Grapplers (comics)
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| Grapplers | |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Two-in-One #54 (Aug 1979) |
| Created by | Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, and John Byrne |
| In story information | |
| Type of business | Professional wrestling |
| Owner(s) | Auntie Freeze |
| Employee(s) | Battleaxe Butterball Cowgirl Gladiatrix Magilla Poundcakes Sushi Vavavoom |
The Grapplers are a fictional organization in the Marvel Comics universe. It was a loosely-organized band of female wrestlers, most of whom gained superhuman strength after their first published appearances, through the group known as Power Broker, Inc.
Contents |
[edit] History
The original four Grapplers were initially drafted by the Roxxon Oil Company to invade Project: Pegasus, along with Thundra. They were given specially designed costumes to heighten their formidable prowess at physical combat. However, Quasar and Giant-Man eventually defeated the quartet and gave them over to authorities.
They later attacked Dazzler while they were all incarcerated at Ryker's Island in attempt to get vengeance after the Klaw's seeming death at her hands. After getting beaten to near death, Dazzler was able to defeat the Grapplers with a light blast.
The Grapplers then escaped prison and planned to attack the Thing with several other super-villains, though the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and various other super-heroes foiled their plans. The Grapplers decided to halt their illegal activities and become legitimate wrestlers. They soon branched out, and several new members joined their ranks. Soon after, Titania was slain by the Scourge of the Underworld. Investigating her death, Letha also soon met her demise at the Scourge's hands. Screaming Mimi later joined the Thunderbolts, while Poundcakes became a freelance mercenary.
[edit] Original members
The original line-up bears superficial resemblance to the Female Furies, from Jack Kirby's New Gods.
[edit] Titania
Titania (Davida DeVito) was the field leader of the original Grapplers. She wielded an energy rod which enabled her to blast long-range bursts. When the Grapplers were imprisoned, Titania became the leader of the women's wing. While she was crafty, she was also a very sore loser, and the other Grapplers were worried for their reputation after Titania's defeat at the hands of Battleaxe. After the Grapplers attempted to go legitimate as professional wrestlers, Titania was killed by the Scourge of the Underworld posing as a new recruit, Golddigger. She is not to be confused with the more recent Titania, who took her name around the time of her death.
[edit] Letha
Letha (Hellen Feliciano) was a blonde bombshell who specialized in acrobatic wrestling. She also used specialized leather belts and straps, though she most often battle in hand-to-hand combat. While the other Grapplers were notable for their strong, feminist personalities, Letha instead had a very feminine personality, often flirting with the enemies or showing concern over fashion. After Titania was slain by the Scourge of the Underworld, Letha joined Firebrand and several other super-villains as they plotted a way to stop the vigilante. However, Letha and the others were soon shot to death by the Scourge themselves.
[edit] Poundcakes
Poundcakes (Marian Pouncy) is an ex-convict who joined the Grapplers despite her record. She was given seismic boots by Roxxon, which enables her to create shockwaves and tremors by stomping the ground. Slightly overweight, Poundcakes was the strongest member of the Grapplers. After Titania and Letha had been killed by the Scourge of the Underworld, Poundcakes became a freelance mercenary. She battled Captain America several times and eventually joined the Femizons, though her stay with Superia was short-lived. Poundcakes then proceeded to return to her extortion gig, selling contraband to Atlantean forces. She was later apprehended by the Avengers.
[edit] Screaming Mimi
Screaming Mimi (Mimi Schwartz/Melissa Gold) met Poundcakes in prison and soon after, was invited to join the Grapplers. Roxxon operated on Screaming Mimi's vocal cords, giving her the ability to drive a person to insanity with her screams. The only Grappler who is not capable of superhuman strength, Screaming Mimi proved useful on several missions. Soon after Titania and Letha were killed, Screaming Mimi joined the Masters of Evil and eventually turned over a new leaf, calling herself Songbird and joining the Thunderbolts.
[edit] Recruits
[edit] Auntie Freeze
Auntie Freeze (Ann Fraley) is formerly a professional wrestler and the founder of the Grapplers. Each of the four original Grapplers were protégés of Auntie Freeze, and despite her promotion, the Grapplers were unable to gain popularity. She was then contacted by Roxxon, who fitted the four girls to become mercenaries. She later came up with the idea to merge with the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation and have the girls become legitimate wrestlers to put their past behind them, though the original four did not stick with the idea.
[edit] Battleaxe
Battleaxe (Anita Ehren) is wrestler who uses a pair of axes as her weapon of choice. Among the new recruits, Battleaxe was the only one to succeed in defeating an original member of the Grapplers, Titania. After Titania's murder, Battleaxe blamed the Thing and later battled him in the ring herself. She defeated him, but discovered he allowed her to win and she declared the battle void. Later, she joined the Femizons and battled Captain America, as well as the B.A.D. Girls. Most recently, she was seen battling Ms. Marvel, though she was quickly defeated.
[edit] Butterball
Butterball (Vivian Dolan) is an overweight wrestler who uses her massive body as a weapon. Her favorite move is to bodyslam her opponents. Presumably, she continues to wrestle with the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation.
[edit] Cowgirl
Cowgirl (Deb Lowry) is a cowboy-themed wrestler. She briefly participated in the battle with the Thing, and presumably continues to wrestle with the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation.
[edit] Gladiatrix
Gladiatrix (Robbin Braxton) is a professional wrestler. Unlike the other new recruits, Gladiatrix chose to use her massive strength for the good of mankind. She participated in the Civil War and was commended for her duties as a super-hero.
[edit] Magilla
Magilla (Sandy Stalmaster) is a wrestler who is notable for her excess body hair. She participated in the battle with the Thing, and later joined in the battle with Sharon Ventura after the Power Broker told the wrestlers they would die without their medicine. She presumably continues to wrestle with the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation.
[edit] Sushi
Sushi (Susan Hayakawa) is a Japanese wrestler who presumably uses Karate as her fighting style. She briefly battled the Thing alongside the other Grapplers.
[edit] Vavavoom
Vavavoom (Dawn Middlebury) is a wrestler known for her beauty. While the other Grapplers are known for their muscles, Vavavoom is quite petite and the most conventionally attractive of the group.
