REDEEMERS
(Earth-7484)

Membership: Big Man, Gentle Sam, Iron Butterfly, Sage, Swashbuckler;
    other unidentified members/followers/associates

Purpose: Defending humanity from would-be conquerors or destroyers

Aliases: None

Affiliations: Captain America of Earth-616 (Steve Rogers), Deathlok (Luther Manning), Godwulf;
    formerly Brand Corporation, N^th Command, N^th Commandos, Roxxon Oil Company;

Enemies: Alpha-Mechs/Doomsday-Mechs, Hellinger (Harlan Ryker) and his blaster probes, Timestream (Henry Akai) and his robotic agents, other would-be enslavers of America;
    formerly the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and other heroes of Earth

Base of Operations: Redeemers' central command post, Manhattan, New York (circa 1993 A.D.);

First Appearance: Captain America I#288 (December, 1983)

Powers/Abilities: The Redeemers had advanced monitoring equipment, with viewscreens, etc. in their command post. They traveled via personal aircraft that possessed blaster weapons

History:
(Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) - The people who would become the Redeemers were previously agents of  N^th Command, a subsidiary of the Brand Corporation, which was a subsidiary of the Roxxon Oil Company.

    N^th Command was clandestinely devoted to the development of the N^th Projector, a device capable of opening holes into an infinite number of alternate realities. Godwulf led one of ten teams of N^th Commandos -- whose various teams included the people who would become known as Big Man, Gentle Sam, Iron Butterfly, Sage, and Gentle Sam -- who spent years carefully generating the needed power and preparing for Operation: Purge, designed to eradicate the USA's super-powered beings.

(Deathlok II#34 (fb)) - N^th Command's Henry Akai designed the N^th Generator and N^th Projectors.

(Marvel Fanfare II#1 (fb) - BTS) - The Red Skull secretly funded and directed Roxxon's N^th Command in these efforts.

(Captain America I#289 (fb) - BTS) - After training for ten years the N^th Commandos were sent into action.

(Captain America I#288 (fb) / Deathlok II#32 (fb) / Deathlok II#34 (fb)) <1983 A.D.> - Invading the headquarters of the Avengers, Fantastic Four and the X-Men, the N^th Commandos used their N^th Projectors to beam the heroes to extradimensional realms where most, if not all, were instantly killed.

(Captain America I#289) - Godwulf and Iron Butterfly were on the team who broke into the Baxter Building to eliminate the Fantastic Four.

    The success of Operation: Purge represents the point of divergence from Earth-616

(Captain America I#289 (fb) - BTS) - While other N^th Commandos were taking out the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men, other designated commando units were going to be stalking the various members of the Defenders (as well as numerous solo operatives, including Spider-Man, Daredevil, Moon Knight, Power Man and others). At the same hour the next day, when the N^th Generator(s) had had time to return to maximum power levels, those superhumans, too would be eliminated (see comments).

(Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) - With the superhumans out of the way, Roxxon launched its revolutionary army in an attempt to take complete control of the USA. However, as the N^th Projectors' power had been exhausted in Operation: Purge and would take years to regenerate, Roxxon was forced to rely on more conventional warfare. The fighting was prolonged, and as the body count grew, the government fragmented with the CIA setting up various power bases, with the military digging in in other locations; but still no clear victor emerged.

(Deathlok II#34 (fb) - BTS) - Akai used his new powers to acquire the monarchy of Japan. He greatly benefited from the subsequent wars. At some point, Akai adopted the alias Timestream.

(Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) - The repercussions overseas were horrible. War broke out in the Middle East, followed by more wars across the globe.

(Astonishing Tales I#35 (fb) / Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - Explosions destroyed Manhattan and a dozen other American cities, but no one seemed to know who had launched the strike (see comments).

(Astonishing Tales I#35 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - Simon Ryker had most of the people of Manhattan relocated to Long Island, which became the new metropolis. It is unclear whether more people were killed in the initial blast or in the emergency mass evacuation. Regardless, some scattered pockets of humanity made it to safety.

(Astonishing Tales#36 - BTS / Marvel Spotlight I#33 - BTS / Marvel Two-In-One#27 (fb) - BTS) <1991 A.D.> - Godwulf transported Deathlok across time and dimensions back to Earth-616, before Operation: Purge had occurred, to briefly hide and protect him from Hellinger (Harlan Ryker).

(Marvel Spotlight I#33 (fb) - BTS) - Hellinger had an army of Doomsday-Mechs, already in the making, each member unit of which would be a walking plutonium bomb, "capable of causing unlimited havoc."

(Marvel Spotlight I#33 / Marvel Two-In-One#27 (fb) - BTS) - Godwulf attempted to return Deathlok to his proper time.

(Marvel Two-In-One#26 (fb) - BTS) - However, seeking to use Deathlok as their pawn, Earth-616 villains the Fixer (P. Norbert Ebersol) and Mentallo (Marvin Flumm) traveled to the Baxter Building, the base of the Fantastic Four, and used Dr. Doom's time machine to snatch Deathlok from the timestream and returned him to the modern time period of Earth-616. This transportation thwarted both Hellinger and Godwulf's efforts. Both Godwulf and Hellinger apparently lost track of Deathlok due to this.

(Captain America I#286 - BTS) - Godwulf sent the CIA-associated Luther Manning clone back in time to retrieve Deathlok.

(Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) <As of 1993 A.D. (see comments)> - While Godwulf and most were unaware of the situation overseas, the US military eventually wrested control of the USA, but they retained a very tenuous grip on things, as there were dozens of powerful splinter groups itching for a takeover. Eventually, Hellinger proved himself to be a threat to make all the others look like amateurs.

(Captain America#288 (fb) - BTS) - Hellinger resolved to replace humanity with semi-lobotomized cyborgs under his control, his "Homo Ascendant." Having created an army of Alpha-Mechs, walking plutonium bombs, Hellinger strategically began to station them around the world, planning to release his signal, unleashing their nuclear fury and <presumably destroying humanity>.

(Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - At some point (see comments), Godwulf gathered together some of his fellow former N^th Commandos -- notably the ones at least now going by the aliases Big Man, Gentle Sam, Iron Butterfly, Sage, and Swashbuckler -- as his Redeemers. Although they had not considered the ramifications of their actions until it was too late, they strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos the brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.
    Godwulf and Iron Butterfly, if they were not already so, became lovers.

    The Redeemers established their central command post in Manhattan, a walking distance from the 23^rd Street (subway) Station in which Godwulf had a base. They cobbled together machines from post-war leftovers.

    They further recruited a relatively small number of followers who engaged in war against Hellinger and the other would-be enslavers of America.

(Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) <1993 A.D.> - Shortly before Deathlok's return, Sage predicted that Godwulf would bring yesterday with him.

(Captain America I#287 - BTS) - Although the Luther Manning clone had perished at a re-programmed Deathlok's hands, it restored Deathlok's memories before dying, and Deathlok traveled to the 23^rd Street Station and had Godwulf transport him back to his own timeline. Having followed Deathlok, Captain America leapt into the temporal portal and arrived in Earth-7484's 1993 A.D.

(Captain America I#288 - BTS) - En route to the Redeemers' central command post, Godwulf caught up Captain America on the history of Earth-7484.

(Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Deathlok and Captain America to the Redeemers, who were ecstatic to meet the legend from their past. Godwulf then detailed Hellinger's plot, and he and Captain America convinced Deathlok that he (Deathlok) was the symbol or rallying point that the Redeemers and their associates needed to defeat Hellinger. Seeking to help resolve this threat before returning to his world, Captain America offered himself as a second symbol as the Redeemers and their allies cheered.

(Captain America I#288) - Detecting as Captain America, Deathlok, Godwulf and the Redeemers approached his stronghold in aircraft, Hellinger launched a number of blaster probes at them.

     In small groups, the blaster probes engaged the invaders. As they unwisely blasted at Captain America directly rather than the front of his aircraft, he blocked their blasts with his shield. Godwulf took out at least one of them with his bow and arrow, and Deathlok dropped others with his laser pistol, and the others used the weapons on their aircraft.

     The blaster probes took out Swashbuckler's ship -- Cap considered that he had been too busy grandstanding that he had let his guard down -- but Iron Butterfly swooped down with her aircraft and caught him. Recovering, Swashbuckler continued using his blaster while Iron Butterfly continued using her aircraft's weapons.

     The group ultimately took out the rest of the blaster probes and landed at the base of Hellinger's stronghold. Too late, Deathlok's computer warned them as Hellinger opened the floor from underneath them. As they fell toward the base, some kind of air-jets below them slowed their fall, preventing injury upon landing within the maze, and Deathlok realized that Hellinger was playing games with them.

     As the group navigated the maze, some force pulled Sage and Swashbuckler high into the air and out of sight while Hellinger's remotely-projected voice mocked the ease with which he captured the fleshlings; he further advised the group that they had 7 minutes to reach him before he activated his Alpha-Mechs.

(Captain America I#288 - BTS) - With Hellinger's death, the entire fortress died with him; machinery short-circuited, imploded, and screamed, leaving only silence.

    Godwulf and the Redeemers were released from the maze.

    Deathlok agreed to Godwulf's request to help the whole world, which was in "one devil of a mess."

    Apparently with Hellinger dead, his Alpha-Mechs ceased to function as well.

(Captain America I#289 - BTS) - Captain America returned to the modern era of Earth-616, where he succeeded in destroying the power source of N^th Command, effectively nullifying Operation: Purge, and thus diverging Earth-616 from Earth-7484.

Comments: Created by J.M. DeMatteis, Mike Zeck, and John Beatty.

    Deathlok's timeline diverged from Earth-616 in Captain America I#289, in which Captain America, armed with the knowledge of the future, led the disruption of N^th Command's power and prevented the mass banishments.
    While the Captain America stories were published in 1983, the date is topical for Reality-616. However, for Deathlok and Simon Ryker's timeline, it was not a topical date.
    While we may ASSume that much of what the N^th Command and the N^th Commandos did in Captain America I#289 (barring the conflicts with Captain America) -- or something very similar -- occurred in Reality-7484.
    Even more significantly, as DeVoor discusses the intended fates of the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men, the X-Men are seen to have been banished to another world and to perish in flames. I would think this is LIKELY what happened in Reality-7484...but, of course, this is unconfirmed.

    As I have recently re-re-re-re-re-reviewed all of the Deathlok stories as part of a celebration of his 50^th anniversary, I have realized that a few things I have long assumed are no longer certain to me.

• Sure most of America's superhumans were wiped out, but what about the superhumans from other countries, like Canada's Alpha Flight and the USSR's Soviet Super Soldiers, for example. What about the Inhumans, Eternals, Atlanteans, etc.? Maybe Earth-7484 was different than Earth-616 and had a significantly lower superhuman population?
  
• Did the bombing of Manhattan occur before after Luther Manning's death?
  
• Ryker being in a position to relocate everyone from Manhattan makes me question things, as he was still a captain when Manning died, whereas he was a major when he dominated Manhattan.
  
• When did the US military obtain control of the USA?
• Prior to Deathlok's creation in 1990?
• After Deathlok was sent back in time?
  
• When did Godwulf gather the Redeemers? 
• Operation: Purge occurred in 1983 A.D., and Godwulf was first seen in 1991 A.D., while the Redeemers were first seen in 1993 A.D.
• When Godwulf first encountered Deathlok, was he already associated with the Redeemers?

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Godwulf's Redeemers have no known connection to:

Big Man has no known connection to:

• BIG MAN - aka Frederick Foswell--Amazing Spider-Man I#10
• BIG MAN (Janice Foswell) - his daughter--Marvel Team-Up I#39
• BIG MAN - aka Kligger--Marvel Premiere#39
• "big man" - Disciples of Morpheus--Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu#3
  
• BIG MAN - Lightning Bolt foe--Spider-Man Magazine I#10
  
• BIG MAN of Earth-982 (Hank Pym Jr.) - --A-Next#12
• other "Big" or "Man" characters

• GENTLE (Nezhno Abidemi) - Wakandan mutant. Extremely strong, powers increase with each use, but it becomes harder for his body to contain them, keeps power in check via Vibranium tattoos--New X-Men#23
• GENTLEMAN (Gustav Fiers) - enemy of Spider-Man, enslaved Pity, old enemy of Wolverine + Mary + Richard Parker--Spider-Man: Gathering of the Sinister Six novel
  
• "GENTLEMAN J. PIPE" - smuggler, ally of Sir Guy Cross-Wallace--Marvel Comics Presents#69/2
• other "Gentle" or Sam" characters, groups, items, events, races, or places...
  

Iron Butterfly (see her own sub-profile) has no known connection to:

• other "Iron" or "Butterfly" characters
• She should be distinguished from her Earth-616 counterpart
  

Sage has no known connection to:

• SAGE - aka Tessa, of the X-Treme X-Men--[Uncanny X-Men I#98], 132
• SAGE - a new age guru and friend of Paul Jennings--Man-Thing I#20
• SAGE, HENRY - vampire, transformed by Dracula circa 1794, in modern times was injected with Daywalker/Sun-walker formula which allowed memories to return, destroyed by Blade--Marvel Team-Up II#7
• or any of his wife, daughter or son, Lenora, Sarah or Henry (not necessarily respectively)
  
• SAGE-WOLF – form taken by Khlog, based on tale Keewazi mothers told to children to keep them from going out at night, abducted several Keewazi children who were returned when Khlog was banished by Wyatt Wingfoot--Strange Tales III#1
• S.A.G.E. - Scientific Advisory for Gamma Emergencies--Avengers: Initiative#7
• SAYGE - aka Veritas, the embodiment of truth--Strange Tales I#154

• SWASHBUCKLER of Eurth - Minions of Evil, apparent counterpart of Swordsman--Avataars: Covenant of the Shield#3
• other "swash" or "buckle" characters, groups, items, events, races or places...

Like Godwulf and the other Redeemers, the man who would become known as Big Man was a former member of Nth Command (a subdivision of the Brand Corporation, which was a subdivision of Roxxon Oil Company). As one of the Nth Commandos, in 1983 A.D., after perhaps 10 years of preparation, he took part in Operation Purge during which Nth Projectors were used to banish the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and most of America's superhumans to alien worlds where they apparently swiftly perished. He may or may not have participated in Roxxon's subsequent failed attempt to take over the USA, which resulted in a prolonged war that culminated in mass-bombings of US cities by unidentified parties.      Although he had not considered the ramifications of his actions until it was too late, he was eventually recruited by Godwulf into a group known as the Redeemers, who strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos they had brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.      Looking to be around 5'3" tall, his eyes were dark and angry, and Captain America recognized him as a born scrapper.      Like his teammates, he was skilled in flying a personal aircraft armed with blaster weapons. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers to Deathlok the Demolisher who had recently returned from a prolonged stay in Earth-616's relative past, from which he was accompanied by that reality's Captain America. Rallying behind Captain America and Deathlok, Godwulf, Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers assaulted Hellinger's base to thwart his plot to wipe out humanity via his "walking plutonium bomb" Alpha-Mechs and replace humanity with "Homo Ascendant" cyborgs under his control. Flying in personal aircraft, they took out Hellinger's blaster probes and then landed at Hellinger's stronghold, only to have the ground open up beneath them and then fall into a giant maze trap Hellinger set for them.      Within the maze, Hellinger swiftly added barriers, trapping Big Man and Gentle Sam and then pumped in anesthetic gas; Big Man urged Sammy to "do his thing" and bust them out of there, but the gas overwhelmed them both before they could react. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - Godwulf and the other Redeemers were similar captured, and Hellinger planned to turn them all into his Homo Ascendant. However, Deathlok ultimately destroyed Hellinger and his Alpha-Mech controls, ending the threat and freeing Godwulf, Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers. (Captain America I#288) - Deathlok resolved to help Godwulf and the Redeemers clean up the mess of the world they lived in, while Captain America returned to his own time and thwarted Operation: Purge. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Godwulf led Deathlok and the Redeemers against the base of a foreign monarch who established a command center from which he launched a cyber-tank army that ravaged the country (presumably America). Although only Godwulf knew this aggressor's identity, it was secretly Henry Akai (either subsequently or already known as Timestream), who had been a former scientist for Nth Command and had designed the Nth Generator and Nth Projectors.      Although the Redeemers destroyed their target, only Godwulf and Deathlok escaped alive. Big Man and the others were believed to have perished, presumably shot down while flying aircraft away from the base. --Captain America I#288 Note: He looks very similar to Mr. T (Laurence Tureaud), who was very popular following Rocky III and the A-Team show that were popular in 1983.

Like Godwulf and the other Redeemers, the man who would become known as Gentle Sam was a former member of Nth Command (a subdivision of the Brand Corporation, which was a subdivision of Roxxon Oil Company). As one of the Nth Commandos, in 1983 A.D., after perhaps 10 years of preparation, he took part in Operation Purge during which Nth Projectors were used to banish the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and most of America's superhumans to alien worlds where they apparently swiftly perished. He may or may not have participated in Roxxon's subsequent failed attempt to take over the USA, which resulted in a prolonged war that culminated in mass-bombings of US cities by unidentified parties.      Although he had not considered the ramifications of his actions until it was too late, he was eventually recruited by Godwulf into a group known as the Redeemers, who strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos they had brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.      Gentle Sam was large (perhaps 6'6" or taller) and strong, but Captain America suspected the reason for his name, as he had the eyes of a child, so open and warm.      Like his teammates, he was skilled in flying a personal aircraft armed with blaster weapons. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Gentle Sam and the rest of the Redeemers to Deathlok the Demolisher who had recently returned from a prolonged stay in Earth-616's relative past, from which he was accompanied by that reality's Captain America. Rallying behind Captain America and Deathlok, Godwulf, Gentle Sam and the rest of the Redeemers assaulted Hellinger's base to thwart his plot to wipe out humanity via his "walking plutonium bomb" Alpha-Mechs and replace humanity with "Homo Ascendant" cyborgs under his control. Flying in personal aircraft, they took out Hellinger's blaster probes and then landed at Hellinger's stronghold, only to have the ground open up beneath them and then fall into a giant maze trap Hellinger set for them.      Within the maze, Hellinger swiftly added barriers, trapping Big Man and Gentle Sam and then pumped in anesthetic gas; Big Man urged Sammy to "do his thing" and bust them out of there, but the gas overwhelmed them both before they could react. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - Godwulf and the other Redeemers were similar captured, and Hellinger planned to turn them all into his Homo Ascendant. However, Deathlok ultimately destroyed Hellinger and his Alpha-Mech controls, ending the threat and freeing Godwulf, Gentle Sam and the rest of the Redeemers. (Captain America I#288) - Deathlok resolved to help Godwulf and the Redeemers clean up the mess of the world they lived in, while Captain America returned to his own time and thwarted Operation: Purge. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Godwulf led Deathlok and the Redeemers against the base of a foreign monarch who established a command center from which he launched a cyber-tank army that ravaged the country (presumably America). Although only Godwulf knew this aggressor's identity, it was secretly Henry Akai (either subsequently or already known as Timestream), who had been a former scientist for Nth Command and had designed the Nth Generator and Nth Projectors.      Although the Redeemers destroyed their target, only Godwulf and Deathlok escaped alive. Gentle Sam and the others were believed to have perished, presumably shot down while flying aircraft away from the base. --Captain America I#288

Like Godwulf and the other Redeemers, the man who would become known as Iron Butterfly was a former member of Nth Command (a subdivision of the Brand Corporation, which was a subdivision of Roxxon Oil Company). As one of the Nth Commandos (and already known as Butterfly, at least), in 1983 A.D., after perhaps 10 years of preparation, she took part in Operation Purge during which Nth Projectors were used to banish the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and most of America's superhumans to alien worlds where they apparently swiftly perished. She may or may not have participated in Roxxon's subsequent failed attempt to take over the USA, which resulted in a prolonged war that culminated in mass-bombings of US cities by unidentified parties.      Although she had not considered the ramifications of his actions until it was too late, she was eventually recruited by Godwulf into a group known as the Redeemers, who strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos they had brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members. Iron Butterfly, if she had not already been before, became Godwulf's lover.      Like his teammates, he was skilled in flying a personal aircraft armed with blaster weapons.      When not in action, she wears a guitar strapped to her back. She presumably plays guitar frequently. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Iron Butterfly and the rest of the Redeemers to Deathlok the Demolisher who had recently returned from a prolonged stay in Earth-616's relative past, from which he was accompanied by that reality's Captain America. Rallying behind Captain America and Deathlok, Godwulf, Iron Butterfly and the rest of the Redeemers assaulted Hellinger's base to thwart his plot to wipe out humanity via his "walking plutonium bomb" Alpha-Mechs and replace humanity with "Homo Ascendant" cyborgs under his control. Flying in personal aircraft, they took out Hellinger's blaster probes. When the probes destroyed Swashbuckler's craft, Iron Butterfly swiftly swooped down and caught him in the back seat of her craft. They all then landed at Hellinger's stronghold, only to have the ground open up beneath them and then fall into a giant maze trap Hellinger set for them.      Within the maze, having already captured the other Redeemers, Hellinger extended tentacles from a wall, grabbing Iron Butterfly and Godwulf and pulling them against the wall, which then flipped 180 degrees, before Captain America or Deathlok could react. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - Hellinger planned to transform his captives into his Homo Ascendant. However, Deathlok ultimately destroyed Hellinger and his Alpha-Mech controls, ending the threat and freeing Godwulf, Butterfly and the rest of the Redeemers. (Captain America I#288) - Deathlok resolved to help Godwulf and the Redeemers clean up the mess of the world they lived in, while Captain America returned to his own time and thwarted Operation: Purge. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Godwulf led Deathlok and the Redeemers against the base of a foreign monarch who established a command center from which he launched a cyber-tank army that ravaged the country (presumably America). Although only Godwulf knew this aggressor's identity, it was secretly Henry Akai (either subsequently or already known as Timestream), who had been a former scientist for Nth Command and had designed the Nth Generator and Nth Projectors.      Within the base, one of the mechanoid warriors impaled Iron Butterfly. Screaming in pain, she called out for Godwulf, and Deathlok (who had already lost his left arm in the combat) turned to help her, but Godwulf -- obsessed with destroying their target -- ordered that there was no time and continued on the mission. Appreciating that she was dying, Butterfly resolved to take some of the mechanoids with her, and she fired into the advancing robots, helping her allies successfully destroy their target.      However, only Godwulf and Deathlok escaped alive. The other Redeemers were believed to have perished, presumably shot down while flying aircraft away from the base. --Captain America I#288 Note: Iron Butterfly's name is derived from the band who wrote "In a Gadda Da Vida" (In the Garden of Eden)--1968

Like Godwulf and the other Redeemers, the man who would become known as Sage was a former member of Nth Command (a subdivision of the Brand Corporation, which was a subdivision of Roxxon Oil Company). As one of the Nth Commandos, in 1983 A.D., after perhaps 10 years of preparation, he took part in Operation Purge during which Nth Projectors were used to banish the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and most of America's superhumans to alien worlds where they apparently swiftly perished. He may or may not have participated in Roxxon's subsequent failed attempt to take over the USA, which resulted in a prolonged war that culminated in mass-bombings of US cities by unidentified parties.      Although he had not considered the ramifications of his actions until it was too late, Sage was eventually recruited by Godwulf into a group known as the Redeemers, who strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos they had brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.      Pale and thin, he seemed to have some degree of precognitive or clairvoyant abilities. Captain America considered him to have the look about him of "the dreamer...or of one who knows."      Like his teammates, he was skilled in flying a personal aircraft armed with blaster weapons. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers to Deathlok the Demolisher who had recently returned from a prolonged stay in Earth-616's relative past, from which he was accompanied by that reality's Captain America. As Godwulf approached, Sage noted "Godwulf brings yesterday with him -- as I said he would!"      Rallying behind Captain America and Deathlok, Godwulf, Sage and the rest of the Redeemers assaulted Hellinger's base to thwart his plot to wipe out humanity via his "walking plutonium bomb" Alpha-Mechs and replace humanity with "Homo Ascendant" cyborgs under his control. Flying in personal aircraft, they took out Hellinger's blaster probes and then landed at Hellinger's stronghold, only to have the ground open up beneath them and then fall into a giant maze trap Hellinger set for them.      Within the maze, Hellinger used undefined means to pull Sage and Swashbuckler high into the air and capture them. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - Godwulf and the other Redeemers were similar captured, and Hellinger planned to turn them all into his Homo Ascendant. However, Deathlok ultimately destroyed Hellinger and his Alpha-Mech controls, ending the threat and freeing Godwulf, Sage and the rest of the Redeemers. (Captain America I#288) - Deathlok resolved to help Godwulf and the Redeemers clean up the mess of the world they lived in, while Captain America returned to his own time and thwarted Operation: Purge. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Godwulf led Deathlok and the Redeemers against the base of a foreign monarch who established a command center from which he launched a cyber-tank army that ravaged the country (presumably America). Although only Godwulf knew this aggressor's identity, it was secretly Henry Akai (either subsequently or already known as Timestream), who had been a former scientist for Nth Command and had designed the Nth Generator and Nth Projectors.      Although the Redeemers destroyed their target, only Godwulf and Deathlok escaped alive. Sage and the others were believed to have perished, presumably shot down while flying aircraft away from the base.--Captain America I#288 Note: For some reason, Sage seems crazy-tall in the first panel in which he appears, like he is perhaps 18-24" taller than Gentle Sam. However, in other panels, he actually appears a little shorter than Swashbuckler. I think the first image must have had him a lot closer than the others, or perhaps there was some visual distortion?

Like Godwulf and the other Redeemers, the man who would become known as Big Man was a former member of Nth Command (a subdivision of the Brand Corporation, which was a subdivision of Roxxon Oil Company). As one of the Nth Commandos, in 1983 A.D., after perhaps 10 years of preparation, he took part in Operation Purge during which Nth Projectors were used to banish the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, X-Men and most of America's superhumans to alien worlds where they apparently swiftly perished. He may or may not have participated in Roxxon's subsequent failed attempt to take over the USA, which resulted in a prolonged war that culminated in mass-bombings of US cities by unidentified parties.      Although he had not considered the ramifications of his actions until it was too late, he was eventually recruited by Godwulf into a group known as the Redeemers, who strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos they had brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.      Somewhat brash, reckless, and a bit of a show-off, Swashbuckler was nonetheless highly-skilled and versatile in combat. He carries a rapier (or something like that) as well as a blaster pistol. Captain America considered him "Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn all the way."      Like his teammates, he was skilled in flying a personal aircraft armed with blaster weapons. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers to Deathlok the Demolisher who had recently returned from a prolonged stay in Earth-616's relative past, from which he was accompanied by that reality's Captain America. Rallying behind Captain America and Deathlok, Godwulf, Big Man and the rest of the Redeemers assaulted Hellinger's base to thwart his plot to wipe out humanity via his "walking plutonium bomb" Alpha-Mechs and replace humanity with "Homo Ascendant" cyborgs under his control.      Flying in personal aircraft, they were confronted by and Hellinger's blaster probes. A pair blaster probes took out Swashbuckler's ship -- Cap considered that he had been so busy grandstanding that he had let his guard down -- but Iron Butterfly swooped down with her aircraft and caught him. Recovering undeterred, Swashbuckler took out some of the probes with his blaster pistol while Iron Butterfly continued using her aircraft's weapons.      After the group had taken out all of the probes, they landed at Hellinger's stronghold, only to have the ground open up beneath them and then fall into a giant maze trap Hellinger set for them. Within the maze, Hellinger used undefined means to pull Sage and Swashbuckler high into the air and capture them. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - Godwulf and the other Redeemers were similar captured, and Hellinger planned to turn them all into his Homo Ascendant. However, Deathlok ultimately destroyed Hellinger and his Alpha-Mech controls, ending the threat and freeing Godwulf, Swashbuckler and the rest of the Redeemers. (Captain America I#288) - Deathlok resolved to help Godwulf and the Redeemers clean up the mess of the world they lived in, while Captain America returned to his own time and thwarted Operation: Purge. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Godwulf led Deathlok and the Redeemers against the base of a foreign monarch who established a command center from which he launched a cyber-tank army that ravaged the country (presumably America). Although only Godwulf knew this aggressor's identity, it was secretly Henry Akai (either subsequently or already known as Timestream), who had been a former scientist for Nth Command and had designed the Nth Generator and Nth Projectors.      Although the Redeemers destroyed their target, only Godwulf and Deathlok escaped alive. Swashbuckler and the others were believed to have perished, presumably shot down while flying aircraft away from the base. --Captain America I#288 Note: I would think it very likely that Swashbuckler was named as an homage to Deathlok co-creator Rich Buckler.

(Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - At some point (see comments), Godwulf gathered together some of his fellow former Nth Commandos -- notably the ones at least now going by the aliases Big Man, Gentle Sam, Iron Butterfly, Sage, and Swashbuckler -- as his Redeemers. Although they had not considered the ramifications of their actions until it was too late, they strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos the brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.     Godwulf and Iron Butterfly, if they were not already so, became lovers.     The Redeemers established their central command post in Manhattan, a walking distance from the 23rd Street (subway) Station in which Godwulf had a base. They cobbled together machines from post-war leftovers.     They further recruited a relatively small number of followers who engaged in war against Hellinger and the other would-be enslavers of America. (Captain America I#287 - BTS) - Although the Luther Manning clone had perished at a re-programmed Deathlok's hands, it restored Deathlok's memories before dying, and Deathlok traveled to the 23rd Street Station and had Godwulf transport him back to his own timeline. Having followed Deathlok, Captain America leapt into the temporal portal and arrived in Earth-7484's 1993 A.D. (Captain America I#288 - BTS) - En route to the Redeemers' central command post, Godwulf caught up Captain America on the history of Earth-7484. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Deathlok and Captain America to the Redeemers, who were ecstatic to meet the legend from their past. Godwulf then detailed Hellinger's plot, and he and Captain America was the symbol or rallying point that the Redeemers and their associates needed to defeat Hellinger. --Captain America I#288

The Redeemers used personal aircraft in various missions. Piloted by a single person, there was a back seat for a single passenger. They appeared to be rocket-propulsed, and they had a blaster weapon extending laterally from the aft position of each craft. For landing and take off, they could lower and raise for wheels. (Captain America I#288) - Captain America, Deathlok, Godwulf, and each of the Redeemers piloted one of these aircraft in an assault on Hellinger's stronghold. The defensive blaster probes destroyed Swashbuckler's craft, but Iron Butterfly recovered him. After the probes were dispatched, they landed on the ground by Hellinger's base. (Deathlok II#32 (fb)) - Deathlok, Godwulf, and each of the Redeemers piloted one of these aircraft in an assault on Henry Akai/Timestream's base, although only Godwulf knew the identity of their opponent. Although Iron Butterfly apparently was slain within the base, the group destroyed their target, but only Deathlok and Godwulf escaped. At least as far as Deathlok could tell -- Big Man, Gentle Sam, Sage and Swashbuckler all died, apparently shot down in their aircraft while departing. --Captain America I#288 Note: Additional images of these aircraft are seen in the main image in the assault on both Hellinger and Timestream's base and in Swasbuckler's sub-profile.

other members/associates (Captain America I#288 (fb)) - BTS) - At some point (see comments), Godwulf gathered together some of his fellow former Nth Commandos -- notably the ones at least now going by the aliases Big Man, Gentle Sam, Iron Butterfly, Sage, and Swashbuckler -- as his Redeemers. Although they had not considered the ramifications of their actions until it was too late, they strove against all odds to build some meaning from the chaos the brought on, to atone. Their shared experiences, emotions, and goals established a strong bond amongst the members.     The Redeemers established their central command post in Manhattan, a walking distance from the 23rd Street (subway) Station in which Godwulf had a base. They cobbled together machines from post-war leftovers.     They further recruited a relatively small number of followers who engaged in war against Hellinger and the other would-be enslavers of America. (Captain America I#287 - BTS) - Although the Luther Manning clone had perished at a re-programmed Deathlok's hands, it restored Deathlok's memories before dying, and Deathlok traveled to the 23rd Street Station and had Godwulf transport him back to his own timeline. Having followed Deathlok, Captain America leapt into the temporal portal and arrived in Earth-7484's 1993 A.D. (Captain America I#288) - Godwulf introduced Deathlok and Captain America to the Redeemers, who were ecstatic to meet the legend from their past. Godwulf then detailed Hellinger's plot, and he and Captain America convinced Deathlok that he was the symbol or rallying point that the Redeemers and their associates needed to defeat Hellinger. Seeking to help resolve this threat before returning to his world, Captain America offered himself as a second symbol as the Redeemers and their allies cheered. --Captain America I#288 Note: These unidentified allies/followers did not appear to participate in the mission against Hellinger or Timestream. Their fates are unrevealed.

images: (without ads)
Captain America I#288, pg. 4, panel 1 (Redeemers' central command post);
           panel 2-6 (Redeemers greeting Captain America);
       pg. 5, panel 1 (larger group greeting Cap);
       pg. 6, panel 5 (Redeemers crowd with Cap & Deathlok);
       pg. 8, panel 2 (Redeemers cheering for Cap & Deathlok);
       pg. 12, panel 1 (Redeemers in aircraft approaching Hellinger's stronghold);
       pg. 13, panel 3 (Big Man in aircraft);
       pg. 14, panel 1 (Swashbuckler's aircraft blown up);
          panel 2 (Iron Butterfly catching Swashbuckler in her aircraft);
          panel 3 (Big Man in aircraft landing by Hellinger's base);
       pg. 15, panel 2-3 (falling into maze);
       pg. 16, panel 1 (group in maze);
          panel 2-3 (Sage & Swashbuckler pulled into the air);
          panel 5 (others running through mace);
       pg. 17, panel 2-3 (Big Man & Gentle Sam trapped & gassed);
       pg. 18, panel 1-2 (Godwulf & Iron Butterfly trapped & captured);
       pg. 22, panel 1 (Redeemers & Godwulf released);
          panel 3 (final scene);
Deathlok II#32, pg. 12, panel 4 (assaulting Timestream's base);
       pg. 13, panel 1 (fighting inside Timestream's base; Deathlok's arm cut off);
          panel 2-4 (Iron Butterfly impaled; taking down mechanoids as her last act);
          panel 5 (Deathlok, Godwulf, & other Redeemers fleeing on foot);
       pg. 14, panel 1 (fleeing in aircraft; Redeemers shot down);
          panel 2 (nuclear explosion);

Appearances:
Captain America I#288 (December, 1983) - J.M. DeMatteis (writer), Mike Zeck (pencils), John Beatty (inks), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
Captain America I#289 (January, 1984) - J.M. DeMatteis (writer), Mike Zeck (pencils), John Beatty (inks), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
Deathlok II#32 (January-March, 1994) - Gregory Wright (writer), Kevin Kobasic (pencils), Greg Adams (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)

First posted: 07/21/2024
Last updated: 07/21/2024

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 Groups