Devil-Slayer ( Eric Simon Payne ) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . The character exists in Marvel's main shared universe , known as the Marvel Universe .
83-588: Devil-Slayer was created by David Anthony Kraft and Rich Buckler . According to Kraft, Devil-Slayer was a tweaked version of a character he and Buckler had created in Demon Hunter (1975) for Atlas/Seaboard Comics . On his first day back in the Marvel Comics offices after the collapse of Atlas/Seaboard, Kraft bumped into Buckler in the hall and the two discussed bringing back Demon Hunter. Kraft recounted, "I changed his costume colors, Rich changed his costume design
166-632: A Skrull and who is not. During the struggle, Delroy discovers he can see who is a Skrull without his goggles since the Tri-Force energy is inside him. This turns the tides against those Skrulls disguised as crowd members. During the fights across the USA, Spinner and Whiz-Kid both apparently die in various fights. At the final fight at Camp Hammond, Crusader kills Criti Noll, the Yellow Jacket imposter, and then 3-D Man shoots Crusader (who hid his Skrull heritage from
249-561: A coalition of demons known as the Six-Fingered Hand . Despite the passing nature of his abilities, Eric's wife Cory chose to stay with the cult leader. As the Defenders returned to Doctor Strange 's home after this confrontation, they were called into action again by the Avengers . The town of Citrusville , Florida had vanished, into a gigantic hole resembling a six-fingered hand. Eric and
332-459: A device from Baron Von Blitzschlag. Some of the first instalment trainees made it to graduation. The graduating class and their assignments were: Justice, Debrii, Slapstick, Rage, MVP and the two remaining Scarlet Spiders left the Initiative to form Counter Force , described as a counter-initiative that will dedicate themselves to keeping the government program honest. Starting with issue #13,
415-514: A little bit, we changed his name, of course - but if you look at his backstory it's a direct continuation from the Atlas issue." The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #33 (April 1977). Plans for Devil-Slayer to star in additional issues of Marvel Spotlight were halted by the series's cancellation, with Devil-Slayer's debut being the final issue. However, shortly after that he was added to
498-569: A new look Shadow Initiative. But as Norman Osborn already has a covert team in the shape of the Thunderbolts, the Shadow Initiative is turned into a "cannon fodder" unit, purposely sent on suicide missions, a fact that is hidden from the Shadow Initiative members. Before their first mission to take back Prison 42 from Blastaar's alien forces, Johnny Guitar overhears the Taskmaster and learns
581-478: A number of Southern Knights reprints in the form of graphic novels, one-shots, and limited series. Though 1988 saw them also introduce Julie Woodcock and Brian Stelfreeze 's CyCops , none of their comics publications sold as well as Southern Knights , and by the end of that year they had stopped publishing any other titles. In mid-1989 Southern Knights was canceled as well, and the Comics Interview imprint
664-479: A plasma rifle. On at least one occasion, he used a staff that conferred upon him a degree of invulnerability and generated energies that he could absorb to enhance his psychic abilities. David Anthony Kraft David Anthony Kraft (May 31, 1952 – May 19, 2021) was an American comic book writer, publisher, and critic. He was primarily known for his long-running journal of interviews and criticism, Comics Interview , as well as for work for Marvel Comics in
747-585: A shard of the Nexus of Realities, and then becomes Payne with his partner Sorrow. Nighthawk mentioned he had talked to Eric Payne and that he was willing to join a new team of Defenders. However, when Richmond suggested it to Initiative boss Tony Stark, he declined the offer. Shortly afterwards Eric is seen as a member of the Hawaiian Initiative team, the Point Men , serving the team as their "Monster Hunter". When
830-446: A six issue limited series , but prior to the publication of the first issue, Marvel announced that this had changed and that Avengers: The Initiative would become an ongoing series, the third regularly published 'Avengers' title from 2007 onwards, after The New Avengers and The Mighty Avengers . Issues #20-22 handled " Dark Reign ", the aftermath to Secret Invasion, and Christos Gage moved to full writing duties. The series
913-622: A sixth sense that can detect mystical influence on people or creatures, useful for tracking and finding demons. He also had some degree of telekinesis and telepathy, the latter of which he typically used to mask his costume with an illusion of civilian clothes. The nature and extent of Payne's current powers remains unrevealed. Payne could also reach into the folds of the cloak and draw out an endless supply of weapons from any time or place. He typically used melee weapons such as swords, axes or maces, but has also removed from it more modern weapons such as automatic rifles and even futuristic weapons such as
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#1732858323917996-646: A special Black Ops Team. There is no pardon on file for the super-villain known as the Constrictor. No record of any dealings with the Vietnamese national codenamed Bengal. Tony Stark cannot recall what became of his designs for the Iron Spider armor. And, most importantly, the Superhuman Armed Forces wishes to dispel all rumors of a 199th mutant. We repeat, there is no Mutant Zero. Mutant Zero does NOT exist. That
1079-595: A strange girl sleeping next to him. Komodo is upset that her identity was revealed. Spider-Man battles the duo. He quickly incapacitates War Machine with a blast of webbing that shuts down his armor, but not before War Machine mysteriously states that even though Spider-Man will be stripped of his powers, another Spider-Man will exist. While Komodo fares much better, Spider-Man's wit, and a threat that her failure will cause her losing her powers, help him to defeat her and slip away easily. A mysterious third party, which War Machine calls "Red Team" and which has been cloaked during
1162-412: A support group. While noting the hostilities of Red Nine, Annex, Geiger, Batwing , and Prodigy over the shooting of Crusader, Delroy states he is leaving the Initiative and joining up with Ryder to hunt down any Skrulls still hiding out on Earth. Taskmaster confronts Mutant Zero and discovers that she is really Typhoid Mary . The Gauntlet takes control as head of Camp Hammond because of his position as
1245-500: A team of former New Warriors led by Justice, while Constrictor was healed with two bionic hands. During Secret Invasion , the Shadow Initiative stayed at Camp Hammond while most others at Camp Hammond went to fight the Skrulls in New York. Later the Skrulls used Camp Hammond as a base, which Ant-Man discovers, having stayed behind out of cowardice. The Shadow Initiative tries to assassinate
1328-413: Is a comic book series from Marvel Comics . Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series handles the aftermath of Marvel's " Civil War " storyline (however, it should not be confused with "The Initiative" a banner running across Marvel books from Feb. 2007 to May 2007, similar to Marvel's earlier " Decimation " banner after
1411-459: Is all. This Shadow Initiative was sent out by Henry Gyrich to free the Initiative members captured by the Hulk's Warbound; Rage, Cloud 9, Ultra Girl, Thor Girl, Slapstick and Hardball; this assignment showed Bengal to be a perfect field leader of this Shadow Initiative. The black ops group successfully rescues these captured trainees, while Trauma , their "secret weapon" tries to use his powers to scare
1494-399: Is dropped into Madripoor by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. During the mission, Taskmaster, Constrictor, Bengal, Typhoid Mary and Komodo are confronted by Hardball, Scorpion and HYDRA agents. Komodo is shot with HYDRA changed S.P.I.N technology by Hardball, forcing the Shadow Initiative into a hasty retreat. They escape, but are forced to leave a depowered Komodo behind. Taskmaster calls off the mission in
1577-721: Is in love with her. Osborn reveals to Taskmaster that the next mission will be to lay Siege on Asgard . After Osborn's treachery is exposed, the Superhuman Registration Act has been abolished. During the Fear Itself storyline, the Initiative teams have gotten back together where their representatives meet with Prodigy in Washington, DC to discuss the hammers that the Serpent has brought to Earth. The Initiative teams featured are Action Pack, Batwing and Butterball's unnamed team,
1660-571: Is killed in action. Also confirmed to be killed are Blackwing, Slaughterboy, and Firearms. Bengal, Komodo, Batwing, Butterball and the surviving members of the Shadow Initiative fight against the odds and take back prison 42. They are aided by Hardball, a Prison 42 detainee forced to join Blastaar's army, who suggests to Dr. Arthur Nagan that they should release Dragon Man, knowing that the creature would side with Komodo. Taskmaster, Constrictor, Penance, Living Laser and Scorcher arrive shortly after to finish
1743-516: Is later revealed to have survived) and Van (one of the Scarlet Spiders). KIA also caused injury to many initiative trainees and staff like Thor Girl , Gauntlet, Constrictor and Crusader. He also killed eight S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on his rampage. He is eventually subdued when Cloud 9 uses the knowledge of Michael Van Patrick's crush on her to kiss him and fill him with gas. The reformed New Warriors and New Avengers can subdue him and mind wipe him with
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#17328583239171826-531: Is one Skrull-imposter and killed them all. Komodo joined the team as well, and they then added her lover, Hardball. The Skrull Kill Crew thought they could not track through all the states on time, but then former Avenger Jocasta appeared with Devil-Slayer , who is a member of the Hawaiian Initiative team, the Point Men. Devil-Slayer's teleportation ability will aid them in killing all Skrull imposters within
1909-554: Is one of the many magic users approached by the Eye of Agamotto as a potential replacement. Devil-Slayer (wearing a totally new costume) is recruited by Wonder Man (whose ionic energy leaking powers were affecting his judgement) to join his Revengers . He and the Revengers were defeated by the three Avengers teams and remanded to the Raft. When he was interrogated, Devil-Slayer stated that he joined
1992-501: Is secretly recruited by HYDRA to steal nanotechnology. While in disguise, he sees MVP's body cryogenically frozen, but Justice and Cloud 9 claim to have seen him at his parents’ home. Sgt. Green is mysteriously attacked and can no longer train the recruits. Several new Initiative recruits arrive at Camp Hammond , including Ant-Man (Eric O'Grady) , Crusader (Z'Reg) , Melee, Geldoff , Dragon Lord (Tako Shamara) , Geiger, Red Nine, and Diamondback . These recruits will mainly be trained by
2075-478: Is the Negative Zone prison (however, the criminal charges against all but Sunstreak appear to be limited to non-registration). Taskmaster quickly renames Boulder "Butterball" regarding his size. He has been challenged to make Butterball into a good soldier; but because of his invulnerability powers, his physical appearance could not be altered. The recruits break out of the camp because of boredom and decide to go to
2158-541: The President and HYDRA . Cloud 9, Komodo , Hardball , Gauntlet, War Machine , Justice, and Yellowjacket all arrive on the scene (with Hardball, Gauntlet, and Komodo donning jet packs). Cloud 9 is revealed as the best marksman of the bunch when she receives a pulse rifle, but she feels guilty when she blows up a fighter jet and the pilot doesn't eject. Hardball speaks to Komodo about Justice apparently having learned of MVP's fate. While he talks, he turns to see not Komodo but
2241-534: The " House of M " storyline, or the Civil War: The Initiative special by Brian Michael Bendis ). A preview of the title was shown in Civil War: The Initiative . The first issue of Avengers: The Initiative was released on 4 April 2007. The tagline initially used in solicitations was "Marvel's Army of Super Heroes just became a Super Hero Army". The series was originally solicited as
2324-526: The "Xenogenesis: Day of the Demons" storyline, issues #58–60. Kraft combined music and comics in his scripting of the Marvel Super Special #4 featuring The Beatles . Marvel Super Special #7, an adaptation of the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , by Kraft and artists George Pérez and Jim Mooney was promoted on the " Bullpen Bulletins " page in Marvel Comics cover-dated January 1979. It
2407-485: The 1977 "Scorpio Saga" story-arc (issues #46, 48–50). In The Defenders , Kraft wrestled with large philosophical issues: the temptations of power, the Cold War and nuclear power, sibling rivalry, and growing old alone. Scorpio also listened to a record by Edgard Varèse . Kraft also merged his interests in music and comics by inserting multiple references to the band Blue Öyster Cult into his Defenders stories specifically
2490-590: The Black Ops team after revealing themselves to the public and placed with the other trainees. Gyrich called them to protect him from K.I.A., but they lost and one of the Scarlet Spiders was killed, and Constrictor was badly maimed. Mutant Zero saved Gyrich and Scarlet Spiders continued the battle for their brother. After KIA was defeated, the two remaining Scarlet Spiders left the Initiative to join Counter Force ,
2573-805: The Cavalry, the Desert Stars, the Freedom Force, the Heavy Hitters, the Liberteens, the Order, and the Point Men. It has been revealed that there is a special "black ops" team within the Initiative, answerable only to Henry Gyrich and known as the Shadow Initiative. This team comprises Bengal , Trauma , Constrictor , Mutant Zero , and, for a time, the Scarlet Spiders . The Initiative program denies all knowledge of
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2656-603: The Fifty State Initiative. The group move on to other Initiative bases, killing the Skrull imposters. Delroy Garret's goggles also identify Equinox as a Skrull who is then killed by Cloud 9, who then joins their insurgency with Gravity . The Skrull then sends a broadcast throughout the world, telling their sleeper agents to activate themselves, which sows even more distrust among the remaining heroes. While in Philadelphia,
2739-543: The Freedom Ring to reverse the goggles' power so that they cause 3-D Man to see Crusader as human and all humans as Skrulls. Later 'Yellowjacket-Skrull' gives orders to Gauntlet to dispatch the cadets to help the Young Avengers fight the Skrulls, and Proton is killed during the battle. The Skrulls defeat the cadets and Young Avengers, but then Nick Fury arrives with his "commandos." Meanwhile, Ant-Man (Eric O'Grady) ,
2822-519: The Hulk (becoming the Abomination , Juggernaut , Brian Banner , and Bruce Banner). He cannot beat the Hulk, and the Hulk beats him into unconsciousness, leaving Terrance alive to pass the message on to the others. Trauma is later seen recuperating in the Initiative's medical bay. It is later revealed that the Scarlet Spiders are clones of Michael Van Patrick (MVP), a deceased initiative recruit accidentally killed. The Scarlet Spiders are later taken off
2905-563: The Initiative and join with the New Warriors to form the Avengers Resistance against Norman Osborn's new regime. Trauma is kept on as the Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. counselor, against his will with the promise that if he leaves, his mother will be killed, but if he stays, they will cure her insanity. It is later revealed that he is actually the son of Nightmare , who corrupts his son's body and attacks
2988-487: The Initiative bases to create a massive Negative Zone portal that will destroy the entire country. With six bases left, the Krew splits up, and uses the still-living heads of Moonstomp, Catwalk and Dice to help point out Skrulls. Devil-Slayer teleports them to the bases, but collapses under the strain. The Initiative members combat their Skrull opponents, who have received their mission to activate themselves to start distrust among
3071-692: The Initiative to match his own vision. He transfers Gravity to the Great Lakes Avengers with Prodigy taking his place as leader of the Heavy Hitters. He assigns the Force of Nature to Oregon, the U-Foes to North Carolina, the Psionex to Maryland and the Women Warriors to Delaware. Penance , brainwashed at Osborn's command, is sent to Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. to assist Taskmaster. Gauntlet and Tigra leave their posts at
3154-465: The Initiative. During Secret Invasion Crusader discovers that camp director Yellowjacket is actually a Skrull impostor; he almost tells the camp's counselor Trauma but changes his mind. When 3-D Man arrives in Camp Hammond to announce to everyone assembled that the Initiative has been infiltrated by Skrulls, Crusader fears he will be exposed as a Skrull despite his good intentions. Crusader uses
3237-493: The Revengers in order to make a reality where the Avengers were held accountable for their actions. Eric Simon Payne is a trained soldier and hit man, proficient in nearly all forms of hand-to-hand weaponry and an above-average marksman. As Devil-Slayer, Payne uses a mystical device called a shadow cloak. The cloak can elongate itself and respond to his mental commands, forming whips and grappling opponents and objects. The inside of
3320-517: The Revolutionary is revealed as a Skrull and defeated by Gravity and Hope. When they discover a fight between Thor Girl and Ultra Girl , Delroy's goggles identify Thor Girl as a Skrull. With help from Gravity , Delroy uses Thor Girl's own hammer to kill the Skrull imposter. Ant-Man escapes the Skrulls on the back of a Shock Trooper and reveals to the Kill Crew the Skrulls' last resort plan; to use all
3403-556: The Scarlet Spider. Ragnarok is about to vanquish Von Blitzschlag with pure physical force when the crafty Baron dismisses the notion as futile. He states that while he could easily kill everyone here and everyone in the world, he would not change the fact he is, in fact, an android-clone based on the real Thor. Unconvinced, Ragnarok is shown proof that such methods are possible when one of the Scarlet Spiders reveals he and his "brothers" are all clones as well. Blitzschlag tells Ragnarok that
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3486-409: The Shadow Initiative's true purpose. After some consideration, he bravely goes through with the mission. But not before guaranteeing his family's compensation in the event of his death and deliberately injuring his best friend, Doctor Sax, washing him out of the Initiative and saving his life. During the siege to take back Prison 42, along with several other members of the Shadow Initiative, Johnny Guitar
3569-785: The Skrull Queen Veranke , but is defeated and captured, except for Ant-Man. During this story it was revealed Mutant Zero is a red-haired woman. After Secret Invasion, Taskmaster is added by Gauntlet to the Black-Ops team as their field leader. The Shadow Initiative, joined by Komodo, is assigned to take down a HYDRA cell, led by former Initiative member Hardball, in Madripoor . After the mission briefing, Taskmaster senses something familiar about Mutant Zero and later confronts her. A fight ensues and Taskmaster goads Mutant Zero into revealing her true identity: Mary Walker . The Shadow Initiative
3652-469: The Skrull posing as Skyhawk who succeeds in his part of the mission. Delroy Garrett and Ant-Man join the Rangers in fighting a Skrull that posed as Red Wolf 's wolf companion Lobo. After it is shot by Shooting Star, a crowd uprising occurred when Delroy's goggles identify some of the crowd members as Skrulls. Delroy's goggles are hit by a thrown rock, giving Delroy's allies a complicated time understanding who's
3735-516: The Super Soldier Serum as everyone believed, he is actually an " Übermensch ", the ultimate human specimen. As Blitzschlag and Gyrich laud the benefits of such a test subject, Pym again has a crisis of conscience, only enhanced when the German scientist recounts his past "villainous" acts (such as the creation of Ultron ) and remarks "I am your greatest fan." A crisis over Texas occurs involving
3818-437: The Taskmaster. Butterball washes out of the program when it is deemed he does not have the attitude to be a superhero. To ease his disappointment, Taskmaster and Constrictor allow him to take a picture that makes it look like he has defeated them. The Revolutionary, a member of Pennsylvania's Liberteens, is actually a Skrull in disguise. He is part of a plot to put "a Skrull in every state" by infiltrating each superhero team of
3901-656: The Thor-clone (now dubbed Ragnarok), which was reactivated by a failsafe programmed by the Hank Pym Skrull, which required his access code to keep him contained. The clone apparently killed the Baron within a couple of minutes. Thereafter, Ragnarok was attacked by Thor-Girl, who he beat after a long and heavy fight above Camp Hammond. Even a trick of Trauma (posing as the real Thor) was ineffective. Outside Gorilla Girl, on her way back home, escaped from her car and opposed Ragnarok. As she
3984-599: The aggressive tactics employed by Osborn. Several members of the Shadow Initiative take part in the invasion of Asgard. During the battle, the Warbow of Heavy Mettle is apparently killed by a hail of arrows. Badd Axe and Ringer are among those defending Camp HAMMER when it is invaded by the Avengers Resistance. The Initiative was referenced in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Tales of Suspense." War Machine tells Iron Man that he had to cover for him when handling
4067-488: The base. Most of the heroes are stunned by their fears, but Taskmaster revives a fallen Penance, who has regained all his memories and no longer has any fears and regrets. Immune to Nightmare, he frees Trauma and Nightmare is banished. Osborn is pleased with Taskmaster and invites him to join the Cabal, while Constrictor is shocked to learn Diamondback is a double agent to the Avengers Resistance. He admits he does not care since he
4150-501: The beach where they drink and skinny dip , since they would be recognized anywhere else. Sunstreak attempts to have relations with Butterball, who refuses and takes their ride and heads back to the camp but encounters Constrictor, Taskmaster, War Machine and Yellowjacket. He lies, claiming to have gone AWOL alone. Although the recruits plan to use this distraction to sneak back on base, they instead help defeat Firebrand , King Cobra , Mister Hyde and Mauler , all of whom wanted revenge on
4233-440: The cloak served as a portal to other dimensions. By wrapping himself and/or others in folds of the cloak, Payne can teleport to and from other dimensions and could even teleport limited distances on Earth by entering and exiting at different locations. Time also runs differently inside the cloak, allowing Payne to place injured people in a form of stasis if he so wills. Payne had also developed certain psychic abilities. He possesses
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#17328583239174316-477: The cyborg Jocasta to aid 3-D Man and the Skrull Kill Krew . He spends some time teleporting the Krew and their ever-increasing allies across the country to kill Skrulls who have infiltrated the Initiative teams. As forewarned, he runs out of power and faints, leaving the final few confrontations to the speedsters the Krew have recruited. After Doctor Strange loses his position as Sorcerer Supreme, Devil-Slayer
4399-596: The direct order and go to help the Avengers. They are quickly dispatched by Hulk's Warbound and imprisoned in Madison Square Garden . Gyrich fears the political fallout, so he orders his Shadow Initiative to rescue only the six missing recruits. This team comprises Bengal , Trauma , Constrictor , Mutant Zero , and the Scarlet Spiders . Hulk eventually discovers the team and Trauma attempts to access Hulk's greatest fear, but Hulk tells him he fears nothing and nearly beats him to death. During these events, Hardball
4482-490: The enemy. Bengal and the rest of the Shadow Initiative realized the true nature of their mission. Osborn orders members of the Shadow Initiative (Badd Axe, Ringer, and Warbow) to attack the Heavy Hitters after they secede from the Initiative. They help the other Initiative teams to defeat and capture the Heavy Hitters' leader, Prodigy . The attack upon Prodigy is then uploaded onto YouTube by Telemetry and Non-Stop to show
4565-399: The fight, is revealed to be a group of people in duplicate versions of Tony Stark 's Spider-Man armor. The story ends with Komodo's desperate plea not to be stripped of her powers, as she dislikes being normal and considers her other self to be a nobody. The recruits are ordered to stay away from the fighting, but to still help with evacuation efforts. Rage and several other recruits disobey
4648-973: The first story drawn by John Byrne for Marvel Comics: "Dark Asylum," published in Giant-Size Dracula #5 (June 1975). In the early to mid-1980s Kraft wrote children's storybooks featuring Marvel characters such as Spider-Man , the Hulk , and the Fantastic Four for the Children's Press , Marvel Books and Simon & Schuster . During this same time he wrote the interactive game books Ghost Knights of Camelot for Avon, and Robot Race for Scholastic books. In 1983–1984, Kraft wrote World's Finest Comics for DC Comics , including that series' issue #300 (Feb. 1984). After that, Kraft did occasional comics writing, but mostly focused his energies on publishing and criticism. In 1995, Kraft worked as story-editor and scripter for
4731-643: The form of the Air Force soldier, he targeted Devil-Slayer personally. Balthazar tricked Devil-Slayer into a bar full of disguised demons where Eric's drink was altered, thus removing his psychic powers. Despite this, Devil-Slayer held his own, using his magical accessories to battle the demons successfully. Balthazar and Eric were drawn into the Borders of the Land of the Dead , where stood many of his Defender allies, now seemingly dead. It
4814-575: The highest-ranking officer left. Despite an offer by the Gauntlet, Hank Pym leaves the camp, because he "was never here". Next some of the latest recruits graduated and were assigned to different teams. Batwing became a member of the Shadow Initiative, Melee was assigned to additional training to become a Camp Hammond instructor for martial arts, Annex became a member of the Mavericks (New Mexico) and Red Nine of The Cavalry, Georgia. Geiger also graduated, but it
4897-528: The instructor Taskmaster. The results of the previous cloning's of MVP impressed Initiative administrators enough to fill places within the Fifty State Initiative with further clones of MVP. A new Michael Van Patrick clone is fitted with the Tactigon, Armory's former alien weapon, but goes on a rampage throughout the base under the new name " KIA " seeking revenge for MVP's death. The KIA clone causes destruction, killing Dragon Lord (Tako Shamara) , Trauma (who
4980-437: The late 1970s and early 1980s. Before his comics career, Kraft worked as a rock and roll journalist . In September 1976, he became editor of FOOM with issue #15, Marvel's self-produced fan magazine , lasting as editor until the magazine's final issue (#22) in 1978. Known for his offbeat approach, Kraft first made a name for himself as a comic book author with his work on Marvel Comics ' The Defenders , particularly
5063-477: The light of HYDRA gaining S.P.I.N Tech. But before they can pull out of Madripoor, the Shadow Initiative learns that S.H.I.E.L.D. has since become defunct, leaving the team alone with no way out of the country. They then infiltrate HYDRA, send a wire for help, and continue their mission to capture Hardball and shutdown the HYDRA cell. During the fight, Typhoid Mary relapses into her dangerous personality and escapes, leaving
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#17328583239175146-400: The lineup of the Defenders . In September 2008, Marvel released a limited series under their MAX imprint titled Dead of Night Featuring Devil-Slayer . It starred a new Devil-Slayer named Danny Sylva, the great-nephew of the original Devil-Slayer. The series was written by horror novelist Brian Keene and illustrated by Chris Samnee . Eric Payne was born in Queenstown, Illinois. He
5229-448: The new 3-D Man arrives in Hawaii, Devil-Slayer informs him that he has sensed portents of doom all day. When 3-D Man identifies team member Magnitude as a Skrull impostor, the Skrull attacks and severely wounds the other Point Men, Star Sign and Paydirt. The Skrull is killed, and Devil-Slayer uses his Shadow Cloak to teleport Delroy to Camp Hammond before taking Star Sign and Paydirt to a hospital. Devil-Slayer later appears in Utah with
5312-455: The newspaper-comic-strip reprint magazine Comics Revue , and trade journals such as the trade text 100 Hot Tips from Top Comics Creators (1994). In early 1985 Comics Interview Group branched out into comic books by taking on Henry and Audrey Vogel's Southern Knights (previously a self-published series). In 1986 they expanded their comics lineup with M.I.C.R.A. and Aristocratic Xtraterrestrial Time-Traveling Thieves , and began publishing
5395-462: The obstacle course, Trauma loses control of his transformation again, first feeding off of Cloud 9's guilt at being responsible for MVP's death and then transforming into an image of a beaten and bloody Janet Van Dyne when Yellowjacket (Henry Pym) attempts to intervene. As Justice and Gauntlet clean up the situation, Pym is called to the lab where Baron Von Blitzschlag informs him and Henry Peter Gyrich of MVP's anatomy; instead of being enhanced by
5478-443: The only cadet still on Camp Hammond, witnessed how "Yellowjacket" welcomed a Skrull commander to the base and attempts to learn of their secret plans. During the big fight against the Skrull army, Crusader , (a Skrull who lives on Earth and an Initiative cadet) fought for Earth. After defeating a Skrull imposter looking like 'She-Thing' , 3-D Man joined up with the Skrull Kill Krew and discovered that in every Initiative state team
5561-410: The others but was fighting for Earth). Before he disappeared, Crusader stated he wished "it could've ended differently". Following the aftermath of the Secret Invasion, the Fifty-State Initiative is shut down and the Thunderbolts Initiative is established when Norman Osborn takes over. Those that had been replaced by Skrulls alongside Alicia Masters meet with Doc Samson at Camp Hammond as part of
5644-402: The real Thor is living in Asgard, which is now physically in the realm of Earth (or Midgard) where it is floating above Oklahoma. Ragnarok resolves it matters not whether he is or isn't a clone, but that his warrior's resolve is true. He flies off to presumably confront Thor and his fellow Asgardians . Following Ragnarok's attack, Counter Force buries Michael Van Patrick's body and confesses to
5727-607: The rest of the Shadow Initiative in trouble. But then help arrives as Ant-Man and H.A.M.M.E.R. agents. Hardball then surrenders himself to the Constrictor, citing that everything that he has done was to protect Komodo. Constrictor understands, given his similar relationship with his daughter, and arrests Hardball. Batwing graduates from the Initiative programme and is assigned to the Shadow Initiative. Butterball , Ringer , Doctor Sax, Johnny Guitar, Badd Axe, Firearms, Slaughter Boy and Heavy Mettle (Barracuda, Blackwing , Riot , Stronghold and Warbow) join Bengal, Komodo and Batwing in
5810-521: The rest of the group confronted a possessed Man-Thing and then traveled through dimensional realms in order to find the source of the problem. During Eric's time with the Defenders, he helped confront a host of demons, including Balthazar, who had taken over the form of an Air Force commander. The Defenders almost died when Balthazar convinced innocent Air Force pilots that they were spies. Though his demon compatriots were eventually sucked back to their own realm, Balthazar somehow stayed on Earth. Still in
5893-418: The series features new recruits that will join the squad assembled before the coming of KIA. They are: Annex, Prodigy , Gorilla Girl , Sunstreak, Batwing and Boulder. Less enthusiastic than the first recruits, most of them with criminal records (except Butterball/Boulder who wanted to be there, and Batwing, who was just seeking a cure for his condition) they are there because their alternative to Camp Hammond
5976-530: The short-lived animated series G.I. Joe Extreme . Kraft was the co-writer and editor of Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender by Onrie Kompan Productions, LLC. In 1974, Kraft founded the specialty science fiction publisher Fictioneer Books. Over the years, Fictioneer published books by such authors as A. E. van Vogt , Robert E. Howard , Jack London , Otis Adelbert Kline , and Don McGregor . Fictioneer and its imprint Comics Interview Group published magazines including David Anthony Kraft's Comics Interview ,
6059-417: The site of the explosion that launched the whole Civil War. During the first day's training, Trauma, a shapeshifter, loses control of his power and causes Armory to have a panic attack. She accidentally shoots MVP , who was trying to save Cloud 9. Pym and Gyrich agree to conceal the death and expel Armory, but first, amputate her alien weaponry, since she will be an unregistered super. As the young heroes finish
6142-612: The teams. At the Battalion's HQ, Tigra , Ryder, and Cloud 9 fight a Skrull posing as Razorback . Hardball and Moonstomp help Action Pack fight a Skrull posing as Frog-Man. Gravity and Catwalk help the Great Lakes Avengers fight a Skrull posing as Grasshopper . Komodo and Riot help the Command fight a Skrull posing as Conquistador (who assumed a Skrull/ Devil Dinosaur -like form). Dice and Jocasta fight their way through activists to get to
6225-470: The world about Michael's death and the clones. This gives Norman Osborn the opportunity to shut down Camp Hammond. Following the Taskmaster's fight with Hardball's HYDRA faction, Norman Osborn hires him to help run the camp. Norman Osborn announces to the media that he has reopened the Initiative training camp under the name Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. in New Mexico away from any populated areas. Osborn then moulds
6308-765: Was never published in the U.S. "because the book was late and the movie proved to be a commercial failure," according to a contemporaneous news account. Kraft wrote the Man-Wolf feature in Creatures on the Loose and Marvel Premiere and featured the character in The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #3 (1981). He wrote the entire run, except the first issue, of Savage She-Hulk , which ran from 1980 to 1982. Kraft worked on such titles as Captain America and scripted
6391-617: Was a member of a demon cult called the Agents of Fortune, who helped him unlock the psionic potential of his brain and gave him a mystically created dimensional cloak. He later turned on the cult and, with the aid of the Defenders , he battled Vera Gemini and the Xenogesis and helped prevent the cult's mystical plans from being realized. He assists the Defenders in confronting a cult leader named David. This man had been granted temporary mystical powers by
6474-509: Was about to lose the fight, a light appeared. The former New Warriors (now called Counter Force ) appeared, ready to fight. The fight with the Thor clone rages on as Justice tells Ragnarok that he had worked with the REAL Thor and that Ragnarok is unworthy of that name. After Ragnarok knocks out Rage and Slapstick , Debrii has the Scarlet Spiders hack into Ragnarok. However, Ragnarok kills Michael
6557-437: Was again devoted solely to magazines and trade publications although they would co-publish Southern Knights No. 35 and 36 in 1992. In 1983, Kraft founded David Anthony Kraft's Comics Interview , which ran for 150 issues between 1983 and 1995, and garnered Eisner and Eagle Award nominations. As suggested by the title, each issue of Comics Interview was filled entirely with in-depth creator interviews. Since 1974, Kraft
6640-672: Was cancelled after Avengers: The Initiative #35 (April 2010), at the conclusion of the " Siege " storyline and replaced by Avengers Academy . In the aftermath of the Civil War, the pro-registration side stood victorious and launched the Fifty State Initiative, which called for one S.H.I.E.L.D. -sponsored superhero team for each state. The series focused on the training facility at Camp Hammond in Stamford , Connecticut . The first group of young heroes has been sent to hero boot camp in Stamford,
6723-424: Was here that Balthazar was seemingly slain again. There are indications he has returned another time, but this might be Payne's mental instability. Eric questions his tragic life, and reconciles with his wife, then turns himself in for his past crimes. He later helps war-torn Potega, but loses his shadow-cloak, and then rededicates himself as a hero. Devil-Slayer was later remitted to an asylum, where he discovers
6806-440: Was not mentioned where she was to be stationed. Camp Hammond instructor Stingray became the new leader of the Point Men (Hawaii). Because of their villainous past, Sunstreak and Prodigy were not assigned to an Initiative State Team yet, but have to remain under training at Camp Hammond. Since Gorilla Girl felt she was typical cannon fodder, she went home and was listed as a reserve member. Meanwhile, Baron von Blitzschlag encountered
6889-469: Was the literary agent for the estate of pulp author Otis Adelbert Kline . Kraft counted science fiction author Leigh Brackett , Stan Lee , and writer E. Hoffmann Price as mentors. He lived in Clayton, Georgia . Kraft died from COVID-19 on May 19, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Bush-Kraft and son, Bryce William Davidson Bush. Camp Hammond (comics) Avengers: The Initiative
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