Bombshell (Marvel Comics)

Bombshell (Wendy Conrad) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Bombshell first appeared in Hawkeye Vol. 1 #3 and was created by Mark Gruenwald.

Publication history
Bombshell appeared in Hawkeye #3-4 (1983), Captain America #388-392 (1991), Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 (1992), Web of Spider-Man Annual #8 (1992) and New Warriors Annual #2 (1992).

As a member of the Death-Throws, Bombshell appeared in Captain America #317 (1986), Avengers Spotlight #23-25 (1989), Captain America #411-414 (1993) and Union Jack Vol.2 #2 (2006). She also appeared as part of the Death-Throws entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #3 (1985) and Dark Reign Files #1 (2009).

Fictional character biography
Wendy Conrad was born in Scarsdale, New York. She used her juggling talents and explosives expertise to become the supervillain Bombshell. Bombshell, along with juggler Oddball, was hired by Crossfire to eliminate Hawkeye and Mockingbird. The two juggling supervillains were able to subdue the two heroes and deliver them to Crossfire. However, Hawkeye later managed to escape and defeat all three villains.

Bombshell and Oddball, together with Knickknack, Ringleader and Tenpin, formed the juggling-themed supervillain group the Death-Throws. The group were hired by Crossfire to help him escape from prison. When Crossfire was unable to pay them, the Death-Throws held the villain hostage. They were defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Captain America. Later, the Death-Throws attempted to claim the bounty placed on Hawkeye's right arm but were defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Trick Shot.

Bombshell underwent a genetic experiment to gain superpowers. She gained the ability to fire explosive energy blasts from her hands. Bombshell then joined an all female team of supervillains called the Femizons. The Femizons, led by Superia, sought to sterilize all men so women would rule the world. The team were defeated by Captain America. Bombshell's experimental new powers soon faded.

Justin Hammer hired a number of supervillains (including Bombshell) to battle Spider-Man and the New Warriors. Justin Hammer and the supervillains allied themselves with the Sphinx When Sphinx revealed his true intentions of world domination, Bombshell panicked and fled from the scene.

The Death-Throws are hired by R.A.I.D to take part in a terrorist attack on London. They attack civilians from the top of Tower Bridge, but soon come into battle with Union Jack and Sabra. Bombshell, the last member of the team left standing, defuses her bombs and surrenders. Union Jack uses one of Bombshell's bombs (which he had earlier confiscated) to take down a giant Dreadnought.

Appearance
In her early appearances (Hawkeye Vol.1 #3-4, Captain America #317, Avengers Spotlight #23-25), Bombshell was portrayed as being a woman with a muscular physique. However, in later appearances (Union Jack Vol.2 #2), the character was drawn with a more slender look.

Powers and abilities
Bombshell is a master juggler and an explosives expert. Bombshell uses an array of anti-personnel weapons including hand grenades, stun grenades and smoke bombs. She also has concealed weaponry in her wrist bands that fire stun blasts.

After a genetic experiment to gain superpowers, Bombshell gained the ability to fire explosive energy from her hands. However, these powers soon faded.

Last Avengers Story
A woman called Bombshell appears in the Last Avengers Story set in an alternate future.

Ultimate Bombshell
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, the Bombshells are a mother/daughter team of criminals. Lori Baumgartner and her young daughter Lana are mutants whose powers are activated when they are close to one another. They have the ability to fire explosive energy beams from their hands. In their first appearance, the foul-mouthed Bombshells attempted to rob a bank vault but are foiled by Spider-Man. Later, they attempted to rob an armored truck until the Human Torch and Spider-Woman arrived on the scene and defeated them.