Striker (Marvel Comics)
| Striker | |
|---|---|
| File:Striker (comics).jpg | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Avengers Academy #1 |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Brandon Sharpe |
| Team affiliations | Avengers Academy |
| Abilities | Electrical Manipulation |
Striker is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
Strikerfirst appeared in Avengers Academy #1 (June 2010) and was created by Christos Gage and Mike McKone. He appeared as a regular character in the series through its final issue #39 (Jan 2013).
Fictional character biography
Born to a woman who is clinging to her fifteen minutes, Striker is forced to become a child actor at a young age after his mother tells him, “You’re nothing; and you, my beautiful boy, are gonna be something." His mother hires a manager for him, named Rick, who molests Striker when no one was around. At one point, he tries to tell his mother of Rick’s actions, but she scolds him for saying “lies” based on the connections Rick has had. When Rick tries to go farther than his usual touching, Striker's powers manifest, resulting in his facial scar and the white streak in his hair. Norman Osborn found him and was willing to give Striker whatever he wanted in exchange for the use of his powers.[1]
Striker is recruited into the Avengers Academy along with five other students who have been tortured and manipulated during Osborn's Dark Reign.[2] He uses this as an opportunity to become famous again. He takes advantage of video footage of the teens taking down Whirlwind and convinces Hank Pym to announce to the world the progress made with Avenger's Academy.[3] He, Veil, and Hazmat then hunt down The Hood, who tortured Tigra, and video tape him screaming for mercy under electric torture. The video gets thousands of likes on YouTube, but at first Tigra is disgusted and actually requests the teen get expelled. Hank convinces her to allow the kids to remain, to which she grudgingly agrees, but secretly she relishes in watching the video of Hood screaming.[4] Later the team fights Korvac with the bodies and strength of their older selves. A mature Striker is killed by Korvac's blast, but is then reverted to his younger self by Korvac's estranged wife, Carina. Striker has an emotional breakdown after experiencing death. [5] After a pep talk from Tigra, he is better able to control his powers and doesn't fear death. He also hatches a plan to save the students from Absorbing Man and Titaniana's attack on the Infinity Mansion. <Avengers Academy Issue # 18</ref> Later on, he reveals to Julie Power that he thinks he is gay.[6] He soon publicly announces his sexual orientation in a press conference, showing Julie his fame hungry side.[7]
He was later scarred in the face by Jeremy Briggs when the Academy kids tried to stop him from releasing a superhuman cure.[8] At the series' conclusion, he goes on a date with another teenage boy, even turning off his phone and ignoring his mother's urgings.[9] The faculty then announce that Striker and the others have graduated the Academy.[10] Striker later appears in Avengers Undercover, where he and Finesse visit Hazmat in the SHIELD detention center after Hazmat kills Arcade.[11]
Powers and abilities
Striker can manipulate electricity, but not to the same extend as other characters such as Electro. <ref. Avengers Academy Issue 14</ref> He can also create electromagnetic shields that repels bullets. He can also manipulate electromagnetic waves and possess limited flight.
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