Overdrive

Origin

Overdrive was a petty crook and a member of the Inner Demons who is able to transform and transmutate ordinary vehicles via special nanites.

Creation

Overdrive was created by Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez and first appeared in Free Comic Book Day 2007 (Spider-Man) #1.

Character Evolution

Something of a throwaway joke character, Overdrive made a few inconsequential appearances throughout Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man. As part of Marvel NOW! and the Superior Spider-Man relaunch, Overdrive joined the Sinister Six and features as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man.

Major Story Arcs

Swing Shift

Overdrive was hired by Mr. Negative to steal the Tablet of Death and Entropy from a museum, but was unable to deliver it because of interference from Spider-Man. In the skirmish that followed, Overdrive led Spider-Man on a high-speed chase through the streets of Manhattan. When Spider-Man smashed the windshield of Overdrive's car, it revealed dozens of pieces of Spider-Man related merchandise, such as bobble-heads, air-fresheners, and action figures. Overdrive declared that he was Spider-Man's "biggest fan", even asking for an autograph as Spider-Man was trying to stop him.

The chase finally culminated in a car-wreck that had Overdrive and his vehicle hanging from a bridge in New York by Spider-Man's webbing, with Spider-Man's trademark note, "Courtesy of your friendly neighbor-hood Spider-Man". Overdrive asked the police who were on the scene to arrest him if he could keep the note.

Dark Reign

Overdrive was again dispatched by the Inner Demons to steal a Sonic Pulse Generator. Much like last time, he came into conflict with Spider-Man and was hastily defeated and the Sonic Pulse Generator was taken from him.

Overdrive eventually returned to Mr. Negative who ordered Overdrive killed for his constant failures. After being beaten, Overdrive was forced into the boot of a car to be taken elsewhere to be murdered and buried. Using his powers he took control of the car and managed to escape the Inner Demons.

Spider-Island

After parting ways with Mr. Negative, Overdrive began to work for the Kingpin and was ordered to kill Black Panther with help from Lady Bullseye during Spider-Island. As expected, Overdrive failed and was defeated.

Superior Foe

Overdrive was hired by Boomerang to be a part of his version of the Sinister Six. Overdrive stole the original Big Wheel and upgraded it through his powers. However, the new Spider-Man defeated Overdrive and the rest of the Sinister Six using a power dampening field that caused Overdrive's nano-bacteria to shut down. Overdrive has remained a member of the team, participating in their plan to recover the head of former Maggia leader Silvermane from the Owl. When the team was confronted by Power Man and Iron Fist, Overdrive expressed excitement at meeting Luke Cage, who responded by knocking the villain out with a single punch. Boomerang freed the team while they were in transit to jail.

When the team finally got their hands on Silvermane's head, thanks to Shocker accidentally finding him in a junkyard, Overdrive gave up the information to Mister Negative, as his teammates tried with other crime bosses, causing a gang war.

The Sins of Overdrive

Overdrive fell on hard times and took a job as a getaway driver with the Inner Demons. The heist went wrong, and one of the demons killed a number of cops. When the group were counting their money at a hideout, they were attacked by the Sin-Eater, with new supernatural abilities. Overdrive got away and drove for three days straight just to avoid him. When he accidentally drives into a crowd, he gets the attention of Spider-Man. Spider-Man does his best to protect him, but Sin-Eater murders Overdrive.

Later, in the morgue, Overdrive woke up with seemingly no injuries. Carlie Cooper, now working in the morgue, called her superiors after he awoke. When they showed up, they tried to re-kill Overdrive, but Carlie stopped them, leaving him in a coma. He would stay in that coma until Sin-Eater committed suicide, causing all the sins he absorbed to return to their owners. When his sin was returned, Overdrive woke and escaped the hospital. He sought Carlie to ask her on a date to thank her for saving his life. She accepted but went missing before they could meet up.

Sinister War

Overdrive needed help looking into the disappearance of Carlie and ended up at the Bar With No Name. He was there to get help from Boomerang, who put together a team for the two of them. With Kindred's help, they were sent to a graveyard where Spider-Man was being attacked by other members of his rogues gallery. Kindred announces they were all hellbound villains who could earn a spot as Kindred's assistant, free from torture, if they killed Spider-Man.

When a new team of six, including Morlun, joins the fight, Boomer sacrifices himself to Morlun to spare Spidey. Overdrive is hit hard by his teammates death and is inspired to turn on Kindred's plan. Eventually, Doc Ock uses a piece of Black Ant's helmet to knock everyone, including Overdrive, out through the ear centipedes Kindred was using to control them.

Powers and Abilities

Overdrive scatters nanites by touch which can transform a vehicle to his will - such as improving a car's speed or design. These changes, however, revert if Overdrive is away from the vehicle for too long.