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'''Speed Demon''' (James Sanders) is a ] ] character in the ]. Capable of running at superspeed, he ] as the ], a member of the villainous team the ] in '']'' vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969). Created by writer ] and penciler ], the character is not to be confused with the 1940s superhero the ] (Robert Frank), published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, ]. '''Speed Demon''' (James Sanders) is a ] ] character in the ] ]. Capable of running at super-speed, he ] as the ], a member of the villainous team the ] in '']'' vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969). Created by writer ] and penciler ], he is not to be confused with the 1940s superhero the ] (Robert Frank), published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, ].


==Publication history== ==Publication history==
James Sanders debuts in Marvel Comics' '']'' vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969) as part of the ] - a team of ] ] loosely based on four characters in rival ]' ], with the Whizzer being a version of the ].<ref>''The Justice League Companion'' (2003): "Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", pp.72 – 73</ref> The super-speedster James Sanders debuted in Marvel Comics' '']'' vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969) as part of the ], a team of ] loosely based on four characters in Marvel rival ]'s ]: ] (re-imagined as ]), Batman (], ] (]) and the ] (the Whizzer).<ref>''The Justice League Companion'' (2003): "Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", pp.72 – 73</ref>


In 1971, an identical character called the Whizzer was introduced, who belonged to a group called ] and originated in an alternate universe. This caused confusion in Marvel's production department, as evidenced by the fact that '']'' vol. 1, issues #85 (the second Whizzer's debut appearance) and #141 featured the Squadron Supreme, but the covers erroneously promoted the reappearance of the Squadron Sinister. An identical but superheroic ] Whizzer, who belonged to a group called ], was introduced in '']'' vol. 1, issues #85 (Feb. 1971). Confusingly, the covers of both this issue and of the group's subsequent appearance in #141 (Nov. 1975) erroneously call it the Squadron Sinister.


The villainous Whizzer then appears with the Squadron Sinister in '']'' vol. 1 #13 - 14 (May & July 1974) and in ''Giant-Size Defenders'' #4 (April 1975). In 1978, James Sanders made a final brief appearance as the Whizzer in ''Avengers'' Annual #8. The villainous Whizzer appeared with the Squadron Sinister in '']'' #13-14 (May & July 1974) and in ''Giant-Size Defenders'' #4 (April 1975), and made a brief final appearance in ''The Avengers Annual'' #8 (1978)
In 1981, ] writer ] revamped the character, and James Sanders became a solo villain with a new costume and alias - Speed Demon. He appears in '']'' vol. 1, #222 (Oct) and later in '']'' vol. 1, #121 (Sept. 1982). Speed Demon later joins the ] in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #280 (Sept. 1986) and appears in the ] ''The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man'' #1 - 4 (May-Aug. 1991). Writer ] and penciller ] revamped the character in '']'' vol. 1, #222 (Oct. 1981), making him a solo supervillain with a new costume and alias as Speed Demon. He returned against Spider-Man and the Human Torch in '']'' vol. 1, #121 (Sept. 1982), and later joined the ], who battled the hero in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #280 (Sept. 1986) and the ] ''The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man'' #1-4 (May-Aug. 1991). Later, solo again, he fought Wolverine in ''Wolverine'' #167 (Oct. 2001). He soon attempted to go straight, and joined a superhero team in '']'' #15-16 (Jan.-Feb. 2006), but then shifted allegiances to join a new version of the Squadron Sinister in ''Thunderbolts'' #102-108 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007), a numerical continuation of the same series, for which ''New Thunderbolts'' had served as ] issues #82-99.

In 2001, the character makes a brief appearance in in ''Wolverine'' #167 (Oct) and in 2006 reappears in the '']'' #15-16 (Jan.-Feb. 2006). This is followed by appearances in ''Thunderbolts'' #102-108 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007), a numerical continuation of the same series, for which ''New Thunderbolts'' had served as ] issues #82-99.


==Fictional character biography== ==Fictional character biography==
⚫ James Sanders first appears as the ] with the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the ] to battle the superhero team the ], who against their will are acting as game-pieces for the time-traveling ]. It was revealed years later<ref>''Squadron Supreme'' #8 (April 1986)</ref> that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the extant Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first.
===Whizzer===
⚫ James Sanders first appears under the codename ], as a member of the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the ] to battle the champions of the time-traveling ] - the superhero team the ]. It was revealed years later <ref>''Squadron Supreme'' #8 (of 12) (1986)</ref> that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the ''already existing'' Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first. <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #85 & #141</ref> The Whizzer battles the Avenger ] until their fight is interrupted by the adventurer the ].


Whizzer later assists the original members of the Squadron Sinister, who together with the alien ] attempt to flood the Earth, but are stopped by the superhero team the ]. <ref>''Defenders'' vol. 1, #13 - 14</ref> After this defeat the Squadron Sinister are teleported off world by Nebulon, but are later returned to Earth. Having acquired an energy-draining weapon, the Squadron Sinister plan to threaten the Earth once more but are defeated by the Defenders and the Avenger ]. <ref>''Giant-Size Defenders'' #4 (1974)</ref> The Whizzer later assists the Squadron Sinister and the alien ] in their attempt to flood the Earth, but are stopped by the superhero team the ]. They are defeated, but the Squadron Sinister later returns by itself for an unsuccessful rematch.


⚫ Sometime later, Sanders returns to crime in a new costume as the Speed Demon and battles the heroes ] and the ]. He joins the supervillain team the ], led by the ], but eventually leaves and travels to ], where he participates in a "sudden death" tournament called Bloodsport. Speed Demon's first opponent is the disguised hero ], and in a mishap, Speed Demon is critically injured by his own weapon. Despite the crowd's wishes, Wolverine spares Speed Demon's life. After recovering, Speed Demon is recruited to join the reformed-supervillain team the ], accepting when he learns the team is led by the Beetle, now known as ].
The Whizzer later has another brief encounter with several members of the Avengers, who at the time were seeking a way to separate the Power Prism of ] from fellow Avenger the ]. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #8 (1978)</ref>


⚫ Shortly afterward, the ] reappears and reforms the Squadron Sinister. An apparently resurrected ] and a new ] try to coerce Speed Demon and fellow former member ] into joining, but both are initially reluctant. Speed Demon does rejoin after he is ejected from the New Thunderbolts for committing robberies in a misguided attempt to finance the team. Using the Wellspring of Power, an interdimensional source of superhuman abilities, the Grandmaster increases the Squadron Sinister's powers. The team battles the New Thunderbolts, and though Thunderbolts leader ] defeats the Grandmaster, the Squadron Sinister scatter and escape.
===Speed Demon===
Several years after the ] disbands, James Sanders decides to return to crime in a new costume as the Speed Demon and battles the hero ]. <ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 1, #222</ref> Soon after this Speed Demon encounters Spider-Man once again, and also battles the ]. It is on this occasion that Speed Demon suffers a humiliating defeat at the hands of ], who accidentally lands on him. <ref>''Marvel Team-Up'' vol. 1, #12</ref>

⚫ Speed Demon later joins the supervillain team the ], led by the supervillain the ]. Although the team's principal goal is the defeat of Spider-Man, their constant squabbling always leads to defeat. <ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' vol. 1, #280</ref> Speed Demon leaves the team and eventually travels to ], where he participates in a "sudden death" tournament called Bloodsport. Speed Demon's first opponent is the disguised hero ], but in a mishap Speed Demon is critically injured by his own weapon. Despite the crowd's wishes, Wolverine spares Speed Demon's life. <ref>''Wolverine'' #167 (2001)</ref>

Some time after recovering from his injuries, Speed Demon is recruited to join the ], a team consisting of reformed supervillains. Speed Demon accepts when he learns that the team is led by the Beetle, who is now known as ]. <ref>''New Thunderbolts'' vol. 2, #1</ref>

⚫ Soon after this the cosmic entity the ] reappears and reforms the Squadron Sinister. An apparently resurrected ] and new ] find and try to coerce Speed Demon and fellow member ] into joining, but both are initially reluctant. Ironically, the New Thunderbolts become responsible for Speed Demon rejoining the Squadron Sinister as he is ejected from the New Thunderbolts for committing robberies - even though Speed Demon had been doing this to finance the team. Courtesy of a phenomenon known as the Wellspring of Power - an interdimensional source of superhuman abilities - the Grandmaster increases the Squadron Sinister's powers and they then battle the New Thunderbolts, as ] also wishes to have control of the Wellspring. At one point Thunderbolt member ] breaks Speed Demon's legs, but he is later healed and in revenge beats her mercilessly. Zemo manages to defeat the Grandmaster, but in the ensuing chaos the Squadron Sinister scatter and escape. Speed Demon has yet to reappear. <ref>''New Thunderbolts'' #15-16 and Thunderbolts vol. 1, #102-108</ref>


==Powers and abilities== ==Powers and abilities==
Speed Demon's primary superhuman power is the ability to move and react at superhuman speed. His body has adapted to the rigors of running at great speed and developed superior strength, stamina, agility, reflexes and durability. Speed Demon's primary superhuman power is the ability to move and react at superhuman speed. His body has adapted to the rigors of running at great speed and developed superior strength, stamina, agility, reflexes and durability.


== References == == Footnotes==
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==External links== ==References==
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Revision as of 03:13, 22 October 2007

Comics character
Speed Demon
File:AmazingSpiderman222.jpgSpeed Demon battles Spider-Man on the cover of Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1, #222. Art by Bob Hall.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearance(as the Whizzer)
The Avengers vol. 1, #70 (November 1969)
(as Speed Demon)
The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1, #222 (November 1981)
Created byRoy Thomas
Sal Buscema
In-story information
Alter egoJames Sanders
Team affiliationsSquadron Sinister
Sinister Syndicate
Thunderbolts
Notable aliasesWhizzer
AbilitiesSuperhuman speed and reflexes

Speed Demon (James Sanders) is a fictional comic-book character in the Marvel Comics universe. Capable of running at super-speed, he first appeared as the Whizzer, a member of the villainous team the Squadron Sinister in The Avengers vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969). Created by writer Roy Thomas and penciler Sal Buscema, he is not to be confused with the 1940s superhero the Whizzer (Robert Frank), published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics.

Publication history

The super-speedster James Sanders debuted in Marvel Comics' The Avengers vol. 1, #70 (Nov. 1969) as part of the Squadron Sinister, a team of supervillains loosely based on four characters in Marvel rival DC Comics's Justice League of America: Superman (re-imagined as Hyperion), Batman (Nighthawk), Green Lantern (Doctor Spectrum) and the Flash (the Whizzer).

An identical but superheroic alternate-universe Whizzer, who belonged to a group called Squadron Supreme, was introduced in The Avengers vol. 1, issues #85 (Feb. 1971). Confusingly, the covers of both this issue and of the group's subsequent appearance in #141 (Nov. 1975) erroneously call it the Squadron Sinister.

The villainous Whizzer appeared with the Squadron Sinister in The Defenders #13-14 (May & July 1974) and in Giant-Size Defenders #4 (April 1975), and made a brief final appearance in The Avengers Annual #8 (1978)

Writer Bill Mantlo and penciller Bob Hall revamped the character in The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1, #222 (Oct. 1981), making him a solo supervillain with a new costume and alias as Speed Demon. He returned against Spider-Man and the Human Torch in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1, #121 (Sept. 1982), and later joined the Sinister Syndicate, who battled the hero in The Amazing Spider-Man #280 (Sept. 1986) and the miniseries The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #1-4 (May-Aug. 1991). Later, solo again, he fought Wolverine in Wolverine #167 (Oct. 2001). He soon attempted to go straight, and joined a superhero team in New Thunderbolts #15-16 (Jan.-Feb. 2006), but then shifted allegiances to join a new version of the Squadron Sinister in Thunderbolts #102-108 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007), a numerical continuation of the same series, for which New Thunderbolts had served as de facto issues #82-99.

Fictional character biography

James Sanders first appears as the Whizzer with the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the Grandmaster to battle the superhero team the Avengers, who against their will are acting as game-pieces for the time-traveling Kang. It was revealed years later that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the extant Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first.

The Whizzer later assists the Squadron Sinister and the alien Nebulon in their attempt to flood the Earth, but are stopped by the superhero team the Defenders. They are defeated, but the Squadron Sinister later returns by itself for an unsuccessful rematch.

Sometime later, Sanders returns to crime in a new costume as the Speed Demon and battles the heroes Spider-Man and the Human Torch. He joins the supervillain team the Sinister Syndicate, led by the Beetle, but eventually leaves and travels to Madripoor, where he participates in a "sudden death" tournament called Bloodsport. Speed Demon's first opponent is the disguised hero Wolverine, and in a mishap, Speed Demon is critically injured by his own weapon. Despite the crowd's wishes, Wolverine spares Speed Demon's life. After recovering, Speed Demon is recruited to join the reformed-supervillain team the Thunderbolts, accepting when he learns the team is led by the Beetle, now known as Mach-IV.

Shortly afterward, the Grandmaster reappears and reforms the Squadron Sinister. An apparently resurrected Hyperion and a new Dr. Spectrum try to coerce Speed Demon and fellow former member Nighthawk into joining, but both are initially reluctant. Speed Demon does rejoin after he is ejected from the New Thunderbolts for committing robberies in a misguided attempt to finance the team. Using the Wellspring of Power, an interdimensional source of superhuman abilities, the Grandmaster increases the Squadron Sinister's powers. The team battles the New Thunderbolts, and though Thunderbolts leader Baron Zemo defeats the Grandmaster, the Squadron Sinister scatter and escape.

Powers and abilities

Speed Demon's primary superhuman power is the ability to move and react at superhuman speed. His body has adapted to the rigors of running at great speed and developed superior strength, stamina, agility, reflexes and durability.

Footnotes

  1. The Justice League Companion (2003): "Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", pp.72 – 73
  2. Squadron Supreme #8 (April 1986)

References

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