12 Dead Marvel Characters I Hope Never Return

In a perfect world this would have been a Marvel and DC list, but DC recently changed their history, and I’m no longer sure who’s still dead, who’s alive because their death was negated, and who are not known to even even existed in the current Marvel continuity.  In most of the cases below, I actually like the character; I just don’t want their death cheapened by a revival.

1. Big Man (Frederick Foswell): a mobster torn between doing good and going evil, he died finally choosing good.
2. Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell): An alien spy turned protector, he died in a wonderfully written story about a hero dying of cancer; technically brought back briefly but never intended to stay back.
3. Changeling: A reformed villain who died faking Professor X’s death, it would be silly to revive him when the only reason he was killed in the first place was apparently to explain why another character wasn’t dead.
4. Enforcer (Charles L. Delazny Jr.): A hitman killed by the villain killer Scourge, one of a number of villains (some still dead, some revived) who demonstrated that even a super-villain can be killed by a well placed gunshot; I could have picked a number of not yet revived victims; I opted for him because he was the first victim.
5. Mark Hazzard: A troubled mercenary, he is one of the few Marvel heroes to die at the end of his own series.
6. Hobgoblin (Ned Leeds): A reporter brainwashed into becoming a patsy for a goblin themed super-villain; if you read the comic where he died without knowing Leeds was a Hobgoblin, his death represents the dangers that reporters can face; if you are fully aware of his back story, he’s a tragic pawn used by villains.
7. Crackajack Jackson: a hobo killed in a clash between the Hulk and Hammer (Jackson’s own son) & Anvil, his death in his first appearance has had a continued impact on the Hulk; it must also be said that he was a bit of a racial caricature and thus better served as someone for the Hulk to sometimes think about than as someone to keep appearing.
8. Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond of Earth-S): A Batman like hero who opposed the heroic but misguided Squadron Supreme’s attempts to create a flawed Utopia on Earth, his death was part of an effective ending, including the reaction of the Mink, an old foe turned lover.
9. Ben Parker: Peter Parker’s uncle, his death was the catalyst for Spider-Man to use his powers for good.
10. Patriot (Jeffrey Mace): A World War II hero who died of natural causes, he died peacefully with the man who most inspired him, Captain America, at his bedside.
11. Gwen Stacy: Peter Parker’s girlfriend. Off all the characters on this list, she’s the one who I most wish hadn’t died in the first place, a casualty of a clash between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin; that said, her death is a haunting reminder that innocents can die in a superhero fight, and that the hero can even play an inadvertent role.
12. Torpedo (Brock Jones): A minor superhero and ally of the Spaceknight Rom, his death is still one of the most chilling moments in Marvel’s history.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 7: Kraven the Hunter (Failed Hit)

This is part seven of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain. Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld trade. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4. It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept. On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

WEST COAST AVENGERS#3 by Steve Englehart (writer) with Al Milgrom & Joe Sinnott (art)
Would-Be Victim: Kraven the Hunter (Sergei Kravinoff)

Disguise: Man in park

Synopsis: While Tigra battles Kraven, Scourge watches the fight and decides not to take the hit, fearing hitting Tigra. 

Is it a key part of the Scourge storyline? No
Does it tie in to the main story in this issue? Yes, since the fight between Tigra and Kraven is the focus of the issue.
Other comments: Scourge needn't have worried with this one. Kraven commits suicide in his next adventure, in the Fearful Symmetry storyline that ran through various Spider-Man titles (though he was subsequently brought back after a series of successors). Now that the Marvel Age Annual story is canon, it is arguable that Scourge is being extra careful not to hit an innocent this time around as a result of that mishap.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 6: Constrictor (Failed Hit)

This is part six of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain. Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4. It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept. On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

CAPTAIN AMERICA#311 byMark Gruenwald (writer) and Paul Neary & Dennis Janke (artists)

Would-Be Victim: Constrictor (Frank Schlichting/Frank Payne)

Disguise: Nurse

Synopsis: The Constrictor is in the hospital recovering from injuries in the previous issue. A nurse asks Captain America to leave and then pulls out a gun. Before "she" can kill the Constrictor, Captain America returns to the room to say one more thing to the Constrictor. Realizing what's happening, he stops the hit, though Scourge gets away, abandoning the padded suit and latex mask.
Is it a key part of the Scourge storyline? Somewhat. It’s his first failed hit and it’s where Captain America first becomes aware of Scourge. It's also the first time that Scourge uses a version of his codename, in this instance "the Scourge of All Criminals!"
Is it part of the main story in this issue? Partly since Constrictor is in the hospital for crossing the Serpent Society, whom Captain America started investigating as a result.
Other comments: This is the first Scourge appearance to be written by Mark Gruenwald, who came up with the original concept for the character.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 5: Phone Ranger

LAST UPDATED: February 8, 2015

This is part five of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain. Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4. It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept. On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

MARVEL AGE ANNUAL# 1 1985 by Kurt Busiek (writer) and James Fry (artist) (note: there were other stories and features in this issue, but only this one involved Scourge).
Victim: Phone Ranger (A.G. Bell)
Disguise: James Fry

Synopsis: The Phone Ranger is present during a skirmish between various Marvel heroes and the Lethal Legion in the Marvel offices, and is shot by Scourge, disguised as James Fry, apparently not realizing that the Phone Ranger is a hero.
Is it key to the overall Scourge storyline? No
Does it tie into the main story in this issue? Well, it ties into this particular story at least in the sense of the hit occurring during the chaos
Postmortem use of victim: Bell turned up alive during the Civil War, his suit having protected him somehow despite being shot passing through his head. There have been no subsequent Phone Rangers.

Other comments: This is the first time that Scourge shot someone in their first appearance and the second time that a character got shot in their initial storyline, such as it is. It’s unclear why Scourge would shoot the Phone Ranger and leave the more obvious villains alone. Perhaps he felt that he could only get in one shot during the chaos.  This is the first time that Scourge shot someone who was not actually a villain and the first time that Scourge impersonated a specific person.  Prior to his revival, this story was believed to be non-canonical.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 4: Megatak

LAST UPDATED: February 8, 2015

This is part four of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain. Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4. It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept. On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

THOR#358 August 1985 by Walt Simonson (writer and artist)
Victim: Megatak (Gregory Nettles)

Disguise: Old man

Synopsis: Not far from Beta Ray Bill and Sif, Megatak prefers to go into action oinly to be shot dead by an old man who declares, "Justice is Served".
Is it key to the overall Scourge storyline? No
Does it tie into the main story in this issue? Very little. Megatak appears to want to take advantage of the distraction caused by Sif and Beta Ray Bill having finished their battle with Titanium Man, but that's about it.
Postmortem use of villain: Nettles has not been revived as of February 2015 nor has anyone taken on the Megatak identity

Comments: As with the Rhino in the hit on Miracle Man, it makes sense that Scourge wouldn’t target the Titanium Man, due to his armour and not wanting to attract the attention of Beta Ray Bill and Sif.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 3: Hate-Monger

This is part three of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain. Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4. It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept. On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

SECRET WARS II#2 August 1985 by Jim Shooter (writer) and Al Milgrom, Steve Leialoha and Joe Rubenstein (artists)
Victim: Hate-Monger (“H.M. Unger”)
Disguise: Unknown

Synopsis: After the Hate-Monger's defeat in a confrontation with the Fantastic Four and the Beyonder, Scourge, hidden in an alley, guns down the Hate-Monger, revealing him to be an artificial lifeform.
Is it key to the Scourge storyline? No.
Does it tie in to the main story? Only to the extent that Secret Wars II covers events from Fantastic Four#279-281. Since Psycho-Man begins using the Hate-Monger there, Scourge's hit actually ties more into the Fantastic Four issues.
Postmortem use of victim: Unger has not been recreated as of February 2015. He was the third of four (to date) villains using the Hate-Monger name and hate motif but otherwise bearing little resemblance to one another.

Other comments: This is the first Scourge victim to be killed in his initial storyline, as well as the only one to be an artificial lifeform. Scourge's disguise, if any, is not actually seen here. While the gun the Scourge uses is referred to by She-Hulk as a raygun, it actually looks fairly similar to the gun Scourge used to kill the Miracle Man.

Justice is Served!: The Scourge of the Underworld Files 2: Miracle Man

LAST UPDATED: February 6, 2015

This is part two of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain.  Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4.  It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept.  On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

THE THING#24 June 1985 by Mike Carlin (writer) and Ron Wilson & Joe Sinnott (artists)

Victim: Miracle Man (Joshua Ayers)
Disguise: Bearded bus passenger
Synopsis: The Thing sits in an aisle seat of a bus, not realizing his old foe the Miracle Man is sitting in aisle seat directly to Thing's right. A bearded man in a window seat to Thing's left tries to engage Thing in a game of Trivial Pursuit. Miracle Man uses his powers to stop the bus so he can break the Rhino out of a Project: Pegasus vehicle. The Rhino ultimately resists the Miracle Man's attempts to manipulate him. As Miracle Man struggles for control, he his confronted by the bearded man, who guns down the Miracle Man, declaring, "Justice is Served!"
Is it key to the overall Scourge storyline? No. Just a random hit.
Does it tie in to the rest of the issue? Yes. as noted above, Scourge is a bus passenger and even interacts with the Thing, only striking near the end. His victim was the main villain of the story (aside from the Rhino, who was just a dupe) .
Postmortem use of victim: Miracle Man was one of a number of super-villains brought back from the dead by the Hood.
Comments: This is the oldest of Marvel's villains to get slain by Scourge, first appearing in Fantastic Four#3 March 1962. Scourge does not attempt a hit on the Rhino in this story. There are probably two reasons for this: it's unlikely that even explosive bullets could penetrate the Rhino, and Scourge likely didn't want to engage the Thing, who was physically too close to the Rhino both during the rampage and after the Rhino calmed down. Miracle Man. Curiously, even though Miracle Man spots the Thing prior to boarding but not vice versa, he still ends up sitting beside his old foe. Scourge doesn't attempt to play Trivial Pursuit during later hits, so it's unknown if that was a genuine interest of his or just part of his cover.

Justice is Served! The Scourge of the Underworld Files 1: Enforcer

This is part one of a series of posts examining the original Scourge storyline in the 1980s to 1990s, in which an organization devoted to the assassination of super-villains, usually with a modified submachine gun with explosive shells went into action, usually uttering the catch-phrase "Justice is served!" just after killing the villain.  Adapted from material I previously wrote in the 1990s on an older website. Previously I was going from memory but in 2014 I purchased the Scourge of the Underworld. I also have the most recent Marvel Index volumes. I am therefore editing this series accordingly. This series covers Iron Man#194 to USAgent#4.  It does not cover subsequent appearances of characters called Scourge as all subsequent appearances deviated in key ways from the original concept.  On the other hand, hits that were considered unsuccessful even at the time are covered. For successful hits, postmortem uses of victims are now noted.

IRON MAN #194 May 1985 by Denny O'Neill (writer) and Luke McDonnell & Steve Mitchell (artists)
Victim: The Enforcer (Charles Delazny Jr.)
Disguise: Homeless woman
Synopsis: The Enforcer is hired by Madame Masque's bio-duplicate on behalf of Obadiah Stane to kill the Termite. En route, a homeless "woman" stops him, asking for change, and "she" and the Enforcer have a brief heated exchange. The Enforcer brushes her off. "She" shoots him (through her bag) in the chest with a sawed off shotgun containing explosive bullets and says "Justice is Served!"
Is it key to the Scourge story? Yes, the Enforcer was the first hit by a Scourge. Also, apparently the same Scourge, when captured by Captain America would tie the Enforcer into his bogus origin, claiming to be the Enforcer’s brother. This claim was bogus however, as he claimed to be the brother of Coot Collier Jr. and not the Enforcer’s actual real name of Charles Delazny Jr.
Is is key to the rest of the story in this issue? Marginally. Madame Masque's bio-duplicate was a recurring character in Iron Man at the time, and Stane the main villain of that era.
Postmortem use of victim: Charles Delazny, Jr. has not been brought back from the dead as of February, 2005. However, Mike Nero has taken on the identity of the Enforcer.
Other comments: Evidently Scourge didn't know where the Enforcer was headed. Otherwise it would have made sense for him to let the Enforcer kill the Termite first, since the whole reason behind the Scourge operation is to eliminate super-villains.