Comic Book Origins: Crossbones

Killing's his business, and business is good. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today wewill explore the comic book origins of the amoral assassin known as Crossbones. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character's past. We've chosen to follow the storylines which unfolded in 1989's "Captain America" Vol.1 numbers #360, #360, which were later expanded upon in 1991's "Captain America" #383 and 1992's "Captain America" #400 through #404. We will also be looking at Crossbones’ further expansions found in 1997's "Captain America" Vol.2 , #3 and 2007's "Captain America' Vol.5, #25. Crossbones, a.k.a. Brock Rumlow is one of Captain America's most determined and closely matched foes, thanks to his extensive proficiencies in hand-to-hand combat, weapons training and military strategy. Although Rumlow doesn't possess any super powers, his accomplished skill and relentless thirst for violence give Marvel’s heroes plenty of reason for fear him. Crossbones first appearance can be traced back "Captain America" #359, where the costumed killer appears as a shadowy figure stalking Captain America. Crossbones' true motive isn't made clear until he assaults Cap's partner and lover Rachel Leighton, also known former Serpent Society member Diamondback. Crossbones reveals his codename to Diamondback before knocking her unconscious, as it's explained that he'd been following both Cap and the villainous Baron Zemo, as they search for pieces of the valuable artifact, the Bloodstone. It wouldn’t be long before we were treated to our first glimpses of Rumlow's incredible physical prowess, fighting skill and innate talent with weapons. This is also when where the tumultuous and troubled history between Rumlow and Leighton would first be established. Indeed, Diamondback's own origins reveal a close, tragic relationship with Crossbones. Years prior, Brock Rumlow, was a New York City gang leader who violently assault Leighton, an attack ending with Rumlow on the run for the murder of one of Leighton's older brothers. Diamondback and Crossbones both coincidently ended up at the Taskmaster's school for criminals. Crossbones, already a seasoned criminal, quickly rose to the ranks of instructor, under the moniker of Bingo Brock. Rumlow would earn his living as a mercenary in the years following his time with The Taskmaster, signing up with Albert Malik, a KGB agent who posed as The Red Skull. Malik sentCrossbones and a team of agents on a mission to invade the Swiss home of noted Hydra biochemist Arnim Zola. Crossbones was the only living survivor, after having been captured by both Zola and the original Red Skull, who was revealed to be very much alive. Skull enlists Crossbones as an ally, and further trains him in the art of combat, skills which would go on to define him as a formidable enemy of Captain America for years to come. In 1997, Crossbone’s personality underwent a bit of a change during the Rob Liefeld and Jeff Loeb era. His noted reputation as a bit of a motormouth gave way to a quieter and more menacing Crossbones. Still at the right hand of the Red Skull as the wanna-be dictator's ruthlessly effective assassin, this Crossbonescertainly prefers to let his fists do the talking, as he assaults Captain America in a graveyard, without ever speaking a taunt, insult or even a word to his enemy. This silent-but-deadly version of Crossbones was dropped for Marvel's "Civil War" storyline in 2007, however, as the infamous assassin is captured as the gunman responsible for the apparent murder of Captain America. This killing shocks the Marvel Universe down to its very core, although it's later revealed that Crossbones only managed to wound Cap in the shoulder, with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter, under hypnosis, actually firing the “fatal” shot. Still, Crossbones' important place in this equally memorable Captain America storyline makes him one of the hero's most iconic adversaries. Are you a fan of the ruthless killer known as Crossbones? For more sharp shooting top tens and hard hitting comic origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.