Thunderstrike (Kevin Masterson)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Masterson, a fictional character
that appeared in Marvel Comics
. The character was first introduced as a supporting character in Thor
and later in spin-off
series Thunderstrike
, as the son of Eric Masterson, the featured character of both series. Kevin Masterson was later re-introduced MC2 series A-Next
, as the superhero Thunderstrike, a theme which would be revisited in an Heroic Age
of Marvel Comics in the eponymous limited series
and Ron Frenz
, first appearing in Thor vol. 1 #392 in June 1988 as the son of the Eric Masterson. He would continue to appear in a supporting role in Thor and spin-off series, Thunderstrike.
The character would be re-imagined in What If vol. 2 #105, appearing for the first time as a new version of Thunderstrike. An origin for Kevin Masterson as Thunderstrike would appear in the follow-up MC2 series A-Next #1, where he would continue to be featured, as part of the ensemble cast of characters. He would also appear in the MC2 series Last Hero Standing
and sequel Last Planet Standing
; as well as, the follow-up series Avengers Next.
The use of Kevin Masterson as a legacy version of Thunderstrike was a theme revisited during the Heroic Age
. It was announced that the character would return in a new five-issue miniseries by co-creators Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz in November 2010. Promotionals leading into the event began in August depicting the mace stating "One will rise..." and "The World Still Needs Heroes." The first issues received generally positive reviews, lauding the premise, characterization and plotting. By series end the book was praised for plotting, diaglogue, and characterization, with the contemporization of a classic character into timeless.
Thunderstrike is set to appear in Fear Itself: The Home Front.
.
As the series continues, Thunderstrike's biggest challenge comes when the Avengers travel to a dark parallel dimension, where he encounters a dark version of his father. The alternate Eric Masterson recognized Thunderstrike as Kevin, who learns that in this reality, he, not Eric, has died. The alternate Eric and Kevin bonded, and once the Avengers defeat the dark dimension's ruler, Kevin stays behind to be with his "father".
Kevin returns to his home reality, and rejoins the Avengers to aid in the battle with Seth. When Galactus
destroys Asgard
, Thunderstrike seemingly loses his powers in Last Planet Standing
. He is kidnapped by Ulik and Sylene, daughter of Loki, as part of a plan to restore Asgard; but, Kevin Masterson struggles against his captors. Ultimately he is responsible for turning the tables on the villains. Thena
, daughter of Thor, who had also taken part in the battle against her cousin, is able to restore Kevin's power, allowing him to become Thunderstrike once again.
He is given his father's enchanted mace by Steven Rogers
; which to their mutual disappointment triggers no change in the character (although he does receive an open invitation to the Avengers Academy
, in which he is later seen arriving on their New Campus in California.).
While on his way home, Kevin tries to save a mother and child from a rampaging Rhino
, and is transformed into a superhero. Kevin briefly battles the Rhino, and shortly after Kevin is defeated, he realizes that he is in his father's body. Mangog
, a foe of Thor, resurfaces and threatens New York City
. The young hero teams with Thor, to battle the monster. Kevin accepts his new identity as Thunderstrike, along with a new image, and continues his adventures under the mentorship of Brunnhilde the Valkyrie.
During the Fear Itself
storyline, Thunderstrike ends up teleported onto a station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with Amadeus Cho
, X-23
, Spider-Girl
, and Power Man
. They end up fighting a bunch of samurai Shark Men. Kevin is part of the new class of students when the Avengers Academy
moves to the former headquarters of the West Coast Avengers
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
that appeared in 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...
. The character was first introduced as a supporting character in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
and later in spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series Thunderstrike
Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson)
Eric Masterson is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a superhero that has appeared as Thor and later Thunderstrike. The character was introduced as a supporting character in the Thor title, but continued in several other comic books, including the self-titled series Thunderstrike...
, as the son of Eric Masterson, the featured character of both series. Kevin Masterson was later re-introduced MC2 series A-Next
A-Next
A-Next is the Marvel Comics' MC2 universe version of the Avengers. The team made its first appearance in What If? #105, the first comic featuring Spider-Girl, and the team's origin story was told in the A-Next #1, cover dated October 1998....
, as the superhero Thunderstrike, a theme which would be revisited in an 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...
of Marvel Comics in the eponymous limited series
Publication history
Kevin Masterson was created by Tom DeFalcoTom DeFalco
Tom DeFalco is an American comics writer and editor, well known for his association with Marvel Comics and in particular for his work with Spider-Man.-Career:...
and Ron Frenz
Ron Frenz
Ronald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics. He is well-known for his 1980s work on Amazing Spider-Man, and more recently, for his work on Spider-Girl...
, first appearing in Thor vol. 1 #392 in June 1988 as the son of the Eric Masterson. He would continue to appear in a supporting role in Thor and spin-off series, Thunderstrike.
The character would be re-imagined in What If vol. 2 #105, appearing for the first time as a new version of Thunderstrike. An origin for Kevin Masterson as Thunderstrike would appear in the follow-up MC2 series A-Next #1, where he would continue to be featured, as part of the ensemble cast of characters. He would also appear in the MC2 series Last Hero Standing
Last Hero Standing
Last Hero Standing is a 5-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 2005. It was written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Pat Olliffe ....
and sequel Last Planet Standing
Last Planet Standing
Last Planet Standing is a 5-issue comic book limited series, published by Marvel Comics in 2006. It was written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Pat Olliffe . It stars many characters from the MC2 Universe...
; as well as, the follow-up series Avengers Next.
The use of Kevin Masterson as a legacy version of Thunderstrike was a theme revisited during 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...
. It was announced that the character would return in a new five-issue miniseries by co-creators Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz in November 2010. Promotionals leading into the event began in August depicting the mace stating "One will rise..." and "The World Still Needs Heroes." The first issues received generally positive reviews, lauding the premise, characterization and plotting. By series end the book was praised for plotting, diaglogue, and characterization, with the contemporization of a classic character into timeless.
Thunderstrike is set to appear in Fear Itself: The Home Front.
MC2
Kevin Masterson is granted the mace of his deceased father by Jarvis, the Avengers butler, per his father's will. The mace is stolen from Kevin and even comes into the possession of Loki, who had created a spell to tap the dormant power within the mace. Kevin leaps into the midst of the spell, absorbing the mace and the magics it contains. He becomes his own version of Thunderstrike and a founding member of a new version the AvengersA-Next
A-Next is the Marvel Comics' MC2 universe version of the Avengers. The team made its first appearance in What If? #105, the first comic featuring Spider-Girl, and the team's origin story was told in the A-Next #1, cover dated October 1998....
.
As the series continues, Thunderstrike's biggest challenge comes when the Avengers travel to a dark parallel dimension, where he encounters a dark version of his father. The alternate Eric Masterson recognized Thunderstrike as Kevin, who learns that in this reality, he, not Eric, has died. The alternate Eric and Kevin bonded, and once the Avengers defeat the dark dimension's ruler, Kevin stays behind to be with his "father".
Kevin returns to his home reality, and rejoins the Avengers to aid in the battle with Seth. When Galactus
Galactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
destroys Asgard
Asgard (comics)
Asgard is a fictional realm within the Marvel Comics universe based on the Asgard of Norse mythology and is home to the Asgardians and other beings of Norse mythology...
, Thunderstrike seemingly loses his powers in Last Planet Standing
Last Planet Standing
Last Planet Standing is a 5-issue comic book limited series, published by Marvel Comics in 2006. It was written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Pat Olliffe . It stars many characters from the MC2 Universe...
. He is kidnapped by Ulik and Sylene, daughter of Loki, as part of a plan to restore Asgard; but, Kevin Masterson struggles against his captors. Ultimately he is responsible for turning the tables on the villains. Thena
Thena (MC2)
Thena is a fictional comic book character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. She is a member of the Asgardian race. She exists in MC2, a possible future timeline of the main Marvel continuity and is the daughter of the Avenger and god of Thunder, Thor....
, daughter of Thor, who had also taken part in the battle against her cousin, is able to restore Kevin's power, allowing him to become Thunderstrike once again.
Thunderstrike (limited series)
An embittered adolescent Kevin Masterson is featured in the Thunderstrike limited series. The character previously featured as a idealistic child is shown to have anger, behavioral problems, and disillusioned outlook on "spandex-covered glory hounds."He is given his father's enchanted mace by Steven Rogers
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...
; which to their mutual disappointment triggers no change in the character (although he does receive an open invitation to the Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy is a Marvel Comics comic book series that debuted in June 2010 as part of the "Heroic Age". The series is written by Christos Gage, with artwork by Mike McKone and tells the story of a group of young super-powered persons who were selected to join a training academy for the...
, in which he is later seen arriving on their New Campus in California.).
While on his way home, Kevin tries to save a mother and child from a rampaging Rhino
Rhino (comics)
The Rhino is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr., the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 The Rhino (Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich) is a fictional character that appears in comic...
, and is transformed into a superhero. Kevin briefly battles the Rhino, and shortly after Kevin is defeated, he realizes that he is in his father's body. Mangog
Mangog
Mangog is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Thor #154 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, a foe of Thor, resurfaces and threatens New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The young hero teams with Thor, to battle the monster. Kevin accepts his new identity as Thunderstrike, along with a new image, and continues his adventures under the mentorship of Brunnhilde the Valkyrie.
During the Fear Itself
Fear Itself (comics)
"Fear Itself" is a 2011 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of a seven-issue, eponymous miniseries written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, a prologue book by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scott Eaton, and...
storyline, Thunderstrike ends up teleported onto a station in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho, also known as Mastermind Excello, is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Greg Pak and artist Takeshi Miyazawa, the character first appeared in Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #15...
, X-23
X-23
X-23 is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the X-Men. X-23 is a female clone of Wolverine.-Publication history:...
, Spider-Girl
Anya Corazon
Anya Sofia Corazon is a fictional half Mexican and half Puerto Rican superheroine in the . She formerly went by the codename Araña, but is currently known as Spider-Girl.-Publication history:...
, and Power Man
Power Man (Victor Alvarez)
Victor Alvarez is a fictional comic book superhero published by Marvel Comics. He is the third person to use the Power Man alias after Erik Josten and Luke Cage.-Publication history:...
. They end up fighting a bunch of samurai Shark Men. Kevin is part of the new class of students when the Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy is a Marvel Comics comic book series that debuted in June 2010 as part of the "Heroic Age". The series is written by Christos Gage, with artwork by Mike McKone and tells the story of a group of young super-powered persons who were selected to join a training academy for the...
moves to the former headquarters of the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
.
MC2
Kevin has the ability to change from his normal form into the superhuman Thunderstrike. As Thunderstrike, he has the powers contained within the mace. Thunderstrike is superhumanly strong and durable. He can generate explosive bursts of sonic force (his "thunderbolts") from his hands, and direct them as blasts of force, or focus the energy into his fists to deliver super-strong punches. Thunderstrike can direct his blasts downwards to launch himself into the air, and while he cannot fly, can propel himself great distances. He even learned how to modulate the frequency of his sonic energies, to shatter objects just by touching them, without harming nearby people.Thunderstrike (limited series)
Kevin's demonstrated powers in the limited series are the same as his father's, including the reversion to his normal state if he is separated from Thunderstrike for over sixty seconds. He did not use the ability to fire energy blasts from the mace in the limited series. Thanks to tutoring by the valkyrie Gruenhilda, he is also capable of changing his appearance as Thunderstrike, finally choosing a form which is a modified version of his normal self.External links
- Thunderstrike (Kevin Masterson) at Marvel Wiki