Saturday Showcase: Killer Shrike

Just who is the Killer Shrike?  Just one of the coolest villains to challenge heroes such as Spider-Man and Moon Knight.  In my opinion, he is highly underrated and should be a Marvel Legends or Funko Pop! figure by now.   That is why I chose the Killer Shrike as my return to my posts known as Saturday Showcase.

Simon Maddicks was born in Williamsburg, Virginia. He began his career as a soldier in the United States Army. After that, he was selected to be a special agent of the Roxxon Oil Company.  Maddicks became a mercenary and professional criminal, more specifically a special agent in covert operations. He underwent extensive conditioning which increased his human abilities. He also underwent surgery that implanted a miniature anti-gravity generator in his spine. Roxxon gave him  his super-villain costume and the codename "Killer Shrike".

The Killer Shrike has had his fair share of encounters with a variety of super heroes and villains, but he has never really reached his full potential.  He is always stopped and captured.  Hell, sometimes he ends up in a hospital. {*As seen in The Sensational She-Hulk #27,  Dr. Jay}

Powers & Abilities

Extensive conditioning and surgery by Brand Corporation scientists enhanced Simon Maddicks's strength and other physical abilities. He is capable of flight by means of a surgically implanted anti-gravity generator at the base of his spine, activated by a neural link.

Besides that, he has extensive training and experience in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts, and proficiency with hand weapons including guns and knives.

Killer Shrike wears body armor, an armored suit made of an insulated steel alloy mesh capable of protecting him from flight turbulence and small caliber weapons fire. His major weapons system is the twin power-blasters worn on his wrists, with titanium talons capable of slashing flesh, wood, cinderblock, and light metals, and of discharging high-frequency electrical bolts.

Publication Information

Publisher: Marvel Comics

First Appearance:  The Rampaging Hulk #1 (Jan. 1977)

Created by John Warner & John Buscema

 

Alter Ego: Simon Maddicks

Notable Aliases:  Harold Simmons

Team Affiliations

• Brand Corporation
• Masters of Evil
• Roxxon Oil Company
• Sinister Six
• Thunderbolts
• United States Air Force
• United States Army

I hope you enjoyed this brief history lesson on the Killer Shrike.

Until next time, get your READ on!