“ | My mission is to stamp out the outmoded concept of patriotism! | „ |
~ Flag-Smasher. |
“ | What? I'm not a communist. Weren't you people listening. I hate what the Soviet Union stands for as much as I hate what America stands for! | „ |
~ Flag-Smasher (Karl Morgenthau). |
“ | No sacrifice is too great to see the world's capitals burn. Mankind must be free from the lines that divide us! We must untie them all! One world... one people. | „ |
~ Guy Thierrault. |
Flag-Smasher is a major antagonist in Marvel Comics. He is a supervillainous terrorist who becomes rivalled with Captain America and is also the leader of U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M., a terrorist organization that wants to unite mankind and separate them from their symbols. He is also an enemy of Ghost Rider, the Punisher, and Moon Knight. There are three incarnations of the character, the first and original is Karl Morgenthau, the second was Guy Thierrault, and the third was Carl.
He first appeared in Captain America #312 in December of 1985.
Biography
Origin
The man who would become Flag-Smasher was Karl Morgenthau, the son of an ambassador. As such, he saw all of the war and violence in the world. He also saw the attempts to end the fights that were futile. After his father was killed by an angry mob, he decided to end war with the only language he felt was universal, violence. He became a pure anarchist, hating any form of government and seeking a one-world order.
Flag-Smasher has a durable armor-suit, as well as goggles that are resistant to bright lights. He wields a mace as a weapon, but sometimes uses guns and flamethrowers. Karl returned to New York and started assaulting on symbols such as national flags and embassies, and would battle the patriot superhero Captain America. After being defeated by Captain America, Karl was deported from American, and joined U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. since their goals matched his. Flag-Smasher later became the ruler of Rumekistan by the V-Battalion until he was assassinated by Domino, allowing Cable to become the leader of the nation.
Other Incarnations
Guy Thierrault
Guy Thierrault was the second Flag-Smasher, his origins are unknown, and it's never told how he gained the title from the previous incarnation. Thierrault became the leader of U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. and was thwarted by the Runaways during the civil war, and was presumably captured by S.H.I.E.L.D. and arrested. He managed to escape from custody, and attempted to destroy the Liberty Bell with U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M., but they were stopped by the Liberteens. When Deadpool destroyed an U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. helicarrier that carried family and friends of the organization's soldiers, Thierrault refused to face him. Due to his cowardness, an U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. agent named Carl shot him from behind, and took on the mantle of Flag-Smasher.
Carl
Carl became the next incarnation after killing Thierrault, and attempted to get revenge on Deadpool for his actions, but failed and was killed by the mercenary.
Portrayals
Television
- Main article: Flag-Smasher (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
- The character appears in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as the main antagonist, and is shown as young woman. She is portrayed by Erin Kellyman in this version.
Gallery
Trivia
- He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary.
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