Grappler

Origin

The man who would become the Grappler grew up in the ghetto and survived the mean streets by wrestling any bully to the ground regardless of their size. As he got older, he wanted to get ahead in life and sought out the richest man in the west named Hugh Howard. He approached Mr. Howard as he stepped out of his casino-complex in Las Vegas and begged for the secret of his success. Mr. Howard spoke one magic word which was leverage as his men dragged him away and beat him down. It was the best advice he ever got and took his advice literally. He mastered the science of leverage by studying martial arts and began to accumulate a large sum of money by winning championship matches around the world. He began to study finances and everything that dealt with the principal of leverage. He devised a costume and a specially-modified titanium steel rod and became the Grappler. 

The Grappler caused a traffic jam when he toppled an armored car with his titanium rod in order to steal some gold. Jennifer Walters was stuck in that traffic jam and confronted the Grappler as the She-Hulk. The Grappler tried to persuade the She-Hulk to become his partner and the two of them would be rich. She-Hulk was tempted but decided to bring the Grappler down. A brief fight ensued but She-Hulk apprehended the Grappler as he tried to escape on his plane. She-Hulk wrapped up the Grappler with his own staff and left him for the cops.  

A few years later, the Grappler was contacted by Gary Gilbert to attend a meeting at the Bar with No Name to discuss numerous costume criminals getting killed by the Scourge of the Underworld. The Grappler and the rest of the criminals attending the meeting were gunned down by the Scourge who was disguised as the bartender.  

Creation

The Grappler was created by David Anthony Kraft, Mike Vosburg and Frank Springer in 1981 and first appeared in The Savage She-Hulk # 18.

Abilities & Paraphernalia

The Grappler is a highly skilled martial artist and wrestler. The Grappler uses a number of gadgets including a computer-pac that instantly analyzes and relays to him the exact spot and proper amount of leverage needed in any situation. He also has a specially-modified titanium steel rod to topple and strike his opponents. His rod can also eject a tightly wound band of steel coils designed for instant strangulation.