demonic Beast of the Hand.
Strucker moved HYDRA's operations to a private island in the Pacific, named Hydra Island. After he used an undetectable "phantom" submarine to assault allied and Japanese ships, Hydra Island was investigated by the allies' Captain Savage and his Leatherneck Raiders
, and the Japanese Samurai Squad. Captain Savage and the others managed to overcome HYDRA's forces, and Strucker was forced to detonate the island. With HYDRA's plans temporarily waylaid, Strucker was forced to return to Germany.
To regain Hitler's favor, Strucker subjected Fury to a hallucinogenic drug in Africa, offering the formula to Hitler if it proved successful in the field. Fury was overcome by the hallucinations, but the Howlers rescued him, enabling his recovery. Ever more uncomfortable with the progress of the war, Strucker continued to operate HYDRA from the shadows while pretending to be a loyal Nazi, secretly funneling Hitler's resources into his own operation. He also obtained the Dragon of Death, a powerful Japanese submarine, and made it HYDRA's new mobile headquarters. Using his knowledge of the future, Strucker attempted to complete the atom bomb before the allies, sending HYDRA agents to obtain the materials. Learning of this plot, the Invaders ultimately scuttled the Dragon, again delaying Strucker's plans, and during the clash Strucker lost the books he had brought from the future.
In 1944, Strucker encountered the Gnobians, a benevolent race of empathic extraterrestrials who had crashed near Gruenstadt. Realizing what their technology could do for HYDRA, Strucker befriended the naïve creatures and killed the population of Gruenstadt to cover his tracks. The Howlers arrived, too late to prevent the tragedy, but fatally wounded Strucker. The Gnobians healed Strucker with their powers, but they went insane from absorbing some of his hate-filled psyche in the process. Strucker fled their crashed ship, taking discs of their information to his scientists. As Germany fell in 1945, Strucker had the Nazis' two greatest superhumans Master Man
and Warrior Woman
placed into suspended animation in opposite sides of Berlin to await later revival. Strucker also gave the Red Skull the gas used to preserve them, and it also preserved the Skull when he was buried alive in his bunker during a battle with Captain America.
Avoiding prosecution for war crimes, Baron Strucker had his scientists provide him with age-retarding serum so he could personally oversee HYDRA's progress for decades to come. He and the Baroness Adelicia Von Krupp once captured the CIA's Agent Ten, who proved to be Strucker's old enemy Logan, but Logan was rescued by CIA agents Richard and Mary Parker
. Needing more finances for HYDRA, Strucker abducted Gabrielle Haller
, who had a map leading to a fortune in lost Nazi gold hidden within her mind, but Haller was defended by her friends, the mutants Charles Xavier
and Erik Magnus
, and Magnus took the gold for his own purposes.
Strucker married more than once in the years that followed, resulting in a son, Werner
, who resisted his father's influence, and twins, Andrea and Andreas
, who were genetically altered by HYDRA scientists and so, developed super powers later in life. Strucker rebuilt Hydra Island, but concealed his role in the organization by using a front called "THEM," in which he was Grand Imperator. In this role, he assigned Arnold Brown to be his Imperial Hydra
, supposedly the true master of HYDRA. Brown's rule of HYDRA ended when he was overcome by S.H.I.E.L.D.
, an espionage organization led by Nick Fury and designed to thwart HYDRA, and the unmasked Brown was mistakenly shot by his own men as HYDRA crumbled about him. THEM also found and revived the long-lost Red Skull, but Strucker finally abandoned THEM when the scientific research arm of HYDRA and another branch splintered away to become A.I.M.
and the Secret Empire
, respectively.
Book of the Dead, Nick Fury invaded the island and disguised himself as Strucker, then put a mask of his own face on Strucker's, tricking Strucker's own men into shooting at him. In a blind panic, Strucker ran through and into a chamber where nuclear processes were taking place, and was immediately incinerated.
Subsequently, the Death Spore Bomb went off prematurely, and within the Dome; as the Dome was designed beforehand to be airtight to withstand the effects of the Death Spores once the Bomb was detonated outside the Dome, all HYDRA agents present in the dome were killed, while the spores were sealed inside with them.
built a robot duplicate of Strucker, using it to test the abilities and morality of Captain America. The robot fooled even S.H.I.E.L.D into thinking they had captured the real Strucker. Strucker also lived on in the form of several different android LMDs (Life Model Decoy
) based on his mind; one was activated on Hydra Island after Strucker's death and believed itself to be the true Strucker, finally meeting its doom battling Captain America, Fury, and the one-time Howling Commandos. Another tricked Canada's Department H into selling HYDRA the battle-suit worn by their hero Guardian
. The most destructive was the Deltite, an LMD Strucker had planted within S.H.I.E.L.D to tear the organization apart, and ultimately wound up running S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA simultaneously, playing the two against each other. By the time the Deltite was finally revealed and destroyed, it had managed to sow distrust throughout S.H.I.E.L.D, and killed many agents, leading Fury to disband the organization.
Determined to bring down HYDRA, Fury was unaware of Strucker's resurrection. Strucker next allowed genetically-altered experiments Sathan, Guillotine and Lt. Romulus to escape, and sent the HYDRA bounty hunters Ron Takimoto, Dakini and Carl Striklan to capture them. Fury, Daredevil
, the Punisher
, and Captain America became involved in the hunt, and ultimately Sathan, Takimoto, Dakini were killed, Striklan went rogue, and only Guillotine & Romulus returned to HYDRA. Strucker had achieved his true goal: to analyze U.S. superhuman resources.
Strucker won another impressive victory when he secretly began to purchase control over WFET, a television station owned by the Kingpin
(Wilson Fisk). When S.H.I.E.L.D became aware of HYDRA's involvement, they tipped off Daredevil, who then let word reach the streets. Fisk thought HYDRA was his enemy and turned on them, only to have HYDRA steal nearly all of his money, destroy his businesses, and help to end his reign as the Kingpin. When the Kingpin's assets were divided amongst criminal factions-including Werner, Andrea, and Andreas, Baron Strucker re-linked with the Hand, who sent their magical warrior Izanami to thin the competition. Strucker also posed as Snakeskin, bodyguard to Werner (who posed as the mastermind of the new HYDRA) before slaying Werner for being an unworthy successor.
Strucker faced rivalries within HYDRA itself, including splinter groups like the Genesis Coalition, and hired the mercenary Next Wave to bring them down; they were assisted by Silver Sable's Wild Pack
. Strucker masterminded an attack on the United Nations, but by then, Fury had found proof that Strucker was HYDRA's leader. He tracked him to his base in Iceland, where Strucker killed Fury's lover Kate Neville
before his very eyes. Fury and Strucker fought each other on the side of a mountain, and the fight ended with Fury cutting off Strucker's right hand to make him fall towards apparent death.
Surviving, Strucker gained a bionic replacement "Satan Claw" for his lost hand. He then employed the techno-junkies of System Crash
to strengthen HYDRA through controlling the information highway, though Daredevil defeated his agents. When the Earth was enthralled by the powers of the Goddess
, the "good" counterpart of Adam Warlock
, Strucker was unaffected, and took the opportunity to attempt revenge upon Striklan—now the Wild Pack mercenary Crippler
. Wild Pack and S.H.I.E.L.D saved Crippler. Strucker met with a group of American neo-Nazis to assassinate Slovenian president Wassily Kurov to usurp rule of his nation. Kurov was saved by the Skrull Kill Krew
and Captain America, but was also exposed as a Skrull impostor. Strucker also briefly joined with Baron Helmut Zemo in a world-conquering plot foiled by the Avengers
and Thunderbolts
, though Strucker and Zemo parted as foes.
Strucker eventually launched an ambitious plan where he infested key people such as Henry Gyrich of the Commission on Superhuman Activities with nanites, allowing him to control them. Under Strucker's influence, Gyrich nearly killed every superhuman on Earth with the nanites. Strucker's involvement was finally discovered by the V-Battalion, who thwarted his attempt to control everyone on Earth with nanites.
Strucker married again to a woman named Elsbeth, but she had little regard for him, and was taken instead by his mutant bodyguard the Gorgon.
Strucker had placed the hero Abner Jenkins of the Thunderbolts into his debt by funding his team (an irony given how the Thunderbolts, when commanded by Baron Zemo, used their knowledge of the HYDRA organization to inflict severe damage to HYDRA in order to build up their reputation as heroes), and pit the team against threats he had helped fund, including the Wrecking Crew
, Fathom Five
, and the Great Game.
This storyline was quickly aborted due to Mark Millar
's decision to use (and kill off) Strucker in the pages of Wolverine
. Gorgon and Elsbeth staged a coup of the organization and ultimately killed Strucker after holding him prisoner and belittling him through the two becoming lovers. Ultimately the two had Strucker beheaded when his ploy to use Wolverine to acquire Cerebra for HYDRA failed and Wolverine was captured by S.H.I.E.L.D.. When last seen, Baron Strucker was on his knees facing an execution. Though not shown, it was heavily implied that he was decapitated.
In New Thunderbolts #17, it was revealed that Strucker was still alive. The Von Strucker in Wolverine was "a flawed, but genetically accurate" clone of Strucker, set up to fail so Gorgon could consolidate control of HYDRA (Gorgon also used "supernatural means" to make people think that this weak man was Strucker). The real Strucker was rescued and kept in stasis before being freed by the Swordsman (who turned out to be his son, Andreas) and then Baron Helmut Zemo. Strucker agreed to work with Zemo in his grand plan to take over the world and left together. Helmut Zemo is also responsible for the murder of Strucker's daughter Andrea.
, Viper
, Madame Hydra
, and the Hive), and resurrects the Gorgon
for the purpose of "letting the world become aware of HYDRA
's true nature". However, Nick Fury was interfering in von Strucker's plans, so Strucker enlists the help of Norman Osborn, director of the corrupt H.A.M.M.E.R. agency, to take care of his nemesis. The news that Osborn had recently murdered his son Andreas had little impact on Von Strucker, who calmly declared that he now owed Osborn "two favors".
All 3 of Baron Strucker's children have been murdered. Andrea by Helmut Zemo, Andreas by Norman Osborn, and Werner was murdered by Wolfgang. An apparent clone of Andrea was also murdered by Bullseye. Baron Strucker was shot in the head by Nick Fury.
Exposure to his Death Spore has bonded Strucker's DNA with the Death Spore, enabling him to be revived after seemingly being killed by gunshot wounds and radiation poisoning. Stucker can now release the Death Spore virus from his body at will, killing his victims nearly instantly. If Strucker is killed, the Death Spore viruses will allegedly be set free from his body and risk infecting the entire Earth.
, turned Mister Fantastic
into putty, and destroyed Thor
's people. However, Charnel along with his timeline was later destroyed by the bounty-hunter Death's Head
.
This universe was used by Advanced Idea Mechanics
Supreme Scientist Monica Rappaccini
to conceal her hidden base, until Hank Pym disrupted her machines, stranding her and her followers on Earth-Charnel.
Strucker was a leader of HYDRA, as well as a powerful wizard. He attacked Stark Island and summoned Dormammu
by using Stark
's gate to the Negative Zone
. After that, Strucker was attacked and killed by Mangaverse's Doctor Strange
in a magical duel.
#2.
universe, Baron Strucker is the second in command for Baron Zemo
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
created for Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, first appearing in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos are a fictional World War II unit in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 . The main character, Sgt...
#5 (1964). Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
played him in the 1998 TV-movie Nick Fury: Agent of Shield.
Fictional character biography
Born in the late 19th century to a noble PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n family who had relocated to Strucker Castle in Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
following the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, Wolfgang von Strucker became a Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
fencing
Academic fencing
Academic fencing or Mensur is the traditional kind of fencing practiced by some student corporations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and to a minor extent in Kosovo, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Flanders.- Technique :Modern academic fencing, the "mensur," is neither a duel nor a sport...
champion, and was disfigured by facial scars.
Strucker fought for Germany during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, during which he first encountered the jewel "Momentary Princess," which was fated to appear and disappear at regular intervals of time. Wolfgang pursued the jewel in the decades that followed.
When Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
rose to power in Germany in 1933, Baron Strucker joined the Nazi Party, becoming infamous in the following years. In 1936 he and Geist
Geist (Marvel Comics)
Geist was a supervillain first appearing in Wolverine #17. He was a cyborg, but had no superpowers. He was encased in a metal shell simply to survive, because he was so old.-Fictional character biography:...
, one of Hitler's top men, allied themselves with the Egyptian mentalist Amahl Farouk (secretly the Shadow King
Shadow King
The Shadow King, also known as Amahl Farouk, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Shadow King exists as an entity of pure psychic energy that feeds on the hatred of humanity...
) in an attempt to dispute the lineage of England's royal family and install a new king who would be sympathetic to the Nazis. Their plot was thwarted by the Canadian adventurer Logan
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
and the time-traveling members of Excalibur
Excalibur (comics)
Excalibur is a Marvel Comics superhero group, an off-shoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, the original Excalibur first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition , also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn.The...
, Kitty Pryde
Kitty Pryde
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
and Phoenix
Rachel Summers
Rachel Anne Summers is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne for Marvel Comics....
.
In 1937, German Intelligence agent Strucker was sent to the United States to assassinate Senator Fulton, but he was foiled by brigand-for-hire Dominic Fortune
Dominic Fortune
Dominic Fortune is a fictional comic book character, owned by Marvel Comics.Created by Howard Chaykin and based on the Scorpion, Chaykin's character for the failed Atlas/Seaboard Comics company, Dominic Fortune was originally a 1930s costumed, fortune-seeking adventurer.-Publication history:Dominic...
.
World War II
As World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began, Strucker was appointed wing commander of the Death's Head Squadron by Hitler, and, in 1941, he was sent to Madripoor to help the Hand ninja cult transform young Natasha Romanova into their master assassin, only to be defeated by Logan (yet to acquire the adamantium skeleton which would transform him into Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
), Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, and Ivan Petrovitch. Later in 1941, Strucker invaded Latveria, seeking to use the Sturm-Fånger ("Storm-Catcher") to control cosmic energies; the device was wrecked by time-traveling members of X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
.
After the United States entered the war, the First Attack Squad of Able Company (the Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos are a fictional World War II unit in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 . The main character, Sgt...
) became a constant thorn in the Nazis' side, and Hitler turned to Strucker, ordering him to publicly humiliate the Howlers' leader Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
. Strucker challenged Fury to a duel on the island of Norsehaven, and Fury violated direct orders to meet Strucker and satisfy his pride. Before their duel with plywood swords, Strucker offered Fury a toast, and secretly drugged Fury's drink. As they fought, Strucker was surprised to find that despite his superior swordsmanship and the effects of the drug, Fury was a tenacious foe, but Fury finally succumbed to the drug's effects. Strucker had the event recorded and sent back to Germany as propaganda material to destroy Fury's reputation. Soon after, Fury encountered Strucker again while on another mission, and was determined to regain his honor. Strucker tried to drug Fury again, but Howler Dino Manelli
Dino Manelli
Dino Manelli is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos vol. 1 #1.-Fictional character biography:...
warned Fury, who then bested Strucker in combat. Howler Dum Dum Dugan
Dum Dum Dugan
Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader "Dum Dum" Dugan is a fictional character in the . He is an officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is one of the most experienced members of Nick Fury's team, known for his marksmanship with rifles and for his impressive physique...
photographed Strucker's defeat and circulated pictures, ruining the Nazis' earlier propaganda victory.
Hitler demanded that Strucker capture the Howlers so they could be executed in Berlin. Strucker assembled the Blitzkrieg Squad, who could match each of the Howlers skill for skill, but the Howlers defeated them at every turn. Strucker also led the Blitzkrieg Squad to England to assassinate Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
and Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, but they were foiled by the Invaders
Invaders (comics)
The Invaders is the name of two fictional superhero teams in the . The original team was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema in The Avengers #71 . A present-day incarnation was introduced by writer Chuck Austen and artist Scott Kolins in The Avengers vol...
. Strucker finally abandoned the Blitzkrieg Squad, which was later led by Colonel Klaue.
While vacationing in Berlin, Strucker witnessed the Asgardian Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
's attack on the Chancellery, after which Strucker followed a bandaged man through a portal in space. Realizing he had traveled decades into the future, Strucker stole some history books about the end of World War II. He encountered the time machine's creator, Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
, who allowed him to return to the past, not believing that Strucker could win the war even with the knowledge he had obtained.
Tiring of Strucker's failures, Hitler assigned him to topple the resistance in the French town of Cherbeaux, or else destroy the town. Strucker rounded up the resistance to send them to camps to avoid having to destroy the town, but the Howling Commandos derailed his train, freeing the captives. Hitler demanded that Strucker destroy the town, and Strucker set the explosives, but then came face-to-face with Fury, who had rigged an explosive powerful enough to kill Strucker. Caught in a stalemate, Strucker agreed to let the people of Cherbeaux evacuate so that he and Fury could battle again. When the evacuation was complete, Strucker and Fury fought while Cherbeaux was destroyed around them, and Fury lost Strucker in the upheaval. For allowing the evacuation of Cherbeaux, Hitler had Strucker marked for death by the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
.
Strucker escaped Germany because of the Red Skull
Red Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
, Hitler's right hand man, who foresaw Hitler's fall, and wanted an alternative power base. The Red Skull sent Strucker to Japan to form this organization, but Strucker intended to run it for himself. In Japan, Strucker joined forces with the Hand
Hand (comics)
The Hand is a fictional supervillainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe.The Hand is an order of evil mystical ninja who are heavily involved in organized crime and mercenary activities such as assassination plots. The Hand covets power above all other objectives. They are primarily based...
and an underground subversive movement which later became HYDRA
HYDRA
HYDRA is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Universe.Despite the name's capitalization per Marvel's official spelling, the name is not an acronym but rather a reference to the mythical Lernaean Hydra...
. Strucker was instrumental in HYDRA's earliest raids on war plants to supply their troops, and finally confronted the Supreme Hydra, claiming that as the organization's true mastermind, he should be HYDRA's leader. The Supreme Hydra refused and shot him, but Strucker had worn a bulletproof vest, and slew the Supreme Hydra, claiming his title. Strucker also slew the jonin (leader) of the Hand in single combat, severing ties with the Hand to prevent HYDRA agents from being seduced by promises of the dark power of the demonic Beast of the Hand.
Strucker moved HYDRA's operations to a private island in the Pacific, named Hydra Island. After he used an undetectable "phantom" submarine to assault allied and Japanese ships, Hydra Island was investigated by the allies' Captain Savage and his Leatherneck Raiders
Leatherneck Raiders
The Leatherneck Raiders are a fictional World War II unit in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Gary Friedrich and Dick Ayers, they were a specially trained tactical commando squad...
, and the Japanese Samurai Squad. Captain Savage and the others managed to overcome HYDRA's forces, and Strucker was forced to detonate the island. With HYDRA's plans temporarily waylaid, Strucker was forced to return to Germany.
To regain Hitler's favor, Strucker subjected Fury to a hallucinogenic drug in Africa, offering the formula to Hitler if it proved successful in the field. Fury was overcome by the hallucinations, but the Howlers rescued him, enabling his recovery. Ever more uncomfortable with the progress of the war, Strucker continued to operate HYDRA from the shadows while pretending to be a loyal Nazi, secretly funneling Hitler's resources into his own operation. He also obtained the Dragon of Death, a powerful Japanese submarine, and made it HYDRA's new mobile headquarters. Using his knowledge of the future, Strucker attempted to complete the atom bomb before the allies, sending HYDRA agents to obtain the materials. Learning of this plot, the Invaders ultimately scuttled the Dragon, again delaying Strucker's plans, and during the clash Strucker lost the books he had brought from the future.
In 1944, Strucker encountered the Gnobians, a benevolent race of empathic extraterrestrials who had crashed near Gruenstadt. Realizing what their technology could do for HYDRA, Strucker befriended the naïve creatures and killed the population of Gruenstadt to cover his tracks. The Howlers arrived, too late to prevent the tragedy, but fatally wounded Strucker. The Gnobians healed Strucker with their powers, but they went insane from absorbing some of his hate-filled psyche in the process. Strucker fled their crashed ship, taking discs of their information to his scientists. As Germany fell in 1945, Strucker had the Nazis' two greatest superhumans Master Man
Master Man (Marvel Comics)
Master Man is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Master Man first appears in the title Giant-Size Invaders #1 and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins. The second version , first appears in Namor the Sub-Mariner #11 ...
and Warrior Woman
Warrior Woman
Warrior Woman is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Invaders #16 and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins.-Fictional character biography:...
placed into suspended animation in opposite sides of Berlin to await later revival. Strucker also gave the Red Skull the gas used to preserve them, and it also preserved the Skull when he was buried alive in his bunker during a battle with Captain America.
Avoiding prosecution for war crimes, Baron Strucker had his scientists provide him with age-retarding serum so he could personally oversee HYDRA's progress for decades to come. He and the Baroness Adelicia Von Krupp once captured the CIA's Agent Ten, who proved to be Strucker's old enemy Logan, but Logan was rescued by CIA agents Richard and Mary Parker
Richard and Mary Parker
Richard and Mary Parker are fictional characters of Marvel Comics. They were the parents of Peter Parker, the boy who one day would become Spider-Man. They will appear in the 2012 reboot of the Spider-Man film franchise...
. Needing more finances for HYDRA, Strucker abducted Gabrielle Haller
Gabrielle Haller
Gabrielle Haller is a fictional character appearing in X-Men stories in the Marvel Comics universe. She was created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, in Uncanny X-Men #161 .-Fictional character biography:...
, who had a map leading to a fortune in lost Nazi gold hidden within her mind, but Haller was defended by her friends, the mutants Charles Xavier
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
and Erik Magnus
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, and Magnus took the gold for his own purposes.
Strucker married more than once in the years that followed, resulting in a son, Werner
Werner von Strucker
Werner von Strucker is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Werner von Strucker is the oldest son of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker and the half-brother of twins Andrea and Andreas von Strucker....
, who resisted his father's influence, and twins, Andrea and Andreas
Fenris (comics)
Fenris are two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe, namely German twins Andrea and Andreas von Strucker. They are the children of supervillain Baron Wolfgang von Strucker of HYDRA and the half-brother of Werner von Strucker. Andrea is female, Andreas is male...
, who were genetically altered by HYDRA scientists and so, developed super powers later in life. Strucker rebuilt Hydra Island, but concealed his role in the organization by using a front called "THEM," in which he was Grand Imperator. In this role, he assigned Arnold Brown to be his Imperial Hydra
Imperial Hydra
Imperial Hydra is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The Imperial Hydra appeared in Strange Tales #135 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, supposedly the true master of HYDRA. Brown's rule of HYDRA ended when he was overcome by S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
, an espionage organization led by Nick Fury and designed to thwart HYDRA, and the unmasked Brown was mistakenly shot by his own men as HYDRA crumbled about him. THEM also found and revived the long-lost Red Skull, but Strucker finally abandoned THEM when the scientific research arm of HYDRA and another branch splintered away to become A.I.M.
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
and the Secret Empire
Secret Empire
-Fictional organization history:This subversive organization has been headed by a number of different leaders, always known as “Number One,” with each iteration's goals following the desires of its current leader. The Secret Empire was originally founded by a scientist who felt like an anonymous...
, respectively.
Death
Strucker continued to conceal his identity, acting as Don Antonio Caballero, Emir Ali Bey, and S.H.I.E.L.D agent John Bronson. He finally revealed himself as HYDRA's true leader when he prepared to unleash the Death Spore bomb from Hydra Island. As related in the pages of the Official Handbook of the Marvel UniverseOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
Book of the Dead, Nick Fury invaded the island and disguised himself as Strucker, then put a mask of his own face on Strucker's, tricking Strucker's own men into shooting at him. In a blind panic, Strucker ran through and into a chamber where nuclear processes were taking place, and was immediately incinerated.
Subsequently, the Death Spore Bomb went off prematurely, and within the Dome; as the Dome was designed beforehand to be airtight to withstand the effects of the Death Spores once the Bomb was detonated outside the Dome, all HYDRA agents present in the dome were killed, while the spores were sealed inside with them.
Life Model Decoy
In the ensuing years, the roboticist MachinesmithMachinesmith
Machinesmith is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Universe. He specializes in robotics, and is able to make convincing doubles of other superhumans...
built a robot duplicate of Strucker, using it to test the abilities and morality of Captain America. The robot fooled even S.H.I.E.L.D into thinking they had captured the real Strucker. Strucker also lived on in the form of several different android LMDs (Life Model Decoy
Life Model Decoy
A Life Model Decoy is fictional android appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is designed to function as an exact body double for VIPs...
) based on his mind; one was activated on Hydra Island after Strucker's death and believed itself to be the true Strucker, finally meeting its doom battling Captain America, Fury, and the one-time Howling Commandos. Another tricked Canada's Department H into selling HYDRA the battle-suit worn by their hero Guardian
Guardian (Marvel Comics)
Guardian , also known as Weapon Alpha and Vindicator, is a fictional character, a Canadian superhero in the who was the leader of Alpha Flight. He was created by John Byrne, and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #109 which was co-plotted by Byrne and his long-time collaborator Chris Claremont...
. The most destructive was the Deltite, an LMD Strucker had planted within S.H.I.E.L.D to tear the organization apart, and ultimately wound up running S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA simultaneously, playing the two against each other. By the time the Deltite was finally revealed and destroyed, it had managed to sow distrust throughout S.H.I.E.L.D, and killed many agents, leading Fury to disband the organization.
Resurrection
HYDRA suffered without Strucker's leadership, and the Red Skull championed an effort to bring the Baron back, providing a distraction to occupy Fury's newly-rebuilt S.H.I.E.L.D while HYDRA scientists found Strucker's body and sacrificed their lives to revive him with the Death Spore bonded to his form. (This is an apparent ret-con of Strucker's death; as in his 'original' demise, Strucker's body was completely incinerated.) Strucker was appalled at what his once-feared organization had become, and began eliminating HYDRA's weak, taking notice of one Cassandra Romulus along the way and making her his lover and lieutenant. To prove themselves to the world, Strucker had an LMD explode S.H.I.E.L.D Central, killing 1,500 graduating agents.Determined to bring down HYDRA, Fury was unaware of Strucker's resurrection. Strucker next allowed genetically-altered experiments Sathan, Guillotine and Lt. Romulus to escape, and sent the HYDRA bounty hunters Ron Takimoto, Dakini and Carl Striklan to capture them. Fury, Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
, the Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
, and Captain America became involved in the hunt, and ultimately Sathan, Takimoto, Dakini were killed, Striklan went rogue, and only Guillotine & Romulus returned to HYDRA. Strucker had achieved his true goal: to analyze U.S. superhuman resources.
Strucker won another impressive victory when he secretly began to purchase control over WFET, a television station owned by the Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
(Wilson Fisk). When S.H.I.E.L.D became aware of HYDRA's involvement, they tipped off Daredevil, who then let word reach the streets. Fisk thought HYDRA was his enemy and turned on them, only to have HYDRA steal nearly all of his money, destroy his businesses, and help to end his reign as the Kingpin. When the Kingpin's assets were divided amongst criminal factions-including Werner, Andrea, and Andreas, Baron Strucker re-linked with the Hand, who sent their magical warrior Izanami to thin the competition. Strucker also posed as Snakeskin, bodyguard to Werner (who posed as the mastermind of the new HYDRA) before slaying Werner for being an unworthy successor.
Strucker faced rivalries within HYDRA itself, including splinter groups like the Genesis Coalition, and hired the mercenary Next Wave to bring them down; they were assisted by Silver Sable's Wild Pack
Wild Pack
The Wild Pack is a fictional mercenary team in Marvel Comics led by Silver Sable.-History:The Wild Pack was first formed by Silver Sable's father, Ernst Sublinovia, for the apprehension of international criminals, and the recovery of stolen property for a wide spectrum of clients, from major...
. Strucker masterminded an attack on the United Nations, but by then, Fury had found proof that Strucker was HYDRA's leader. He tracked him to his base in Iceland, where Strucker killed Fury's lover Kate Neville
Kate Neville
Kate Neville is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Kate Neville first appeared in Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #3 , and was created by Bob Harras and Paul Neary....
before his very eyes. Fury and Strucker fought each other on the side of a mountain, and the fight ended with Fury cutting off Strucker's right hand to make him fall towards apparent death.
Surviving, Strucker gained a bionic replacement "Satan Claw" for his lost hand. He then employed the techno-junkies of System Crash
System Crash (comics)
System Crash is a group of fictional supervillains in the Marvel Comics' main shared universe. They first appeared in Daredevil vol. 1, #326 , and were created by D. G. Chichester, Scott McDaniel, and Bill Oakley.-Fictional history:...
to strengthen HYDRA through controlling the information highway, though Daredevil defeated his agents. When the Earth was enthralled by the powers of the Goddess
Goddess (comics)
The Goddess is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. The name is assumed by the "feminine, self-aware" supposedly "good" aspect of Adam Warlock, subconsciously exiled from his psyche whilst he was in possession of the Infinity Gauntlet...
, the "good" counterpart of Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock, originally known as Him, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #66 and #67 Adam Warlock, originally known as Him, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel...
, Strucker was unaffected, and took the opportunity to attempt revenge upon Striklan—now the Wild Pack mercenary Crippler
Crippler (comics)
Crippler is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Crippler is a mercenary who was once a member of HYDRA, but later quit to become a vigilante and later member of Silver Sable's Wild Pack.-Fictional character biography:...
. Wild Pack and S.H.I.E.L.D saved Crippler. Strucker met with a group of American neo-Nazis to assassinate Slovenian president Wassily Kurov to usurp rule of his nation. Kurov was saved by the Skrull Kill Krew
Skrull Kill Krew
The Skrull Kill Krew are a fictional group from Marvel Comics who first appeared in their own limited series published in 1995. They were created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Steve Yeowell.The group are humans modified by eating Skrull-infected beef...
and Captain America, but was also exposed as a Skrull impostor. Strucker also briefly joined with Baron Helmut Zemo in a world-conquering plot foiled by the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
and Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
, though Strucker and Zemo parted as foes.
Strucker eventually launched an ambitious plan where he infested key people such as Henry Gyrich of the Commission on Superhuman Activities with nanites, allowing him to control them. Under Strucker's influence, Gyrich nearly killed every superhuman on Earth with the nanites. Strucker's involvement was finally discovered by the V-Battalion, who thwarted his attempt to control everyone on Earth with nanites.
Strucker married again to a woman named Elsbeth, but she had little regard for him, and was taken instead by his mutant bodyguard the Gorgon.
Thunderbolts
Wrecking Crew (comics)
The Wrecking Crew is a team of four fictional supervillains — Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball, and the Wrecker — that appears in Marvel Comics. While not featured on the cover, the Wrecking Crew's first appearance is in Defenders vol. 1, #17 in November 1974.-Fictional biography:The Wrecking...
, Fathom Five
Fathom Five (comics)
The Fathom Five are a team of fictional sea-dwelling terrorists partially composed of previously existing characters. They debuted in the first few issues of the New Thunderbolts and have fought Namor and Warbird besides the Thunderbolts proper....
, and the Great Game.
This storyline was quickly aborted due to Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
's decision to use (and kill off) Strucker in the pages of Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
. Gorgon and Elsbeth staged a coup of the organization and ultimately killed Strucker after holding him prisoner and belittling him through the two becoming lovers. Ultimately the two had Strucker beheaded when his ploy to use Wolverine to acquire Cerebra for HYDRA failed and Wolverine was captured by S.H.I.E.L.D.. When last seen, Baron Strucker was on his knees facing an execution. Though not shown, it was heavily implied that he was decapitated.
In New Thunderbolts #17, it was revealed that Strucker was still alive. The Von Strucker in Wolverine was "a flawed, but genetically accurate" clone of Strucker, set up to fail so Gorgon could consolidate control of HYDRA (Gorgon also used "supernatural means" to make people think that this weak man was Strucker). The real Strucker was rescued and kept in stasis before being freed by the Swordsman (who turned out to be his son, Andreas) and then Baron Helmut Zemo. Strucker agreed to work with Zemo in his grand plan to take over the world and left together. Helmut Zemo is also responsible for the murder of Strucker's daughter Andrea.
Secret Invasion
During the Secret Invasion, Strucker is attacked by Skrulls who are attempting to take over HYDRA. However, he is able to defeat them and destroys his own headquarters in order to eliminate any remaining invaders. Strucker also reveals that he no longer adheres to orthodox Nazi beliefs, since he does not wish to "cleanse" the world, but simply to rule it.Dark Reign
Soon after this incident, Strucker's longtime nemesis, Nick Fury, discovers that S.H.I.E.L.D. is, and always has been, controlled by HYDRA. Stucker seems happy finding this out saying that "We've been dancing to the melody for so long, and finally you hear it too". Strucker calls forth all HYDRA leaders (KrakenKraken (Marvel Comics)
The Kraken is a name given to several aquatic monsters inspired by the legend of Kraken and several characters that have appeared primarily in DC Comics and Marvel Comics publications.-Kraken:...
, Viper
Viper (Madame Hydra)
Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men...
, Madame Hydra
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
La Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine is a fictional, comic book espionage agent in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jim Steranko, she first appeared in the "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." feature in Strange Tales #159 .-Publication history:The Contessa appeared...
, and the Hive), and resurrects the Gorgon
Gorgon (Tomi Shishido)
The Gorgon is the name of a comic book character associated with the X-Men member Wolverine. He first appeared in Wolverine #20, and was created by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The character was killed in Wolverine #31, only to be resurrected later in Secret Warriors #2...
for the purpose of "letting the world become aware of HYDRA
HYDRA
HYDRA is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Universe.Despite the name's capitalization per Marvel's official spelling, the name is not an acronym but rather a reference to the mythical Lernaean Hydra...
's true nature". However, Nick Fury was interfering in von Strucker's plans, so Strucker enlists the help of Norman Osborn, director of the corrupt H.A.M.M.E.R. agency, to take care of his nemesis. The news that Osborn had recently murdered his son Andreas had little impact on Von Strucker, who calmly declared that he now owed Osborn "two favors".
All 3 of Baron Strucker's children have been murdered. Andrea by Helmut Zemo, Andreas by Norman Osborn, and Werner was murdered by Wolfgang. An apparent clone of Andrea was also murdered by Bullseye. Baron Strucker was shot in the head by Nick Fury.
Powers and abilities
Baron Strucker is a highly intelligent man in peak human physical condition. He is an exceptional hand-to-hand combatant, swordsman, and marksman. He is also a consummate military strategist and spy, and a master of disguise and excellent actor. He carries a sword and traditional firearms, but also wears the Satan Claw on his right hand: this metal gauntlet amplifies his strength and emits powerful electrical shocks. Strucker also uses serums developed by HYDRA, enabling him to maintain his physical vigor at its height and retard his aging process, so that physically he remains the same, despite his advanced chronological age.Exposure to his Death Spore has bonded Strucker's DNA with the Death Spore, enabling him to be revived after seemingly being killed by gunshot wounds and radiation poisoning. Stucker can now release the Death Spore virus from his body at will, killing his victims nearly instantly. If Strucker is killed, the Death Spore viruses will allegedly be set free from his body and risk infecting the entire Earth.
Earth-Charnel
A sixth Baron Strucker was the dictator of Earth-9939 (Earth-Charnel) under the name Charnel. He was depicted as a necromantic, cybernetic monster who took over that Earth and created demon-drones called Spawn of Charnel to do his bidding. He was responsible for wiping out most of its heroes there. He paralyzed ThingThing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, turned Mister Fantastic
Mister Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
into putty, and destroyed Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
's people. However, Charnel along with his timeline was later destroyed by the bounty-hunter Death's Head
Death's Head
Death's Head is a fictional comic book character, a robotic bounty hunter appearing in the books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Simon Furman and artist Geoff Senior for the company's Marvel UK imprint...
.
This universe was used by Advanced Idea Mechanics
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
Supreme Scientist Monica Rappaccini
Monica Rappaccini
Monica Rappaccini is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #7 , created by Fred Van Lente and Leonard Kirk...
to conceal her hidden base, until Hank Pym disrupted her machines, stranding her and her followers on Earth-Charnel.
Marvel Mangaverse
In the Marvel MangaverseMarvel Mangaverse
The Marvel Mangaverse is a series of comic books published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2002, with a sequel "New Mangaverse" released in late 2005 and early 2006....
Strucker was a leader of HYDRA, as well as a powerful wizard. He attacked Stark Island and summoned Dormammu
Dormammu
Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
by using Stark
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
's gate to the Negative Zone
Negative Zone
The Negative Zone is a fictional setting, an antimatter universe depicted in publications from Marvel Comics, most frequently in Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #51 .-Fictional description:The Negative Zone in the Marvel...
. After that, Strucker was attacked and killed by Mangaverse's Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
in a magical duel.
The Avengers: United They Stand
Baron Strucker and HYDRA appear in The Avengers: United They StandThe Avengers: United They Stand
The Avengers: United They Stand is an animated series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. It consists of 13 episodes, which originally premiered on October 30, 1999, and was produced by Avi Arad and distributed by 20th Century Fox Television...
#2.
Marvel Noir
In the Marvel NoirMarvel Noir
Marvel Noir is a 2009-2010 Marvel Comics alternative continuity combining elements of film noir and pulp fiction with the Marvel Universe. The central premise of the mini-series replaces super powers with driven, noir-flavored characterization....
universe, Baron Strucker is the second in command for Baron Zemo
Baron Zemo
Baron Zemo is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in various Marvel Comics comic books, notably Captain America and the Avengers...
.
Television
- Baron Strucker appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
voiced by Jim WardJim Ward (voice actor)James Kevin "Jim" Ward is a voice actor who has contributed to a large number of video games and movies. He co-hosts The Stephanie Miller Show, a nationally-syndicated liberal radio talk show which features a number of his impersonations of political figures and other celebrities and newsmakers...
. In the episode "Meet Captain America", Strucker was allied with Red Skull in his plot to use the creatures of Asgard against the Allied Forces. He fights Bucky who tricks Baron Strucker into stabbing his sword into the generator. In the episode "Iron Man is Born", he is shown as an inmate of the VaultVault (comics)The Vault is the widely used nickname of a fictional defunct prison facility for technological-based superhuman criminals in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. The prison's full official name is the United States Maximum Security Installation for the Incarceration of Superhuman Criminals.It first...
when Nick Fury arrives to interrogate him about HYDRA's attack on the United Nations. The interrogation is interrupted when the Grim ReaperGrim Reaper (comics)Grim Reaper is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in The Avengers #52 May , by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
infiltrates the prison in a plot to free Baron Strucker. Strucker is freed by Grim Reaper who gives him his Satan Claw. Both Baron Strucker and Grim Reaper make it to one of the hovercars and take off. Nick Fury battles and defeats both of them, though not before the Baron is able to steal a portion of Fury's youth, graying his hair via the use of his Satan Claw. During the two-part episode "The Breakout," both Baron Strucker and Grim Reaper escape from the Vault and Baron Strucker becomes leader of HYDRA once more. In the episode "Living Legend", Baron Heinrich ZemoBaron ZemoBaron Zemo is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in various Marvel Comics comic books, notably Captain America and the Avengers...
(a former head of HYDRA as well as an inmate from the Raft) comes to reclaim the criminal organization as his own. Baron Strucker turns him away as Zemo finds out that Captain America is alive. In the episode "The Widow's Sting," he is attacked by Hawkeye, Captain AmericaCaptain AmericaCaptain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
and the Black Panther (who capture the Grim Reaper and Viper). The Black Widow battles and defeats Hawkeye, and Strucker tries to drain the life from Hawkeye via his Satan Claw. However, Black Widow shoots Strucker with the knockout ray on her gauntlets, saving Hawkeye. Black Widow and Baron Strucker (who is unaware that it was Widow who shot him as she stated that Black Panther knocked Baron Strucker out) are confronted by MODOKMODOKMODOK is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
(who had promised them a powerful weapon). MODOK tells them that the weapon was a failure and returns the money that HYDRA paid them, but Strucker knew that he was lying after MODOK left. In the episode "Hail HYDRA," Baron Strucker leads HYDRA in a fight against MODOK and A.I.M. over the possession of the Cosmic Cube. Baron Strucker uses the Dreadnoughts on MODOK before engaging Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. When Captain America and Baron Strucker both touched the Cosmic Cube, it appeared that nothing happened as Baron Strucker's desires were never fulfilled, Baron Strucker was defeated and remanded to S.H.I.E.L.D. custody alongside MODOK and the HYDRA and A.I.M. agents involved. - Baron Strucker appears in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "Brouhaha at the World’s Bottom!", voiced by Rob PaulsenRob PaulsenRobert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
. He and HYDRA lay siege to a S.H.I.E.L.D. outpost in Antarctica.
Film
- Baron Strucker appeared in Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. portrayed by Campbell LaneCampbell LaneCampbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
. His body is shown frozen in a chamber. In the final scene of the movie, he is brought back to life.
Video games
- Baron Strucker appears as a boss in the Captain America: Super SoldierCaptain America: Super SoldierCaptain America: Super Soldier is a third person single player video game loosely based on the film Captain America: The First Avenger...
video game, voiced by Kai Wulff. When in the mountains of Bavaria, Captain America encounters him in the tower where the radio dish controlling a cannon is located. Captain America manages to defeat him, but the cannon loses control after the radio dish is destroyed. As Captain America and Baron Strucker fall off the tower, Baron Struck manages to knock out Captain America. He was last seen laying on the ground unconscious.
External links
- Baron Strucker at Marvel.Com