Smasher aka Man-Monster
Context
The Smasher is an obscure Marvel villain who fought Spider-Man (Peter Parker) in 1973.
An earlier version of the character appeared in a short-lived black & white Spider-Man magazine in 1968 as “Man-Monster”.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Servant of the Disruptor.
- Base Of Operations: New York City.
- Height: 11’ Weight: 2 tons.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Advertisement
Powers & Abilities
The Smasher is a giant with superhuman strength and durability. He’s much stronger than Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (about “class 50”) and can take most of Spidey’s punches without being meaningfully hurt.
The Smasher is much faster and more agile than he looks. He can use his great strength to quickly scale buildings by driving his fingers and toes into the concrete to make holds. He glows vividly with power.
The Smasher was supposedly made stronger between his first and his second outing. But that wasn’t apparent in his performance.
History
The Smasher is a street thug whose genes were altered by the renegade biochemist Dr. Thaxton. He was meant to be the first of a cadre of unstoppable servants for the Disruptor (Richard Raleigh). The Smasher was kept under control using a pain-inducing electronic circlet.
As the Disruptor, Raleigh sent the Smasher to attack his own mayoral campaign. Raleigh’s platform included stern opposition to the mob, and the Smasher’s attack brought great visibility and credibility to this lie. Spider-Man intervened during the attack and saved dozens.
Advertisement
Campaign of terror
The Smasher escaped and was then sent after the Daily Bugle then the Raleigh campaign HQ. However, Spider-Man tracked the man-monster back to the Disruptor’s base.
The Disruptor overused the pain-inducing circlet to goad the Smasher into a murderous rage. Thus, the device burned out and the Smasher killed the Disruptor in retaliation. Spider-Man took out the Smasher by hitting certain of his head implants. The building then collapsed – possibly killing Dr. Thaxton.
That Raleigh was the Disruptor was apparently never learned, and the Smasher was never seen again.
Description
See illustrations.
Personality
The more the Smasher’s power is boosted, the more pain he feels. And since he has a bad temper to start with, this makes him consumed by rage. He cannot really concentrate due to the pain and anger, and Spider-Man could easily taunt the Smasher into going after him rather than his actual targets.
As a consequence, he tends to yell about what his orders are, so he doesn’t forget what he’s meant to do.
After he finally got free of the pain-inducing headband and killed the Disruptor, the man-monster was considering starting his own New York City crime empire on the strength of his, well, strength.
Quotes
“You’re not talkin’ your way outta this, masked man. I’ll crush you like a flea.”
“You’re gonna regret the day you decided to take me on, pal. Me — THE SMASHER !”
“Don’t move, Robertson ! The Disruptor wants to see you ! And what the Disruptor wants – the Smasher gets ! And if you don’t come — you must die ! Those are — my orders ! I… have to… obey.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Smasher
| Dex: 05 | Str: 12 | Bod: 11 | Motivation: Power |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Slave |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 002 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Flash: 02, Growth: 03, Skin armour: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Flash is Only For Steady Illumination, and is Always On when the Smasher is fully charged.
- Growth is Always On and Already Factored In.
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing): 07, Martial Artist (AV): 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Both Skills are Contingent Upon STR.
- Acrobatics (Climbing) only on material with a surface BODY at least one CS below his STR.
Advantages
Iron Nerves.
Connections:
Possibly Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
Serious Rage.
Source of Character: Amazing Spider-Man #116-118. An earlier version of the character appeared as “Man-Monster” in the B&W Spider-Man Magazine, which presumably wasn’t in continuity.
Helper(s): Darci.
Writeup rewritten on the 5th of April, 2014.