WHEELER
Real Name: Wheeler (I scanned the comics but couldn't determine whether that was his first or last name)
Identity/Class: Human technology user;
citizen of Wakanda
Occupation: None; former pilot
Group Membership: Wakanda Flying Patrol (an earlier name for WAG, the Wakandan Air Guard)
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Malice (Nakia), Dakota North;
formerly Daredevil (Matt Murdock), Black Panther (T'Challa)
Known Relatives: M'Koni (Mary Wheeler, wife), Billy Wheeler (son), T'Challa (Black Panther, cousin through marriage)
Aliases: None Known
Base of Operations: New York City and possibly still Wakanda
First Appearances: Daredevil I#245 (August, 1987)
Powers/Abilities:
Okay...he himself has the power of a human male his height and
weight who engages in intensive regular exercise. His "Air
Patrol" suit of armor is what makes him powerful. The suit
is no where near as powerful as Iron Man nor as sophisticated.
The suit enables him to fly at fairly fast speeds. Also it
appears to make him stronger because he seemed to hurt DD a lot
when he hit him. Though...I must confess...getting hit with a
metal fist is going to hurt whether or not the person punching is
strong. Also the area that is around his wrist seems to shot a
force beam or some sort of projectile. Also it appears to be able
to shot fire blasts. The suit has known weak spots. The joints
are said to be very vulnerable to punches and blasts. The metal
it is made out of is not invulnerable by any means. DD and Black
Panther had no problem ripping the suit.
Weaknesses: Gambling, for one.
History:
(Daredevil I#245) - Wheeler was down on his luck.
He was once a brave member of the Wakanda Air Patrol. He used to
crack down on terrorists and even was honored by T'Challa
himself. T'Challa granted him permission to marry his cousin,
M'Koni (also refered to as Mary). But, for one reason or another
Wheeler moved...away from Wakanda...away from his glorious
"Air Patrol". In Wakanda he was a somebody...in NYC he
was a nobody. His achievements mattered to no one. Slowly he
developed a gambling addiction. Soon he became involved with
two-bit bookies and criminal rackets. He lost money for food,
bills and money for his son, Billy. His wife, Mary, became
distraught with his poor handling of money and locked herself
within her room in their apartment. One fateful day, Wheeler was
accompanying his bookie, who was cracking down on one of his
"costumers" by breaking his legs. Wheeler was appalled
by his bookie severe actions, but was too scared to do anything
about it. DareDevil swooped in and knocked the bookie to kingdom
come then attended to the man with the broken legs, totally
ignoring Wheeler. Wheeler was insulted by DD not acknowledging
his presence. Wheeler recalled a time when he fought like DD, and
contemplated helping DD with the injured leg guy. Then he decided
to take the unconscious bookies cash to pay for groceries and his
son and left. Unfortunately, instead of buying groceries he
gambled the money away. Without food he went home to a depressed
wife and a shamed son.
Without money for the umpteenth time, his son began to worry. He decided to call T'Challa for help. While Wheeler was gambling that day T'Challa approached him and gave him a large roll of money. Wheeler was insulted by the act of kindness and stormed off. T'Challa followed Wheeler and the two got in a heated argument. At that moment a pair of bookies advanced on Wheeler. T'Challa donned his Black Panther costume and the two subdued the bookies. T'Challa paid the bookies the money which Wheeler owed, again Wheeler stormed of because of T'Challa's attempt to fix things with money. Wheeler returned home in disgrace. He began to look nostalgically look over his air patrol suit recalling his past. He decided to wear it again and used it to gain money illegally. In the act of robbing a bank (he was a very polite bank robber) he came in conflict with Daredevil. The two fought, Wheeler was on the receiving end. The suit cushioned him against DD's attack and DD was unable to hurt him. Black Panther showed up and told DD of the suit's weak spots. Together they both beat Wheeler. Wheeler was shamed and appeared to be contemplating suicide. Black Panther allowed him to pursue his own fate and end his life. DD told T'Challa he would never allow him to take his life and when DD tried to stop him Black Panther kicked DD in the back. As DD and Black Panther were going at it Wheeler spotted a police helicopter and decided to turn himself in. He flew towards the copter with his arms raised. The pilot mistook him for an attacker and shot him down. Wheeler nose-dived into the harbor ablaze. DD went to help, again Black Panther tried to stop him. DD delivered a shattering blow to BP and managed to go help Wheeler. He dragged out Wheeler from the harbor and put out the flames. DD told him he would not turn him in. Wheeler took his second chance and reformed. He got a job, paid his bills and patched things up with his wife.
(Black Panther III#31) - Wheeler fell under the chemical influence of Malice in her scheme to kill everyone the Black Panther knew and cared about in New York. Wheeler was seduced by her (and pictures of it were taken by Dakota North), and then Malice killed and stuffed him in a water-heater. Major ouch.
Comments: Created by Ann Nocenti and Chuck Patton.
Profile by: Mike McTighe and caliban
Clarifications: Wheeler has no known connection to:
Malice, Nakia, has no known connection to:
images:
Daredevil I#245, p7, pan1 (main)
Daredevil I#245, cover (in armor)
Appearances:
Daredevil I#245 (August, 1987) - Ann Nocenti (writer), Chuck Patton (pencils), Tony DeZuniga (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Black Panther III#31-33 (June-August, 2001) - Christopher Priest (writer), Sal Velluto (pencils), Bob Almond (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
First Posted: 03/18/2002
Last updated: 03/30/2019
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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