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Death-Throws
Tenpin

The Death-Throws are a team of supervillains appearing in

as weapons.

Publication history

Bombshell and Oddball first appeared in 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 #317 (1986) and Avengers Spotlight #23-25 (1989). Oddball battled Hawkeye once again in Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman #1 (1998).

The Death-Throws later appeared in Union Jack Vol.2 #1-2 (2006) and had cameo appearances in Captain America #411-414 (1993) and Avengers: The Initiative #27 (2009).The Death-Throws have also had notable entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Vol.2 (Deluxe Edition) #3 (1985) and Dark Reign Files #1 (2009).

The members of the Death-Throws have made various minor solo appearances. Bombshell has appeared in Captain America #388-392 (1991),

#1 (2009).

: 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 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

Johnny Guitar and Doctor Sax, who were minor supervillains known for battling

Going solo

Bombshell underwent a genetic experiment to gain superpowers, gaining the ability to fire explosive energy blasts from her hands. Bombshell then joined an all female team of supervillains called the Femizons. The team were later defeated by Captain America. Bombshell's experimental new powers soon faded.^[7] Justin Hammer hired a number of supervillains (including Bombshell) to battle Spider-Man and the New Warriors.^[8] Justin Hammer and the supervillains then allied themselves with the Sphinx^[9] When Sphinx revealed his true intentions of total world domination, Bombshell panicked and fled.^[10]

After being seen playing a game of pool with

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 were among the supervillains researched by

During the "Devil's Reign" storyline, the Death-Throws members Ringleader, Bombshell, and Tenpin were shown as inmates of the Myrmidon. When 8-Ball offered to sit with them, they turn him down.^[21]

Members

Bombshell

Bombshell juggles various anti-personnel weapons including hand grenades, stun grenades, and smoke bombs.

Knickknack

Nicholas "Nick" Grossman was born in

's crime syndicate. In flashback, Knickknack appears alongside Ringleader as he turns down Johnny Guitar and Doctor Sax for membership into the Death-Throws on the basis that the two music-themed supervillains couldn't juggle.

Powers and Abilities: Knickknack juggles an assortment of bladed instruments including meat cleavers, hunting knives and chainsaws.

Elton Healey

Oddball juggles various trick juggling balls including acid balls, smoke balls, and explosive balls.

Orville Bock

Like the original Oddball, this version of Oddball can also juggle various trick juggling balls including acid balls, smoke balls, and explosive balls.

Ringleader

Charles Last was born in

. He went to become a juggling supervillain known as the Ringleader and the leader of the supervillain team, the Death-Throws. Ringleader was hired along with the Death-Throws by Crossfire to help him escape from prison. The Death-Throws complete their mission, but decide to hold Crossfire hostage instead. The group are defeated and arrested by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Captain America. Later, Ringleader and the rest of the Death-Throws, along with various other supervillains, attempt to claim the bounty put on Hawkeye's right arm by Crossfire. However, all of the supervillains looking to claim the bounty are defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Trick Shot. Later, Ringleader and the Death-Throws are hired by R.A.I.D to take part in a terrorist attack on London. They attack civilians from the top of Tower Bridge, but soon come into battle with Union Jack and Sabra. In flashback, Ringleader turns down Johnny Guitar and Doctor Sax for membership into the Death-Throws on the basis that the two music-themed supervillains couldn't juggle.

Powers and Abilities: Ringleader juggles razor-sharp rings.

Tenpin

Alvin Healey was born in Reno, Nevada. He went to become a juggling supervillain known as the Tenpin and a member of the Death-Throws supervillain team. When his brother Elton Healey (known as the supervillain Oddball) was arrested after an encounter with Hawkeye, Tenpin broke his brother out of prison.^[22]

Tenpin was hired along with the Death-Throws by Crossfire to help escape from prison. The Death-Throws complete their mission, but decide to hold Crossfire hostage instead. The group are defeated and arrested by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Captain America. Later, Tenpin and the rest of the Death-Throws, along with various other supervillains, attempt to claim the bounty put on Hawkeye's right arm by Crossfire. However, all of the supervillains looking to claim the bounty are defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Trick Shot.

Tenpin's brother Oddball was killed by Headhunter while taking part in a Bloodsport tournament in Madripoor.

Later, Tenpin and the Death-Throws are hired by R.A.I.D to take part in a terrorist attack on London. They attack civilians from the top of Tower Bridge, but soon come into battle with Union Jack and Sabra.

Powers and Abilities: Tenpin is an expert juggler. He juggles with flaming, specially weighted, bowling pins which he also uses as projectiles. Tenpin also learned to be a street fighter in his younger days with his brother, Elton.

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

In the past, the supervillain Crossfire was known to employ the Death-Throws as his foot soldiers.^[23] 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 Hybrid Remotely Operated Weapons Systems) are robotic constructs that obey only his commands and each carry a small capable arsenal concealed within their armored shells.^[24] Crossfire used his Death T.H.R.O.W.S. to battle his old enemies Hawkeye and Mockingbird.^[25]

Originally, the robotic Death T.H.R.O.W.S. were known as 'Magnum Z's'.

Other versions

Mini Marvels

The Death-Throws make a cameo appearance in the Mini Marvels 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's paperboy training facility.^[28]

Solo versions

Versions of Bombshell and Oddball have appeared in the Last Avengers Story #1-2 (1995) which is set in an alternative future.^[29] In the Ultimate Marvel 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.^[30] Later, they attempted to rob an armored truck until the Human Torch and Spider-Woman arrived on the scene and defeated them.^[31]

In other media

• A character inspired by Alvin Healy named John Healy appears in the
  James Wesley hires Nelson & Murdock to defend Healy by claiming self-defense. Disliking Healy, Foggy Nelson initially tries to turn down the case, but Matt Murdock overrules the decision to gain information on Healy. When Healy goes to trial, Murdock realizes that several of the jurors are being blackmailed by Fisk. Despite Murdock's best efforts, the jury deadlocks, and Healy is released without a retrial. He is later accosted by Murdock, who interrogates Healy for his benefactor's name. Realizing that neither he nor his loved ones will be safe if he confesses, Healy abruptly kills himself.^{[dubious – discuss}
  ]
• Tenpin appears in M.O.D.O.K., voiced by Chris Parnell. This version is an inept supervillain who primarily hangs out at the Bar with No Name.

References

External links

• Death-Throws at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Bombshell at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Knickknack at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Oddball (Elton Healey) at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  • Oddball (Orville Bock) 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