Jackhammer

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Background

Powers and Abilities

Originally, Jackhammer was a competent and pretty sharp engineer. He could lead teams of HYDRA engineers and supervise the building of a huge secret base beneath the Shea Stadium.

His behaviour implies that he had some degree of physical training, maybe in boxing. He wore devices on his wrists and hands that could punch with massive force.

After he was enhanced by the Power Broker, he evidenced the usual enhanced speed and superhuman strength and durability. Like the other Power Tools, he kept his Hero Points  for LDD.

History

After Nick Fury managed to destroy HYDRA and Baron Strucker with their own Spore Bomb, the dreaded terrorist organisation laid shattered for years. Various players tried to revive it, including various surviving HYDRA agents. Some proclaimed themselves Supreme Hydra, others simply headed factions and cliques.

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Some such factions eventually degenerated so that they became controlled by insane criminals or organized crime. In particular, a faction on the U.S. East Coast decided to make Maggia don Silvio “Silvermane” Manfredi its new Supreme HYDRA. They also concentrated its operations on New York City.

Appreciating the value of good lieutenants, and knowing that he would frontally oppose powerful interests and superhumans, Silvermane made costumed criminals into chiefs for the various sections of his reorganized HYDRA splinter arm. Those were the Fox, the Fixer, Jackhammer, el Jaguar, Man-Killer and Mentallo.

Hydra ain’t what it used to be

However, the overconfident Silvermane outstretched himself by trying to kill the candidates for the board of directors of S.H.I.E.L.D.. As a result, his HYDRA splinter was swiftly taken out by S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, Daredevil (Matt Murdock) and the Black Widow (Natalia Romanova).

Jackhammer was the last lieutenant Daredevil encountered. This occurred as the secret HYDRA base was being invaded by S.H.I.E.L.D. and rocked by numerous explosions. Dramatically stepping out of the smoke, he attempted to avenge his beloved base by killing Daredevil.

However, the crimson-clad acrobat was full of anger over his mishandling of his relationship with the Black Widow. Angrily burning Hero Points, he took Jackhammer out in two fierce blows.

After this humiliating defeat, the confident Jackhammer was apparently crushed. He decided to undergo the highly risky Power Broker to become superhumanly strong and tough. Like with half the subjects, it did not quite pan out. Although Jackhammer indeed became a superhuman, his cognitive abilities were somewhat damaged.

Early 1990s, part 1

The diminished Jackhammer joined a small group serving as a cadre of enforcers for Doctor Malus. It was the second incarnation of the Power Tools, his partners being Drill and “Buzz-saw” (actually unnamed in the story). He was the most competent of the bunch, which is not saying much. They seemed to have been successful as legbreakers making sure former clients paid.

After he and the other two were ordered to take out a man investigating the activities of the Power Broker, they clashed with Battlestar. Jackhammer was the one who captured the snoop, and later held him hostage to force Battlestar to surrender.

Battlestar was successfully confined and depowered. Yet he managed to take Malus hostage even in his terribly weakened state. At this point, the USAgent intervened. He savagely took down the Power Tools after bursting through the concrete ceiling.

Early 1990s, part 2

Months later, Jackhammer clumsily tried to hit on the female wrestler Poundcakes in some seedy supervillain bar. He apparently had a terrible reputation since Poundcakes, who had some fame as a superhuman wrestler, was furious that other people had seen him trying to flirt with her.

Their brawl nearly was interrupted by Steve Rogers. But Anaconda, fearing that it would end the date Rogers was having with Rachel “Diamondback” Leighton, intervened and subdued the two unruly superhumans.

Jackhammer was next seen in the version of the Masters of Evil assembled by Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius). The roster was Absorbing Man, Gargantua, Oddball, Powderkeg, Puff Adder, Shocker (Herman Schultz), and Titania (Mary McFerran). The job was to loot the Avengers’ Mansion during one of those Infinity crossovers.

The Guardians of the Galaxy, who were in the XX^th century at that point, intervened and clashed with the Masters. Major Victory fought Jackhammer. Jackhammer was taken out in the first half of the battle, and missed a subsequent evil clones invasion. Lucky guy.

Description

See illustrations.

Personality

At first he was reasonably smart and competent. See his lengthy quote, since this is most of what he actually got to say before being taken out. He comes across as a slightly pulpish  engineer and two-fisted fighter, but his bark is worse than his bite.

After his enhancement he was but a lowlife and a thug. Howbeit, the deterioration seemed to be gradual. When he captured Battlestar he still seemed to have some smarts and spoke normally. In his subsequent appearances he spoke like a daft punk  and acted like a cheap hood.

Quotes

Jackhammer – the HYDRA years

“You’re responsible for this, Daredevil. This place was an architectural wonder and now, thanks to you, half of it lies in ruins. S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn’t have found this place without help. They had it : an ultra-high frequency signal. I traced it to you. It’s probably concealed within your hood’s horns. I built this place, Daredevil. Part of me dies with it. My name is Jackhammer, Daredevil. I’m through talking. Just catch this : you’re not getting out of here alive.”

Jackhammer – later

“If you place any value on this geek’s life, I’d surrender this minute ! You wouldn’t want to see what my jackhammer can do to normal flesh and bone !”

“Poundcakes, baby — chill out ! I tell ya I meant what I said as a compliment !”

“Yer a nutcase, buddy, and that phony shield o’ yers ain’t gonna help ya none !”

By Sébastien Andrivet.

Source of Character: Old Marvel comics.

Helper(s): Roy Cowan.