MAN-KILLER

Real Name: Katrina Luisa van Horne

Identity/Class: Enhanced Human

Occupation: Professional Criminal,Extremist, Assassin, bartender

Group Membership: None;
formerly Initiative (Badd Axe, Black Mamba, Cutthroat, Griffin, Scorcher, Skein, Taskmaster);formerly Crimson Cowl (Justine Hammer)'s Masters of Evil, HYDRA, "Spider-Man Revenge Team", Thunderbolts, Unlimited Brawling Championship;
Hammer's Hammers (Beetle/Abner Jenkins, Blizzard/Donald Gill, Constrictor/Frank Payne, Death-Shield/Timothy Karlskin, Discus/Timothy Stuart, Leap-Frog/Vincent Patilio, Melter/Bruno Horgan, Porcupine/Roger Gocking, Spymaster, Stiletto/Thomas Stuart, Taskmaster/Tony Masters, Water Wizard/Peter Van Zante, Whiplash/Mark Scarlotti);
former member of an unnamed militant group

Affiliations: Arms Merchant, Axum, Delilah, Don Fortunato (see comments), Kat Farrell, Norman Osborn, Scorpion, Thunderbolts (Blackheath, Cyclone (Fresson), Harrier, Skein, Hawkeye, Songbird), Rey Trueno, Baron Helmut Zemo

Enemies: Avengers Resistance (Debrii, Gauntlet (Joseph Green), Justice (Vance Astrovik), Night Thrasher (Donyell Taylor), Rage, Scarlet Spider, Slapstick, Tigra, Ultragirl), Black Widow, Cat (now Tigra), Masters of Evil (Black Mamba, Crimson Cowl (Justine), Hydro-Man, Machinesmith), Daredevil, Hildy Dawes, Ivan Petrovich, Photon (Genis-Vell), Mayor Samuels, the She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Thanos, Thunderbolts (Atlas (Josten), Charcoal, Citizen V (Zemo), Hawkeye, MACH-I, Jolt, Meteorite (Sofen), Songbird, Techno), Wonder Man

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Amazon, Katrina, Wilma

Place of Birth: Berlin, East Germany

Base of Operations: Mobile, including Crimson Cowl's base at Mount Charteris and a bar in Burton Canyon

First Appearance: Marvel Team Up I#8 (April, 1973)

Powers/Abilities: Man Killer originally wore an exo-skeleton that augmented her strength seven times (Class 10) enabling her to punch through stone walls and enhance her physical activities. Created by AIM Scientists, it was covered in bulletproof armor which is equipped to hurl razor sharp blades. She was dependent on her exo-skeleton to survive.

    Since that time, she has apparently regained full mobility and no longer requires the exo-skeleton (unless she can cloak it). She has been seen using her powers out of costume, so it would appear that she has gained all of the powers the suit once granted her. In fact, she now appears to be much stronger, closer to Class 25 or higher.

Recently, Man-Killer received Pym Particles from Fixer which allow her superhuman growth powers, and her strength and durability presumably increase as she grows.

Height: 7' (variable)
Weight: 282 lbs. (variable)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Red

History: (Marvel Team Up I#8 (fb)) - Katrina Louisa van Horn had a promising future as a champion skier before she met another skier named Karl Lubbings, a violent anti-women's libber. Their argument over male and female superiority led to a skiing contest pitting his male ego to her female abilities. In order to defeat her and save face, he played a rough game by cutting her off on the course and accidentally knocking them both into a ravine. He was killed, but Katrina was left near death.
Katrina soon learned her injuries would keep her from skiing again, and that her scars robbed her of her beauty. Scarred psychologically as well, she developed a severe hatred of all men. Her recovery was financed by a militant group of feminists who granted her an exo-skeleton that added to her strength and mobility.



(Marvel Team Up I#8) - She debuted two years later as Man Killer in Chicago by assassinating anti-women's lib politician Mayor Samuels. Clashing briefly with the Cat, she was next sent to steal an experimental radioactive generator prototype from a Power Plant in Harlem NYC, but the Cat enlisted Spider-Man's help in defeating her. Man-Killer was, however, defeated  emotionally by being forced to discover her exo-skeleton had been created by male AIM scientists.

(Daredevil I#121-BTS, 123) - Man-Killer became enlisted in Silvermane's short-lived HYDRA faction in a base under New York City's Shea Stadium. Hearing how lawyer Franklin "Foggy" Nelson was being considered for a role in SHIELD's Directorial Council, Silvermane had him kidnapped in an attempt to destroy SHIELD from within. When Daredevil and the Black Widow came to the rescue, Man-Killer squared off with the Widow, but was defeated when Ivan Petrovitch forced her exo-skeleton to lock up on her.

 

 

 

(Thunderbolts I#65, 69 (fb) - BTS) - While working for Hammer she was infected with a dormant bio-toxin through which Hammer hoped to control her and the other infected agents later.

(Iron Man I#126-127) - Justin Hammer sent her (and an army of Super-Villains) to fight Iron Man. She lost.

(Marvel Team Up I#107) - Presumably freed from prison by her militant supporters, Man-Killer aids them in abducting Hildy Dawes, a leftist underground revolutionist from California sent to New York City with lawyer Jennifer Walters to get a fair trial. Believing Dawes's support would bolster her female cause, Man-Killer clashed once more with Spider-Man and with Walters as the She-Hulk. Blaming herself for the ensuing carnage, Dawes grabbed some high tension wires during an escape and electrocute herself and Man-Killer.

(Venom: Lethal Protector II#5 (fb) - BTS) - Numerous powered criminals joined Justin Hammer's army after reading a flyer at the Bar With No Name to conquer a Carribean island for Hammer.

(Venom: Lethal Protector II#5 (fb)) - Man-Killer joined a group called Hammer's Hammers in defending Justin Hammer on a remote Caribbean island. The team fought Venom, who swiftly defeated them.

 

 

(Thunderbolts I#3) - No longer wearing an exo-skeleton, she first appeared as a member of Crimson Cowl's Masters of Evil; fought the Black Widow and the Thunderbolts, fled using the Cowl's teleportation technology. Later, the Masters oversaw a transaction with the Arms Merchant that was disrupted by the Thunderbolts' arrival; fled when Techno armed himself with the Arms Merchant's weaponry.

(Thunderbolts I#18) - With the other Masters of Evil, fought the Thunderbolts after team-mate Cyclone led them into their trap; defeated MACH-1 in battle; with Crimson Cowl, offered the Thunderbolts an allegiance with them, with the threat that if they did not accept, they would inform all their enemies where to find them.

(Thunderbolts I#19) - With Cyclone, Flying Tiger, Klaw and Tiger Shark, intercepted the Thunderbolts during their battle with Charcoal and the Imperial Forces, allowing them to escape; mentioned they would picking up newly-minted coins, and warned the Thunderbolts to stop "playing hero".

(Thunderbolts I#20) - With the Masters, attempted theft of the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, attacked by the Thunderbolts; captured the Thunderbolts, but forced to flee when seeming Dreadknight (Hawkeye in disguise) appeared to aid the Thunderbolts, and the authorities began to arrive.

(Thunderbolts I#23) - With the Masters, observed Hawkeye's statement that the Thunderbolts would bring them down.

(Thunderbolts I#24) - With the Masters, assaulted the National Guard in Robinette, Nebraska, to bring the Thunderbolts to them and active tremendous weather storm; returned to Mount Charteris base with other Masters of Evil, now numbered at 25 men and women.

(Thunderbolts I#25) - Base infiltrated by the Thunderbolts, fought them; Man-Killer fled with Cyclone when she realized their defeat was imminent.

(Thunderbolts I#27) - First appeared as bartender "Wilma" in Burton Canyon, Colorado. Found tending bar at "The Down Slope" by Thunderbolts member Atlas (in civilian clothes), who was unsure whether to inform his teammates of her activities.

(Thunderbolts I#30) - Bar again visited by Atlas, who noticed her interest in skiing, another clue that she was Man-Killer.

(Thunderbolts I#34) - Saw Atlas on television; suspected he had been visiting her bar.

(Thunderbolts I#35) - Again visited by Atlas, who was mourning the apparent death of his teammate Jolt.

(Thunderbolts I#39) - Realized the Thunderbolts were in trouble when an electromagnetic disruption field was felt around Burton Canyon; pondered whether the Thunderbolts would allow her to join their team.

(Thunderbolts I#40-41) - Bar visited by Techno and Scourge, both in disguise.

(Thunderbolts I#42) - Bar trashed by Wonder Man, who had come to capture Atlas for Count Nefaria; pleaded to by Atlas to aid him against Wonder Man's assault, but declared that she hated all men, and abandoned him.

(Deadline#2) - Man-Killer returned to NYC where she became barkeeper at the Bar With No Name. One night she talked with Kat Farrell about Judge Hart.

(Thunderbolts I#64) - Was present at Cardinal's jailbreak, along with the rest of the new Crimson Cowl's new Masters Of Evil.

(Thunderbolts I#65) - Man-Killer was one of the bodyguards at Justin Hammer's house when Hawkeye, Plantman, Songbird and Cyclone broke in. The Masters had no problem taking care of Hawkeye's group, and Man-Killer even KO'ed Plantman. Later, was talked into joining Hawkeye's group when he exposed that Hammer had planted a bomb inside all of his former agents.

(bts) Changed her name to Amazon and gained a new costume.

(Thunderbolts I#67) - After Hawkeye's team was captured by Silver Sable, Amazon spent some time getting to know Skein and Cyclone. Later, they raided Justine Hammer's estate, but were caught by surprise when Justine was revealed to be the new Crimson Cowl.

(bts) - Amazon was captured, along with Cyclone, Songbird, and Blackheath (Plantman's new alias).

(Thunderbolts I#69) - After being freed by Songbird, Amazon discussed retreating, but Songbird didn't like the idea. After Justine Hammer's defeat, is confronted by SHIELD agents.

 

 

(Thunderbolts I#71) - Punching a hole through the wall, Amazon gave the others in the group an escape route, save Songbird, who stayed. While Hawkeye wandered through the woods on his way back, found her hanging from a tree, where Skein was trying to get her to consider going back to help Songbird. Using Harrier and Cyclone for bait, was able to surprise a SHIELD agent. Cyclone begged her to untie him, calling her Man-Killer in the process. She requested he call her Amazon from now on, and he made a comment about another going to the other side, which she replied to with "I was born on that side, Frenchie." Finding Skein and SHIELD agent Silicone in a compromising situation, she KO'ed the poor guy.

 

(Marvel Universe: The End#5-6) - Amazon, along with the rest of the Thunderbolts and their allies, joined together with a multitude of heroes and villains from Earth and the rest of the universe to oppose Thanos, who had gained supreme power from the Heart of the Infinite. Thanos easily wiped out every single being in the universe, but later was convinced to sacrifice himself to restore the universe to its previous state.

(Thunderbolts I#73) - Went on the mission to fix the White Hole in V-Battalion HQ in Symkaria, where she was stuck with the job of anchor.

(Thunderbolts I#74) - Was there to "greet" the original Thunderbolts, as they made their way back from Counter-Earth.

(Thunderbolts I#75) - On a beach outside of Dr. Faustus' old home where the Thunderbolts had made their temporary home, Amazon considered just swimming away. After a short conversation with Atlas, swam away, saying that she just didn't have the guts for it.

(Thunderbolts I#80 (fb) - BTS, 80) - Now wearing another new costume and TRYING to go by the name Katrina (though everyone kept calling her Man-Killer, and no one remembered the alias Amazon from 6 months ago...), she broke into the gem vault at Frickel Jewelers from the roof. She evaded the cops with this approach, but was not so successful at escaping the detection of the web-swinger. She got into another fight with Spider-Man, who wore her down, webbed her up, and left her hanging from a flagpole after suitable taunting.  She was bailed out soon after by agents of Rey Trueno, who sought to recruit her for his Unlimited Brawling Championship organization. Coach Cady tried to give her some direction, but she didn't respond well to his methods and ended up punching him out.
    Katrina then linked up with Delilah (with whom she was most friendly) and the Scorpion, and attempted to recruit Axum into a group to gain revenge on Spider-Man.

(Thunderbolts I#81) - Figuring Trueno was playing her for a sucker, Katrina continued with her groups plans against Spider-Man. However, Trueno's lawyer got all charges dropped by claiming all damage done was defensive action against Spider-Man, as there was no evidence to the contrary. Katrina decided to abandon her plot for vengeance, as did Axum, and the remaining two person "Spider-Man Revenge League" didn't fare as well--both the Scorpion and Delilah were left hanging, webbed to another flagpole.

(New Thunderbolts I#18) - Man-Killer was recruited to Baron Zemo's team to oppose the Thunderbolts and given Pym Particles by the Fixer so that she could match Atlas in power. She commented that her new powers had better not make her go "nuts" like everyone else who used it.

(Thunderbolts II#100 (fb)) - Man-Killer joined MACH-4, Moonstone, Blackout, Zemo, Fixer and Blizzard in opposing the Thunderbolts over the life of Photon (Genis-Vell). Her new powers gained her a brief advantage against Atlas, but ultimately he beat her. In the end, Zemo won and killed Photon.

(Avengers: The Initiative#31) - After enrolling in Norman Osborn's Initiative, Man-Killer sparred with Badd Axe during a party at the Initiative Camp HAMMER, alongside Black Mamba, Cutthroat, Griffin, Scorcher, Skein, and Taskmaster. When Osborn announced a visit, Taskmaster whipped them into shape, suggesting Man-Killer and Badd Axe get a room. During Osborn's later visit, Badd Axe sparred against Scorcher and Man-Killer against Griffin.

(Avengers: The Initiative#33) - Man-Killer was among the villains defending Camp HAMMER when the Avengers Resistance attacked it.

(Avengers: The Initiative#34) - Man-Killer fought Rage during the Avengers Resistance's assault on Camp HAMMER. As the Avengers Resistance were joined by the Shadow Initiative and Penance, the Hood and a number of his forces left to bolster Osborn's forces in Asgard, leaving Man-Killer and the remaining villains behind to combat the heroes with their Norn Stone-enhanced powers.

(Avengers: The Initiative#35) - Man-Killer lost her enhanced powers when Loki withdrew the Norn Stones from the Hood in Oklahoma. She was quickly defeated by Ultragirl afterward.

COMMENTS: Created by Gerry Conway & Jim Mooney

It is unknown how Man Killer survived her electrocution in MTU#107-- Techno remarked in Thunderbolts I#3 that she was supposed to be dead. That issue by the way is the historic first meeting of Spider-Man and the She-Hulk. (And what a nice couple they make !!!)

Man-Killer has a one page profile (not very informative) as one of "Spider-Man's Forgotten Foes!" in Web of Spider-Man Annual#3.
--Markus Raymond

Some of Man-Killer's comments to Atlas make it clear that she bats for the other team--Snood.

At the time Thunderbolts I#3 was published Don Fortunato was on the rise in the New Yorker underworld and he worked together with Hydra, like Black Widow surmised. The Arms Merchant's deal was probably with him.
--Markus Raymond

 

OK, I've got to make the Austin Powers connection. While MK is a big meanie and not quite as funny as Austin, she's got that big "woman" symbol thingee, and her 1972 appearance has his lingo down pat.--Snood.

 

Big thanks to G Morrow for pointing out Man-Killer's appearance in Deadline#2. It was so obvious that it was her and I still missed it while doing the Judge profile.
--Markus Raymond

 

Main image scan by MarvellousLuke.

Profile by William Uchtman and Prime Eternal; images and coordination by Snood, and thanks to Danny Wall at the OHoTMU for letting us use his beautifully sculpted image, from a profile written by Omar Karindu.
Updated 2/4/03 courtesy of Zerostar, and then 7/26/03 by Snood. Now that's collaboration!

Clarifications:
Not to be confused with:

images: (without ads)
All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z#7, Man-Killer profile (main image)
Marvel Team-Up I#8, p5, pan5 (Man-Killer first appearance)
Marvel Team-Up I#8, p11, pan5 (Man-Killer's hand)
Thunderbolts I#19, p21, pan1 (Masters of Evil Man-Killer)
Thunderbolts I#75, p12, pan3 (Man-Killer as Amazon body shot)
Thunderbolts I#75, p12, pan6 (Man-Killer as Amazon head shot)
Thunderbolts I#80, p1, pan1 (Man-Killer fights Spidey)
Marvel Team-Up I#8, p8, pan3 (Man-Killer talks 70s style)

Appearances:
Marvel Team-Up I#8 (April, 1973) - Gerry Conway (writer), Jim Mooney (artist), Roy Thomas (editor)
Daredevil I#121 (May, 1975) - Tony Isabella & Bob Brown (writers), Bob Brown (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Len Wein (editor)
Daredevil I#123 (July, 1975) - Tony Isabella & Bob Brown (writers), Bob Brown (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Len Wein (editor)
Iron Man I#126-127 (September-October, 1979) - David Michelinie & Bob Layton (writers), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Bob Layton (inks), Roger Stern (editor)
Marvel Team-Up I#107 (July, 1981) - Tom DeFalco & Jim Shooter (writers), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Denny O'Neil (editor)
Web of Spider-Man Annual I#3 (1987) - Roger Stern (writer), Michael Nasser (pencils), Bruce Patterson (inks), Jim Salicrup (editor)
Thunderbolts I#3 (June, 1997) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Vince Russell (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#18-20 (August-November, 1998) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna (#19) & Jonathan Holdredge (#20) (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#23-25 (February-April, 1999) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna, Bob Wiacek (#25) & Al Vey (#25) (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#27 (June, 1999) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#30 (September, 1999) - Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#34-35 (January-February, 2000) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna (#34) & Greg Adams (#35) (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#39-42 (June-September, 2000) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Scott Hanna (#39-40), Greg Adams (#41) & Al Milgrom (#42) (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Deadline#2 (July, 2002) - Bill Rosemann (writer), Guy Davis (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#64-65 (July-August, 2002) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Patrick Zirchner (pencils), Al Vey & Grant Nelson (#65) (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#67 (September, 2002) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Patrick Zirchner (pencils), Sandu Florea (inks), Tom Brevoort & Andrew Lis (editors)
Thunderbolts I#69 (October, 2002) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Jean Jacques Dzialowski (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Brevoort & Andrew Lis (editors)
Thunderbolts I#71 (November, 2002) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Manuel Garcia (pencils), Al Vey (inks), Tom Brevoort & Andrew Lis (editors)
Marvel Universe: The End#5-6 (July-August, 2003) - Jim Starlin (writer/pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts I#73 (December, 2002) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Chris Batista (pencils), Rich Perrotta (inks), Andrew Lis (editor)
Thunderbolts I#74 (January, 2003) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Chris Batista (pencils), Rich Perrotta (inks), Andrew Lis (editor)
Thunderbolts I#75 (February, 2003) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Manuel Garcia (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Andrew Lis (editor)
Thunderbolts I#80-81 (August-September, 2003) - John Arcudi (writer), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (artist), Andrew Lis (editor)
New Thunderbolts#18 (April, 2006) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Tom Grummett (penciler), Gary Erskine (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thunderbolts II#100 (May, 2006) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Tom Grummett (penciler), Gary Erskine (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative#31 (February, 2010) - Christos Gage (writer), Rafa Sandoval (pencils), Roger Bonet (inks), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative#33 (April, 2010) - Christos N. Gage (writer), Jorge Molina (pencils), Victor Olazaba (inks), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative#34 (May, 2010) - Christos N. Gage (writer), Jorge Molina (pencils), Andrew Hennessy (inks), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative#35 (June, 2010) - Christos N. Gage (writer), Jorge Molina (pencils), Andrew Hennessy (inks), Bill Rosemann (editor) Venom: Lethal Protector II#5 (July, 2022) - David Michelinie (writer), Ivan Fiorelli (artist), Devin Lewis (editor)

First Posted: 02/04/2003
Last updated: 09/13/2022

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters