Marvel Database
Register
Advertisement

Quote1 'The Avengers need Stingray,' Steve said. 'Time to swim with the big fish again.' Guess he didn't realize that I never left the pool. And I don't plan to anytime soon. Steve's right. The world needs heroes more than ever. And with dozens of Avengers back on active duty, things on land are pretty much covered. That leaves approximately two-thirds of the planet's surface left to protect. I think I can fit that in. After all, if a new day really is dawning, then the warmth of the sun's rays should be felt everywhere, even at -- the darkest depths. Quote2
Stingray[src]

History

Origins[]

Dr. Walter Newell was a brilliant oceanographer and engineer. He supervised the construction of a domed undersea city with plans to grow food for mankind. The city was attacked by the Plunderer, but he was stopped by the Atlanteans Namor, the Sub-Mariner and Lady Dorma, but the city was destroyed.[4] Tiger Shark attempted to unleash a deadly virus, but Namor - with the help of Newell - ensured that it caused no harm. Unfortunately, Tiger Shark escaped.[5]

Walter Newell (Earth-616) from Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition Vol 1 24 001

Stingray

He designed a unique suit for deep sea exploration. He took the name Stingray after basing some of its design on manta rays. He was ordered by Edgar Benton to bring Namor in to investigate the disappearance of water from Earth's oceans. Stingray reluctantly did so, but later allowed Namor to leave. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Diane Arliss, the sister of Tiger Shark and the two started dating.[3] He helped Namor with various crises.[6]

Hulk[]

Dr. Bruce Banner was picked up by the ship Lady Diana, which was captained by Newell. He got Banner to shore, ignorant of the fact that Banner was really the Hulk. When Newell found out, he went after the Hulk and fought with him. Hulk was about to kill him, but Jim Wilson got in the way, saving Stingray's life, and Hulk leapt away.[7]

Defenders for a Day[]

When Dollar Bill aired a documentary about the Defenders without their knowledge, claiming that "Anyone can be a Defender!", Stingray was one of nearly two dozen heroes who showed up for the unauthorized membership drive. These "Defenders for a Day" ended up helping the Defenders against two groups of super-villains who also tried to cash in on the Defenders' name and create confusion.[8]

Serpent Crown Affair[]

He teamed up with the Thing to battle Roxxon and recover the Serpent Crown.[9]

Hydro-Base[]

He and his wife became the caretakers of Hydrobase and offered the Avengers use of the facilities. The Avengers were looking for another place to launch their Quinjet since the FAA prevented them from launching directly from Avengers Mansion. Newell and his wife, Diana, met up with the Avengers to show off their Hydrobase in hopes of having the Avengers rent the island.[10]

After Avengers Mansion was critically damaged by battle with the Masters of Evil, the Avengers moved to Hydrobase for their primary headquarters.[11] As their landlord, Stingray occasionally operated as an on-site associate of the team. He was involved in the defense of Hydrobase when Heavy Metal led by the Super-Adaptoid attacked.[12]

Armor Wars[]

Walter Newell (Earth-616) from Iron Man Vol 1 226 0001

Armor Wars

He was later targeted by Iron Man during the Armor Wars. Stark wanted to recover all battlesuits based on Stark Industries technology.[13]

Walter Newell (Earth-616) from Iron Man Vol 1 226 0002

Armor Wars

He came to Hydrobase and after an underwater battle knocked Newell unconscious. When he attached the Negator Pack nothing happened and Stark had finally determined his suit did not contain any stolen technology. He tried to apologize but the mistake was made.[13]

Acts of Vengeance[]

Hydrobase was attacked by a swarm of Doombots causing it to sink beneath the ocean.[14] Newell was helped by Quasar in a salvage mission to recover the most important and highest-security equipment from Hydrobase.[15]

Peace Corpse[]

Stingray was finally recognized with official status as an Avenger after they moved their base back to the Avengers Mansion grounds. He was tapped for an aquatic mission involving a potentially rogue submarine in international waters. He helped the Avengers battle the Peace Corpse.[16]

Friendship with Namor[]

He continued to assist his friend Namor whenever he needed his help. During this time period, the Newells also worked with Namor and the Atlanteans in a cooperative underwater sea base. [17]

Deep Six[]

Deep Six (Namor) (Earth-616) from Namor, the Sub-Mariner Annual Vol 1 4 001

Deep Six

When Namor the Sub-Mariner went missing and was framed for crimes on the surface world, several of his Atlantean allies banded together to find the King. The makeshift group known as Deep Six consisted of Stingray, Tamara Rahn, Triton, Andromeda, and Tiger Shark. They fought against the Avengers but later disbanded once they had found Namor.[18]

Avengers[]

When the Avengers first reformed after Onslaught, Stingray responded to the mass rallying call to oppose the threat of Morgan Le Fay. Like most of those responding, however, he chose not to remain with the group full time.[19]

Stingray later became a fully active member of the Avengers roster for the first time when Kang the Conqueror began striking around the globe. Stingray's nautical experience helped on the waterfront during Kang's war, when the rogue Atlanteans under Attuma lent their swords to his.[20] Even though he ultimately left the team, Stingray remained a reserve member and would respond to emergency calls.[21]

Civil War/Initiative[]

Newell continued his research and occasionally still acted as Stingray. He was part of Captain America's Secret Avengers who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act.[22] After the surrender of Captain America, Stingray was pardoned as long as he registered as a hero.[23][24] He registered and became one of the trainees at Camp Hammond.[23][25] After he graduated, he battled a Giganto.[26]

Point Men[]

I Am an Avenger Vol 1 3 Textless

After the defeat of the Skrulls, Stingray was given his dream post as leader of the 50-State Initiative team the Point Men in Hawaii, where he could pursue his research as well as acting as a registered hero.[27]

Fear Itself[]

In a battle against Nerkkod (Attuma), Cloak brought a small army of "Defenders, Secret Defenders, even those who were only Defenders for a Day such as Stingray," summoned by a spell Doctor Strange conjured in New Atlantis. The added numbers quickly turn the tide of battle, assisted by another spell from Strange which clouded the army's transparent face-shields.[28]

AXIS[]

Avengers (Doctor Doom) (Earth-616) from Avengers World Vol 1 16 001

In the wake of the World War Hate, Doctor Doom's personality was inverted, along with that of numerous heroes and villains. After having seen the errors of his ways, Doom planned to redeem himself. After the Avengers disappeared, having being captured by the inverted and evil Avengers Unity Division, Doom tasked Valeria Richards with the mission to assemble a group of certain available heroes, including Stingray, each having specific skills which could be utilized. The new Avengers assembled in Doctor Doom's Castle, and jumped into action when the now-evil Scarlet Witch arrived to Latveria to have revenge on Doom.[29]

Walter Newell (Earth-616) from Avengers World Vol 1 16 0001

The Avengers fought the Scarlet Witch and saved villagers trapped in the crossfire. 3-D Man managed to get hold of Scarlet Witch and take her to a machine Doctor Doom had created to specifically canalize her abilities. Soon after being put into the machine, the Scarlet Witch escaped and set out to find Doom, leaving the Avengers behind. After condensing a portion of Scarlet Witch's powers into the device, Valeria informed the heroes their job was done.[30]

Deadpool's Mercs for Money[]

When Deadpool founded the Mercs for Money, he employed the services of Stingray, among numerous other vigilantes, to pose as him in order to extend his reach across the globe.[1] Walt secretly reported to Steve Rogers in order to give him updates on his more deranged teammates.[31]

The Mercs for Money eventually became disgruntled by Deadpool, from the way he treated them to the delays in their paychecks.[32] When they set out to create their own business, the Mercs discovered Deadpool had been skimming on them.[33] After retrieving and burning their contracts from a safety deposit in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, the Mercs and Deadpool parted ways.[34]

Defenders of the Deep[]

While vacationing on a cruise with his wife Diane, Stingray was forced to fight Tiger Shark when he threatened the cruise ship. As the two fought underwater, they were confronted by Namor who told him to either join him or die. Stingray tried to reason with Namor, but Namor brutally beat Stingray before having a swarm of sharks to attack him,[35] nearly killing him in the process.[36]

Attributes

Power Grid[42]
:Category:Power Grid/Fighting Skills/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/Single Type: Medium Range:Category:Power Grid/Durability/Regenerative:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Superhuman:Category:Power Grid/Strength/Superhuman (800 lbs-25 ton):Category:Power Grid/Intelligence/Gifted

Abilities

  • Gifted Intelligence: Dr. Newell is exceptionally intelligent and is an accomplished scientific researcher.[37]
  • Oceanography: Dr. Newell is the world's leading oceanographer, with advanced knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological and biological processes within the oceans.[38]
  • Engineer/Inventor: Dr. Newell is a brilliant engineer and inventor constructing advanced equipment and machinery for his experiments in the ocean. He also designed the Stingray's Suit from scratch.[38]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

  • Stingray's Suit: Newell uses specialized armor originally designed for underwater exploration. The suit can safely operate in depths up to 1200 feet. It has a unique oxygen diffusion system based on fish gills. The suit grants Newell superhuman strength and durability to handle underwater conditions. The suit is able to swim at high speeds underwater. Newell can also glide when not in water. Its main weapon is a potent electric blast. The suit also has an internal communication system.[38] The Suit has no links to the battlesuits designed by Stark Industries.[39]
    • Superhuman Strength: The suit enhances Newell's strength to the point where he can lift 20 tons.[37]
    • Enhanced Agility: The suit enhances his agility to athlete levels.[37]
    • Enhanced Reflexes: The suit enhances his reflexes to athlete levels.[37]
    • Peak Human Speed: The suit grants him peak human levels of speed. The mini-turbine impellers also allow him to swim at 52 mph on a low setting while his top speed remains unrecorded.[37]
    • Peak Human Stamina: The suit grants him peak human levels of stamina.[37]
    • Superhuman Durability: The suit is tough enough to stop bullets at close range but is also thin enough that the impacts can injure him.[37]
    • Gliding: The suit allows him to glide for short distances.[37]
    • Energy Projection: The suit can emit up to 20,000 volts through the air (up to thirty feet) or water (up to ten feet).[37]
    • Sonar: The armor has a sonar and other sensors to scan its surroundings and track targets.[37]
  • Deadpool's Suit: As a member of the Mercs for Money, he was provided with a version of Deadpool's suit.[1]

Notes

  • Stingray was involved in the conflict between the Marvel and DC Universe.[40]

See Also

Links and References

References

Advertisement