Origin
Twelve-year-old Elvin Haliday was visiting an unfamiliar neighborhood to trade some comic books with another boy when he was attacked by a gang of racist bullies. Elvin escaped them by hiding in the heavily polluted waters of Newtown Creek, but before he could climb out, Fisk Biochem workers dumped more illegal chemical waste into the creek, dousing him with it. Terrified and in pain, Elvin ran home to his only family, Granny Staples, and she nursed him back to health over a period of days. The boy recovered quickly, and in the weeks and months that followed, he went through a tremendous growth spurt that gave him a super-humanly powerful adult body. He was discouraged from seeking vengeance on his tormentors by the devoutly religious Granny Staples, who felt he should use his new powers for good. Fashioning a makeshift costume from a ski mask and a leather outfit, Elvin began operating as the super-vigilante Rage at the age of 14, targeting street criminals and drug dealers such as L.D. 50.
Creation
Rage was created by Larry Hama and Paul Ryan and first appeared in The Avengers 326 (1990).
Major Story Arcs
Avengers
Rage later applied for membership in the Avengers, berating the team for their elitism and lack of visible minorities. Despite this obnoxious introduction, he was appointed a probationary Avengers reservist alongside Sandman after aiding the group in an other dimensional mission. Though technically part of a substitute roster serving as backup for the active team, Rage was a frequent participant in Avengers cases, facing foes such as Ngh the Unspeakable, the Tetrarchs of Entropy, Doctor Doom, the Brethren, the Collector, and Grotesk.
New Warriors
Elvin helped out the teen superhero group known as the New Warriors against the Folding Circle. After this he became a member. While a member a street gang named Poison Memories killed his Granny Staples as a revenge tactic against Night Thrasher. They also targeted other members family, but Rage’s was the only one that met with death. Rage sought revenge and killed the ring leader Kimeiko. Night Thrasher lied for his freedom to the courts. The courts released Elvin into Chord’s custody. Chord being the same guardian as Night Thrasher. Elvin became a key member of the New Warriors.
Civil War
Rage would go to Camp Hammond to train after the Civil War. Rage left Camp Hammond with his old friend Justice to go and be a New Warrior again…only to learn there was a new team of Warriors already in place of the old ones.They re-united with Debrii and Silhouette along with some recruits from the Initiative ( Slapstick & The Scarlet Spiders) to find Night Thrasher and confront him about creating a new team without attempting to recruit the original living members.
After the current New Warriors were disbanded at the conclusion of Secret Invasion, Justice’s Counter Force became the New Warriors again. This time they are under the guidance of Norman Osborn’s 50 State-Initiative.
Fear Itself
Commander Steve Rogers informs Prodigy of the unknown meteors that have fallen from the heavens and mass panic is on the horizon. Rogers asks Prodigy to gather heroes on a volunteer basis to help keep the peace and lead a new Initiative where there is no forced conscription or registration. Prodigy agrees to become the leader of the new Initiative and most of the former Initiative members including Rage gather in Washington DC. Rage appears with the Heavy Hitters and they try to stop the Juggernaut in Las Vegas after he obtains a mystic hammer and is transformed into one of the Worthy as Kuurth: Breaker of Stone. Nonstop lures Kuurth into a deep hole created by Debrii but the Juggernaut reappears a few moments later. Kuurth is truly unstoppable and the Heavy Hitters can barely slow him down. The Heavy Hitters are forced to retreat when their leader, Hardball generates a powerful energy ball and appears to sacrifice himself to stop Kuurth. Hardball’s valiant effort to stop the Juggernaut appears in vain as Kuurth emerges from the explosion and walks away unscathed.
Americops
When a shady property management company funded a controversial militant policing operation called Americops, they made an enemy of Rage. He was on the frontlines of every protest. Much to the chagrin of Sam Wilson (who was acting Captain America at the time), Rage made sure to be the loudest voice there since he had the super strength to back up any hostility from the Americops.
Few days later, Rage was walking by a pawn shop that was being broken into by Man Mountain Marko and Speed Demon. He tried to stop him, but when the Americops showed up, they tased and arrested Rage for the break-in. Refusing any legal aid from the Avengers, Rage decided to stand trial and expose the justice system.
A key piece of surveillance footage was deemed inadmissible by the judge, and Rage was convicted of the robbery. In prison, he was placed in Z block, for enhanced individuals, with some of the super criminals that he helped put away. He was beaten into a coma.
Post-Coma
Rage would eventually wake up from his coma and exit prison. He would return to his superhero roots, supporting the heroes during the Posion Invasion of New York and coming to the aid of his fellow former New Warrior, Nova, when he faces the Annihilation Wave for a second time.
The O.G.
Rage had grown cynical. To combat the number of new developments gentrifying neighborhoods and displacing people, Rage rebranded himself as The O.G., forming a gang of shoplifting vandals. This eventually put him on the radar of his former trainer, Night Thrasher, who didn’t appreciate his new way of life.
Personal Data
Characteristics
- Weight: 450 lbs
- Height: 6’6″
- Eye Color Brown
- Hair Color Bald
Status
- Identity: Secret
- Citizenship: U.S.A.
Powers & Abilities
Rage possess Superhuman strength that can grow and evolve to unknown levels. In a calm state he has a base strength limit of 75 tons. When enraged or engaged in violent activity his strength can grow to beyond 100 tons. He also becomes larger in size and muscle mass.
He also has Superhuman speed and stamina. Rage is capable of running at speeds beyond that of a human in peak physical condition. He has been shown to outrun an express train with no problem and he can run at these speeds and physically exert himself for at least 24 hours before he becomes tired. Rage’s body produces less fatigue toxins which allows him to out put that type of energy without a lowered level of stamina.
Rage is endowed with superhuman reflexes and agility. Despite Rage’s large and muscular stature he has balance and bodily coordination beyond that of the best Olympian. He is also able to react to things above human levels.
Along with Superhuman strength Rage has the durability and healing factor to match. He is resistant to almost all physical injury. Massive blunt force, lacerations, high caliber bullets, falls from great heights, and effects of extreme temperatures. If he does sustain an injury he has a healing factor above that of a normal human because of his extremely high metabolism. He cannot however regenerate limbs, organs, or brain cells. If he is brain damage, decapitated, gutted, or maimed he may not recover.
According to the Marvel Encyclopedia, Rage also has the ability of flight. This may have been a mistake.
Other Versions
Earth-398
In this reality Rage was known as Blacksmith and was a member of the Queen’s Vengeance.
Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)
Some fans think that the Ultimate Rage is Leonard Williams, but despite similar powers and appearance (both black), they differ significantly.
Other Media
Animation
Fantastic Four: The Animated Series (1995)
Rage briefly appears in the Fantastic Four: The Animated Series episode “To Battle a Living Planet.” He and the rest of the Avengers are shown helping rescue civilians from the catastrophes caused by Ego.
Merchandise
- Rage was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
- Rage was featured in the Marvel Universe line from Hasbro.
- Rage was featured in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line as part of the Abomination Build-a-Figure wave.