| Shocker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cover artwork of the Shocker inThe Amazing Spider-Man #579B (alternate cover) (December 2008). Art byMike McKone. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #46 (March 1967) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) John Romita Sr. (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Herman Schultz |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Sinister Six Masters of Evil Sinister Syndicate Thunderbolts Villains for Hire |
| Notable aliases | Quilty[1] |
| Abilities |
|
TheShocker (Herman Schultz) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byStan Lee andJohn Romita Sr, the character debuted inThe Amazing Spider-Man #46 in March 1967. He is usually depicted as an enemy of the superheroSpider-Man, and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up hisrogues gallery.
Schultz was originally aself-taught engineer and renownedsafe cracker who invented a pair ofgauntlets capable of producing powerful vibrationalshock waves. He incorporated these gauntlets into a protective battlesuit and became amercenary for hire. As the Shocker, Schultz quickly rose inNew York City's criminal underworld and has been employed by variouscrime lords, which has often put him into conflict with Spider-Man. One notable trait that differentiates the Shocker from most other Spider-Man villains is his pursuit of wealth and a comfortable life rather than revenge or chaos. As a result, he has sometimes put aside his differences with Spider-Man and has helped him or other heroes when it was in his best interest.
The character was ranked as Spider-Man's 23rd greatest enemy byIGN.[2] The Shocker has been adapted from the comics into various forms of media, having been voiced byJim Cummings inSpider-Man: The Animated Series,Jeff Bennett inThe Spectacular Spider-Man, andDavid B. Mitchell in thevideo gameSpider-Man. Two iterations of the character were featured in the 2017Marvel Cinematic Universe filmSpider-Man: Homecoming, with Herman Schultz portrayed byBokeem Woodbine andJackson Brice portrayed byLogan Marshall-Green.
The character first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #46 (March 1967) and was created byStan Lee andJohn Romita Sr.[3]
In an interview, Romita discussed how he designed the character, "I used a lot of very subliminal feeling. While designing the Shocker costume, for some reason, I thought 'cushion' and 'quilt.' I'm thinking, if the guy has a shocking power and vibrates buildings so they fell apart by shaking them, then there's got to be some kind of cushion effect, and so, subliminally, I did it."[4]
He appeared as a regular character inThunderbolts from issue #157 to 162, when he deserted the team. He was also one of the main characters in "The Superior Foes of Spider-Man" comic series.[5]
Herman Schultz was born inNew York City. He was ahigh schooldropout who had brilliant talents as both an inventor and an engineer. Instead of using such talents to gain legitimate employment, he became a successful burglar and the world's bestsafe-cracker (according to him in later stories). After finally being caught and incarcerated for his crimes, he developed a pair of gauntlets designed to shoot air blasts, vibrating at high frequency.[6] Schultz uses his gauntlets to escape from prison and becomes the supervillain known as "the Shocker".[7] He defeatsSpider-Man in their first confrontation (Spider-Man was at a disadvantage due to having a bad left arm sprain from an earlier battle with theLizard[8]) during a robbery. While robbing a bank, he was later beaten and sent back to prison after Spider-Man pinned Schultz's thumbs away from the gauntlets' triggers with his webbing and then knocked him out.[9]
Shocker later stole an ancient stone tablet with an inscription for a formula that could restore youth, that had been earlier stolen by theKingpin.[10] Likely Schultz's most ambitious solo exploit was his attempt to hold New York City for ransom by blacking out various electrical grids to spell out his name, and extort one million dollars from the city.[11] He then made one million dollars by harassing a stock broker.[12] Shocker later joinedEgghead'sMasters of Evil (withRadioactive Man,Tiger Shark,Moonstone, andBeetle) to incriminateHank Pym, then on trial for treason. The Masters battled theAvengers in this encounter; Shocker was brainwashed and purposely abandoned by Egghead to deliver a false testimony,[13] and subsequently cooperated with the authorities in exonerating the ex-Avenger.[14] Shocker was later hired by the Nazi war criminal Baron Von Lundt to killDominic Fortune, and built the vibro-shock units into his entire uniform to do so.[15] Shocker was hired by theChameleon andHammerhead to induceElectro to join their organization.[16] Shocker later attempted to steal thousands of charity dollars at the celebrity fund raiser for the New York City Library.[17] He's captured by Spider-Man and sent to prison. He later escapes with the help of fellow inmateBoomerang. By this time, he's developed severe confidence issues and has become terrified that theScourge of the Underworld is going to kill him. A tipping point occurs when Spider-Man apprehends him and seems to not take him seriously. Enraged, Shocker defeats Spider-Man and is about to finish him off when a Scourge imposter intervenes, causing Shocker to flee.[18] When he next appeared his confidence issues are gone. He aims to hunt down Scourge himself and kill him first.[19]
Shocker has proven to be a constant presence among Spider-Man's gallery of enemies. He often works as a member of a team (includingHobgoblin'sSinister Seven,Norman Osborn'sSinister Twelve,Doctor Octopus'sSinister Six, and the Masters of Evil) or in partnership with at least one other villain. Previous alliances include Boomerang, the Beetle,Rhino,Leila Davis,Hydro-Man, andSpeed Demon (all of which made up theSinister Syndicate), and theTrapster,Constrictor, andJack O'Lantern. He also teamed up with a large group of villains during theActs of Vengeance, when he helped them unsuccessfully attack theFantastic Four.[20] During one of his team-ups with Doctor Octopus, he participated in a raid onAvengers Mansion, hoping to help conquer it as the heroes were distracted by the events ofthe Infinity War. Shocker was forced to fight alongside the heroes called theGuardians of the Galaxy when alien doubles of both sides attacked. After the doubles stopped coming, Doctor Octopus tried to order Shocker and the others to continue fighting the heroes but instead, they turned on Doctor Octopus. They did not wish to harm the people who had helped save their lives. Shocker helped chase Doctor Octopus out of the building.[21]
At one point in his career, Shocker became increasingly paranoid that he was on the Scourge of the Underworld's hit list, even though there was no actual proof that he was.[22] He thus started seeking ways to become more powerful, hoping to thwart any attempt on his life by the vigilante group.[19] Shocker somehow acquired actual superhuman vibration powers. As he becomes more powerful, he realizes that the new powers will eventually kill him. He seeks a vibrational harness to cure himself and is aided byNight Thrasher and Spider-Man.[23] Shocker has had Spider-Man on the ropes on several occasions, with timely interventions often saving Spider-Man. Individuals thwarting Shocker's victories over Spider-Man include security guards, Dominic Fortune, and even a Scourge of the Underworld impostor. Shocker has also let Spider-Man go on a few occasions, the first being when he found Spider-Man incapacitated with a bout of vertigo on the outside of a tall building. He doesn't kill Spider-Man, thinking it an unworthy end, but doesn't help him either.[24] Shocker found another moment of victory over Spider-Man when he teamed up with the Trapster. Sent by theFriends of Humanity to assassinatePaul Stacy, the duo managed to glue Stacy and Spider-Man together and corner them, only to be called off their assignment moments before finishing them off.[25] Shocker would later turn on the Trapster at the behest of Osborn of having Trapster eliminated as a potential witness against his attempt to frame Spider-Man for murder. Preparing to kill the resigned Trapster in an alley, he was attacked and rendered unconscious at the last minute by Spider-Man (then disguised under the aliasDusk).[26]
Shocker has a run-in withIron Man on a subway car in NYC.[27] Shocker is hired by theGolem, along with Constrictor and Jack O'Lantern, to protect a diamond delivery. He battlesHood.[28] Shocker was terminated as a freelance agent byHammer Industries and captured by Spider-Man while trying to rob a federal bank alongside Hydro-Man. He accidentally evaporates his water-based ally with a misplaced vibration.[29] He allied himself with Speed Demon of the NewThunderbolts to break into a particularly well-guarded safe. Though the police arrived at his hide-out in quick pursuit, he was saved by Speed Demon dashing in and stealing both the loot and Shocker's weapons, removing all traces of evidence (and, unfortunately for Shocker, also keeping the money to fund the Thunderbolts' further activities).[30]
Shocker plays a small role in the "Secret War" crossover event where he was among the villains used byLucia von Bardas to attack New York.[31]
A new version of theSinister Six, with Shocker as a member, bands together during the "Civil War" but were stopped byCaptain America and hisSecret Avengers.[32]
Shocker was among the group of villains that the Punisher attempts to kill at the wake of the deceasedStilt-Man that was held at the Bar with No Name. He survives the poisoning and fire-bombing.[33][34]
Shocker was shown to have partially reformed the Sinister Syndicate alongside Hydro-Man and Boomerang. This group attempts to rob Baily's Auction House but are interrupted by Spider-Man and then Initiative membersWar Machine andKomodo. The latter are there to neutralize Spider-Man. The trio escapes, only to be found and attacked by government operatives called 'Scarlet Spiders'.[35]
In his first "Brand New Day" appearance, he is shown to have been hired by a mobster to take out a subway train wagon full of jurors. After a brief battle with Spider-Man, he is knocked unconscious while Spider-Man uses his gauntlets to destroy rubble blocking the path. Although he seems cooperative at first, as soon as he is secured by Spider-Man, he activates a powerful shock in his gauntlets through his belt, causing the main exit to collapse and allowing him to escape.[36] On their way to collect money from bets on superhero fights, Shocker and Boomerang discover the dead body of "the Bookie".[37]
During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Shocker appeared as a member of Hood's crime syndicate.[38]
During theOrigin of the Species storyline, Shocker is invited by Doctor Octopus to rejoin the reestablished Sinister Six, where he exchange for securing some specific items. He and Tombstone went afterMenace's infant in the restaurant shop, until Spider-Man interfered.[39] After he passes out from his fight, the police arrive but Shocker is carried away by Tombstone who escapes.[40] When Spider-Man goes on a rampage against the villains after the infant was stolen by Chameleon, Shocker is attacked in his hideout and threatens Shocker to tell him everything about the villains' whereabouts. Shocker tells Spider-Man that Chameleon has the baby at the Kravinoff Mansion.[41]
Shocker was then seen in the Raft due to a popular online vote at Marvel.com[42] and was selected to join the Thunderbolts's new Beta team called the Underbolts where it was revealed thatMACH-V has put his name on the list of likely candidates.[43]
During the "Spider-Island" storyline, Spider-Man andCarlie Cooper encounter a six-armed Shocker. During the fight, Shocker reveals that he wants the money so thatMad Thinker can cure him. Shocker then pulls off his mask to reveal that he's slowly mutating into a spider-like creature.[44]
Shocker later appeared as a member of Villains for Hire (a villain counterpart ofHeroes for Hire).[45]
As part of the "Marvel NOW!", Shocker appears as a member of the latest incarnation of the Sinister Six, consisting of himself, Boomerang,Lady Beetle,Speed Demon,Overdrive, and theLiving Brain.[46]
Shocker features as one of the main characters inThe Superior Foes of Spider-Man, which concludes withSilvermane crowning him the new don of the New York underworld after Shocker saves dozens of mobsters by singlehandedly defeating thePunisher.[47] Shocker shares a meal with She-Hulk while they discuss a memory Jennifer cannot remember, and Herman helps her by telling what little he remembers because she treated him well and bought him lunch, whereas other heroes would just beat him up and ask questions later.[48] It was then revealed that a villain named Nighteater created a spell that would murder hundreds of people but made everyone think he was not a villain, but was instead a hero namedNightwatch, because it was more profitable. When Shocker found out, he assisted She-Hulk in defeating Nightwatch. When asked by Nightwatch why Shocker was angry after already getting his cut, even if he had forgotten, Shocker said that it was because he wanted to be a hero too.[49]
When New York City was covered in the Darkforce dome by the evil Captain America during the "Secret Empire" storyline, Shocker andScorpia took advantage of this by robbing a bank but was stopped byRogue.[50] When the Shocker accidentally crushes the ground beneath them, they were surrounded by Darkforce creatures and had no choice but to work together. When they finally beat the biggest of the creatures, Rogue flies away.[51] Herman Schultz is being tried for his crimes as the Shocker and Rogue volunteers herself as a character witness. Rogue said that the Shocker, from her experience when she was fighting Darkforce monsters alongside him, was smart, kind and courageous, and given the chance, could redeem himself.[52]
During the "Sinister War" storyline, Shocker was withBoomerang,Hydro-Man,Speed Demon, andOverdrive when they were used byKindred to attack Spider-Man.[53]
During the "Devil's Reign" storyline, Shocker was seen as a member of MayorWilson Fisk's incarnation of the Thunderbolts at the time when Fisk made superhero activities illegal. After defeatingDarkhawk, Shocker tried to getLuke Cage andJessica Jones to surrender only to be defeated by them.[54]
During the "Gang War" storyline, Shocker is among the villains hired by Hobgoblin to guard his hideout and are attacked by Scorpion,Shift, andStarling.[55] During Shocker's fight with Scorpion, Shocker was among the villains persuaded by him to turn against Hobgoblin.[56]
The Shocker wears a pair of gauntlets he designed with vibro-shock units known as "vibro-smashers" that, when activated by a pump-action thumb trigger, can project a concentrated blast of compressed air that vibrates at an intense frequency. This creates a series of rapid-succession high-pressure air blasts that result in a series of powerful impacts. This allows Shocker to both effectively throw long range vibrational punches from a distance, creating destructive vibrations that can crumble solid concrete and cause extensive damage to the human body and its internal organs, as well as throw shock waves which vibrate the structure of something to weaken or destroy it. A lesser known ability of the gauntlets allows Shocker to make incredible leaps, by directing the air blasts toward the ground in front of him. Holding the thumb triggers down for an extended period of time increases the intensity, speed, and even spread of the air blasts.
The feedback from the Shocker's gauntlets is extremely intense, with the initial test almost killing him. To guard himself from this, he developed a protective costume consisting largely of yellow quilt patches designed to absorb the shock. The costume is made of foam-lined synthetic fabric which absorbs all vibrations and establishes a vibrational shield which deflects normal blows and allows him to slip from any grasp. The costume's appearance has been the source of ridicule on the part of Spider-Man and other characters. How fellow villain theLooter was able to once wield one of the gauntlets without wearing a protective costume and suffering injury is unclear, though his super strength and durability were presumably a factor. Despite having no superhuman abilities, his vibrating suit and gauntlets enable him to trade blows with Spider-Man.
Around the year 2000 (real time), Herman Schultz began upgrading the abilities of his costume and weapons. His suit now contains a number of built-in shock units, which throw up a protective vibrational field when triggered by accompanying motion detectors. Besides deflecting most physical blows, this makes it difficult, if not impossible for someone to physically assault or grasp him by surprise. This power upgrade was accompanied by a much bulkier and more protective looking costume (as designed by artistJohn Romita Jr.).
Shocker also allowed Hammer Industries to drastically upgrade the power of his gauntlets. However, not trusting to share the whole of his secrets (and thus become what he perceives as expendable), he refused Hammer's technicians access to his actual costume, which (at least at the time) likely wasn't providing him with thorough protection from the feedback of the upgraded gauntlets (he cited nosebleeds as a risk he was willing to take).
Shocker has since appeared repeatedly in his original costume and minus the redesigned super-gauntlets provided to him by Hammer Industries. Whether or not this means he has found a way to retain his upgraded abilities in his old costume or whether he no longer uses them remains in question.
Continued use of the gauntlets has had a negative effect on Shocker's body and he admits that he rarely has a day when he gets out of bed without his back hurting.[57]
While most Spider-Man villains usually shift from their original goals to a vendetta against Spider-Man, the Shocker is still concerned largely with making a living and protecting his reputation. As such, the character is usually portrayed as behaving in a more professional manner than the majority of his maniacal peers.[58]
Shocker has a notably rational personality among Spider-Man's enemies. He has often been shown to recognize his own limitations amongst a universe of super-powered individuals. He was once stricken with chronic anxiety and paranoia (in theDeadly Foes of Spider-Man series) stemming from his fears about being targeted by anti-heroes Scourge and the Punisher (surprisingly, he has survived encounters with both). While partnered with the Trapster, he mentions that he engages inpsychotherapy.
In later stories ("Venomous" and "Senseless Violence"), Shocker has revealed that he is extremely frustrated with his place in life, not wanting to be known as a punching bag for superheroes like Spider-Man. He unsuccessfully attempts to purchase theVenomsymbiote at an auction to gain some respect. When temporarily partnered with Hydro-Man, he rebukes Morrie's suggestion that they go kill Spider-Man, being far more interested in more financially lucrative ventures and trying to rebuild a professional reputation.
During the Golden Age,Dalt Kendall was a brilliant scientist who was obsessed withelectric eels. He began breeding a pair of gigantic electric eels in his secret lab, slowly exposing himself to their electricity. Over time, his body developed an immunity to electricity and the ability to discharge electricity at will. Using his new powers, he began a life of crime, calling himself the Shocker.Madeline Joyce witnessed his first robbery and in her costumed identity ofMiss America, attempted to apprehend the Shocker. Shocker managed to evade capture several times before Miss America finally discovered the entrance to his secret lab. Once he discovered she was in his hideout, Shocker began to divulge the source of his powers before taking the opportunity to attack the heroine. Miss America then tricked him into thinking she was unconscious and struck back at him, punching him into his pet electric eel aquarium. Somehow, the electric eel's electricity killed him while unconscious even though he had the ability to harmlessly absorb their electricity otherwise.[59]
Randall Darby is amutant who took the Shocker codename after being recruited byMagneto to become a member of hisBrotherhood of Mutants.[60] After Magneto abandons him, Darby changes his code name to Paralyzer.[61]
In 2020,CBR.com ranked Shocker 6th in their "10 Most Powerful Members of the Sinister Syndicate" list.[62]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-18119 appears inAmazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows. This version is an enforcer ofRegent and member of the Sinister Six.[63]
The Shocker makes a cameo appearanceJLA/Avengers as a brainwashed minion ofKrona.[64]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-90214 appears inMarvel Noir. This version is an ally of theNazis who built a battle suit for their use.[65]
An alternate universe variant of Shock appears inMarvel Universe Vs. The Punisher.[66][67]
A zombified alternate universe variant of Shocker fromEarth-2149 appears inSecret Wars.[68]
An illusory alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-807128 appears inOld Man Logan.[69][70][71]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-91053,Max Dillon's motherAnita Dillon, appears inSpider-Geddon.[72]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-1610 appears in theUltimate Marvel series.[73] This version is a former employee ofRoxxon Industries.[74][75][76][77]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-6160 appears in theUltimate Universe imprint. This version obtained his gauntlets after stealing them from a package thatTony Stark intended to send to an unidentified person, who was later found to have died from a heart attack.[78]
An alternate universe variant of Shocker from Earth-21923 appears inWasteland Avengers.[79]
The Shocker has appeared in two differentWhat If stories:
The Herman Schultz incarnation of the Shocker appears inSpider-Man: Homecoming, portrayed byBokeem Woodbine.[85][86] This version is an employee ofAdrian Toomes' salvaging company before it went out of business following theDepartment of Damage Control being established and the group turned to crime. Additionally, Schultz is the second individual to use the Shocker alias after Toomes accidentally kills the first, Jackson Brice (portrayed byLogan Marshall-Green),[87] and wields a modified version ofCrossbones' vibro-blast emitting gauntlet. Schultz assists Toomes in his criminal operations until he is defeated bySpider-Man and arrested by the authorities.
[Stan] Lee and [John] Romita's second major Spidey villain appeared in the form of the Shocker, a criminal equipped with vibration-projecting gauntlets.
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