Golden Archer
Encyclopedia
Golden Archer is a fictional
superhero
that has appeared in various comic book
series published by Marvel Comics
. A member of the Squadron Supreme
, the character exists in the universe of that team, an alternate universe
to Marvel's main shared universe
, the Marvel Universe
.
Although he was a Marvel Comics
character, he was an analogue of the DC Comics
hero Green Arrow
. He has also gone by the codenames Hawkeye and Black Archer. The name "Golden Archer", in conjunction with the character's last name, is a pun on the restaurant chain McDonald's
' well-known logo, the "Golden Arches".
The Avenger
Hawkeye
of the Marvel Universe also briefly used the costumed identity of the Golden Archer.
), a former vocalist whose vocal cords had been altered by the criminal mastermind Dr. Decibel
. Together they fought crime in the city of New Babylon, eventually gaining enough fame to draw the attention of the Squadron Supreme
, who invited them to the team early on in that team's history.
Alongside the Squadron Supreme, he encountered the Avengers
the Vision
, Scarlet Witch
, Quicksilver
, and Goliath II
. The two superhero teams fought together against Brain-Child
. Wyatt later settled in on his more well known persona as the Golden Archer. Alongside the Squadron, he fell under the influence of the Serpent Cartel
and battled the Avengers. He was freed from the Serpent Cartel's control and turned against them. Alongside the Squadron, he was mind-controlled by the Overmind
. The Squadron was freed by the Defenders
, and then the two superhero teams battled the Overmind and Null, the Living Darkness
.
During the Utopia Project, McDonald's relationship with Lewis became strained as she developed romantic feelings for fellow Squadron member Blue Eagle
. Wyatt proposed to Linda, but she rejected him. In order to save his relationship with her, McDonald used a cerebral inhibitor to instill a near-irrational obsession in Lewis' mind for McDonald. However, he couldn't stand being around her so he took a walk and ended up being captured by the Squadron's enemies, the Institute of Evil
.
The Institute tortured the Archer into revealing the location of the Squadron's new base of operations. The Institute kidnapped the Squadron's family members and attacked the Squadron's lair. They subdued Tom Thumb
and began ambushing and behavior modifying (B-Moding) the Squadron as they returned from their missions. The Whizzer escaped and retrieved an automatic pistol seized by the police. (the Utopia Project eliminated conventional firearms and the weapons of the police and military were replaced with stunning "Pacifier Pistols").The B-Moded Squadroners protected the Institute of Evil members when the Whizzer returned to attack. The Squadron then subdued and B-Moded the Whizzer.
The Institute then took the B-Moded Squadron to their lair where the Golden Archer and their captive family members were. There the Squadron then surprised the Institute with a counterattack, defeating the Institute completely. When Squadron leader Hyperion asked Tom Thumb why the B-Mod machine didn't work on them, Tom Thumb said that he programmed the B-Mod machine with the Squadron's brain patterns (after the Archer used the machine on Lady Lark) so it couldn't be used against them. (Tom Thumb kept the Golden Archer's abuse of the machine a secret.)
During the investigation of how the Institute of Evil learned the Squadron's secrets, the Golden Archer admitted what he had done. The Squadron took a vote on what to do with the Archer. Four of the Squadron were in favor of performing no disciplinary treatment (feeling his shame and regret were enough), one voted for B-Moding him, and four members were in favor of expelling the Archer. Leaving Hyperion with deciding vote, Hyperion ruled that the Golden Archer was to be expelled. The Institute of Evil members were B-Moded and inducted in into the Squadron.
After the Golden Archer's injuries healed, the Golden Archer changed his name to the Black Archer, became a freedom fighter, and joined the Redeemers
, a team founded by Nighthawk
to oppose the Squadron's near dominance of the entire globe. In an all out battle between the two teams, the Black Archer shattered Doctor Spectrum
's Power Prism, but Blue Eagle fatally fractured the Archer's skull with his mace. The Archer was cryogenically frozen in the hopes of one day being restored to life.
.
He also wore a protective force field belt, as a Squadron member, designed by Tom Thumb
.
series, itself an updated version of Squadron Supreme. However, according to the Supreme Power: Hyperion miniseries, the world will someday include an African-American superhero called Black Archer.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
that has appeared in various comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. A member of the Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
, the character exists in the universe of that team, an alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
to Marvel's main shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
, the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Although he was a Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character, he was an analogue of the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
hero Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
. He has also gone by the codenames Hawkeye and Black Archer. The name "Golden Archer", in conjunction with the character's last name, is a pun on the restaurant chain McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
' well-known logo, the "Golden Arches".
The Avenger
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
of the Marvel Universe also briefly used the costumed identity of the Golden Archer.
Early life
Wyatt McDonald, an Australian cab driver in his civilian guise, was a master archer with a large selection of specialized trick arrows. He originally began his career as a masked superhero under the identity of Hawkeye. He developed a relationship with Linda Lewis (a.k.a. Lady LarkLady Lark
Lady Lark, later named Skylark, is a character in the Marvel Comics series Squadron Supreme and hails from Earth-712. She is based on Black Canary and later on Hawkgirl in DC Comics.-Publication history:...
), a former vocalist whose vocal cords had been altered by the criminal mastermind Dr. Decibel
Doctor Decibel
Doctor Decibel is a fictional character, owned by Marvel Comics, who exists in the universe of the Squadron Supreme.-Publication history:Doctor Decibel first appeared in Squadron Supreme #5 , and was created by Mark Gruenwald....
. Together they fought crime in the city of New Babylon, eventually gaining enough fame to draw the attention of the Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
, who invited them to the team early on in that team's history.
Alongside the Squadron Supreme, he encountered the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
the Vision
Vision (Marvel Comics)
The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that...
, Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, and Goliath II
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
. The two superhero teams fought together against Brain-Child
Brain-Child
Brain-Child is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Brain-Child appeared in Avengers #86 , and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
. Wyatt later settled in on his more well known persona as the Golden Archer. Alongside the Squadron, he fell under the influence of the Serpent Cartel
Serpent Crown
The Serpent Crown is a fictional mystical power object which has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It exists within Marvel's main shared universe...
and battled the Avengers. He was freed from the Serpent Cartel's control and turned against them. Alongside the Squadron, he was mind-controlled by the Overmind
Overmind (comics)
-Fictional character biography:The Overmind is an alien belonging to the Eternals of Eyung, and was born uncounted millennia ago on the planet Eyung . Grom acted as one of their warlords, leading massacres of entire species. He was also the reigning champion in their gladiatorial arenas...
. The Squadron was freed by the Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
, and then the two superhero teams battled the Overmind and Null, the Living Darkness
Null, the Living Darkness
Null, called also Null the Living Darkness, is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Null is a demon and enemy of the Defenders and Squadron Supreme.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Utopia Project
The Golden Archer joined in the Squadron's decision to take control of the United States to implement the "Utopia Program," and with the rest of the team publicly revealed his secret identity. Wyatt was captured, and nearly executed by vigilantes.During the Utopia Project, McDonald's relationship with Lewis became strained as she developed romantic feelings for fellow Squadron member Blue Eagle
Blue Eagle (comics)
Blue Eagle is a fictional comic-book character in the Marvel Comics multiverse.The character debuted as a member of the team of superheroes called the Squadron Supreme in The Avengers #85 as American Eagle, then as Cap'n Hawk in The Avengers #148 , and finally as Blue Eagle in Squadron Supreme #1...
. Wyatt proposed to Linda, but she rejected him. In order to save his relationship with her, McDonald used a cerebral inhibitor to instill a near-irrational obsession in Lewis' mind for McDonald. However, he couldn't stand being around her so he took a walk and ended up being captured by the Squadron's enemies, the Institute of Evil
Institute of Evil
The Institute of Evil is a fictional organization, owned by Marvel Comics.-Fictional team history:The Institute of Evil existed in the Earth-712 universe and served as the Squadron Supreme’s arch-foes...
.
The Institute tortured the Archer into revealing the location of the Squadron's new base of operations. The Institute kidnapped the Squadron's family members and attacked the Squadron's lair. They subdued Tom Thumb
Tom Thumb (comics)
Tom Thumb is the name of two fictional characters who are owned by Marvel Comics and appear in the comic books published by that company...
and began ambushing and behavior modifying (B-Moding) the Squadron as they returned from their missions. The Whizzer escaped and retrieved an automatic pistol seized by the police. (the Utopia Project eliminated conventional firearms and the weapons of the police and military were replaced with stunning "Pacifier Pistols").The B-Moded Squadroners protected the Institute of Evil members when the Whizzer returned to attack. The Squadron then subdued and B-Moded the Whizzer.
The Institute then took the B-Moded Squadron to their lair where the Golden Archer and their captive family members were. There the Squadron then surprised the Institute with a counterattack, defeating the Institute completely. When Squadron leader Hyperion asked Tom Thumb why the B-Mod machine didn't work on them, Tom Thumb said that he programmed the B-Mod machine with the Squadron's brain patterns (after the Archer used the machine on Lady Lark) so it couldn't be used against them. (Tom Thumb kept the Golden Archer's abuse of the machine a secret.)
During the investigation of how the Institute of Evil learned the Squadron's secrets, the Golden Archer admitted what he had done. The Squadron took a vote on what to do with the Archer. Four of the Squadron were in favor of performing no disciplinary treatment (feeling his shame and regret were enough), one voted for B-Moding him, and four members were in favor of expelling the Archer. Leaving Hyperion with deciding vote, Hyperion ruled that the Golden Archer was to be expelled. The Institute of Evil members were B-Moded and inducted in into the Squadron.
After the Golden Archer's injuries healed, the Golden Archer changed his name to the Black Archer, became a freedom fighter, and joined the Redeemers
America Redeemers
The America Redeemers, or Redeemers, as the team is more commonly known, is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe. The Redeemers existed in the Earth-712 universe, the same place from which the Squadron Supreme originated...
, a team founded by Nighthawk
Nighthawk (Marvel Comics)
Nighthawk is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character: a supervillain-turned-superhero from the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity, Kyle Richmond, who belonged to the team Squadron Sinister;...
to oppose the Squadron's near dominance of the entire globe. In an all out battle between the two teams, the Black Archer shattered Doctor Spectrum
Doctor Spectrum
Doctor Spectrum is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character to date - three supervillains from the mainstream Marvel Universe belonging to the team Squadron Sinister and two heroes from different...
's Power Prism, but Blue Eagle fatally fractured the Archer's skull with his mace. The Archer was cryogenically frozen in the hopes of one day being restored to life.
Powers and abilities
The Golden Archer has no superhuman powers, but was a superb archer with nearly perfect accuracy. He used a customized double-recurve bow, with conventional arrows and a wide variety of "trick-arrows," including sonic, explosive-tipped, magnesium flare, smoke, tear-gas, suction-tip, cable, bola, electrified, net, parachute, and many others. He was a good hand-to-hand combatant, trained by NighthawkNighthawk (Marvel Comics)
Nighthawk is the name of several fictional characters that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character: a supervillain-turned-superhero from the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity, Kyle Richmond, who belonged to the team Squadron Sinister;...
.
He also wore a protective force field belt, as a Squadron member, designed by Tom Thumb
Tom Thumb (comics)
Tom Thumb is the name of two fictional characters who are owned by Marvel Comics and appear in the comic books published by that company...
.
Supreme Power
A new version of Golden Archer has yet to appear in the Supreme PowerSupreme Power
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in publications under the mature-audience MAX imprint by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in Supreme Power #1 and was created by writer J...
series, itself an updated version of Squadron Supreme. However, according to the Supreme Power: Hyperion miniseries, the world will someday include an African-American superhero called Black Archer.
External links
- Marvel Heroes Classic Roleplaying Game page on Golden Archer
- http://marvel.com/universe/Black_Archer_%28Earth-712%29