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Wrecker (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Wrecker is a fictional character
that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. The Wrecker was created by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
and first appears in The Mighty Thor
#148 (Jan. 1968).
s crew who is fired for his violent and anti-social tendencies. Garthwaite creates a costume
for himself and adopting the alias the Wrecker, commits a series of robberies, demolishing looted locations and leaving a crowbar
at the scene of the crime. The Wrecker enters a hotel
room that, unknown to him, is occupied by Asgardian god Loki
, the adopted brother and arch-foe of the Thunder god Thor
. He knocks Loki out and puts on his helmet. The Wrecker accidentally receives an enchantment
- meant for Loki - from Loki's ally, Norn
Queen Karnilla
, and courtesy of his now indestructible crowbar is granted superhuman strength and stamina.
Reveling in his new-found power, the Wrecker embarks on a crime spree and also defeats Thor, who at the time has had his power severely reduced by father Odin (ruler of the Norse
gods) as punishment for choosing to remain on Earth. A building is collapsed onto the Thunder God, nearly killing him. The Wrecker is defeated by the female Asgardian warrior Sif, who animates the armor of the Asgardian Destroyer
to save Thor. His crowbar is shattered.
The character returns to the title Thor and battles Thor once again, although a fully restored Thor easily defeats the villain.
The Wrecker returns in the title Defenders, and on this occasion appears with three superpowered partners in crime: Thunderball
; Bulldozer
and Piledriver
. Empowered when holding the crowbar and it is struck by lightning
, the villains join the Wrecker to become the Wrecking Crew
. While searching for a gamma bomb built by Thunderball - with which they hope to extort New York City
- the Wrecking Crew encounter and battle several members of the Defenders: Doctor Strange
; Nighthawk
and the Hulk
. Aided by Power Man
, the heroes defeat the villains.
After an appearance in title Fantastic Four
as the pawn of villain the Puppet Master
, the Wrecker and the Crew feature in the title Iron Fist in a battle against heroes Iron Fist and Captain America
. The Wrecking Crew reappear in Thor against the Thunder God, but are quickly beaten.
The Wrecker appears with the Wrecking Crew and other villains in the limited series
Secret Wars
; battles Spider-Man
and team mate Thunderball over control of the Norn power in the title Spectacular Spider-Man; and joins the fourth incarnation of supervillain team the Masters of Evil
in a raid on Avengers Mansion
. With the Wrecking Crew and other villains, the Wrecker savagely beats Avenger Hercules
before being captured the remaining Avengers. The character features in the title Iron Man
during the Acts of Vengeance
storyline; and in Thor has several battles with the Wrecking Crew against Thor and allies Hercules superhero team Excalibur
and Ghost Rider
before being defeated. The character also receives instruction from another opponent of Thor, the Asgardian troll
Ulik
, as to how to utilize the full power of the enchanted crowbar.
After an appearance with other villains in the title Captain America, and with the Wrecking Crew in Alpha Flight
, the Wrecker features in Thunderstrike
and reunites with the Wrecking Crew in Journey Into Mystery
. After an appearance in flashback
in the first issue of Thunderbolts
, the character appears in the second volume of Marvel Team-Up
against Spider-Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner
; Doctor Strange
and Iron Man, makes an appearance in Thunderbolts and with the Wrecking Crew battles the Avengers.
With the Wrecking Crew the character features in Thor and battles the Warriors Three
the Thunder God; has a brief appearance in the title Wolverine
and then Avengers, which features a grueling battle that leaves a civilian
dead. The Wrecker appears in the title She-Hulk
; in flashback in Avengers Finale and the New Thunderbolts. The character becomes a perennial foe for the Avengers and features in the title New Avengers; New Avengers: Most Wanted Files; briefly in New Excalibur and with the Wrecking Crew battles Canadian superhero team Omega Flight
in the title of the same name.
After an appearance in the second volume of She-Hulk, the title New Avengers reveals that villain the Hood
has hired a small army of criminals, which includes the Wrecker (taking advantage of the division in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act In the title Daredevil
and at the Hood's direction, the Wrecker battles fellow criminals the Enforcers
and the New Avengers. The character and the Wrecking Crew feature in a short story in the second volume of Marvel Comics Presents; then in Punisher War Journal; the limited series 1985 and with the Hood's army appear in the Secret Invasion
storyline and battle the alien
Skrull
force invading New York City
.
The character continues to make appearances across several titles as an employee of the Hood, including New Avengers; Captain America; limited series Marvel Apes
and a promotional comic titled Thor, produced by fast food
chain Taco Bell
. Together with the Wrecking Crew the character features in the alternate universe
title What If?
; Dark Reign Files; in flashback in Incredible Hercules and stories that form part of the Dark Reign
storyline. He was seen among the Hood's men in the attack on Asgard.
). When he initially shares the Norn power with the Wrecking Crew, the Wrecker's abilities were reduced by one-fourth. After training from Ulik the troll, the Wrecker no longer suffers from this handicap, and is now capable of using his powers to their full potential and use the crowbar in the same fashion that Thor can utilize the mystic hammer Mjolnir. He has used the crowbar to demolish entire buildings in minutes and to hold off the thunder god, Thor, in battle. Wrecker uses the crowbar offensively as both a throwing weapon and a blunt weapon.
The crowbar's other abilities include absorbing and projecting energy; creating illusion
s; generating a force field
; creating minor earthquake
s; teleportation
and returning to the Wrecker when thrown. The Wrecker also shares a mental link with the crowbar, and can mentally control any weak-minded individual touching the object. The Wrecker is the most powerful member of The Wrecking Crew as his crowbar is the source of their powers.
There was also a man named Karl Kort who went by the name "The Wrecker" in issue 12 of The Fantastic Four. This issue is also famous for depicting the first meeting between the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk.
imprint title Ultimate Spider-Man
.
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...
that appears in comic books published by 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...
. The Wrecker was created 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....
and first appears in The Mighty 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....
#148 (Jan. 1968).
Fictional character biography
Dirk Garthwaite first appears in the title Thor, and is depicted as a former manual laborer in a demolitionDemolition
Demolition is the tearing-down of buildings and other structures, the opposite of construction. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for re-use....
s crew who is fired for his violent and anti-social tendencies. Garthwaite creates a costume
Costume
The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
for himself and adopting the alias the Wrecker, commits a series of robberies, demolishing looted locations and leaving a crowbar
Crowbar (tool)
A crowbar, a wrecking bar, pry bar, or prybar, or sometimes a prise bar or prisebar, and more informally a jimmy, jimmy bar, jemmy or gooseneck is a tool consisting of a metal bar with a single curved end and flattened points, often with a small fissure on one or both ends for removing nails...
at the scene of the crime. The Wrecker enters a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
room that, unknown to him, is occupied by Asgardian god Loki
Loki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
, the adopted brother and arch-foe of the Thunder god 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....
. He knocks Loki out and puts on his helmet. The Wrecker accidentally receives an enchantment
Enchantment
Enchantment may refer to:*Incantation or enchantment, a magical spell, charm or bewitchment, in traditional fairy tales or fantasy*the sense of Wonder or Delight**for the usage by J.R.R. Tolkien, see "On Fairy Stories"titles and proper names...
- meant for Loki - from Loki's ally, Norn
Norns
The Norns in Norse mythology are female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men, a kind of dísir comparable to the Fates in classical mythology....
Queen Karnilla
Karnilla
Karnilla is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Karnilla the Norn Queen is a sorceress and the Queen of Nornheim...
, and courtesy of his now indestructible crowbar is granted superhuman strength and stamina.
Reveling in his new-found power, the Wrecker embarks on a crime spree and also defeats Thor, who at the time has had his power severely reduced by father Odin (ruler of the Norse
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
gods) as punishment for choosing to remain on Earth. A building is collapsed onto the Thunder God, nearly killing him. The Wrecker is defeated by the female Asgardian warrior Sif, who animates the armor of the Asgardian Destroyer
Destroyer (Thor)
The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The...
to save Thor. His crowbar is shattered.
The character returns to the title Thor and battles Thor once again, although a fully restored Thor easily defeats the villain.
The Wrecker returns in the title Defenders, and on this occasion appears with three superpowered partners in crime: Thunderball
Thunderball (comics)
Thunderball is a Marvel Comics supervillain and a frequent enemy of Thor and a somewhat reluctant ally of the Wrecker and the Wrecking Crew. The character was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema and first appeared in Defenders #17 .-Fictional character biography:Dr. Eliot Franklin was born in...
; Bulldozer
Bulldozer (comics)
Bulldozer is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Universe. He is a member of the Wrecking Crew. The character was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema and first appeared in Defenders #17 ....
and Piledriver
Piledriver (comics)
Piledriver is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a member of the Wrecker's Wrecking Crew...
. Empowered when holding the crowbar and it is struck by lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
, the villains join the Wrecker to become the Wrecking Crew
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...
. While searching for a gamma bomb built by Thunderball - with which they hope to extort New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
- the Wrecking Crew encounter and battle several members of the Defenders: 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 ....
; Nighthawk
Nighthawk (Marvel Comics)
Nighthawk is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character: a supervillain-turned-superhero from the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity, Kyle Richmond, who belonged to the team Squadron Sinister;...
and the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. Aided by Power Man
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
, the heroes defeat the villains.
After an appearance in title Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
as the pawn of villain the Puppet Master
Puppet Master (comics)
The Puppet Master, real name Phillip Masters, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Fantastic Four comics. His first appearance was in Fantastic Four volume 1 #8...
, the Wrecker and the Crew feature in the title Iron Fist in a battle against heroes Iron Fist and 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...
. The Wrecking Crew reappear in Thor against the Thunder God, but are quickly beaten.
The Wrecker appears with the Wrecking Crew and other villains in the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Secret Wars
Secret Wars
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is a twelve-issue comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton...
; battles Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
and team mate Thunderball over control of the Norn power in the title Spectacular Spider-Man; and joins the fourth incarnation of supervillain team the Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
in a raid on Avengers Mansion
Avengers Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Avengers Mansion has traditionally been the base of the Avengers. The enormous, city block-sized building is located at 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City.-Creative origin:...
. With the Wrecking Crew and other villains, the Wrecker savagely beats Avenger Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
before being captured the remaining Avengers. The character features in the title Iron Man
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,...
during the Acts of Vengeance
Acts of Vengeance
"Acts of Vengeance" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through several titles published by Marvel Comics from December 1989 to February 1990.-Publication history:...
storyline; and in Thor has several battles with the Wrecking Crew against Thor and allies Hercules superhero team 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...
and Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (Daniel Ketch)
Ghost Rider is a comic book character, a supernatural superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the third Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and Johnny Blaze, the first supernatural Ghost Rider.-Publication...
before being defeated. The character also receives instruction from another opponent of Thor, the Asgardian troll
Troll
A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, the term troll was a generally negative synonym for a jötunn , a being in Norse mythology...
Ulik
Ulik
Ulik is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Ulik was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appears in Thor #137 ....
, as to how to utilize the full power of the enchanted crowbar.
After an appearance with other villains in the title Captain America, and with the Wrecking Crew in Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
, the Wrecker features in Thunderstrike
Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson)
Eric Masterson is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a superhero that has appeared as Thor and later Thunderstrike. The character was introduced as a supporting character in the Thor title, but continued in several other comic books, including the self-titled series Thunderstrike...
and reunites with the Wrecking Crew in Journey Into Mystery
Journey into Mystery
Journey into Mystery was an American comic book series published by Atlas Comics, and later its successor Marvel Comics. It featured horror, monster, and science fiction stories...
. After an appearance in flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
in the first issue of 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:...
, the character appears in the second volume of Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
against Spider-Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor the Sub-Mariner is a fictional comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe, and one of the first superheroes, debuting in Spring 1939. The character was created by writer-artist Bill Everett for Funnies Inc., one of the first "packagers" in the early days of comic books that supplied...
; 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 ....
and Iron Man, makes an appearance in Thunderbolts and with the Wrecking Crew battles the Avengers.
With the Wrecking Crew the character features in Thor and battles the Warriors Three
Warriors Three
The Warriors Three are a group of fictional characters who served as supporting cast members in Thor, published by Marvel Comics. The Warriors Three is made up of the Asgardians Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg...
the Thunder God; has a brief appearance in the title 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...
and then Avengers, which features a grueling battle that leaves a civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
dead. The Wrecker appears in the title She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
; in flashback in Avengers Finale and the New Thunderbolts. The character becomes a perennial foe for the Avengers and features in the title New Avengers; New Avengers: Most Wanted Files; briefly in New Excalibur and with the Wrecking Crew battles Canadian superhero team Omega Flight
Omega Flight
Omega Flight is the name used by three teams of fictional characters with superpowers in the Marvel Universe, one of the few Canadian teams published by an American comic book company. Omega Flight first appeared in the pages of Alpha Flight as a supervillain team...
in the title of the same name.
After an appearance in the second volume of She-Hulk, the title New Avengers reveals that villain the Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...
has hired a small army of criminals, which includes the Wrecker (taking advantage of the division in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act In the title 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...
and at the Hood's direction, the Wrecker battles fellow criminals the Enforcers
Enforcers (comics)
The Enforcers are a fictional team of villains in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Steve Ditko, the team's first appearance was in The Amazing Spider-Man #10 .-Publication history:...
and the New Avengers. The character and the Wrecking Crew feature in a short story in the second volume of Marvel Comics Presents; then in Punisher War Journal; the limited series 1985 and with the Hood's army appear in the Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
storyline and battle the alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
force invading New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The character continues to make appearances across several titles as an employee of the Hood, including New Avengers; Captain America; limited series Marvel Apes
Marvel Apes
Marvel Apes is a four-issue limited series by comics publisher Marvel Comics which started publication in October 2008. The series is written by Karl Kesel with art by Ramon Bachs and covers by John Watson....
and a promotional comic titled Thor, produced by fast food
Fast food
Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a...
chain Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which serves American-adapted Mexican food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of "Value Menu" items...
. Together with the Wrecking Crew the character features in the alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
title What If?
What If (comics)
What If, sometimes rendered as What If...?, is the title of several comic book series published by Marvel Comics, exploring "the road not traveled" by its various characters...
; Dark Reign Files; in flashback in Incredible Hercules and stories that form part of the Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
storyline. He was seen among the Hood's men in the attack on Asgard.
Powers and abilities
Courtesy of an Asgardian enchantment on a crowbar, Dirk Garthwaite possesses superhuman strength, stamina and durability (bulletproofBulletproof
Bulletproofing is the process of making something capable of stopping a bullet or similar high velocity projectiles e.g. shrapnel. The term bullet resistance is often preferred because few, if any, practical materials provide complete protection against all types of bullets, or multiple hits in the...
). When he initially shares the Norn power with the Wrecking Crew, the Wrecker's abilities were reduced by one-fourth. After training from Ulik the troll, the Wrecker no longer suffers from this handicap, and is now capable of using his powers to their full potential and use the crowbar in the same fashion that Thor can utilize the mystic hammer Mjolnir. He has used the crowbar to demolish entire buildings in minutes and to hold off the thunder god, Thor, in battle. Wrecker uses the crowbar offensively as both a throwing weapon and a blunt weapon.
The crowbar's other abilities include absorbing and projecting energy; creating illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
s; generating a force field
Force field
A force field, sometimes known as an energy shield, force shield, or deflector shield is a concept of a field tightly bounded and of significant magnitude so that objects affected by the particular force relating to the field are unable to pass through the central axis of the field and reach the...
; creating minor earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s; teleportation
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
and returning to the Wrecker when thrown. The Wrecker also shares a mental link with the crowbar, and can mentally control any weak-minded individual touching the object. The Wrecker is the most powerful member of The Wrecking Crew as his crowbar is the source of their powers.
The Original Wrecker
The first Marvel super-villain known as the Wrecker fought Giant-Man and the Wasp in Tales to Astonish 63. He was a two-bit shake-down artist who wore a hood and used DDT and bear traps for weapons. Even at the time, Stan Lee knew that this villain wasn't up to par: "Can we confess something to you? We feel 'The Wrecker' was kind of a weak Giant-Man tale!"There was also a man named Karl Kort who went by the name "The Wrecker" in issue 12 of The Fantastic Four. This issue is also famous for depicting the first meeting between the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk.
House of M: Masters of Evil
Wrecker (alongside the other Wrecking Crew members) appears as a member of Hood's Masters of Evil.Ultimate Marvel
The version of the character first appears in the Ultimate MarvelUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
imprint title Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint...
.
Television
- The Wrecker 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 "To Err is Superhuman" voiced by Charlie Adler. - The Wrecker 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...
episode "Thor the Mighty", voiced by J. B. Blanc.
Video games
- The Wrecker (alongside the other members of the Wrecking Crew) appears in Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
, voiced by Dave WittenbergDave WittenbergDavid Richard Paul "Dave" Wittenberg is a prolific South African-born American video game and anime voice actor with nearly one hundred titles to his credit. While Wittenberg was born in a hospital in South Africa, he was primarily raised in Boston...
. - The Wrecker appears as a boss in the Sega Genesis version of the Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesSpider-Man: The Animated Series (video game)Spider-Man is a video game developed by Western Technologies and published by Acclaim in 1995, incorporating elements form the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: The Animated Series. The game was released for the Super Nintendo and the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.-Gameplay:The gameplay was similar to...
video game.
Toys
- Wrecker is the 154th figurine in The Classic Marvel Figurine CollectionThe Classic Marvel Figurine CollectionThe Classic Marvel Figurine Collection is a collection made by Eaglemoss Publications, through which consumers can collect hand painted lead figurines of the Marvel Comics characters. While regular figurines height is around 9 cm, bigger figurines are produced: bulky characters like the Hulk are...
. - Wrecker was released in the Super Hero Secret Wars 4-pack from the Marvel Super Hero SquadMarvel Super Hero SquadMarvel Super Hero Squad is an action figure line marketed by Hasbro beginning in 2006. The line features scale replicas of comic book heroes from the Marvel Comics universe. Each figure is portrayed in a cartoonish super-deformed-style. The line was designed for younger collectors but has become a...
line, packaged with figures of 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...
, HawkeyeHawkeye (comics)Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
and Spider-ManSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
. - A figure of Wrecker was released in wave 9 of HasbroHasbroHasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's 3.75" Marvel UniverseMarvel Universe (toyline)Marvel Universe is a 3 3/4" action figure line manufactured by Hasbro, featuring characters from the Marvel Comics universe. It first hit stores in early 2009 and features detailed sculpting, multiple points of articulation, and accessories...
line.
External links
- Wrecker at Marvel.com