Early Life[]
Young Adrian Toomes' parents died during his early years. Adrian was raised by his older brother Marcus. Marcus realized the intellectual capabilities of his brother and worked hard to provide Adrian with the best education possible, especially with praise Adrian was given. Adrian felt utterly indebted to his brother and would work as hard as possible to assist him. Marcus Toomes would join the Air Force and would end up an accomplished pilot. His brother's successes would drive Adrian to the field of aeronautics and was the first to welcome his brother home with open arms. As such, after Adrian would receive his Masters' degree, he would begin working as an electric engineer while also assisting in the design of military aircraft.
However, Marcus became paraplegic after his plane was shot down early on during the Vietnam War. Adrian would then leave the military business behind to take care of his brother. He would switch to more civilian affairs, opening an electrical engineering business, and he would later start a company called Toomes' Aerodynamics, a small electronics firm. It was during this time where Adrian would meet his future wife in the growing business: his new personal secretary, Cheryl Toomes. Despite being more than a decade her senior, she was drawn to his determination and spirit and would end up marrying him. The two would start a family and live a relatively comfortable life from the 1970's through the 80's. However, not everything was necessarily perfect.
While Adrian cared deeply for his two children, he struggled to parent them as he was more often focused on business and his inventions. Eventually his children would grow up and move away, with his oldest son following in his father's footsteps and starting up his own computer business in Detroit, and his daughter joining the military against his wishes. Things would begin to fall apart for Toomes after Cheryl passed away, causing Adrian great suffering, so he buried himself in his work. It was here that he would create his greatest invention yet: the electromagnetic harness. With this, he could revolutionize the field of flight after years of setbacks and stagnations. Toomes' excitement with his invention was cut short when he discovered that his longtime partner Gregory Bestman had been embezzling money from the company. Adrian tried bringing him to court, but unfortunately, without evidence, it cost Adrian his plan, especially once he learned that his company would be sold to Oscorp. Because of this, Toomes developed a strong grudge against Norman Osborn.
Encountering Spider-Man[]
Having already lost enough, Toomes retreated to his home and put the finishing touches on it himself. He used his military contracts and surplus equipment to create the exo-suit, utilizing electromagentic properties to generate lift while using bladed wings to propel him through the air. After finally mastering his "wings", Toomes, now known as the Vulture, prepared to attack those who wronged him. He kidnaps Bestman from his office and kills him after dropping him stories high in the air onto the streets below. Before he killed him however, Adrian demanded Betsman to announce to the world for what he did but Bestman refused and only mocked him. After stealing his money back from Bestman's office that night, he then went after Osborn the next day and swooped him up from his penthouse, taking him hostage. Vulture then tossed him down towards the street to what would also be his death. However, Spider-Man swung by and caught Norman in the nick of time and confronted Toomes. The two engaged in tough battle, with Vulture's speed getting the better of Spider-Man, and he escaped.
Vulture then made another attempt to grab Norman, who fleed in his limo. Spider-Man caught up to them as Vulture was breaking through the roof of Norman's limo. As Spider-Man and Vulture fought, the latter assumed that Spider-Man was hired by Osborn to take him down. Eventually the young hero managed to defeat Toomes by smashing the circuitry on his back and left the supervillain for the authorities.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Adrian Toomes is an ordinary human; he has no superpowers.
Abilities[]
Genius Intelligence: Toomes is intellectually brilliant in the fields of electronics and mechanical engineering, with a great talent for invention. He has earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering.
Strength[]
Augmented by his Flying Harness, the Vulture's strength is enhanced to some level of peak human. He can lift (press) approximately 700 lbs. Without his harness, he possesses the normal human strength for a man his age, height, and build who engages in minimal regular exercise.
Weaknesses[]
- Mortality: Vulture is an ordinary human without the exo-suit, he can get hurt by weapons or falling, among other things.
Paraphernalia[]
Transportation[]
The exo-suit's wings enable him to fly at speeds approaching 95 mph.
Weapons[]
- Vulture's Exo-Suit: Utilizing his harness, the Vulture is able to fly with a natural winged flight limit (95 miles per hour). The anti-graviton generator attached to his flight suit enables him to take to the air by flapping the bird-like wings. When wearing his Exo-Suit, the Vulture possesses superhuman strength, vitality and athletic prowess. The harness increases his physical strength to the absolute human maximum enabling him to lift roughly 700 pounds. The Vulture can reach speeds of up to 95 miles per hour and attain a maximum height of 11,000 feet. Vulture's harness also lets him fly virtually soundlessly. The suit also has sharp mechanical talons for his feet, which can be used for cutting and grabbing objects/people. The same can be applied with his sharp talons, which he later added on to his gloves and used them to tear open Norman's limo.
- Superhuman Agility: The suit's jet propulsion systems allow Vulture to fly and maneuver in the air with incredible agility and coordination.
- Super-Strength: While equipped with the exo-suit, Toomes can provide himself with super-strength, while the wings are strong enough to destroy concrete.
- Wing Projectile Capability: His feathers are as sharp as swords and can be used as projectile weapons. They will replenish themselves so he can maintain flying abilities.
- The Vulture also carries some form of sonic blaster he stole, as well as several grenades of unknown types.
Notes[]
- This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of Astonishing Spider-Man and is an adaptation of Adrian Toomes / the Vulture. The original character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. His first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man #2 (May, 1963).
Trivia[]
- Similar to the continuity of Earth-616, the Vulture was the first traditionally costumed super-villain Spider-Man ever faced.
- Adrian Toomes's costume is similar to the Adrian Toomes of Earth-199999 or the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Even though he's known as such in the Daily Bugle headlines, Toomes never adopted the name or referred to himself as the Vulture.