Force (comics)

Force
Force (left center, below Iron Man) as featured on the cover of Iron Man #224 (Nov. 1987). Art by Bob Layton.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Prince Namor, the Savage Sub-Mariner #67 (Nov. 1972)
Created by	Steve Gerber and Don Heck
In-story information
Alter ego	Clayton Wilson
Notable aliases	Taylor, Carl Walker
Abilities	Via suit: Enhanced strength Force field projection Flight

Force is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Prince Namor, the Savage Sub-Mariner #67 (Nov. 1972) and was created by Steve Gerber and Don Heck.

Clayton Wilson first appears in the title Prince Namor, the Savage Sub-Mariner, a graduate student at Empire State University working as a research assistant to scientist Dr. Damon Walters, who develops a prototype device for creating a protective force field. Wilson steals the prototype force field generator, creates a battle-suit that incorporates it, and adopts the alias "Force". The character then goes on a rampage through New York City until defeated by hero Namor the Sub-Mariner.

Force retreats and appears in the title Iron Man, having become a professional criminal, working for crime boss Justin Hammer in exchange for modifications to his suit. Force and a group of mercenaries hijack the yacht of industrialist Tony Stark (the alter ego of Iron Man) and take several hostages. Iron Man, however, tracks the yacht, defeats Force and his men and rescues the hostages.

Wilson eventually reappears in the title Iron Man, and decides to reform. Hammer, however, traps the character in the suit and threatens to kill him if he reneges on the agreement. Force flees and Hammer sends villains the Beetle, Blacklash, and the Blizzard II to kill him. Iron Man aids Force in stopping the villains, then lies to the authorities and advises that Wilson was killed in battle to placate Hammer. Wilson is provided with a new identity and employment with Barstow Electronics, a subsidiary of Stark Industries. Analysis of Force's armor reveals that elements of it were actually based on Stark's own designs, Stark bringing in Wilson to quickly ask him where he acquired that technology, thus setting in motion the events of the Armor Wars when he learns that Justin Hammer acquired some of Stark's plans thanks to a raid carried out by Spymaster. Wilson makes another brief appearance in the title Iron Man, impersonating the hero to assist Stark.