Some people will go all in on their beliefs, sometimes this can go to some dangerous places. Flag Smasher is a perfect example of taking your beliefs as far as you can. So, who is the Flag Smasher and what does he stand for? Let’s find out!
Karl Morgenthau was raised by his father, who was a diplomat, which meant lots of traveling around the world and never staying in any one place for very long. Karl struggled to make friends with the short time they had at any given location. Though he felt isolated, Karl would learn many languages and martial arts to keep himself busy in his loneliness.
By the time Karl was nineteen, he had planned on going to Columbia University to learn to be a diplomat like his father. Then tragedy struck, Karl’s father was assassinated for his diplomatic work. Karl was devastated, only seeing the failings of his father’s life’s work. Disgusted with the division humanity had put on itself by staying separate nations, Karl would form a plan. Now wealthy from the inheritance from his father, Karl would buy experimental weaponry and create a suit; he would become the Flag Smasher.
Now dedicated to the destruction of nationality and seeking to unite humanity by any means necessary, Karl would demand, by force, for countries and all patriotism to cease. This was often conducted by taking massive crowds hostage in demand for at least the country he was in to dissolve its nation. Naturally, this drew the attention of many, particularly, Captain America.
The two would face off on multiple occasions and Karl would even fight against more than one Captain America behind the mask and shield. While his defeats would get him deported, he would find comradery with U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. (Underground Liberated Totally Integrated Mobile Army To Unite Mankind) who had similar goals as Karl did. Unfortunately, he would discover that the organization was secretly being run by the Red Skull. Realizing that U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. was using his ideology to falsely allow Nazi ideals to infect his dream of a world free of nations and patriotism meant that Karl would have to team up with Captain America and Battlestar to take Red Skull down.
Once the organization was freed, Karl took over and would use their resources to help provide weapons to organizations throughout the United States. This garnered the attention of the Punisher who would team up with Moon Knight and Ghost Rider on different missions to take down Karl and U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. At one point, the Roxxon company would kidnap Karl and transform him into a feral monster with immense strength until he is able to be reverted back to himself after being used as a weapon. Even though the man hated the concept of nations, he would get installed as the ruler of Rumekistan where he was supposedly assassinated.
While Karl Morgenthau was the main Flag Smasher, others took the mantle. One such individual was Guy Thierrault, who took over U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M once Morgenthau was believed dead. He would fight many heroes, especially during the hero civil war. This Flag Smasher and U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. were wiped out when they ran afoul of the mercenary, Deadpool. During the time when Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson were both Captain America, a new Flag Smasher and U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. appeared and threatened the world but this was just a life model decoy that Hydra was using in their attempt to take over the world.
There you have it! Flag Smasher has gotten an overhaul in the live-action debut, as Karl Morgenthau leads a team that is effectively U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. but they all go by the Flag Smashers now. Where and how will Flag Smasher appear next? See you next time!
Suggested Reading
Captain America #312
Cable & Deadpool #28
Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1
Deadpool #43, Vol. 3
Captain America: Sam Wilson #14
Dr. Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
