Origin of Killer Shrike

Simon Maddicks began his life in the United States military. After being raised in Williamsburg, Virginia Maddicks enlisted the moment he could, though much of his past is shrouded in mystery because of Maddick's lack of memory. After his term of service he was gainfully employed by the Roxxon Oil Company as a mercenary. He was shipped over to Brand Corporation's Mutagenics Laboratory where he underwent extensive physical training and genetic conditioning. He also underwent a procedure that implanted a tiny anti-gravity generator at the base of his spine which enables his flight. Upon his return to Roxxon he was given his costume and the codename "Killer Shrike".

Character History

During his employ at Roxxon Maddicks was sent to infiltrate the subversive organization known only as the Conspiracy which Roxxon learned about through their business relationship with the Brand Corporation. The Conspiracy sent Killer Shrike to capture a powerful monster known as Goram. However, Maddicks was thwarted by Ulysses Bloodstone who short-circuited Killer Shrike's electronic-based weapons resulting in severe injuries to the villain.

Feeling pity for Maddicks condition the agents of Bloodstone brought him to New York hospital where he remained comatose for several weeks. When he finally awoke Maddicks was contacted immediately by Brand scietists. The most predominate of which was a man named Stephen Weems. Weems, who is better known as Modular Man and is best recognized for his hatred of Spider-Man and Beast. Modular Man asked for Maddicks' assistance in killing the pair and in return would fill in the missing pieces of Maddicks' memory.

Maddicks agrees, however Weems is killed in battle before he could uphold his end of the bargain. Maddicks escaped Spider-Man and Beast and was contacted by agents of Brand Corp. They assisted in restoring his lost memories and assigning him further undercover work and as a bodyguard for Brand President James Melvin.

Ever since, Killer Shrike was most often seen getting beaten up by several super-heroes, most often the Hulk. Killer Shrike was briefly a member of the Cardinal's team of flying super villains known as Air Force. Killer Shrike was oddly absent when the team was blackmailed by Night Thrasher into providing relief for Rwandan refugees. In New Warriors #54 Killer Shrike appears to have been murdered by the Soldiers of Misfortune. This was probably an art error as Oriole not Killer Shrike was with the team when blackmailed by Night Thrasher.

In the recent Secret War miniseries, Killer Shrike's powers got updated by the Tinkerer. Unfortunately, this still wasn't enough for Maddicks to gain a victory, as he was soon afterward defeated by the Avengers, and apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D..

He was released from prison some time after, and went to live in a slum in New York City. His release evoked Moon Knight's wrath, whose friend Frenchie had originally brought Killer Shrike in. Moon Knight paid a visit to the apartment building, mercilessly beating a man and throwing him down some stairs. It turns out that it was not Maddickes, who was in crowd watching the carnage.