Shockwave
(Lancaster Sneed)
Context
Shockwave (Lancaster Sneed) is from the Master of Kung-Fu corner of the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in 1976.
We happen to have a set of notes about this material, but is very old and done from memory. Hopefully we can do an overhaul… when/if the books get a digital reissue.
Background
- Real Name: Lancaster Sneed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Sir Denis Nayland Smith (uncle).
- Group Affiliation: Masters of Evil V (non-core member), former MI6 agent, former operative of Fu Manchu, former member of the Golden Dagger Sect, of Oriental Expediter Limited and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Deltite conspiracy.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 lbs. (182 in armour).
- Eyes: Green Hair: Black (formerly reddish-brown).
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Powers and Abilities
Lancaster Sneed is a karate master. From there he was further trained in armed and unarmed combat by British military intelligence.
He’s also an expert on electrical devices and skilled in demolition works.
He was made even more dangerous when his body was surgically rebuilt using metal plates. That granted him increased durability and physical prowess.
Yet this was not enough for Shockwave, who further equipped himself with an armoured exoskeleton equipped with electrical shock generators of his own design.
History
As a youngster, Lancaster Sneed idolised his uncle Nayland Smith. He was enthralled by Smith’s tales of intrigue and derring-do in Her Majesty’s Secret Service. When he came of age, he joined the British spy agency MI-6. However, on Sneed’s very first mission, tragedy struck. He was caught in an explosion that scarred him both physically and mentally.
Disdaining plastic surgery, Sneed has his body rebuilt with metal plates. That made him a virtual walking tank. However, he was declared mentally unfit for service, and fired from MI-6. This did nothing to improve his mental state. As a consequence, he grew to hate his uncle and the entire organisation for their perceived betrayal.
Lancaster Sneed will have his revenge
Sneed spent some time in Asia. There, he studied the martial arts and created an electrical exoskeleton to boost his combat effectiveness. Now calling himself Shock-Wave, he spent some time performing in a carnival side-show. Then he re-entered the world of espionage, this time as a free agent.
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He eventually came into the employ of Smith’s arch-enemy, Fu Manchu. Shock-Wave was part of a plot to murder Nayland Smith, but was defeated by Shang-Chi and placed in the custody of MI-6.
Spook rot
MI-6 had become thoroughly corrupt by this time. As a result, they subjected Shock-Wave to intense brainwashing in order to make him their loyal puppet. When Nayland Smith and his cohorts decided to leave the organisation, MI-6 sent Shock-Wave and the robot Brynocki to murder them, fearing that they knew too much.
During the ensuing battle, Shock-Wave was able to throw off his conditioning. Thus, he helped Shang-Chi and company defeat Brynocki. He also revealed to them the extent of MI-6’s corruption.
His mental state was still extremely fragile, however. Shang and friends felt they had no choice but to turn him over to the authorities, even though they knew that he would likely end up back in the hands of MI-6.
Freelance again
Since that time, MI-6 has had a change in leadership. Fu Manchu’s rebellious daughter Fah Lo Suee became one of the new leaders. Shock-Wave also regained enough of his sanity to go back to freelancing. He has since made several appearances as a minor super-villain, generally as a part of a team with other minor super-villains.
Most recently, he was a part of the Crimson Cowl’s Masters of Evil, but cannot be counted as one of the core members of that organisation.
Description
Shockwave’s armor always include a opaque visor covering his whole face, as it is very scarred.
Personality
A rather instable a violent man, Sneed is quite arrogant and consider himself a consummate and powerful professional.
He relies heavily on the suit, not using his prowess as much as he should.
Quotes
“Trouble, Skolnik ? Don’t worry — I’ll make fried mincemeat out of ’im…”
DC Universe History
As an obscure villain, not much. He could be a cousin of Sarge Steel, and it is very likely he would have worked for the League of Assassins and the Suicide Squad.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Shockwave
| Dex: 08 | Str: 06 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 05 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Criminal and mercenary |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 04 | Resources: 005 |
| Init: 018 | HP: 040 |
Skills:
Gadgetry: 05, Martial artist*: 08, Military science: 06, Weaponry: 07
Advantages:
None AFAIK.
Connections:
Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
MPI, Overconfidence, Creepy Appearance, Public ID.
Equipment:
EXOSKELETON [/BODY/ 10, Lightning: 11, Lightning being: 07, Limitation : Lightning has No Range, Lightning being can be ignored with a Trick Shot (-1), Lightning being will attack the wearer and Burn out if immersed in water (-2)].
Helper(s): Shawn Carman
Source of Character: Master of Kung-Fu and other Marvel comics.