History[]
The Red Skull is a Nazi, a former agent of Adolf Hitler, who became the arch foe of Captain America during World War II. Surviving into the modern era in a state of suspended animation, he resumed his crusade to conquer the world and re-establish the Reich, but has been constantly opposed by heroes such as Captain America (who calls him "lobster head"), Captain Britain and Spider-Man.
On one occasion, the two Captains and Nick Fury teamed up to help Lance Hunter and S.T.R.I.K.E. stop the Red Skull from conquering Britain. His plan had been to kidnap the prime minister, James Callaghan, and threaten to both kill him and detonate a germ bomb over London unless the British government surrendered. This was partly for the fun of it, and partly as revenge for Britain standing up to the Skull's hero Adolf Hitler during World War II and preventing him from conquering the world. One of the Skull's favourite pastimes is to talk to a picture of Hitler, vowing eternal loyalty while doing the Nazi salute.
Later on, Captain Britain helped Spider-Man to defeat the Red Skull in New York. It's safe to say that the Red Skull, despite his frequent monologues about how the glorious Fourth Reich will conquer the world, has a long history of being defeated by college students.
Powers and abilities[]
Abilities
Skilled demagogue.
Weaknesses
Monologuing.
Paraphernalia[]
Equipment
Super-computer; remote-controlled nerve gas dispenser; map of northern Europe; picture of Adolf Hitler.
Transportation
Teleporter; mini-jet packs concealed in boots.
Weapons
Germ bomb; sword with swastika on pommel; "small, deadly device" (another bomb).
Notes[]
The Red Skull was, of course, created in the American Captain America series in the Golden Age of US comics, but was introduced into the Marvel UK universe in Captain Britain Weekly in 1977.
Trivia[]
- The Red Skull once kidnapped Captain Britain's siblings, Betsy and Jamie Braddock, so he could use them as hostages.
- The Red Skull's base in the UK looks a lot like Hitler's Berlin bunker, suggesting that the Red Skull didn't really think things through before he chose it as his HQ.
Links[]
- Appearances of Red Skull
- Character Gallery: Red Skull
- Images that feature Red Skull
- Fan-Art Gallery: Red Skull
- Red Skull quotations
Discover and Discuss[]
- Search News for: The Red Skull · Johann Schmidt · Red Skull