| Justin Hammer | |
|---|---|
 Justin Hammer Art byRon Lim | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Iron Man #120 (March 1979) |
| Created by |
|
| In-story information | |
| Species | Human |
| Place of origin | Surrey, England |
| Team affiliations | Hammer Industries |
| Abilities | Genius-level intellect Expert strategist |
Justin Hammer is afictionalcharacter appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. The character is depicted as a villainous entrepreneur, head ofHammer Industries and a frequent adversary of thesuperheroIron Man. He is the reason why many of Iron Man's supervillain enemies have access to extremely advanced technology and why these foes use their equipment for violent crimes instead of profiting by bringing the designs to market. These villains are his underworld mercenaries, secretly armed and contractually obliged to fulfill missions against Hammer's competitors and enemies, such as Tony Stark. He is also the father ofJustine Hammer and the grandfather ofSasha Hammer.
Sam Rockwell portraysthe character in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) filmIron Man 2 (2010),[1] theMarvel One-Shotdirect-to-video short filmAll Hail the King (2014), and thesecond season of the animated television seriesWhat If...? (2023).
Justin Hammer first appeared inIron Man #120 (March 1979), and was created byDavid Michelinie,John Romita Jr., andBob Layton.[2][3] Layton himself recalled in a 2014 interview that he and Michelinie originally created Hammer as the cautionary tale of what kind of personTony Stark might have become if he stayed on his path as a global war profiteer, as well as a tribute to actorPeter Cushing; in Layton's words, Stark and Hammer are essentially in the same line of work, but with diametrically opposed moral views.[4]
Justin Hammer was born inSurrey,England and later became a citizen ofMonaco. A rival of industrialist Tony Stark (Iron Man), multi-billionaire businessman Hammer later became a criminal financier through unethical methods whilst using his companyHammer Industries as a front.[5] In exchange for fifty percent of the crime profits, he would pay bail for costumed criminals and finance the development and replacement of both their weaponry and equipment. In the event that a mercenary under his employ violated his contract, Hammer would send an enforcement unit, usually led by his most reliable supervillain employeeBlacklash, to attack the rogue and confiscate his assigned equipment.
At the start of theDemon in a Bottle storyline, Hammer invented a device called the Hypersonic Scan Transmitter which allowed him to take control ofIron Man's armor. He tested this remote control affecting Iron Man's unibeam, sealing plates, and boot jets.[6] Angered that he had lost a lucrative bid to Stark International, he took control of Iron Man's armor and forced him to kill the Carnelian ambassador, and set an army of superhuman criminals consisting of theBeetle,Constrictor,Discus,Leap-Frog,Man-Killer,Porcupine,Stiletto, andWater Wizard against Iron Man. Ultimately, Stark not only cleared his name and destroyed the control device, but finally learned that a major enemy was behind multiple attacks on his interests for years.[7]
With help from the supervillainForce, Hammer next hijacked yachts to smuggle opium into the United States. They battled Iron Man and were defeated.[8] When Stark lost his company toObadiah Stane, Hammer left the destitute Stark to his own devices while continuing with his own enterprises. Stark later recovered and re-entered the business world with Stark Enterprises so Hammer sent the Adap-Tor (a robotic attack drone disguised as a helicopter) to attack the company as a way of "welcoming" Stark back.[9] Hammer also utilizedMandroids.[10]
For a time, Hammer frequently hired the villain group, theDeath Squad, in an attempt to kill both Stark and Iron Man, but fired the group after constant failures.[11]
When Force later attempted to go straight, Hammer sent the Beetle, Blacklash, andBlizzard II to retrieve Force, but they were defeated by Force with help from Iron Man andJim Rhodes.[12]
During the "Armor Wars" storyline, Hammer had Iron Man's technology stolen bySpymaster and sold it to a number of superhumans who wore powered armor, includingStilt-Man, theRaiders, theMauler, Beetle, theCrimson Dynamo and theTitanium Man.[13] Iron Man set about to disable the Stark-based technology in the suits in question, going so far as to also disablesanctioned technology in the armor ofS.H.I.E.L.D.'sMandroids and theVault'sGuardsmen, leading him into conflict withCaptain America and theAvengers.
Hammer later sent theRhino (who Hammer once provided a removable version of the Rhino armor to) to break Blizzard out of prison.[14] He sent his "B-Team" (Blacklash, Blizzard, andBoomerang) to battleGhost and Iron Man.[15]
Hammer redesigned theScorpion's tail and sent him to abduct General Musgrave. When Scorpion refused to complete his mission, Hammer sent Blacklash and the Rhino to retrieve the tail.[16] Hammer later learned that Stark had been shot, and ordered a batch of orchids to be sent to Stark with a card expressing condolences should Stark live.[17] He sent Boomerang to raid a Stark Enterprises security office,[18] and hiredTaskmaster to train the second Spymaster.[19]
Later, Hammer agreed to design a new costume for the Rhino.[20] He sent the Rhino and Boomerang to battleCardiac.[21] With theLife Foundation,Roxxon Oil, Stane International and theBrand Corporation, he abducted a number of superhuman beings to analyze their abilities. He also helped the firstSphinx to reclaim the Ka-Stone.[22]
Years later, it was revealed that Hammer had obtained Stane International after Stane's death, causing problems for Stark through his old company. With operatives ofHydra, Roxxon Oil, Moroboshi International and the Trinational Commission, he tricked the Masters of Silence into attacking Stark Enterprises. Even when forced to sell his stock in Stane International to Stark for the sum of one dollar,[23] Hammer had the last laugh when all the shady dealings and irresponsible, or even criminal actions of Stane International came back to bite Tony later.
Hammer later sent Barrier, Blacklash, and Ringer to recruit Luis Barrett as the newThunderbolt. The three villains were foiled by thePantheon.[24]
In the mini-seriesBad Blood, Hammer is diagnosed with incurable cancer and resolves to destroy his nemesis before dying. However, he inadvertently places himself in cryogenic stasis during a battle with Iron Man and is lost in space.[25]
Justin Hammer is a normal, middle-aged man. He has a degree in commerce and business, and is an extremely efficient administrator with a genius-level intellect. He has access to various forms of advanced technology designed by his technicians.
Justin is the father ofJustine Hammer and the grandfather ofSasha Hammer.[26]
In theEarth X reality where Terrigen Mist mutates most of the world population, Hammer is murdered byNorman Osborn on his rise to beingPresident of the United States.[27]
An alternate universe variant of Justin Hammer from Earth-1610 appears in theUltimate Marvel universe. This version is an American namedJustin Hammer Jr. who is the son of Justin Hammer Sr. and a rival ofNorman Osborn. He later dies from a heart attack duringDoctor Octopus' fight withSpider-Man.[28][29]
Justin Hammer Jr. also secretly funded superhuman testing violating the Superhuman Test Ban Treaty, contributing to the creation ofElectro andSandman.[30]
Justin Hammer Jr. is also responsible for the tech changes made on his daughterJustine Hammer.[31]
Justin Hammer appears in media set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed bySam Rockwell:
Tony Stark's billionaire nemesis Justin Hammer made his first appearance inThe Invincible Iron Man #120 by writer David Michelinie and artist John Romita, Jr. and Bob Layton.
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