Thunderclap

Real Name: Unknown

Identity/Class: Human technology user (probably - see powers)

Occupation: Unknown

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Enemies: unnamed gang attempting to flee the police

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, New York

First Appearance: Spider-Man #607 (UK Weekly, 27th October 1984)

Powers/Abilities: Thunderclap could create sonic booms by clapping his hands together. The main force of these "thunderclaps" could be directed to an extent (he was able to knock out a gang of crooks while leaving Spider-Man, who was directly above the gang, awake), but the residual sonic energy went out in a sphere from his hands, and was powerful enough to shatter glass and partially deafen people for at least a block's radius. This power seemed likely to be technological in nature, given the metallic mittens Thunderclap wore, but it is possible the power was innate to him, and the mittens either a focus to help him control his power, or perhaps an attempt to prevent people from realising the true source of his abilities. Thunderclap's hearing was not affected by his power, probably protected by the solid-looking ear-cups on his costume.

History: (SMW #607/1) - Wednesday night in New York City, and Spider-Man had intervened in a police chase, forcing a van-load of gun-toting criminals to crash their getaway vehicle. The officers in the pursuing patrol car had exited their vehicle and were watching as Spider-Man took on the thugs pouring out the van, when another costumed figure arrived on the scene. Walking between the two law enforcement officials, the newcomer shouted to Spidey that he would take over and deal with the goons, just as Spider-Man hauled himself up on a webline and out from the middle of the melee. The interloper introduced himself as Thunderclap, then clapped his metallic gloves together, created a powerful sonic boom. This incapacitated the criminals, but also shattered all the glass in the neighbourhood and left Spidey and the cops with their ears ringing. The eager Thunderclap was somewhat crestfallen when the senior hero pointed out his mistake, then left him to explain the mess to the angry policemen.

(SMW #607/1, [BTS]) - Thunderclap told the arriving press that it was Spider-Man who had caused the property destruction, and the next morning the Daily Bugle newspaper's front page carried a picture of Thunderclap taken by Peter Parker along with the byline "A Real Hero: Thunderclap Halts Spiderman Threat!"

Comments: Created by Mike Collins, Barry Kitson and Mark Farmer.

In case it's not clear from the text, Thunderclap appeared in an original U.K. story which was published in the weekly Spider-Man comic. Comments within the story help place where it belongs in relation to Spider-Man's US titles, with Spidey thinking about his relationship problems with the Black Cat, and recent encounters with Frog Man. The end of the story leads directly into the start of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #18.

Spidey also makes passing mention of a recent encounter with a novice hero called "Red Devil" - I'd guess he possibly means Red-Nine. Although that hero didn't appear until early the next year, the UK writer might have been given advance notice of upcoming storylines. If it isn't Red-Nine, then I'm not sure who he was referring to, as I'm not aware of anybody that Spidey has met called Red Devil.

Before anyone writes in to correct the profile, let me state that Spider-Man's name is generally hyphenated. However the newspaper headline mentioned in the history above (and several instances in the story) ran his name together as one word - hence when I quoted the headline above I also wrote it as Spiderman, exactly as it appeared on the page in question. It's a mistake, but not my mistake.

Profile adapted from the one of this character for the Appendix to the Marvel Universe site.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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