Saturday Showcase: the Wrecking Crew

the Wrecking Crew: Piledriver, Thinderball, Wrecker, and Bulldozer

    For today's Showcase, I decided to go with a crew of villains that have fought gods as well as heroes.  Who is this quartet of villainy?   Well, I'm talking about the Wrecking Crew.  The Wrecking Crew is a team of four fictional super villains known individually as Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball, and the Wrecker.  

    They made their first appearance  in The Defenders vol. 1, #17 in November 1974.  The team was created by Len Wein & Sal Buscema.

RAMPAGE!!!

    The Wrecking Crew are formed when Dirk Garthwaite—the Wrecker—is approached by Dr. Eliot Franklin in prison and asked to retrieve a gamma bomb Franklin had designed, with the intent of ransoming New York for millions of dollars.  Once the band was put together, nothing could stop their bond.

   Over the years the Wrecking Crew have followed a very familiar cycle; escape prison, fight and subsequently lose to superheroes, and return to prison. The Wrecking Crew have battled the Avengers, Captain America, Iron Fist, the Runaways, Spider-Man, Deadpool, the Sub-Mariner, the Thing, Doctor Strange, Daredevil, Alpha Flight, She-Hulk, X-Men and their main foe, Thor. 

Spidey and Deadpool Vs the Wrecking Crew

I've talked about the Crew, but let's take a look at the members.

Dirk Garthwaite aka the Wrecker

the Wrecker:

    First appearance: The Mighty Thor #148 (January 1968)

    Created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby

    Abilities:

• Superhuman strength, stamina and durability
• Via enchanted crowbar:

            Energy absorption and projection
            Force field generation
            Illusion casting
            Mind control
            Teleportation
            Ability to create minor earthquakes

Eliot Franklin aka Thunderball 

Thunderball:

    First appearance: The Defenders #17 (Nov. 1974)

    Created by Len Wein & Sal Buscema

    Abilities:

• Gifted physicist
• Experienced planner and tactician
• Superhuman strength, durability and endurance
• High-level intellect
• Wields a virtually indestructible wrecking ball

Brian Calusky aka Piledriver

Piledriver:

    First appearance: The Defenders #17 (November 1974)

    Created by Len Wein & Sal Buscema

    Abilities:

• Superhuman Strength and Durability
• Over-sized Hands

Henry Camp aka Bulldozer

Bulldozer:

    First appearance The Defenders #17 (Nov. 1974)

    Created by Len Wein & Sal Buscema

    Abilities:

• Superhuman Strength, Durability, and Endurance
• Wears a specially-made armored helmet, neck and shoulder apparatus.

Back in Business

    Well, I hope you enjoyed my Showcase on the Wrecking Crew.  I know I only shared the basics of each villain, but if you want to find out more just head over to Marvel and do some research.  As individuals, they were tough but as a crew, they are merciless!  

Until next time, get your READ on!