LASER-CANNON
Classification: Terrestrial technology
Creator: Unidentified scientists at Stark International
User/Possessors: Nicholas Trask, Sheriff Morris Walters
First Appearance: Savage She-Hulk I#4 (May, 1980)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The laser-cannon was a powerful energy weapon which could unleash concussive force strong enough to stun the She-Hulk. The device drew power from the emotional energy of the person wielding it; if the wielder's emotions became too intense, the laser-cannon would overload and explode, potentially killing the wielder. The trigger to the device was located below the gun barrel but it had to be worn draped across the chest of the wielder, likely in order to form a cybernetic link to the wielder's emotional state.
History:
(Savage She-Hulk I#2-3 - BTS) - The laser-cannon was a weapon designed
by Stark International and likely part of a shipment designated for use
by the intelligence agency S.H.I.E.L.D. Mobster Nicholas Trask had
Stark International employee Jacob Fox sell him
numerous crates of obsolete inventions (including devices for
S.H.I.E.L.D. use) and began testing them for his own purposes. Trask
killed Fox to conceal the theft.
(Savage She-Hulk I#4) - Discovering that he and lawman Sheriff Morris Walters had a common foe in the She-Hulk (Morris believed She-Hulk had murdered his daughter Jennifer, unaware they were the same person), Trask kidnapped Morris and brought him to the base where he and his men were testing the devices they stole from Stark. As a demonstration, Trask brought in Lou Monkton, whom Jennifer had been defending in court. At first, Morris thought he had been brought to see Monkton's execution by the laser-cannon but Monkton was wearing a laser-proof vest which shielded him from harm. Trask suggested that Morris take the laser-cannon and use its power against the She-Hulk.
Just then, She-Hulk broke into Trask's base. Monkton offered to use the weapon against She-Hulk (although he actually wanted to turn it against Trask) but Morris insisted that he be the one to get revenge on the She-Hulk for Jennifer's death. Morris attacked the She-Hulk, not realizing that his own emotions were gradually overloading the weapon. Morris stunned She-Hulk with a blast of energy but Buck Bukowski and Dan "Zapper" Ridge distracted Morris long enough for her to regain her strength. Recognizing that the laser-cannon was continuing to glow with energy and would soon explode, She-Hulk tackled Morris and removed the laser-cannon from him then shielded Morris from the resulting explosion.
Comments: Created by David Anthony Kraft, Mike Vosburg and Chic Stone.
The devices Trask obtained from Jacob Fox were also used in the construction of the Silver Serpent (Savage She-Hulk I#5), although Trask built it from existing plans.
This profile was completed 7/02/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
This Laser-Cannon should not be confused with:
Jacob "Jake" Fox was a truck driver employed by Stark West, the California branch of Stark International. Fox filled a truck full of obsolete Stark International devices and sold them to Nicholas Trask. The shipment included the laser-cannon and various items intended for S.H.I.E.L.D. use. However, Trask did not intend to pay for the stolen goods and his men were about to murder Jacob when an out-of-control car driven by Jill Stevens interrupted them. Jacob fled but Trask used a robot which he redecorated as the "She-Droid." The She-Droid was sent to murder Jacob so that his death would be attributed to the She-Hulk. The She-Droid crushed Jacob's throat. Jacob's widow later opened an investigation into his death and She-Hulk cleared her name. Tony Stark was himself brought into the criminal case of Nicholas Trask and had to testify in court that he had not directed Jacob to sell his technology to Trask.
--Savage She-Hulk I#2 (3d
Mrs. Fox was Jacob's wife. After he was murdered by the She-Droid, she asked Tony Stark to investigate his death, which was supposedly caused by the She-Hulk. Tony investigated as Iron Man and was shown the remains of the She-Droid by She-Hulk. Tony and Jennifer Walters both chose not to inform Mrs. Fox that her husband had been collaborating with Trask so as not to tarnish her dead husband's image.
--Savage She-Hulk I#6
This laser-proof vest was worn by Lou Monkton so that Nicholas Trask could demonstrate his Laser-Cannon's power to Sheriff Walters. One of Trask's men fired the laser-cannon at Monkton but the vest shielded him from all harm.
--Savage She-Hulk I#4
images: (without ads)
Savage She-Hulk I#4, page 13, panel 4 (main)
Savage She-Hulk I#4, page 9, panel 4 (full device)
Savage She-Hulk I#3, page 9, panel 3 (Jacob)
Savage She-Hulk I#6, page 17, panel 5 (Mrs. Fox)
Savage She-Hulk I#4, page 9, panel 2 (vest)
Appearances:
Savage She-Hulk I#4 (May, 1980) -
David Anthony Kraft (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Chic Stone
(inks), Mary Jo Duffy (editor)
First posted: 09/24/2021
Last updated:09/23/2021
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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