Origin
After failing an attempt at thwarting a hate crime in progress, banker Fred Hopkins was thrown from a vehicle into a junkyard. Regaining his wits, he touches a space rock shard that had fallen in the junkyard. After dropping an apple under a car, and subsequently lifting said car, he realizes he has gained incredible strength. After witnessing another crime in his town of Smithville, Pennsylvania, Hopkins decides to use his powers as a costumed fighter. Crafting a suit from some long johns, he becomes the Smithville Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt mainly fights small crimes in his town, and becomes somewhat of a local legend.Â
Creation
Smithville Thunderbolt was created by David Michelinie and Geof Isherwood in 1985 and first appeared in Web of Spider-Man # 8.