H.A.M.M.E.R. is a
fiction
Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying individuals, events, or places that are imaginary, or in ways that are imaginary. Fictional portrayals are thus inconsistent with history, fact, or plausibility. In a traditi ...
al
espionage
Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence) from non-disclosed sources or divulging of the same without the permission of the holder of the information for a tangibl ...
and
law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. The term en ...
agency appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. The organisation is led by
Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first ...
and was formed in ''
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term in ...
'' #8 to replace
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, special law enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ''Strange Tales'' #135 (August 1965), it often deals ...
The organisation plays a large part in Marvel's "
Dark Reign" and ''
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition warfare, attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity con ...
'' storylines that ran from 2008 to 2010.
What "H.A.M.M.E.R." stands for, or whether it stands for anything at all, has not been revealed. In ''Dark Avengers'' #1, Osborn told
Victoria Hand
Victoria Hand is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the American espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D. of which Hand was a member.
Saffron Burrows portrayed th ...
that it does stand for something, but when she asked what it stands for, he told her to "get on that for
im.
[''Dark Avengers'' #1. Marvel Comics] Also, in the ''
Captain America: Reborn'' Prelude, when
Sin
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, s ...
, who is captured by H.A.M.M.E.R, asks what it stands for, the agent present claims that it's classified information which she does not have the necessary security clearance to divulge.
Publication history
H.A.M.M.E.R. first appeared in ''
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008. The story involves a subversive, long-term in ...
'' #8 and was created by
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis (; born August 18, 1967) is an American comic book writer and artist. He has won five Eisner Awards for both his creator-owned work and his work on various Marvel Comics books.Bendis, Brian Michael and Oeming, Michael Avon, ' ...
.
Fictional organization history
The ramifications of the alien
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Skrulls first appeared in ''Fantastic Four'' #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They originated fro ...
s'
invasion of Earth forced a massive restructuring of the United States' defense network. At the time, the country's primary peace keeping agency was
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, special law enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ''Strange Tales'' #135 (August 1965), it often deals ...
, led by civilian industrialist Tony Stark, aka,
Iron Man
Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...
. Because the Skrulls were able to compromise S.H.I.E.L.D.'s StarkTech technology, it was decided that S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer an effective organization and Tony Stark was personally held accountable for the entire Skrull invasion. In the wake of this controversy,
Thunderbolts leader
Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first ...
manipulated the U.S. government into allowing him to serve as director of a replacement agency called H.A.M.M.E.R. Under Osborn's leadership, H.A.M.M.E.R. had administrative control over the entire
Fifty State Initiative
''Avengers: The Initiative'' is a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series deals with the aftermath of Marvel's "Civil War" s ...
.
As the director of H.A.M.M.E.R., one of Osborn's first initiatives was to issue warrants for the arrest of former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Tony Stark and deputy director
Maria Hill
Commander Maria Hill ( ) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, the character first appeared in '' The New Avengers'' #4 (March 2005). As a form ...
. Moreover, Osborn wanted access to the database containing the identities of every hero registered under the
Superhuman Registration Act
Discrimination against superheroes is a common theme and plot element comic books and superhero fiction, usually as a way to explore the issue of superheroes operating in society or as commentary on other social concerns. Often in response to ...
. To prevent Osborn from getting his hands on such vital information, Tony Stark took measures to erase all known resources containing this sensitive information, including his own mind.
When Stark failed to surrender himself to Osborn, Norman sent contingents of H.A.M.M.E.R. squads to Stark Industries facilities all across the globe with orders to arrest Tony Stark with extreme prejudice. The militant agents caused substantial damage in their efforts to find Stark, often brutalizing Stark Industries' personnel.
In an effort to make H.A.M.M.E.R.'s image more palatable to the general public, Osborn reorganized the
Avengers
Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to:
Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe
* Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes
**Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...
, filling their ranks with members of the Thunderbolts. Two previous members of the team who remained on Osborn's Avengers were the
Sentry
Sentry or The Sentry may refer to:
Comics
*Sentry (Kree)
*Sentry (Curtis Elkins)
*Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
*Senator Ward (comics) or Sentry
Vehicles
*Sentry (AUV), an autonomous underwater vehicle used to measure deep-ocean data
* E-3 Sentry AWAC ...
and
Ares
Ares (; grc, Ἄρης, ''Árēs'' ) is the Greek god of war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for success in war b ...
, the God of War. Osborn himself donned his own suit of
armor
Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or fr ...
(based upon Stark's designs) and became known as the Iron Patriot.
During the ''
Siege of Asgard'', Osborn takes H.A.M.M.E.R. alongside the
Dark Avengers
''Dark Avengers'' is a 2009–2013 American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that features various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers, with this version of the team - unbeknownst to the pub ...
and the
Initiative
In political science, an initiative (also known as a popular initiative or citizens' initiative) is a means by which a petition signed by a certain number of registered voters can force a government to choose either to enact a law or hold a pu ...
members who are on his side to partake in the attack on Asgard. The President is watching the invasion of Asgard with his security council and orders the Secretary of State to mobilize all available military forces to be dispatched to Broxton and to have Osborn and the Dark Avengers arrested for treason. He also says that they should all pray for a miracle, to which one of the council members remarks that he thinks they just got one because Captain America has just arrived and brought his friends with him. The President then decides to let Captain America deal with Osborn and sends an order to the arriving military forces to deal with H.A.M.M.E.R. as the military shoots down one of the H.A.M.M.E.R.
Helicarrier
The Helicarrier is a fictional flying aircraft carrier appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is depicted as the crucial mobile command center, forward operations platform, and signature capital ship of the fictional int ...
s.
H.A.M.M.E.R. is soon officially dissolved. Some remnants of the organization attempt to reorganize themselves after Osborn's defeat and contact Victoria Hand to lead them, only to have her give their location to the
New Avengers in her new role as their S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison. H.A.M.M.E.R. is soon reassembled by
Superia
Superia (Dr. Deidre Wentworth) is a supervillain and criminal scientist appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
She first appeared in ''Captain America'' #387 (1991) and was created by writer Mark Grue ...
. The New Avengers captured Superia after getting a tip from
Victoria Hand
Victoria Hand is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the American espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D. of which Hand was a member.
Saffron Burrows portrayed th ...
.
Following the ''
Fear Itself'' storyline, Osborn escapes from the Raft and even springs Superia out as well. Osborn reclaims control of H.A.M.M.E.R. and gains
Madame Hydra Madame Hydra is the name of several different fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is a name given to a top female operative of HYDRA.
Fictional character biography Ophelia Sarkissian
Thi ...
,
Gorgon
A Gorgon (Help:IPA/English, /ˈɡɔːrɡən/; plural: Gorgons, Ancient Greek language, Ancient Greek: Γοργών/Γοργώ ''Gorgṓn/Gorgṓ'') is a creature in Greek mythology. Gorgons occur in the earliest examples of Greek literature. W ...
, and some
A.I.M. Agents as new members.
[''The New Avengers'' vol. 2 #16] H.A.M.M.E.R. later ends up in an alliance with A.I.M. and
HYDRA. When Norman Osborn was defeated, H.A.M.M.E.R. ends up disbanding with Madame Hydra using the remaining members to reinforce HYDRA.
Later, members of H.A.M.M.E.R. along with S.H.I.E.L.D., S.T.R.I.K.E., Alpha Flight and other organizations established the group called Orchis, and began building cosmic level Sentinels in an orbital base, to take on mutantkind after Professor Xavier turned Krakoa into a sovereign nation state for mutants and used its unique abilities to created massive plantlike "Habitats" with embassies around the world, and through the combination of technology and mutant power, developed three drugs that could change human life – a pill that extends human life by five years, an adaptable universal antibiotic, and a pill that cures “diseases of the mind, in humans.” In exchange for recognizing the sovereignty of Krakoa, Professor X will give these drugs to mankind, with mutants living in peace on the island.
Known members
*
Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #14 (July 1964) as the first ...
- The first Director of H.A.M.M.E.R.
*
Victoria Hand
Victoria Hand is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those featuring the American espionage organization S.H.I.E.L.D. of which Hand was a member.
Saffron Burrows portrayed th ...
- Deputy Director of H.A.M.M.E.R. Later becomes a liaison to the
New Avengers.
*
Deidre Wentworth - New Director of H.A.M.M.E.R. after the incarceration of Norman Osborn.
Agents
* Agent 345 - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent 3465 - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
[''The New Avengers'' #61]
* Agent 3534 - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Abrams - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R. Killed by
Venom
Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
(Mac Gargan).
* Agent Bernard - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Bullock - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Carr - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Derek Young - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Gertrude Jacks - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Walsh - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Agent Young - A Hulked-Out HYDRA Agent that works for H.A.M.M.E.R.
[''The Avengers'' vol. 4 #21]
* Alisandra Morales - Former member of S.H.I.E.L.D. She later becomes a member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Alvin Murphy - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
*
American Eagle
The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche as ...
- Temporarily deputized by Norman Osborn.
* Collins - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Cross - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
[''Punisher'' vol. 7 #11]
* Derek Richardson - A H.A.M.M.E.R. Guard. Killed by
Eric Koenig
Eric Koenig is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in '' Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos'' #27 (February 1966) and he was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Dick Ayers. He is ...
.
* Dr. Carolina Washington - Formerly a S.H.I.E.L.D. criminalist.
*
Gorgon
A Gorgon (Help:IPA/English, /ˈɡɔːrɡən/; plural: Gorgons, Ancient Greek language, Ancient Greek: Γοργών/Γοργώ ''Gorgṓn/Gorgṓ'') is a creature in Greek mythology. Gorgons occur in the earliest examples of Greek literature. W ...
- He became the second Wolverine of Norman Osborn's second incarnation of the Dark Avengers.
* Jaken - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Jebediah Young - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* Legend One - An insectoid agent who is a member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
*
Madame Hydra Madame Hydra is the name of several different fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is a name given to a top female operative of HYDRA.
Fictional character biography Ophelia Sarkissian
Thi ...
-
* Mick - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
* O'Reilly - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
[''Dark Wolverine'' #83]
* Viola Reichardt - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
[''Skull Kill Krew'' vol. 2. #4]
* Violet - Member of H.A.M.M.E.R.
References
External links
H.A.M.M.E.R.at Marvel Wiki
{{Goblin (Marvel Comics)
Fictional organizations
Characters created by Brian Michael Bendis
Marvel Comics supervillain teams
Fictional organizations in Marvel Comics