Elton Healey alias Oddball was one of many criminals and assassins to be hired by Crossfire to get revenge on Hawkeye. After Crossfire was humiliated from a previous defeat by Hawkeye, he would place a bounty on one of his arms and would pay the criminal thousands if they were successful. However Crossfire and his cartel would be defeated by the combine forces of Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Trick Shot.
Creation
Oddball was created by Mark Gruenwald in 1983 and first appeared in Hawkeye # 3.
Story Arcs
Oddball would join a team of criminal jugglers called the Death Throws and help free Crossfire from police custody as he was being escorted to trial where Hawkeye and Mockingbird had been subpoenaed to testify against him. The other members of the Death Throws included his brother Tenpin, Bombshell, Knicknack and Ringleader. This eccentric group of criminals threw gas bombs, hardballs, razor rings and other objects to knock out police officers and cause confusion during their attack. Crossfire was pleased that Oddball received his message and very impressed with his new associates. Oddball and the Death Throws decide to ransom off Crossfire because he lied about the payment he promised for the rescue operation. Hawkeye receives a message from the Death Throws stating they have Crossfire and are willing to sell or trade him. Captain America comes with Hawkeye to the abandoned railroad terminal and gives Barton his shield. Hawkeye enters the station and sees Crossfire tied to a chair in the middle of the room. Ringleader spots Captain America as he enters the room and uses a flare arrow to reveal the Death Throws’ trap. Tenpin activates a switch that drops a large net made out of steel cables but it fails to snare any of the Avengers. Oddball and the Death Throws engage their enemies and attack with their deadly projectiles. The Death Throws were defeated and Oddball was literally stuck to the ground thanks to Hawkeye’s adhesive arrow. Oddball revealed to Barton their plans to use Crossfire as bait to nab an Avenger where they could get at least a million dollars for his release.
Bloodsport
Oddball was one of several combatants that participated in a fighting event called the Bloodsport hosted by the Viper in Madripoor. Oddball’s first opponent in round one was an imposing, tribal swordsman called the Headhunter . Oddball started to tremble in fear when the Headhunter let out a terrifying scream. Oddball was apparently slained by the Headhunter’s sword during the Bloodsport event.
Union Jack: London Falling
Later, Orville Bock joined the Death-Throws as the new Oddball to replace Healy. He would join a terrorist organization called RAID with other super criminals where they strategically strike numerous locations in London. Crossfire and the Death Throws terrorize civilians from the Tower Bridge and come into conflict with Union Jack and Sabra. Oddball is knocked out by Union Jack during the fight and Crossfire along with the rest of the Death Throws are defeated and surrender.
Abilities & Paraphernalia
Oddball is a skilled juggler and claims he could throw more balls than Hawkeye could shoot arrows. Oddball’s weapons include various juggling balls filled with explosives, acid, smoke bombs, etc. He also throws hardballs which are balls cast from plastic or other composite materials that are strongly resistant to chipping and breaking. Oddball can throw these hardballs with enough force to knock someone out, draw blood or cause the impact point on the victim’s body to go numb.
Other Media
Video Games
Oddball appears in the video game The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Doctor Doom’s Revenge as a boss character.