Death-Throws
Encyclopedia
The Death-Throws are a fictional team of supervillains in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

 universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...

. They first appeared in Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

#317 (May 1986) and were created by Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...

 and Paul Neary
Paul Neary
Paul Neary is a British comic book artist, writer and editor.His first work was for Warren Publishing in the 1970s before working with Dez Skinn at Marvel UK as well as work for 2000 AD...

. Introduced as enemies of Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...

, the Death-Throws consists primarily of jugglers
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...

 who each use various juggling props as weapons. Team members Bombshell (Wendy Conrad) and Oddball (Elton Healey) had previously debuted in Hawkeye Vol.1 #3 (Nov. 1983) and were also created by Mark Gruenwald.

Publication history

Bombshell and Oddball first appeared in Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...

Vol.1 #3-4 (1983) and battled the title character. They later joined the juggling supervillain team known as the Death-Throws to face Hawkeye in the pages of Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

#317 (1986) and Avengers Spotlight
Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers was an American comic book series, published by Marvel Comics, and was a spin-off from the company's superhero team title Avengers. It ran for 20 issues until it was renamed Avengers Spotlight with issue 21...

#23-25 (1989). Oddball battled Hawkeye once again in Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman #1 (1998).

The Death-Throws later appeared in Union Jack
Union Jack (Joseph Chapman)
Union Jack is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe and the third person to take on the role of Union Jack...

Vol.2 #1-2 (2006) and had cameo appearances in Captain America #411-414 (1993) and Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...

#27 (2009).The Death-Throws have also had notable entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...

Vol.2 (Deluxe Edition) #3 (1985) and Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...

 Files
#1 (2009).

The members of the Death-Throws have made various minor solo appearances. Bombshell has appeared in Captain America #388-392 (1991), Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 (1992), Web of Spider-Man
Web of Spider-Man
Web of Spider-Man is the name of two different monthly comic book series starring Spider-Man that have been published by Marvel Comics since 1985, the first volume of which ran for 129 issues between 1985 and 1995, and the second of which ran for 12 issues between 2009 and 2010.-Volume 1:The first...

 Annual
#8 (1992) and New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...

 Annual
#2 (1992). Oddball has featured in Captain America #395 (1991), Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy
The original Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 .-Publication history:...

#28 (1992) and Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...

Vol.2 #167 (2001). Knickknack has had cameo appearances in Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...

#53 (2001), Wolverine Vol.3 #26 (2005) and Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...

: The Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...

#1 (2009).

Crossfire
Crossfire (comics)
Crossfire is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Steven Grant and artist Jim Craig in Marvel Two-in-One #52...

's robotic army of Death T.H.R.O.W.S. have appeared in Hawkeye & Mockingbird
Hawkeye & Mockingbird
Hawkeye & Mockingbird is a comic book ongoing series published by Marvel Comics starring superheroes Hawkeye and Mockingbird.-Publication history:...

#2-5 (2010) and The Heroic Age
Heroic Age (comics)
"The Heroic Age" is a 2010 comic book branding that ran through a number of books published by Marvel Comics. It began in May 2010, marking a major change in the status quo of the Marvel Universe after the events of the "Siege" crossover event, much as "The Initiative" and "Dark Reign" dealt with...

: Villains
#1 (2011).

Fictional team history

The Ringleader and the Healey brothers (Oddball and Tenpin) came together to form the juggling-themed supervillain group, the Death-Throws. Knickknack was later recruited as the fourth member of the group. Oddball, given to his eccentric behaviour, quit the Death-Throws and branched out on his own. Oddball was hired, along with Bombshell, by Crossfire
Crossfire (comics)
Crossfire is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Steven Grant and artist Jim Craig in Marvel Two-in-One #52...

 to battle Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...

 and Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...

. The two supervillains subdued the heroes and delivered them to Crossfire. Later, when Hawkeye had managed to escape, Bombshell, Oddball and Crossfire were defeated and handed over to the authorities. Bombshell and Oddball were broken out of prison by Oddball's brother, Tenpin, and became members of the Death-Throws.

Oddball was contacted by Crossfire to break him out of prison. The Death-Throws took the job and were successful in their mission. But when Crossfire couldn't pay them for their services, the Death-Throws held him for ransom to lure Hawkeye into an ambush. The team were later defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...

. Sometime later, Crossfire placed a bounty on archer's right arm as he attempted to gain revenge against Hawkeye. The Death-Throws (along with the Brothers Grimm
Brothers Grimm (comics)
The Brothers Grimm are two sets of fictional twin comic book supervillains, owned by Marvel Comics and existing in that company's Marvel Universe.-First Pair:The first appearance of the first Brothers Grimm came in Spider-Woman #3...

, Bobcat, Bullet Biker, Mad Dog
Mad Dog (comics)
Mad-Dog is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:His first appearance is in Miss America Comics #2 . His first appearance as Buzz Baxter in modern comics was in Amazing Adventures #13 , and his first appearance as Mad-Dog was in Defenders vol...

, and Razor Fist
Razor Fist
Razor Fist is a Marvel Comics supervillain. There have actually been 3 characters, all virtually identical in appearance and ability, to go by this title. The original Razor Fist was killed off in the comic books many years ago. The next two characters to take the title were brothers...

) looked to cash in on the reward. The group, along with the rest of the supervillains, were defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Trick Shot
Trick Shot (comics)
Trick Shot is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Solo Avengers #1 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Mark Bright...

.

Johnny Guitar and Doctor Sax, who were minor supervillains known for battling Dazzler, later applied for membership into the Death-Throws. However, the two music-themed supervillains were quickly rejected on the basis that they couldn't juggle.

Going solo

Bombshell underwent a genetic experiment to gain superpowers. She gained the ability to fire explosive energy blasts from her hands. Bombshell then joined an all female team of supervillains called the Femizons
Femizons
Femizon may refer to one of two groups owned by Marvel Comics and appearing in their Marvel Universe.The first group to be called Femizons were the women of Femizonia, a gyniarchal future world in an alternate timeline where women had become Amazon-like warriors, ruling over male slaves...

. The team were later defeated by Captain America. Bombshell's experimental new powers soon faded. Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer is a fictional character that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. As a frequent adversary of the superhero Iron Man, Justin Hammer exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...

 hired a number of supervillains (including Bombshell) to battle Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...

 and the New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...

. Justin Hammer and the supervillains then allied themselves with the Sphinx When Sphinx revealed his true intentions of total world domination, Bombshell panicked and fled.

After being seen playing a game of pool with 8-Ball
8-Ball (comics)
8-Ball is the name used by different characters from Marvel Comics. The first 8-Ball fully appeared in Sleepwalker #2 although he was seen on the television in #1.-Jeff Hagees:...

 in the Bar with No Name, Oddball was recruited by Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics since 1963. A highly intelligent mad scientist, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's greatest foes...

 to join his incarnation of the Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....

. The team were quickly defeated by the Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy
The original Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 .-Publication history:...

. Oddball was later hired by Albino and Taskmaster to once again battle Hawkeye. He was defeated by the archer and the young Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...

 recruits Justice and Firestar
Firestar
Firestar is a fictional mutant superhero in the . Debuting in 1981 on the NBC animated television series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, she has the ability to generate and manipulate microwave radiation, which allows her to generate intense heat and flames, and to fly...

. Oddball was later killed while taking part in the Bloodsport competition in Mardipoor. He was slain in the first round of the tournament by a tribal warrior called the Headhunter.

S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....

 reported that Knickknack was killed and resurrected to serve HYDRA
HYDRA
HYDRA is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Universe.Despite the name's capitalization per Marvel's official spelling, the name is not an acronym but rather a reference to the mythical Lernaean Hydra...

 and the Hand
Hand (comics)
The Hand is a fictional supervillainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe.The Hand is an order of evil mystical ninja who are heavily involved in organized crime and mercenary activities such as assassination plots. The Hand covets power above all other objectives. They are primarily based...

 as part of their supervillain army. All the supervillains involved were released from the Hand's control and returned to normal.

Return as team

Orville Bock was hired by the Death-Throws to become the new Oddball, adopting the original Oddball's costume and trick juggling balls. The Death-Throws, along with Crossfire
Crossfire (comics)
Crossfire is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Steven Grant and artist Jim Craig in Marvel Two-in-One #52...

, were hired by R.A.I.D to take part in a terrorist attack on London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

. The team attacked civilians from the top of Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...

, but soon come into conflict with Union Jack
Union Jack (Joseph Chapman)
Union Jack is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe and the third person to take on the role of Union Jack...

 and Sabra
Sabra (comics)
Sabra is the alias of Ruth Bat-Seraph, a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:...

. Despite gaining the upperhand early in the battle, the Death-Throws and Crossfire were soon defeated. Bombshell, the last member of the team left standing, defused her bombs and surrendered.

The Death-Throws were among the supervillains researched by Quasimodo
Quasimodo (comics)
Quasimodo , also known as the Living Computer, is a supervillain in the Marvel Universe...

, on behalf of Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....

, as potential villainous recruits for H.A.M.M.E.R.
H.A.M.M.E.R.
H.A.M.M.E.R. is a fictional espionage and law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe led by Norman Osborn. The organization is formed in Secret Invasion #8 to replace S.H.I.E.L.D.. The organization plays a large part in Marvel's "Dark Reign" and Siege events.What H.A.M.M.E.R. stands for,...

 and the Initiative
Fifty State Initiative
The Fifty State Initiative, often referred to as simply The Initiative, is a fictional governmental plan that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those related to The Avengers...

. Knickknack later appeared as a member of Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...

's crime syndicate.

Members

  • Bombshell (Wendy Conrad)
    Bombshell (Marvel Comics)
    Bombshell is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Bombshell first appeared in Hawkeye Vol...

     - Juggles various anti-personnel weapons (including hand grenades, stun grenades and smoke bombs)
  • Knickknack (Nicholas Grossman)
    Knickknack (comics)
    Knickknack is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #317 and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary.-Publication history:...

     - Juggles an assortment of bladed instruments (including meat cleavers, hunting knives and chainsaws)
  • Oddball (Elton Healey)
    Oddball (comics)
    Oddball is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. The character first appeared in Hawkeye Vol.1 #3 and was created by Mark Gruenwald.-Publication history:...

     - Juggles various trick juggling balls (including acid balls, smoke balls and explosive balls)
  • Ringleader (Charles Last)
    Ringleader (comics)
    Ringleader is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #317 and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary.-Publication history:...

     - Juggles razor sharp rings
  • Tenpin (Alvin Healey)
    Tenpin (comics)
    Tenpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #317 and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary...

     - Juggles burning bowling pins


Later Members
  • Oddball (Orville Bock) - Juggles trick juggling balls

Death T.H.R.O.W.S.

In the past, the supervillain Crossfire
Crossfire (comics)
Crossfire is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Steven Grant and artist Jim Craig in Marvel Two-in-One #52...

 was known to employ the Death-Throws as his foot soldiers. However, deciding to leave behind the "fifth rate hacks in ridiculous costumes", Crossfire created a new army for himself. His "Death T.H.R.O.W.S". (Techno Hybird Remotely Operated Weapons Systems) are robotic constructs that obey only his commands and each carry a small capable arsenal concealed within their armored shells. Crossfire used his Death T.H.R.O.W.S. to battle his old enemies Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...

 and Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...

.

Originally, the robotic Death T.H.R.O.W.S. were known as 'Magnum Z's'. The Magnum Z's were fully automated smart soldiers created for the United States. But the US senate ceased their development when they realised that the Magnum Z's abilities were in conflict with the Geneva Convention. Crossfire acquired some of the defunct Magnum Z's to use in a plot to conquer the Isle of El Guapo, then later adapted them for his own purposes.

Mini Marvels

The Death-Throws make a cameo appearance in the Mini Marvels
Mini Marvels
Mini Marvels is an all-ages comic book written and illustrated by Chris Giarrusso and published by Marvel Comics. The comic has been published in the form of back-ups in other comic books as well as original one-shots and trade paperback collections...

 cartoon comic strip storyline "Paperboy Showdown" featured in Spidey and the Mini Marvels #1 (2003) and collected in Mini Marvels: Ultimate Collection (2009). The team can be seen playing basketball in the background in the Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...

's paperboy training facility.

Solo versions

Versions of Bombshell and Oddball have appeared in the Last Avengers Story #1-2 (1995) which is set in an alternate future. In the Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...

universe, two characters appear using the Bombshell codename. The Bombshells are a mother/daughter team of criminals. Lori Baumgartner and her young daughter Lana are mutants whose powers are activated when they are close to one another. They have the ability to fire explosive energy beams from their hands. In their first appearance, the foul-mouthed Bombshells attempted to rob a bank vault but are foiled by Spider-Man. Later, they attempted to rob an armored truck until the Human Torch and Spider-Woman arrived on the scene and defeated them.

External links

  • Bombshell at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Knickknack at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Oddball (Orville Bock) at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Oddball (Elton Healey) at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Ringleader at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Tenpin at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
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