Thunderball’s real name is Dr. Eliot Franklin, and he was born in Buffalo, New York. He was a brilliant scientist who specialized in gamma radiation research, earning him the nickname “the Black Bruce Banner” after the alter ego of the Hulk. He invented a miniature gamma bomb that was ten times more powerful than Banner’s original device. Still, he was betrayed by his employer, Richmond Enterprises, who stole and patented his invention under their name. Franklin tried to steal back his bomb but was caught and sent to prison.

In prison, he met Dirk Garthwaite, aka the Wrecker, who had been mystically empowered by an Asgardian sorceress when she mistook him for Loki, the god of mischief. The Wrecker had lost his powers after being electrocuted by Thor, but he believed his enchanted crowbar still contained some of the magic. He also befriended two other inmates, Henry Camp, and Brian Philip Calusky. One night, they escaped from prison and retrieved the crowbar. They held it aloft during a thunderstorm and were struck by lightning, which released the Asgardian energy and granted them superhuman strength and durability. They formed the Wrecking Crew, with Franklin taking the name Thunderball and wielding a wrecking ball as his weapon.

Thunderball then convinced his allies that they should capture his gamma bomb, which he knew was hidden in one of the Richmond skyscrapers in Manhattan. They planned to use it to ransom New York City for millions of dollars. However, they were opposed by Thor and the Defenders, who managed to stop them and disarm the bomb. Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew were arrested and sent to a maximum-security prison.

Since then, Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew have escaped prison many times and fought against many of Marvel’s superheroes, including Iron Man, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, Black Panther, She-Hulk, and more. They have also joined forces with other supervillain groups, such as the Masters of Evil, the Frightful Four, the Secret Empire, the Illuminati, and the Lethal Legion. Thunderball has occasionally operated independently, using his scientific genius to work for criminal organizations or pursue his own goals. He has also clashed with the Wrecker over leadership of the Wrecking Crew several times.

Thunderball is one of the few villains who can match Thor in strength and intelligence. He has a genius-level intellect that rivals Bruce Banner’s and Tony Stark’s. He is an expert in physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, and computer science. He can create advanced weapons and devices using his knowledge and resources. He also proficiently uses his wrecking ball as a melee or ranged weapon. He can swing it with great force and accuracy or throw it at high speeds. His wrecking ball is almost indestructible due to being energized by the Wrecker’s crowbar.

Thunderball has appeared in various media outside of comics. He has been featured in animated shows such as The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Avengers Assemble, Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, Marvel Future Avengers, and Marvel Super Hero Adventures. He has also appeared in video games such as Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Marvel: Avengers Alliance, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Lego Marvel’s Avengers, Marvel Puzzle Quest, Marvel Strike Force, Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Contest of Champions, Marvel Avengers Academy, Marvel Powers United VR, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. He will make his live-action debut in the upcoming She-Hulk series on Disney+, played by Justin Eaton.

Thunderball is a fascinating character who combines brains and brawn in a deadly way. He is one of Marvel’s most formidable villains who can challenge heroes and villains alike. His rich comic book history spans over four decades and includes many little-known facts and actual storylines. He is also a part of one of Marvel’s most iconic villain teams, the Wrecking Crew. If you want to learn more about Thunderball and his adventures, you can check out some of his comic appearances below:

– The Defenders #17-19 (1974): The first appearance of Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew.
– Thor #304-306 (1981): Thunderball tries to steal Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and battles the god of thunder.
– Iron Man #302-303 (1994): Thunderball works for the Mandarin and fights Iron Man and War Machine.
– The Incredible Hulk #449 (1997): Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew join the Thunderbolts, a team of villains posing as heroes.
– Avengers: The Initiative #8-10 (2008): Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew escape from prison and cause havoc in New York City.
– Dark Reign: The Cabal #1 (2009): Thunderball is recruited by Norman Osborn to join his secret Illuminati of villains.
– Fear Itself: The Worthy #1 (2011): Thunderball is chosen by the Serpent, the god of fear, to wield one of his hammers and becomes Greithoth, Breaker of Wills.
– Avengers Undercover #1-10 (2014): Thunderball mentors a group of young villains who infiltrate the Masters of Evil.
– Thor #3-6 (2018): Thunderball and the Wrecking Crew are hired by Malekith, the dark elf, to attack New York City during the War of the Realms.