He operated large, powerful vehicles as weapons. One of these was an immense truck capable of holding an armored truck in its van. This truck contained a powerful magnet to pull the trucks into it, despite the use of brakes, reverse gear, etc. His second vehicle was an immense tank with spiked treads, and it was able to stand up to the full force of the Thing (although its underside was more vulnerable). It also had powerful electromagnets, and could use them to pull heavy objects at great speed to use as weapons against an attacker. His third tank was similar in appearance, but not as durable.

Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 200 lbs.

History: (Tales To Astonish I#40)- Howard Mitchell originally owned an armored truck company. Dissatisfied with his profits, he embarked on the idea to hijack his own trucks and steal the money within them. Creating the costumed identity of the Hijacker and armed with his knowledge of the shipping schedules, Mitchell accomplished four successful thefts. His use of an amnesia inducing knock-out gas insured that there was no evidence to link him to the thefts.

Mitchell pretended to be infuriated by the police's inability to capture the Hijacker and requested the assistance of Ant-Man (Pym), feeling that the small hero would be no threat to him. Figuring that the Hijacker would not attack the trucks if he knew it was guarded by a super-hero, Ant-Man feigned appendicitis and then hid out in one of the trucks. Ant-Man confronted the Hijacker, using a gas-mask of his own invention to allow him to resist the gas attack. Ant-Man then fled from the Hijacker (I'm not sure why), leading him into the cab of the armored truck, where he ripped open his gas mask. Exposed to his own gas, Mitchell was soon unconscious and unmasked. Ant-Man, ever the super-sleuth, had already identified Mitchell as the Hijacker after seeing his Peruvian statues. Ant-Man knew that "the indians in Peru have an ancient vapor, the inhaling of which causes a lapse of memory!"...(what the frick...?)

(Marvel Two-In-One#24)- After either being released or escaping some time later, Mitchell began stealing technology and selling it on the black market. The Hijacker broke into Stark West, planning to steal Stark's inventions. He ran into trouble from Bill Foster, aka Black Goliath, and the Thing, who were involved in a test procedure at the time. Realizing he was overpowered, Mitchell escaped and returned with his battle tank. After some struggle, the two heroes dismantled the tank, and then easily apprehended the Hijacker.

(Marvel Two-In-One#96)- The Hijacker returned for vengeance on the Thing after he was hospitalized following injuries at the hands of Gladiator and the Champion. A number of other villains had similarly targeted the Thing, but a group of super-heroes had gathered in preparation for this. The Hijacker used a tank similar in appearance to his last one, but it was not as durable, and Iron Man made quick work of it.

(Captain America I#319)- A few years later, the organization of criminal assassins known as Scourge cast fear into the hearts of evil-doers everywhere. Firebrand gathered a group of villains, including the Hijacker, at the legendary Bar with No Name in order to plan some sort of defense. Unfortunately for the criminals, Scourge was present at the Bar as well, disguised as the bartender. He executed everyone present using a pair of machine guns, and the Hijacker was no exception.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby.

I know that the Ringer has returned, and I'm sure more will as well. There's no good reason to bring back characters with clean-cut deaths. But that's a whole 'nother topic...

Clarifications: Hijacker should not be confused with:

• Professor Jack, Human Torch/Thing foe @ Strange Tales I#132
• Jack Kirby, Earth-616's version of the comic author @ Fantastic Four I#10
• Highlander, member of the Kinsmen @ Marvel Comics Presents#43/4
• Highnote, of the Young Gods @ Thor I#300
• Highwayman, Captain Britain foe @ Captain Britain Weekly#37
• Highwayman, brother/foe of U.S. Archer @ U.S. 1#1
• Highwayman, AIM agent @ Marvel Comics Presents#137/4
• High-Zero, HYDRA member @ Namor Annual#4

images:

Other appearances:
Marvel Two-In-One#24 (February, 1977) - Bill Mantlo & Jim Shooter (writers), Sal Buscema (pencils), Pablo Marcos (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Marvel Two-In-One#96 (February, 1983) - Tom DeFalco (writer), Ron Wilson (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Linda Grant & Lance Tooks (editors)
Captain America I#319 (July, 1986) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Pual Neary (pencils), Dennis Janke (inks), Michael Carlin (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Last Updated: 07/19/04

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