Grim Reaper (comics)

Grim Reaper
The Grim Reaper vs the Avengers, art by George Pérez
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Avengers #52 (May 1968)
Created by	Roy Thomas (writer) John Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Eric Williams
Team affiliations	Legion of the Unliving Maggia HYDRA Lethal Legion Sinister Six Horsemen of Death
Partnerships	Space Phantom Ultron Nekra Black Talon Goliath Man-Ape
Abilities	Originally: Wielded techno-scythe that could spin at rapid speed, fire electromagnetic power blasts and anesthetic gas pellets, dispense electric stun shocks on touch, and induce deep comas and revive victims from them as well Zombie form: Ability to absorb human life-forces via his scythe Due to Death Seed: Slight supernatural strength Necromancy Teleportation Illusion casting Clairvoyance Wields magically sharp scythe replaced with right hand that can drain energy and project energy blasts Ability to summon demons

Grim Reaper (Eric Williams) is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is also the brother of Wonder Man.

The Grim Reaper first appeared in The Avengers #52 May (1968), by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. He has been killed many times, depicted in Web of Spider-Man #46, Dark Reign: Lethal Legion #2, Chaos War: Avengers #3, and Uncanny Avengers #5 and #21, and Vision Vol. 3, #1.

Eric Williams, the brother of Simon Williams (also known as Wonder Man), was born in Paterson, New Jersey. Eric was the black sheep of his family. His mother Martha would tell him that he was 'born bad', while heaping affection on his brother Simon Williams. Eric's father was charged with disciplining him, but was abusive and uncaring. His father even preferred to watch TV lazily, while Eric was torturing the family cat. At the same time, their mother was loving and attentive to Simon, making Eric bitter and jealous.

One day Eric was playing with chemicals in the garage, and caused a fire which burned down their house. Simon felt guilty for not stopping Eric, and resolved to be responsible for Eric from there on. As they grew older, Simon grew studious while Eric was an athlete. Eric also became more rebellious, and tried to get Simon to join him in his petty thefts. Eventually Eric became a gambler, joined the Maggia and moved to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Simon took over the family business Williams Innovations.

When Williams Innovations began to fail partly due to competition with Stark Industries, Eric's desperate brother turned to his mob ties for help. Simon embezzled money from the company to invest with Eric, but Simon was caught and jailed. Simon was freed from jail by Baron Zemo, induced by an offer of revenge on Iron Man and the Avengers to which Eric's brother was transformed into Wonder Man. Learning of his brother's death, Eric was inflamed with guilt and anger. Through his Maggia contacts, he contacted the Tinkerer to provide him with his scythe weapon, which was further enhanced by Ultron with coma-inducing abilities. Taking the "Grim Reaper" name, he became a professional criminal and defeated Hawkeye, Goliath, and the Wasp, placing the three Avengers in comas, but was beaten by the surprise appearance of the Black Panther.