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    Killer Shrike

    Character » Killer Shrike appears in 142 issues.

    Mercenary for hire

    Short summary describing this character.

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    Origin

    Simon Maddicks began his life in the United States military. After being raised in Williamsburg, Virginia Maddicks enlisted the moment he could, though much of his past is shrouded in mystery because of Maddick's lack of memory. After his term of service he was gainfully employed by the Roxxon Oil Company as a mercenary. He was shipped over to Brand Corporation's Mutagenics Laboratory where he underwent extensive physical training and genetic conditioning. He also underwent a procedure that implanted a tiny anti-gravity generator at the base of his spine which enables his flight. Upon his return to Roxxon he was given his costume and the codename "Killer Shrike".

    Character Evolution

    Ever since, Killer Shrike was most often seen getting beaten up by several super-heroes, most often the Hulk. Killer Shrike was briefly a member of the Cardinal's team of flying super villains known as Air Force. Killer Shrike was oddly absent when the team was blackmailed by Night Thrasher into providing relief for Rwandan refugees. In New Warriors #54, Killer Shrike appears to have been murdered by the Soldiers of Misfortune. This was probably an art error as Oriole, not Killer Shrike, was with the team when blackmailed by Night Thrasher.

    Mayor Story Arcs

    During his employ at Roxxon, Maddicks was sent to infiltrate the subversive organization known only as the Conspiracy which Roxxon learned about through their business relationship with the Brand Corporation. The Conspiracy sent Killer Shrike to capture a powerful monster known as Goram. However, Maddicks was thwarted by Ulysses Bloodstone who short-circuited Killer Shrike's electronic-based weapons resulting in severe injuries to the villain.

    Feeling pity for Maddicks condition the agents of Bloodstone brought him to New York hospital where he remained comatose for several weeks. When he finally awoke Maddicks was contacted immediately by Brand scietists. The most predominate of which was a man named Stephen Weems. Weems, who is better known as Modular Man and is best recognized for his hatred of Spider-Man and Beast. Modular Man asked for Maddicks' assistance in killing the pair and in return would fill in the missing pieces of Maddicks' memory.

    Maddicks agrees, however Weems is killed in battle before he could uphold his end of the bargain. Maddicks escaped Spider-Man and Beast and was contacted by agents of Brand Corp. They assisted in restoring his lost memories and assigning him further undercover work and as a bodyguard for Brand President James Melvin. However, this ended when the incorporeal Will O' the Wisp took control of Maddicks' battle suit in an attempt to avenge himself on Melvin. Spider-Man interceded and Melvin was saved.

    Secret War

    In the recent Secret War miniseries, Killer Shrike's armor is updated off-panel by the Tinkerer. Unfortunately, this still isn't enough for Maddicks to gain a victory, as he is soon defeated on television by the Avengers, and turned over to S.H.I.E.L.D. After being interrogated by Jasper Sitwell and Jimmy Woo, Shrike makes a deal in order to avoid being sent to Ryker's Island, where Sitwell and Woo insinuate the Punisher and Hammerhead are being incarcerated. However, arriving at the Tinkerer's base of operations, Maddicks unconvincingly tells the villain armorer he eluded capture. The Tinkerer responds by electrocuting the Shrike, and one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on the scene pronounces him dead. However, the Skrike apparently survives.

    Civil War

    During the Civil War, Killer Shrike would be captured by members of the Thunderbolts. Killer Shrike registers under the Superhuman Registration Act and join the Thunderbolts Army. The Thunderbolts had to fight off cities filled with civilians who were suddenly empowered when the Grandmaster opened up the Wellspring of Power. The Thunderbolts were broken up into numerous squads and sent to various locations throughout the world. Killer Shrike was part of the Omega squad which also consisted of the Aqueduct, Ox and Slyde. This group was responsible of maintaining order in Sydney, Australia.

    He was released from prison some time after, and went to live in a slum in New York City. His release evoked Moon Knight's wrath, whose friend Frenchie had originally brought Killer Shrike in. Moon Knight paid a visit to the apartment building, mercilessly beating a man and throwing him down some stairs. It turns out that it was not Maddickes, who was in crowd watching the carnage.

    A Council Of Masters

    Max Fury , the leader of the Shadow Council has assembled a new Masters of Evil in the sovereign nation of Bagalia; Killer Shrike is depicted as a member. Killer Shrike is present when Max Fury and the Masters of Evil capture John Steele after he attempts to escape Bagalia with the Serpent Crown and the Crown of Thorns.

    Other media

    In Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Killer Shrike is a Maggia agent who teams up with Unicorn to kidnap Gene Khan, one of Tony Stark's friends. Iron Man manages to defeat him, and at the end of the episode, Unicorn and Killer Shrike are seen being tortured by the Mandarin. The team of the Unicorn and the Shrike return in the second season, but are again defeated.

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