Hello and welcome to another edition of Marvel Snapshot! In this week’s character spotlight, we’ll be beginning a run of villains to get hyped for the Thor 2 movie, coming later this Fall. First up is a man that has battled not only Thor and the Avengers, but also the Defenders, and even the Fantastic Four, too! He’s called The Wrecker, and he’s been empowered by Asgardian magic, and it means he’s a match for Thor and anyone else he wants to fight! He was created by Stan Lee and Jack ‘King’ Kirby in 1968 (Thor #148).
Dirk Garthwaite was a construction worker with a bad temper. That, along with some really violent streaks, gets him fired from his job. He then turns to a life of crime, and wears a costume to conceal his identity. He leaves a crowbar at the scene of his crimes as a calling card. One day he happens to stroll into a hotel bar, and bumps into Loki, who’s been depowered. He takes Loki’s helmet and puts it on, and in doing so receives a mystical Asgardian enchantment meant for Loki (from the Queen of the Norns). This endows him with super strength, stamina, and gives his crowbar mystical properties similar to Mjolnir.
Now, he’s a bigger threat than ever, and he wastes no time in amping up the crime sprees. He eventually has a major clash with Thor, and actually defeats him! Now, Thor was slightly powered down by Odin, but nevertheless, it happened! Sif then ends up using her spirit to animate the Destroyer, and defeats the Wrecker, handily. Later, when Thor is at regular strength, he puts the Wrecker down.
In the mid-eighties, a great story line called “Avengers: Under Siege” showcases the entire Wrecking Crew, but we do get to see the Wrecker pound the living crap out of a drunken Hercules, along with Mister Hyde and others. This beating nearly kills Hercules, and puts him in a coma. During another epic story, “The Black Galaxy Saga,” Thor sees that Hercules is in a slump mentally, so he allows the Wrecking Crew to pummel him, forcing Hercules to get enraged for battle. Hercules pounds the Wrecking Crew, and they run away with their tails between their legs.
More recently, the Wrecker (and his crew) joins forces with the Hood and his gang to try and kill the Avengers. At this time, the Avengers are split because of the Civil War, and the team led by Luke Cage is hiding out at Dr. Strange’s home under a spell of protection (and invisibility). The Hood’s powers are given to him by the Dread Dormammu, so he can see through the illusion. The villains then storm the Sanctum Sanctorum, and come within an eyelash of defeating the heroes.
The Wrecker is a great antagonist for Thor due to his mystical enchantments and crowbar. Hopefully we will see more of him and his crew wreaking havoc in the marvel Universe soon!
As usual, check out my recommended reading list along with some of the best cover shots with the Wrecker and his crew! See you next time!
Recommended Reading
Essential Thor vol. 3 – Tpb
Thor vol. 1 #’s 171, 304, 383, 400, 418, 426-431, 608, & 609
Avengers: Under Siege – Tpb
New Avengers vol. 7 – Tpb
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
