Diamondback (Character)

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Created by: Bill Mantlo and George Tuska

1st appearance: Luke Cage-Hero for Hire #1, 1972

Real Name: Willis Stryker

Nationality: American

Team Affiliations: Maggia, formerly Bloods

Legal Status: U.S citizen with criminal record.

Weight: 200 lbs    Height: 6’4

Eyes: Brown            Hair: Black

Known Relatives: Unknown

Skills and abilities: Expert knife fighter, both hand to hand and throw, His resident genius Gadget designed three special blades to use against Cage; poison gas dispensing, debilitating sonic pulse-emitting and exploding on impact.

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Biography

Willis Stryker and Carl Lucas grew up together in the inner city. As best friends they joined and later lead the street gang, the Bloods. Street fights honed his knife fighting skills. Years later Carl left the gang and he moved in on Maggia territory. He and Carl then became rivals for the affections of Reva who was Carl’s co-worker. When Carl saved his life and Reva broke up with him he was furious. When he learned that Carl and Reva were engaged he stole two Kilos of uncut heroin from rival Cornel Cottonmouth and used it to frame Lucas.  With his friend imprisoned he moved in on Reva again promising to help Carl in any way he could. She later gets killed as retaliation for the heroin theft. Willis then rose through the ranks of New York criminals to become a member and leader of the Maggia, dubbed Diamondback for his speed with his blades. When Carl escaped prison and returned to New York as Luke Cage he targeted Willis’ gang. When Luke cut a swath through his territory the Maggia gave him an ultimatum be fired of deal with him. He set a trap for Luke but fell through a skylight, an explosive dagger he intended for Luke fell next to him it killed him on spot when it detonated.

Kingpin of New York and Ressurection

Years later he showed up in new York after the Kingpin had abdicated his throne as king of crime and Black Cat and Hammerhead were now the major players. He proceeded to destroy the Harlem branch of Heroes for Hire and make an attempt on the lives of Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist.

When the heroes started makeing moves against him he proposed that Black Cat join him, when she refused he proceeded to poison Luke Cage right infront of her and leave the hero for dead.