The Shocker (Herman Schultz) is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.
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Publication history[edit][]
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The character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #46 (March 1967) and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr..[1]
He appeared as a regular character in Thunderbolts from issue #157 to 162, when he deserted the team.
Fictional character biography[edit][]
Herman Schultz was born in New York City. He was a high school dropoutwho had brilliant talents as both an inventor and an engineer. Instead of using such talents to gain legitimate employment, he became a successful burglar and (according to him in later stories) the world's best safe-cracker. After finally being caught and incarcerated for his crimes, he developed a pair of gauntlets designed to shoot air blasts, vibrating at high frequency.
Schultz uses his gauntlets to escape from prison and becomes the supervillain known as "The Shocker". He defeats Spider-Man in their first confrontation (since Spider-Man was at a disadvantage due to having a bad sprain in his left arm from his earlier battle with the Lizard[2]) during a robbery. While robbing a bank, he was later beaten and sent back to prison by Spider-Man who pinned Schultz's thumbs away from the gauntlets' triggers with his webbing then knocked him out.[3]
Shocker later stole an ancient stone tablet with an inscription for a formula that could restore youth, that had been earlier stolen by the Kingpin.[4]Likely Schultz's most ambitious solo exploit was his attempt to hold New York City for ransom by blacking out various electrical grids to spell out his name, and extort one million dollars from the city.[5] He then made one million dollars by harassing a stock broker.[6] Shocker later joinedEgghead's Masters of Evil (with Radioactive Man, Tiger Shark, Moonstone, and the Beetle) to incriminate Dr. Henry Pym, who was then on trial for treason. The Masters battled the Avengers in this encounter.[7] Shocker was later hired by the Nazi war criminal Baron Von Lundt to kill Dominic Fortune, and built the vibro-shock units into his entire uniform to do so.[8]Shocker was hired by the Chameleon and Hammerhead to induce Electroto join their organization.[9] Shocker later attempted to steal thousands of charity dollars at the celebrity fund raiser for the New York City Library.[10] He's captured by Spider-Man and sent to prison. He later escapes with the help of fellow inmate Boomerang. By this time, he's developed severe confidence issues and has become terrified that the Scourge of the Underworld is going to kill him. A tipping point occurs when Spider-Man apprehends him and seems to not take him seriously. Enraged, Shocker defeats Spider-Man and is about to finish him off when a Scourge imposter intervenes, causing Shocker to flee.[11] When he next appeared his confidence issues are gone. He aims to hunt down Scourge himself and kill him first.[12]
Shocker has proven to be a constant presence among Spider-Man's gallery of enemies. He often works as a member of a team (including Hobgoblin's Sinister Seven, Norman Osborn's Sinister Twelve, Doctor Octopus's most recent Sinister Six, and the Masters of Evil) or in partnership with at least one other villain. Previous alliances include Boomerang, The Beetle,Rhino, Leila Davis, Hydro-Man, and Speed Demon (all of which made up the Sinister Syndicate), and Trapster, Constrictorand Jack O'Lantern. He also teamed up with a large group of villains during the Acts of Vengeance, when he helped them unsuccessfully attack the Fantastic Four.[13]
During one of his team-ups with Doctor Octopus, he participated in a raid on Avengers Mansion, hoping to help conquer it as the heroes were distracted by the events of the Infinity War. Shocker was forced to fight alongside the heroes called theGuardians of the Galaxy when alien doubles of both sides attacked. After the doubles stopped coming, Octopus tried to order Shocker and the others to continue fighting the heroes but instead, they turned on him. They did not wish to harm the people who had helped save their lives. Shocker helped chase Doctor Octopus out of the building.[14]
At one point in his career, Shocker became increasingly paranoid that he was on the Scourge of the Underworld's hit list, even though there was no actual proof that he was.[15] He thus started seeking ways to become more powerful, hoping to thwart any attempt on his life by the vigilante group.[volume & issue needed] Shocker somehow acquired actual superhuman vibration powers. As he becomes more powerful, he realizes that the new powers will eventually kill him. He seeks a vibrational harness to cure himself and is aided by Night Thrasher and Spider-Man.[16]
Shocker has had Spider-Man on the ropes on several occasions, with timely interventions often saving Spider-Man. Individuals thwarting Shocker's victories over Spider-Man include security guards, Dominic Fortune, and even a Scourge of the Underworld impostor. Shocker has also let Spider-Man go on a few occasions, the first being when he found Spider-Man incapacitated with a bout of vertigo on the outside of a tall building. He doesn't kill Spider-Man, thinking it an unworthy end, but doesn't help him either.[17]
Shocker found another moment of victory over Spider-Man when he teamed up with the Trapster. Sent by the Friends of Humanity to assassinate Paul Stacy, the duo managed to glue Stacy and Spider-Man together and corner them, only to be called off their assignment moments before finishing them off.[18]
Shocker would later turn on the Trapster at the bequest of Norman Osborn of having Trapster eliminated as a potential witness against his recent attempt to frame Spider-Man for murder. Preparing to kill the resigned Trapster in an alley, he was attacked and rendered unconscious at the last minute by Spider-Man (then disguised under the alias of Dusk).[19]
Shocker has a run-in with Iron Man on a subway car in NYC.[20]
Shocker is hired by the Golem, along with Constrictor and Jack O'Lantern, to protect a diamond delivery. He battles theHood.[21]
Shocker was terminated as a freelance agent by Hammer Industries and captured by Spider-Man while trying to rob a federal bank alongside Hydro-Man. He accidentally evaporates his water-based ally with a misplaced vibration.[22]
He allied himself with Speed Demon of the New Thunderbolts in order to break into a particularly well-guarded safe. Though the police arrived at his hide-out in quick pursuit, he was saved by Speed Demon, who dashed in and stole both the loot and Shocker's weapons, removing all traces of evidence (and, unfortunately for Shocker, also keeping the money to fund the Thunderbolts' further activities).[23]
Shocker plays a small role in the "Secret War" crossover event.[24]
A new version of the Sinister Six, with Shocker as a member, bands together during the Civil War but were stopped byCaptain America and his Secret Avengers.[25]
In The Punisher War Journal #4, he was among the group of villains that the Punisher attempts to kill at the wake of the recently deceased Stilt-Man. He survives the poisoning and fire-bombing. He later appears in She-Hulk #17 and later again in Avengers: The Initiative #3, in which he was shown to have partially reformed the Sinister Syndicate alongside Hydro-Man and Boomerang. This group attempts to rob Baily's Auction House but are interrupted by Spider-Man and then Initiative members War Machine and Komodo. The latter are there to neutralize Spider-Man. The trio escapes, only to be found and attacked by government operatives called 'Scarlet Spiders'.
In his first Brand New Day appearance, he is shown to have been hired by a mobster to take out a subway train wagon full of jurors. After a brief battle with Spider-Man, he is knocked unconscious while Spider-Man uses his gauntlets to destroy rubble blocking the path. Although he seems cooperative at first, as soon as he is secured by Spider-Man, he activates a powerful shock in his gauntlets through his belt, causing the main exit to collapse and allowing him to escape.[26] On their way to collect money from bets on superhero fights, Shocker and Boomerang discover the dead body of "the Bookie".[27]
Shocker later appeared as a member of Hood's crime syndicate.[28]
During the "Origin of the Species" storyline, Shocker is invited by Doctor Octopus to join his supervillain team where he exchange for securing some specific items for him. He and Tombstone went after Menace's infant in the restaurant shop, until Spider-Man interfered.[29] After he passes out from his fight, the police arrive but Shocker is carried away by Tombstone, who escapes.[30] When Spider-Man goes on a rampage against the villains after the infant was stolen from him by the Chameleon, he attacks Shocker in his hideout and threatens Shocker to tell him everything about the villains' whereabouts. Shocker tells Spider-Man that Chameleon has the baby at the Kravinoff Mansion.[31]
Shocker was then seen in the Raft due to a popular online vote at Marvel.com[32] and was selected to join the Thunderbolts's new Beta team called the Underbolts where it was revealed that MACH-V has put his name on the list of likely candidates.[33]
During the "Spider-Island" storyline, Spider-Man and Carlie Cooper encounter a six-armed Shocker. During the fight, Shocker reveals that he wants the money so that Mad Thinker can cure him. Shocker then pulls off his mask to reveal that he's slowly mutating into a spider-like creature.[34]
Shocker later appeared as a member of Villains for Hire (a villain counterpart of Heroes for Hire).[35]
As part of the Marvel NOW! event, Shocker appears as a member of the latest incarnation of the Sinister Six.[36] Shocker features as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man.
Powers and abilities[edit][]
The Shocker wears a pair of gauntlets he designed with vibro-shock units known as "vibro-smashers" that, when activated by a pump-action thumb trigger, can project a concentrated blast of compressed air that vibrates at an intense frequency. This creates a series of rapid-succession high-pressure air blasts that result in a series of powerful impacts. This allows Shocker to both effectively throw long range vibrational punches from a distance, creating destructive vibrations that can crumble solid concrete and cause extensive damage to the human body and its internal organs, as well as throw shock waves which vibrate the structure of something in order to weaken or destroy it. A lesser known ability of the gaunlets allows Shocker to make incredible leaps, by directing the air blasts toward the ground in front of him. Holding the thumb triggers down for an extended period of time increases the intensity, speed, and even spread of the air blasts.
The feedback from the Shocker's gauntlets is extremely intense (the initial test almost killed him). To guard himself from this, he developed a protective costume consisting largely of yellow quilt patches designed to absorb the shock. The costume is made of foam-lined synthetic fabric which absorbs all vibrations and establishes a vibrational shield which deflects normal blows and allows him to slip from any grasp. The costume's appearance has been the source of ridicule on the part of Spider-Man and other characters. How fellow villain the Looter was able to once wield one of the gauntlets without wearing a protective costume and suffering injury is unclear, though his super strength and durability were presumably a factor. Despite having no superhuman abilities, his vibrating suit and gauntlets enable him to trade blows with Spider-Man.
Around the year 2000 (real time), Herman Schultz began upgrading the abilities of his costume and weapons. His suit now contains a number of built-in shock units, which throw up a protective vibrational field when triggered by accompanying motion detectors. Besides deflecting most physical blows, this makes it difficult, if not impossible for someone to physically assault or grasp him by surprise. This power upgrade was accompanied by a much bulkier and more protective looking costume (as designed by artist John Romita, Jr.).
He also recently allowed Hammer Industries to drastically upgrade the power of his gauntlets. However, not trusting to share the whole of his secrets (and thus become what he perceives as expendable), he refused Hammer's technicians access to his actual costume, which (at least at the time) likely wasn't providing him with thorough protection from the feedback of the upgraded gauntlets (he cited nosebleeds as a risk he was willing to take).
Shocker has since appeared repeatedly in his original costume and minus the redesigned super-gauntlets provided to him by Hammer Industries. Whether or not this means he has found a way to retain his upgraded abilities in his old costume or whether he no longer uses them remains in question.
Motivations[edit][]
While most Spider-Man villains usually shift from their original goals to a vendetta against Spider-Man, the Shocker is still concerned largely with making a living and protecting his reputation. As such, the character is usually portrayed as behaving in a more professional manner than the majority of his maniacal peers.
Shocker has a notably rational personality among Spider-Man's enemies. He has often been shown to recognize his own limitations amongst a universe of super-powered individuals. He was once stricken with chronic anxiety and paranoia (in theDeadly Foes of Spider-Man series) stemming from his fears about being targeted by anti-heroes Scourge and the Punisher(surprisingly, he has survived encounters with both). While partnered with the Trapster, he mentions that he engages inpsychotherapy.
In recent stories ("Venomous" and "Senseless Violence"), Shocker has revealed that he is extremely frustrated with his place in life, not wanting to be known as a punching bag for superheroes like Spider-Man. He unsuccessfully attempts to purchase the Venom symbiote at auction in order to gain some respect. When temporarily partnered with Hydro-Man, he rebukes Morrie's suggestion that they go kill Spider-Man, being far more interested in more financially lucrative ventures and trying to rebuild a professional reputation.
Other versions[edit][]
MC2[edit][]
While the Shocker has not actually appeared in the MC2 universe, his gauntlets have been seen in the use of the bounty hunter Mad Dog Rassitano.
Ultimate Shocker[edit][]
The Ultimate Marvel incarnation of Shocker is 33-year-old petty crook Herman Schultz who raids money transports.[37] He wears a purple trench coat and a pair of goggles to protect his eyes. He used to work at Roxxon Industries and invented his weapons there.[38] He was fired later and then became the Shocker to "get what he deserves" for all the work he has done. He is not especially dangerous and has fought Spider-Man five times in the first 100 issues. During several, there was an unusual factor: Spider-Man wearing the Venom suit,[39] or the presence of Kitty Pryde,[40] or Wolverine putting Shocker at a disadvantage.[41] Ultimately, he suffers five embarrassing defeats. Thus, he perpetually ends up in jail and his equipment is confiscated. However, he somehow manages to get a new set every time he escapes. It was shown in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up that he does make new vibration units in the machine shop of the prison. It is also implied that he isn't always chargedwith anything; Spider-Man simply leaves him at the crime scene. This was noted in their encounter in the second annual when Foggy Nelson advised Spider-Man to hand him over to the police rather than leave him on the ground.[volume & issue needed] He is seen in the annual being dropped off at a police station while crying.[volume & issue needed] He gets some measure of revenge in issue #122, where he unexpectedly defeats, captures, and tortures Spider-Man before once again being arrested by the authorities led by NYPD's Captain Frank Quaid under a tip from Kitty and Mary Jane Watson.[42]
After killing Tinkerer, one of the various tech that Aaron Davis claims for himself are Shocker-like gauntlets that he later uses against the new Spider-Man.[43]
In other media[edit][]
Television[edit][]
Shocker on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.
- Shocker appeared in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "Along Came a Spidey", voiced by John Stephenson.
- Shocker appeared in the Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Jim Cummings. This version fires electric bolts from his gauntlets rather than compressed air, and also hinted that Herman Schultz was a high level thug and friend of Alistair Smythe before he wore his trademark suit. Shocker is a villain usually hired by the Kingpin. In Shocker's first appearance in "The Alien Costume" saga, Kingpin was worried that Eddie Brock could compromise the recent theft of Prometheus X and hired Shocker to eliminate him. Shocker was recommended to Kingpin by Alistair Smythe, the designer of Shocker's suit. But due to Spider-Man's arrival inthe black costume, Brock escaped. Spider-Man followed Shocker back to his hideout where he stole back the Prometheum X (which was stolen by Rhino in the previous episode). Hired again to retrieve it, Shocker kidnapped John Jameson and demanded that his father J. Jonah Jameson bring him both Spider-Man and the Prometheum X. Meeting in a church tower, John was handed over safely. But after the Jamesons left, a battle ensued between Shocker and Spider-Man. Despite Shocker's initial confidence, Spider-Man gained the upper hand, destroyed his shocking weapons and (driven over the edge by his black alien symbiote) nearly killed him before coming to his senses and saving him from a lethal fall. In the saga's third (and final) episode, Shocker and Rhino teamup against Spider-Man (but it's never stated onscreen if they were ordered to do so by Kingpin or if they were acting on their own). The pair nearly succeeded, but before they could finish him, Venom attacked and defeated them both, wanting the kill for himself. After Rhino and Shocker somehow go to jail, Shocker is part of a prison break arranged by Kingpin in "The Insidious Six" two-parter. He joins the Insidious Six along with of Doctor Octopus, Chameleon, Mysterio, Rhino and Scorpion to kill Spider-Man but ultimately failing to kill Spider-Man. When Spider-Man tricks the unintelligent Rhino into attacking Shocker by claiming to be Chameleon, his horn rips Shocker's electroshock suit. Spider-Man throws Shocker into a water-tank, causing his suit to become unstable and forcing him to take it off and get out before it explodes. Following a major defeat, the entire team rejects Kingpin and disbands. Later in the episode "The Awakening", though, Shocker was hired yet again by Kingpin to work with Dr. Herbert Landon to kidnap Michael Morbius. They succeeded but Morbius escaped in the end with help from Spider-Man and Black Cat. Shocker's last appearance was being an Insidious Six member in the "Six Forgotten Warriors" saga (oddly he only has one line of dialogue despite appearing in every part of the storyline). His real face is never shown as demonstrated from such examples of wearing his mask while his suit is damaged and even while in prison.
- The Shocker persona appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man used by Jackson "Montana" Brice (voiced by Jeff Bennett) of the Enforcers. Series producer Greg Weisman made a creative choice on his part make Montana into Shocker during production of this series.[44]
Video games[edit][]
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- Android replicas of Shocker appear repeatedly in Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge as mini-bosses during Spider-Man levels.
- Shocker appears as a mini-boss in the Spider-Man Animated Series video game for the Sega Genesis and SNES.
- Shocker appears as the first boss in Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro, voiced by Daran Norris. In this game, Shocker is hired by Electro to steal a piece of the Bio-Nexus Device. Spider-Man eventually uses his spider tracer to track down Shocker at a warehouse. When Shocker arrives at a warehouse, he gives the brief case that has the piece of the Bio-Nexus Device to Hammerhead to prevent Spider-Man from getting it. Shocker is later defeated by Spider-Man and is left for the police.
- Shocker appears in the Spider-Man video game, voiced by Michael Beattie. He is initially allied with the Vulture when the two rob a jewelry store, but betrays the location of Vulture's headquarters after he is defeated by Spider-Man in a fight; he refuses to allow Vulture his share of the loot when the Shocker can't have it. He and his thugs fight Spider-Man atGrand Central Station, with Spider-Man subsequently pursuing and defeating Shocker in the underground tunnels.
- Michael Beattie reprises his role of Shocker in the Spider-Man 2 video game. He escapes prison while participating in a contest arranged by Quentin Beck trying to prove Spider-Man's powers are fake. Despite having gained access to an experimental space propulsion system that enhances his powers, he is defeated by Spider-Man and Black Cat.
- Shocker appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man video game, voiced by Brian George. He is only a minor villain who occasionally pops up attempting to rob banks, consistent with the type of character he is in the Ultimate comics.
- Shocker is a minor boss in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Michael Gough. He is a member of Doctor Doom'sMasters of Evil. He works alongside Rhino in fighting the heroes: The first time was in Murderworld and then guardingHeimdall. Shocker has special dialogue with Human Torch. A simulation disk has the heroes fighting Shocker on theS.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.
- Shocker appears in the PSP and PS2 versions of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, voiced by Liam O'Brien. An earlier mission involved Spider-Man having to obtain Shocker's gauntlets as part of the components for a sonic emitter that can stop the symbiotes. He also appears as an assist character who will use the intense vibrations shot from his gauntlets to attack.
- Shocker appears as a mini-boss in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by Rick D. Wasserman. The players encounter him holding Ms. Marvel prisoner in the tunnels to Roosevelt Island.
- Shocker appears exclusively in the Nintendo DS version of Spider-Man: Edge of Time, voiced by Steven Blum. He fights the Spider-Man of the year 2099 that's stranded in the 616 New York's sewers. Spider-Man mentions learning about Shocker from a second-rate villains class.
- Shocker appears in Marvel Heroes, voiced by David Boat.[citation needed]
- Shocker appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Greg Cipes.[citation needed]
- Shocker has been announced to appear in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance.[citation needed]
- Herman Schultz appears in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, voiced by Ryan Alosio. He initially appears as a gang boss before becoming Shocker using stolen Oscorp construction equipment called the Seismic Harness Construction Resource in the hopes of 'upgrading' himself to cope with the superhumans emerging. Spider-Man defeats the Shocker who reveals that the gangs (examples being the Russian Mobsters, Hammerhead's crew, and Mister Negative's men) are all in fear of the "Carnage Killer" and are at war. Spider-Man leaves Shultz to be arrested by the police and leaves.
Toys and collectibles[edit][]
- Shocker has twice been produced as an action figure by Toy Biz, first as part of their Spider-Man: The Animated Series line and later as part of their Spider-Man Classics series.
- Shocker has also been produced as a six-inch (152 mm) mini-bust by Bowen Designs.
- There has also been a Shocker toy which coincides with The Spectacular Spider-Man television show.
- The first 3 3/4" Shocker toy (Strike missile Shocker) was released in 2011 by Hasbro.
- Shocker is also a figure in the HeroClix game.