Abraham Erskine (Earth-199999)
Abraham Erskine was a German American scientist who invented the super-soldier serum used in the origin of Captain America. He was killed in 1943 by a Hydra spy.
Biography
Erskine was a professor in Germany when the Nazis rose to power, researching muscular density through the application of synthetic proteins: in other words, making someone stronger. In 1935 he was forcibly signed on by Johann Schmidt, head of Hydra, to apply this research to his cause, threatening his family should he refuse. The egotistical Schmidt aimed to make himself a superior being through Erskine's research. Erskine's family were taken to a concentration camp.[1] The serum, besides being incomplete, was designed to amplify one's own inherent traits. Schmidt took the serum in November 1940, Schmidt became more malicious than ever, and his face was horribly scarred, turning a bright red.[2] The captive Erskine awaited reprisal for these results, but was soon rescued by a woman calling herself Agent 13. She led him on a daring escape out of Schmidt's stronghold, escaping via a plane from the U.S. military. Erskine continued experimenting with his serum, now in cooperation with the United States military. By 1942, he had established Project Rebirth, but still needed a subject worthy of the program. He rejected several of Col. Chester Phillips' proposed subjects—mostly typical soldiers, full of fire and ambition—as he was fearful of producing another Red Skull.[3] A program was put into place to find the perfect subject for the completed serum, and several new enlistees were put through rigorous training to find him.
At a world expo in New York, Erskine caught wind of a young, small, and sickly man named Steve Rogers, who had illegally attempted to enlist on five different occasions, being spectacularly rejected each time. Erskine saw the young Rogers's eagerness, bravery, and character, and considered him the ideal candidate for the serum. During training, Rogers continued to display courage and humility despite being physically inferior to the other soldiers. Though Col. Philips, overseeing the operation, saw nothing in Rogers, Erskine was firm in his convictions, and eventually selected Rogers from the pool of enlistees.
When the time came, Erskine conducted the super-soldier experiment on Rogers in a secret military facility in Brooklyn. Erskine was assisted by Howard Stark, and the operation was overseen by various military and governmental officials. It was a resounding success, as Rogers came out of it several inches taller and significantly more muscular, as well as gaining superhuman strength and agility. One of the men in attendance was in fact Heinz Kruger, a Hydra agent in disguise, who shot and killed Erskine and attempted to steal a sample of the serum—the last known in existence. Rogers gave chase and eventually subdued the agent, who immediately committed suicide, and the serum was destroyed in the process. Thanks to Erskine's efforts, Rogers went on to become Captain America, one of the universe's greatest heroes.[4] Unfruitful attempts to recreate the serum continued for decades after, including one by Bruce Banner that transformed him into the monstrous Hulk.[5][6]
See also
References
- ↑ Captain America: First Vengeance #4. (June 2011) Van Lente, Fred (w), Barranco, Javier Fernandez (art), Gandini, Vero (col).
- ↑ Captain America: First Vengeance #5. (September 2011) Van Lente, Fred (w), Ross, Luke (art), Isanove, Richard (col).
- ↑ Captain America: First Vengeance #8. (December 2011) Van Lente, Fred (w), Elson, Rich (art), Sotocolor (col), Cowles, Clayton (let).
- ↑ Captain America: The First Avenger. Dir. Johnston, Joe. Perf. Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Stanley Tucci. Paramount Pictures, 2011.
- ↑ The Incredible Hulk. Dir. Leterrier, Louis. Perf. Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, and William Hurt. Universal Pictures, 2008.
- ↑ The Avengers. Dir. Whedon, Joss. Perf. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, and Samuel L. Jackson. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2012.