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VAMPIRO

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human mutate (see comments)

Occupation: Criminal

Group Membership: None; formerly "Larcenous Three" (Badd Axe, Firearms)

Affiliations: Brothers Grimm (Percy & Barton Grimm), Cutthroat (Daniel Leighton), Mandrill (Jerome Beechman) Razor-Fist (Douglas Scott), Scorcher (Steve Hudak)

Enemies: The Hood (Parker Robbins), Nova (Richard Rider), Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "Ratbag" (nickname used by Nova)

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
                                  formerly Camp HAMMER, New Mexico;
                                  formerly New York City, New York

First Appearance: Nova III#5 (September, 1999)

Powers/Abilities: Vampiro possessed superhuman strength, durability and stamina, sufficient to survive a fight against super powered opponents like Spider-Man and Nova. He claimed to be a vampire but while he had the distinctive fangs, he seemed to lack most of the weaknesses commonly shared by vampires such as a vulnerability to direct sunlight. He would feed on others, presumably drinking their blood to the point it killed them. Vampiro tended to cackle maniacally, if this was an involuntary character trait or a conscious attempt at unnerving his opponents is unrevealed.

Height: 6'1" (by approximation)
Weight: 180 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Yellow
Hair: Gray

History:

(Nova III#5 (fb) - BTS) - Through unrevealed ways, the metahuman known only as Vampiro met fellow supercriminals Badd Axe and Firearms. Despite their obvious differences, they decided to band together as the "Larcenous Three" (see comments).

(Nova III#5) - The "Larcenous Three" went to New York City where an unknown contractor had them attack an apartment building where Richard Rider's parents happened to live at. As fate would have it, Spider-Man happened to swing by and decided to intervene. During the struggle, Vampiro proved fast enough to grab the webslinger by the foot in the middle of an acrobatic dodge. He threw him towards Firearms' flames, but Spidey dodged this fiery peril. Moments later, he was joined by Nova who had heard of the ongoing brawl. After making sure Spider-Man was safely back on the ground, Nova attacked Firearms. This left him vulnerable to Vampiro who attempted to gang up on him. The hero's enhanced reflexes allowed him to easily counter that attack, cracking a few of the villain's teeth in the process. Actively joining forces, Nova and Spider-Man gained the upper hand, even though Badd Axe briefly took a hostage. Spider-Man used his webbing to pull the victim away, allowing Nova to gang up on Badd Axe and Vampiro, pulling them into the air. Nova let Badd Axe fall when he had to dodge his axe. In turn, Vampiro hit Nova against the head. That blow managed to shift Nova's helmet, covering his eyes. It only bought Vampiro a moment's respite, because the hero's new reactive costume shifted the helmet back so Rider could land a knock out blow. He delivered Vampiro to the police, only to realize Firearms and Badd Axe had escaped.

(New Avengers: Most Wanted Files#1 (fb) - BTS) - Unlike many of his fellow superhuman inmates, Vampiro did not manage to escape during his extended incarceration.

(Avengers: The Initiative#26 (fb) - BTS) - When Norman Osborn was put in charge of the SHIELD replacement service HAMMER, many imprisoned supervillains suddenly found themselves pressed into service again. Vampiro was reunited with his old teammates Badd Axe and Firearms when they were relocated to the HAMMER run Initiative in New Mexico. They were told their prison sentences were commuted provided they joined up and operated as heroes.

(Avengers: The Initiative#26) - BTS) - Enjoying his first taste of freedom, Vampiro indulged his vampire like cravings by slaughtering several hookers hanging around a nearby upstate truckstop. Because of his newly established status as a hero, he felt he wouldn't be caught.

(Avengers: The Initiative#26) - Vampiro, Firearms and Badd Axe were joined at Camp HAMMER by other villains like Mandrill, Razor-Fist, Scorcher and the Brothers Grimm. They were met outside by camp director the Hood and chief instructor Taskmaster. The Hood gave the new recruits the standard speech about how they'd now have a chance to become rich as villains by acting like heroes. Vampiro acted uninterested, even yawning while the Hood continued his talk. Angered by this lack of respect, the Hood confronted Vampiro about the recent prostitute killings. Vampiro first attempted to deny Robbins' accusations, then tried to defend himself by claiming he only did it because of his vampire needs. Furious, the Hood pointed out that Vampiro couldn't possibly be a member of the unliving because they were having this conversation outside, in broad daylight. Not afraid of the Hood, Vampiro continued to defy him, even referring to Robbins as a "loser in a cute little red riding hood". As if on cue, Parker allowed the Dormammu serving Nisanti demon side of himself to take over. Stunned by the sudden change, Vampiro was only able to utter more than a muffled "holy mother of god" before the Nisanti devoured him whole. With only his mask left in the aftermath, Hood shifted back to his human form, content to know the surviving recruits were well aware of the potentially lethal consequences of stepping out of line. Wiping his bloodstained mouth, Hood walked back inside the HAMMER facility with Taskmaster, ordering the stunned recruits to clean up the messy remains.

Comments: Created by Erik Larsen (writer, inks), Coy Turnbull (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks)

As Madison Carter pointed out in the character's original sub-profile, it's highly doubtful Vampiro was an actual vampire even though he was convinced of his own vampiric origins. You'd think that a creature only capable of surviving on (human) blood would soon have perished on a prison diet of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Also, I don't think too many vampires would be praying to any holy gods right before biting the big one.

Madison Carter also coined the "Larcenous Three" nickname for Vampiro's original criminal trio. For what it's worth, I gladly second that name. It's fitting and a nice nod to their creator, Mr. Erik Larsen. Hey, if Stan Lee got away with "Triumvirate of Terror", this one's positively inspired.

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Vampiro should not be confused with:








images: (without ads)
Nova III#5, p15, pan4 (main image)
Nova III#5, p16 pan5-6 (attacking Nova)
Avengers: The Initiative#26, p14, pans3-5 (confronted by the Hood)

Appearances:
Nova III#5 (September, 1999) - Erik Larsen (writer), Coy Turnbull (pencils), Erik Larsen & Al Milgrom (inks), Ruben Diaz (editor)
New Avengers: Most Wanted Files (December, 2005)
Avengers: The Initiative#26 (September, 2009) - Christos Gage (writer), Rafa Sandoval (pencils), Roger Bonet (inks), Jeannine Schaefer (editor)

Last updated: 02/10/16

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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