Egghead
Real Name: Elihas Starr
First Appearance: Tales to Astonish 38
Died in: Avengers 229
What's his Problem? A gifted government research scientist, Egghead was dismissed for espionage and resolved to use his intellect for criminal gain. He was dealt a humiliating initial defeat by Ant-Man (Hank Pym), and divided his remaining years between attempted world conquest and seeking revenge on Pym.
Abilities: Egghead was a brilliant scientist and inventor with considerable expertise in a variety of scientific fields. He also invented and used a wide variety of advanced weaponry and devices.
Favorite Quote: "Swine!! You'll rue this night, I promise you! I am the greatest scientific intellect on the face of this planet! I swear I am! I...am...Egghead." (Giant-Size Defenders 4. A down-on-his-luck Egghead lets off steam after getting tossed out of a skid row flophouse by some irate bums. One might say he was but a shell of his former self...)
Heroes He Kept Running Into: Egghead was obsessed with Hank Pym, and also had several run-ins with Pym's teammates from the Avengers and the Defenders--notably Hawkeye, whose brother, Barney Barton, died aiding the Avengers against Egghead. Ironically, it was Hawkeye who caused Egghead's accidental death years later, in a battle with Egghead's Masters of Evil: the defeated Egghead was about to shoot Hank Pym in the back out of spite, but Hawkeye shot an arrow into Egghead's gun barrel. The gun misfired, killing Egghead.
People Who Think He's Not So Bad: Egghead had the respect of his criminal compeers in the Masters of Evil [III] and the Emissaries of Evil [II], both of which he founded and led. He was also briefly allied with the Mad Thinker and the Puppet Master. Still, no one had any true affection for this hard-boiled criminal.
Most Despicable Act: Egghead's worst crimes revolve around his niece, model Patricia "Trish" Starr, and his old foe Hank Pym. When Trish saved Pym from Egghead and later refused to give her criminal uncle any money for his projects, he swore to ruin her as he believed she had ruined him: he bombed her car in a manner calculated to maim her rather than kill her. Pym brought Egghead to justice, but Trish lost an arm.
Trivia Note: Apparently, the "Emissaries of Evil" group name is available to any Marvel super-villain whose name starts with E--for instance, Electro's Emissaries of Evil (Electro, Gladiator, Leap Frog, Matador and Stilt-Man) and Egghead's Emissaries of Evil (Egghead, Cobalt Man, Rhino and Solarr). One wonders if and when the Eel will get in on the act...
by Sean McQuaid
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