Dedicated to the definitive superhero non-team.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

Scourge of the Underworld

In one of the best executed cross-over events, a vigilante known as Scourge of the Underworld oversaw the assassination of numerous super-villains.

Granted, some of the villains Scourge targeted were as forgettable as Blowtorch Brand, who first appeared in New Defenders #135 and died in U.S. Agent #2.

But others were more significant.

A longtime enemy of the Avengers, Melter was plotting revenge against the group at the time of his death (Avengers #263). Melter previously joined an eclectic hoard of costumed criminals who claimed to be Defenders … until the real non-team stopped them that same day (Defenders #64).

Miracle Man, one of the earliest foes of the Fantastic Four, once seized more power by temporarily donning the darksoul of Daimon Hellstrom (Defenders #120-121). Ironically, the villain died while trying to boost his status by forging a criminal partnership with Rhino (Thing #24).

Ringer, who made his criminal debut battling Nighthawk (Defenders #51), was among a roomful of super-villains massacred by Scourge (Captain America #319) … although later issues revealed that Ringer survived the assault.

2 comments:

Bryan W. Frazier said...

The Vamp returned as well . This was a awesome storyline !! you never knew when the Scourge would show up ; nor what disguise he would be wearing !!

Doc Savage said...

That storyline was a waste of villains for whom the real answer was: GOOD WRITING TO MAKE THEM INTERESTING. Killing them was just a cheap, gimmicky way out and the denouement in Captain America made no sense.