History[]
Joshua Stragg, a.k.a. the Reaver, was a criminal scientist who attacked the Darkmoor Research Centre and attempted to raid it during the time that Brian Braddock was on a work placement there from Thames University. The Centre was on the verge of discovering nuclear fusion. Stragg wanted to kidnap its scientists and force them to work for him instead, so that his company, Stragg Atomics, would corner the energy market.
Braddock escaped from the Centre and was pursued by Stragg, who caught up with him just as Braddock was given the powers of Captain Britain by Merlyn and the Goddess of the Northern Skies. Captain Britain gained his power from an artefact called the Amulet of Right, but Stragg grabbed another artefact, the Sword of Might, which if Braddock had chosen it would have set him on a darker path; immediately, Stragg was transformed into the armoured Reaver and attacked Braddock. After a lengthy battle, Braddock defeated the Reaver, who has not been seen since.
When Captain Britain's origin story was reprinted, with alterations, in Hulk Comic #31 and Hulk Comic #32, the Reaver was retconned into being the servant of the Nethergods (beings such as Necromon). In Hulk Comic #34 he was described as "The Reaver — pawn of the Nethergods!"
Powers and abilities[]
Powers
His sword can emit energy blasts.
Abilities
Piloting giant wall-destroying robot machines; nuclear science; leadership skills.
Strength level
Probably superhuman.
Weaknesses
His willpower isn't as strong as Captain Britain's.
Paraphernalia[]
Equipment
Golden armour.
Transportation
Hovercraft; giant wall-destroying robot machine.
Weapons
Sword of Might.
Notes[]
Joshua Stragg had adopted 'the Reaver' as a nom de guerre before ever he encountered the Sword of Might, which suggests that the sword didn't so much transform him as reveal his inner self. Since he referred to himself in the third person as "the Reaver" while crashing through the wall of a nuclear research centre with an army of henchmen, he clearly already wanted to pursue the career of a supervillain.
Links[]
- Appearances of Joshua Stragg
- Character Gallery: Joshua Stragg
- Images that feature Joshua Stragg
- Fan-Art Gallery: Joshua Stragg
- Joshua Stragg quotations
Discover and Discuss[]
- Search News for: The Reaver · Joshua Stragg · Joshua Stragg