"If you know what is good for you, you won't bother me any further. You haven't a chance against me. My power comes The Queen of The Asgardian Norns"
Dr. Eliot Franklin - Thunderball
Born in Buffalo, New York Elliot Franklin was always a child ahead of others when it came to intelligence. As an adult he became a physicist and an engineer. He was often called "The Black Bruce Banner." However, Eliot was actually smarter than Bruce Banner. While Bruce failed at creating a miniature gamma-ray bomb and became The Hulk, Eliot succeeded. But, what's the difference between Eliot and Bruce? Well Bruce is white and could easily receive funding for his work in the when Eliot couldn't.
To fund his research Eliot was forced to commit crimes. After completing the bomb Eliot asked for his payment from J.C. Pennysworth who was one of the top executives at Richmond Enterprises, who had commissioned the work. Because racism was a thing, they told Eliot that they owned all of his work and he would get nothing. In fact, they fired him to prevent him from taking it with him. When Eliot got mad and flipped over a desk Pennysworth called security to escort him out.
Eliot decided that he would steal his work back and sell it on the black market. While breaking into Richmond Enterprises he was captured and arrested. In prison he met "The Wrecker" Dick Garthwaite as well as Henry Camp, and Brian Philip Calusky. The four shared a cell so when Garthwaite broke out of prison during a Thunderstorm the other three followed. Once free he recovered his magical crowbar and all four men placed their hands on it. The crowbar was struck by lighting giving Dick his powers back and turning Elliot into Thunderball, Calusky into Piledriver and Camp into Bulldozer. Eliot picked up a wrecking ball that was made indestructible by the crowbar.
Eliot then convinced the team now known as The Wrecking Crew that they should steal his bomb from Richmond and use it to hold New York for ransom. Instead of just planning a heist like he was used to the Team started destroying Richmond buildings, taking them all out until they could find the bomb. However, they weren't very lucky. Soon they were stopped by The Defenders led by Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond, the lame one). They managed to defeat the then rookies and send them all to separate prisons.
Tbe Wrecking Crew took on The Avengers hoping to lure Thor into a fight. This was because the magic crowbar was a gift from Loki. It was really an accident but The Wrecker is stupid and believed Loki when he said it was a gift. But this isn't about him. During the first Secret Wars Eliot joined Doctor Doom's alliance to take on the heroes.
During Siege when villains took control of Avengers Mansion, Hercules attempted to stop Thunderball. However Hercules was almost beaten to death. However Eliot still holds some morals and he isn't a killer. Later Eliot attempted to usurp The Wrecker. This was because Eliot doesn't like The Wrecker. Sure, Eliot is now a giant of a man with super strength who swings a wrecking ball, but he's still a genius. He felt The Wrecker was impulsive and didn't think things through. On the other end of the spectrum The Wrecker feels like Eliot thinks he's better than everyone else. When the plot failed The Wrecker broke Eliot's hand and the entire crew ended up depowered by Thor. Bringing an end to their participation in the siege. When Wrecker attempted to hurt Eliot again The Thing stepped in and knocked him out. Eliot's problem here was he didn't realize the longer you're in direct contact with the crowbar the stronger you become and Wrecker was always in contact with the crowbar constantly gaining power.
While in jail Thunderball's wrecking ball went missing. He found it in the lost and found box of Damage Control. Afterwards he hung out with them like they weren't heroes and he wasn't a villain. Truly considering them friends especially John Porter, who introduced him to the YMCA. Comics were weird. When other members of the Wrecking Crew were breaking out of prison at The Vault Eliot convinced them that John had superpowers and they fled from him. What was really happening was Eliot was hitting them while the lights were of to prevent any harm coming to John.
During the breakout a reunited Wrecking Crew took on The Freedom Force. After defeating them, Thunderball beat Venom for leadership of the criminals participating in the break out. Tony Stark and Hank Pym failed to disarm a bomb planted by another group of prisoners but Thunderball managed to disarm it. This left them shocked allowing the criminals to make quick work of Tony and Hank setting the Crew free again.
At some point they lost their Asgardian powers when Loki took them back. Since the power wasn't meant for Wrecker anyway. However Eliot devised a plan that would empower them once again. He stole energy from a variety of different sources, including Monica Rambeau. Some time after regaining their powers they conquered the planet of Plemachus, home world of Avengers frienemy Arkon. They defeat Arkon and his army with the help of Arkon's Grand Vizier. Eventually the Avengers arrived and they were overthrown.
After losing to The Young Avengers and Runaways, Eliot once again begins growing tired of The Wrecking Crew. The crew goes their separate ways and Eliot has some success. Mainly because people think he's dead after a magical impostor is killed in London by Captain Brittain after an assassination attempt on Captain America. During Civil War the group is reunited in Hood's Army. He manages to gain leadership finally since he's Hood's right hand man. Elliot is the first of the villains to discover the Skrull invasion and helps clear their ranks of Skrull clones.
Things actually go well for a while after that. However during the gangs raid on Asgard he states that stealing from Asgard was an act of blasphemy. They knocked him out bring an end to his role as leader, no matter how much more successful they were under his leadership. Funny enough this let the Young Avengers beat them once again. Shortly afterwards they're hired to recover Wolverine's remains by Mister Sinister but since Eliot isn't in charge they fail.
After Secret Wars Thunderball is now part of The Hood's Illuminati. When asked about why he isn't speaking with The Wrecking Crew anymore he states "I ditched them. I needed a change and The Hood offered it." So he's officially flying solo now.
Abilities and Powers
- Genius level intellect
- Super Strength
- Super durability
- Super Stamina
- Indestructible wrecking ball
- Can change direction midair
- Electrified - can electrocute others who use it
- Can shoot energy blats
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Tags:
Black Supervillains
