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| Everyman | |
|---|---|
.png) Larry Ekler as Everyman, as appeared on the cover ofCaptain America #267 (March 1982). Art byMike Zeck | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America #267 (March 1982) |
| Created by | J. M. DeMatteis Mike Zeck |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Larry Ekler |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Schutz Heiliggruppe Secret Empire |
| Notable aliases | Zeitgeist |
| Abilities | As Everyman: Use of sword, shield and the Absorbascann As Zeitgeist: Use of camera that took pictures of people's death Wears belt that grants: Shapeshifting Invisibility |
Everyman (Larry Ekler) is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.
The Everyman first appeared inCaptain America #267 (Mar 1982) and was created byJ. M. DeMatteis andMike Zeck. He also appears inMarvel Team-Up #131-133 (July–September 1983).
The character subsequently appears as Zeitgeist inAlpha Flight #78 (December 1989), andCaptain America #390 (August 1991), #393 (October 1991), and #442 (August 1995), in which he is killed.
Zeitgeist received an entry in theAll-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #12 (2006).
A new, female Everyman named Lauren Fai was introduced in the 2018limited seriesLuke Cage - Marvel Digital Original.
Larry Ekler was the son of hard-working Milton Ekler, who came from a lower-class background but never gave up onthe American dream, although he eventually died penniless. Larry decided that the American dream was a sham. Larry intended to take up the cause of the common man and start a revolution. To really start things going, he and his followers became determined to publicly assassinateCaptain America. Styling himself as a "defender of the people", Everyman sought to avenge his father's death on all of society. His primary weapon is a sword which can emit a lethal electrical shock. Everyman challenged Captain America to a duel to the death at theStatue of Liberty. When he began to lose during the duel, Everyman took one of his own followers hostage, but that did not prevent Captain America from defeating him and taking him into custody.[1]
Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic of theFantastic Four, had been a longtime friend of Milton Ekler. When Richards learned of Larry Ekler's madness, he decided to take responsibility for him. However, the hospital where Larry was incarcerated was run byDoctor Faustus, who manipulated Larry in a plot to destroy Richards. Faustus sent Larry with a device to drain Richards' psychic energy, intelligence, and self-confidence. Richards met with Larry, but was unprepared for the brutal assault and was stunned, the ray leaving him with only a normal intelligence level.Spider-Man - who had dropped in to visit theBaxter Building shortly after Larry's attack - was able to help Richards track down Larry, but Larry was aided in his struggle thanks to his use of the Absorbascan, a device provided by Faustus that the doctor had claimed would allow him to bond with the masses around him and draw on their raw strength. However, Richards was able to convince Larry to leave when he revealed that Larry's use of the Absorbascan was actually draining the life energy of the people around him rather than forming a benevolent link to him like he had been informed. After his departure, Spider-Man was able to help Richards develop a machine that would restore his intellect to what it had been before.[2]
Faustus used hisSecret Empire ties to furnish Larry Ekler with a new secret identity,Zeitgeist. As Zeitgeist, he joined the German superhero group Schutz Heiliggruppe and was able to conceal his past from its members. He even helped the group battle Faustus' allies, theRed Skull andArnim Zola. They also fought and defeated theSkeleton Crew.[3][4]
Despite his new heroic persona, Ekler's mission was to assassinate superhumans starting inSouth America. His victims included Captain Forsa,Defensor,La Bandera,Machete,El Condor, Ojo Macabra, and Zona Rosa. Eventually, Zeitgeist's team was called in to investigate the various murders. While fellow member of the Schutz HeiliggruppeBlitzkrieg was investigating, Zeitgeist killed him using the foil he once used as Everyman.[5]
Zeitgeist attempted to convinceVormund, the leader of the Schutz Heiliggruppe, that theScourge of the Underworld was responsible for the murders. He tried to kill his original foe, Captain America, but Captain America easily defeated him. As Ekler tried to escape, he encountered Vormund. The two fought and Vormund used his ability to redirect kinetic energy to impale Zeitgeist on his own sword.[6]
Everyman used a sword that was able to fire energy blasts, as well as a shield, and a device called the Absorbascann. While operating as the Zeitgeist, he used a camera that was able to photograph the moment of death before a person died, as well as a belt that could change his appearance or make him invisible.
