Thunderball of the Wrecking Crew steps up in Captain America No. 10
By Alex Widen
Image by Marvel Comics
Thunderball — not just a James Bond film in Captain America no. 10!
Thanks to the manipulations of “the Power Elite,” which include the Lukins, Selene Gallio, and Kingpin, Steve Rogers has been framed for murder! Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross used to be the Red Hulk and personification of deranged military power, but his loss is still missed by the connected.
Now he’s stuck in the Myrmidon, a for-profit prison run by former Hydra boss Wolfgang Von Strucker, alongside other super villains. Among them is Dr. Eliot Franklin, otherwise known as Thunderball.
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Despite being known for battling Thor — due to their leader being his enemy, the Wrecker — Thunderball and the rest of the crew debuted in 1974’s Defenders No. 17.
Dr. Franklin was a genius of gamma radiation, and was considered akin to Bruce Banner.
A series of poor choices led him to being imprisoned, where he gained super-powers from Wrecker’s enchanted crowbar alongside Bulldozer and Piledriver. He was usually the brains of the foursome, whose own ball and chain occasionally gained mystical powers. Yet now he’s the mole for the “Daughters of Liberty,” meeting with Invisible Woman in a prison tunnel.
Image by Marvel Comics
Steve Rogers surrendered to authorities rather than go on the lam for his latest frame job specifically because he didn’t want to become a fugitive or endanger civilians (or first responders). He trusted Sharon Carter and her fellow heroines to prove his innocence. Instead, they’ve decided to plan a jailbreak, which will make Cap a fugitive anyway! To this end, Sue Richards works with Dr. Franklin, who wants to turn a new leaf after working for Black Panther, to play a critical role.