History[]
Lance Hunter was the director of the British intelligence agency S.T.R.I.K.E. (Special Tactical Reserve for International Key Emergencies) and an ally of Captain Britain. He assisted Captain Britain, Nick Fury and Captain America against the Red Skull, who had infiltrated S.T.R.I.K.E. using Hunter's duplicitous deputy, Tod Radcliffe, as his agent.
Hunter was a suave, smooth-talking man with unfettered access to the prime minister, James Callaghan. He accepted full responsibility for Radcliffe's treachery but nevertheless did not resign. When in the corridors of power he wore suits and ties in colours so garish that they seemed to be making a statement — possibly "there is nothing at all secretive and sinister about my organisation, and you have no need to be afraid of a group run by a man who dresses like a circus clown." In S.T.R.I.K.E.'s various bases, however, he donned military gear comprising a blue boiler suit generously equipped with straps, holsters and pouches.
Such is Hunter's ruthlessness that he once jabbed Nick Fury with a hypodermic syringe containing a knock-out drug, because he thought that Fury was currently too tired and emotional (not a euphemism) to help him stop the Red Skull. Any young women who get talking to Hunter in a club would be well advised to keep a close eye on their drinks at all times.
When the Red Skull attached a germ bomb to Big Ben, Hunter climbed up there himself to try and disarm it. Following this, he attempted to recruit Captain Britain to S.T.R.I.K.E. but was unsuccessful.
After Captain Britain had been gravely injured by Jacko Tanner's control of Lord Hawk's mechanical raptor, Hunter flew him to S.T.R.I.K.E. headquarters for emergency medical care. Despite the best efforts of S.T.R.I.K.E.'s doctors, Captain Britain was pronounced brain-dead. However, his astral form was actually in another dimension being tested by Merlyn and Roma, and battling the evil wizard Nykonn. When Captain Britain's 'soul' returned to his body he was able to sneak out of S.T.R.I.K.E. headquarters undetected, leaving Hunter to wonder how the body of a dead man had apparently vanished. It's small wonder that the baffled commander subsequently decided to recruit a team of psychics.
Powers and abilities[]
Abilities
Leadership skills; climbing; disarming bombs.
Strength level
Strong enough to dangle from the minute hand of Big Ben on a rope, pull himself up so his hands are on the minute hand, and then remain in that position for an uncomfortably long period of time while waiting for Captain Britain to show up.
Paraphernalia[]
Equipment
Hypodermic syringe containing knock-out drug; rope; bomb-detection devices; binoculars.
Notes[]
Lance has made infrequent appearances in the Marvel Universe over the years. In a rather unlikely development, his name was eventually used for an otherwise totally new character on the TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2014. The TV show mercifully dispensed with the original Hunter's trademark bowler hat.
Links[]
- Appearances of Lance Hunter
- Character Gallery: Lance Hunter
- Images that feature Lance Hunter
- Fan-Art Gallery: Lance Hunter
- Lance Hunter quotations
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