Nuke (Marvel Comics)
Nuke | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Daredevil #232 (July 1986) |
Created by | Frank Miller David Mazzucchelli |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Francis "Frank" Simpson |
Species | Human mutate-cyborg |
Team affiliations | Weapon Plus Thunderbolts |
Notable aliases | Agent Simpson, Scourge |
Abilities | Cybernetic enhancements grant: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and sturdiness Second heart Remote-controlled vital functions |
Nuke (Francis "Frank" Simpson) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Frank Miller and artist David Mazzucchelli, the character first appeared in Daredevil #232 (July 1986). Nuke's most distinguishing feature is an American Flag tattooed on his face.
A variation of Nuke named Will Simpson appeared in the first and second seasons of Marvel's Netflix television series, Jessica Jones, portrayed by Wil Traval.
Publication history
Nuke was created by
Fictional character biography
Frank Simpson was a test subject of the Weapon Plus program, the supersoldier program that had created Captain America and would later have their Weapon X facility transform Wolverine into a killing machine. The enhancing and conditioning process went awry, leaving Nuke seriously deranged.
Early life
The origins of Nuke are explained in Wolverine: Origins.
The disturbed son of a wealthy, abusive, alcoholic, upper-class woman in Ohio, Frank soon developed an unhealthy affection for his babysitter, the only real maternal figure in his life. The young woman, who was harboring feelings for his father Charles Simpson, capitalized on Frank's affection and talked the boy into killing his mother. Wolverine, at that time an operative for Weapon Plus, had been sent to kidnap Frank. Wolverine showed up, dressed as a cop. He then stalked Charles and the babysitter, eventually shooting the girl with Charles's gun, after which Charles committed suicide. Wolverine then went to Frank's place and abducted him for the supersoldier project.[1]
Years later, Frank Simpson was sent into the
At some time during the war, Nuke was inducted into the final part of the Project Homegrown, the Weapon VII programs, that turned him into a partial cyborg with a subdermal mesh able to deflect bullets, and a second heart that, working in conjunction with some (placebo) pills, controlled his aggression, leaving him addicted as well. His whereabouts after the war are still unknown.[3]
First appearance
Nuke resurfaces employed by Generalissimo Felix Guillermo Carridad of Tierra Verde to destroy a rebel base. Carridad is impressed with his skills, and he enjoys using Nuke periodically as a superhuman iconic symbol.
Wolverine: Origins – The Death of Wolverine
In the series Wolverine: Origins, following Wolverine's full memories regained, and embarking on a mission to take care of loose ends, the U.S. government dispatches Nuke to hunt Wolverine down.
During Norman Osborn's tenure as the head of the American peace-keeping organization H.A.M.M.E.R., the character uses the "Scourge" alias and added to the Thunderbolts,[9] and is demoted from the position of team leader.[10] During Osborn's final confrontation, he sustains injuries that render him comatose.[11]
Simpson is allied with the Iron Nail, attacking individuals in Europe that he perceives as enemies of America, until he is stopped by Captain America.[12] He is caught in an explosion and presumed dead.[13] Nuke later appears alive with a shaved head in the Death of Wolverine mini-series. He is seen working for Madame Hydra and hunting Wolverine as part of her bounty. While at a bar in British Columbia, Wolverine's adamantium skull headbutts Nuke to spread the word that he spared him while also getting the information on who placed the bounty on him.[14]
Powers and abilities
Nuke possesses various superhuman physical attributes as a result of various
Apparently Nuke's metabolism is now remote controlled from a secret base on Tierra Verde, whose technicians are able to shut down the biomech systems in Nuke's body.[8]
Pills
Nuke has a second heart, and takes different colored pills to produce different bodily effects. Nuke's pill colors are: red, for increased adrenaline; white, to keep him balanced between missions; and blue, to bring him down.
It was originally stated that the red pills Nuke took affected his
Other versions
In the House of M storyline, Nuke is one of the government agents (alongside Mimic and Agent Barnes) sent to Genosha to kill Magneto and as many of his followers as possible. He and Mimic served as a distraction while Agent Barnes snuck into Magneto's headquarters.[15] When Nuke entered Wanda's bedroom in order to kill her, he was disassembled by her.[16]
What If vol. 2 #48 showed what would have happened if Daredevil had saved Nuke. This story manifests as Ben Urich pondering the situation and thinking of alternatives.[17]
The
In the
In other media
A variation of Nuke named William "Will" Simpson appears in the
References
- ^ Wolverine: Origins #3 (2006). Marvel Comics.
- ^ Wolverine: Origins #2 (2006). Marvel Comics.
- ^ New X-Men #145. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Wolverine vol. 2 #18. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Daredevil #232–233. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Wolverine: Origins #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Wolverine: Origins #1–2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ a b Wolverine: Origins #3–5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Thunderbolts #133 – 135. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Thunderbolts #136. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Thunderbolts #142 – 145. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Captain America vol. 7 #12. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Captain America vol. 7 #17. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Death of Wolverine #1
- ^ Civil War: House of M #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Civil War: House of M #4. Marvel Comics.
- ^ What If vol. 2 #48. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Captain America #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Captain America #2. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Captain America #4. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1. Marvel Comics/DC Comics.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (October 10, 2015). "NYCC 2015: Marvel's Nuke Looks To Be Part Of Jessica Jones". IGN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ Dyce, Andrew (November 23, 2015). "Jessica Jones Easter Eggs, Marvel Connections, & Comic Nods". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ^ a b Spiro, Minkie (director); Aida Mashaka Croal (writer) (March 8, 2018). "AKA Freak Accident". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 2. Episode 2. Netflix.
- ^ Petrarca, David (director); Liz Friedman and Scott Reynolds (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA It's Called Whiskey". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 3. Netflix.
- ^ Petrarca, David (director); Hilly Hicks Jr. (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA 99 Friends". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 4. Netflix.
- ^ Jones, Simon Cellan (director); Scott Reynolds (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA WWJD?". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 8. Netflix.
- ^ Dahl, John (director); Jamie King & Dana Baratta (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA Sin Bin". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 9. Netflix.
- ^ Rodriguez, Rosemary (director); Dana Baratta & Micah Schraft (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA 1,000 Cuts". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 10. Netflix.
- ^ Briesewitz, Uta (director); Scott Reynolds & Liz Friedman (writer) (November 20, 2015). "AKA I've Got the Blues". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 1. Episode 11. Netflix.
- ^ Foerster, Anna (director); Melissa Rosenberg (writer) (March 8, 2018). "AKA Start at the Beginning". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 2. Episode 1. Netflix.
- ^ Almas, Mairzee (director); Lisa Randolph (writer) (March 8, 2018). "AKA Sole Survivor". Marvel's Jessica Jones. Season 2. Episode 3. Netflix.