Supermax

Origin

Supermax is a member of the Desert Stars, the Arizona based team of the Initiative. During the Secret Invasion, Skrulls were infiltrating the Initiative by placing a Skrull agent on each team. The Desert Stars were handling a situation in Phoenix when the new 3-D Man and the Skrull Kill Krew discovered that Blacksmith of the Desert Stars was an actual Skrull. Blacksmith revealed his true identity and attacked. Blacksmith was killed by Riot and Supermax would recover from his injuries.

Creation

Supermax was created by Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage and Stefano Caselli in 2008 and first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative # 16.

Major Story Arcs

Supermax and the Desert Stars would team up with another Initiative team called the Heavy Hitters when Zzzax escaped from SHIELD custody after their systems were sabotaged. Zzzax was going after the generators in Hoover Dam in order to feed on the electromagnetic energy. Both teams responded to the red alert emergency since Hoover Dam is on the Arizona and Nevada border. Johnny Cool used his cold powers to plug up a hole in the dam while the hot-headed Supermax rushed into battle with Zzzax. Supermax tried to knock Zzzax into the river but was zapped with an electric bolt when that maneuver failed. Zzzax was defeated when Hardball placed an energy ball into Zzzax's stomach and expanded it, causing him to explode. Johnny Cool was able to contain Zzzax by freezing his scattered pieces. Supermax was more embarrassed after the encounter because he acted like a total rookie but the Two-Gun Kid told him he was a rookie and was entitled to make mistakes.

Fear Itself

Commander Steve Rogers informs Prodigy of the unknown meteors that have fallen from the heavens and mass panic is on the horizon. Rogers asks Prodigy to gather heroes on a volunteer basis to help keep the peace and lead a new Initiative where there is no forced conscription or registration. Prodigy agrees to become the leader of the new Initiative and most of the former Initiative teams gather in Washington DC. Supermax volunteers and joins his old team, the Desert Stars and prevents some armed, masked men from robbing the National Bank.

Powers & Abilities

Supermax has superhuman strength, durability and resistance to injury. He also possesses the ability to increase his size and height.