SPINE of COMPLICITY

Classification: Extradimensional (Negative Zone) technology

Creator: Hawal

First Appearance: Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3 (August, 2006)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Spine of Complicity, worn over a subject's skull and vertebrae, detects the desire for betrayal in the subjects mind and punishes it with a brutal shock to the central nervous system.

History:
(Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3 (fb) - BTS) - Negative Zone scientist Hawal designed the Spine of Complicity to force cooperation on unwilling prisoners. He labeled it and placed it in his storehouse.

(Annihilation: Super-Skrull#2 - BTS) <Annihilation Day, plus 55> - The Super-Skrull traveled to Negative Zone prison planetoid UX-73 in the Nexus of Igoa in search of Hawal, who had created the Harvester of Sorrows, a weapon employed by the Annihilation Wave and threatening Zaragz'na, the planet on which Kl'rt's son lived.

    Kl'rt liberated and formed an army from its prisoners, and captured Hawal, who agreed to create a virus to destroy the Harvester.

(Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3 (fb) - BTS) - Suspecting resistance and duplicity from Hawal, Kl'rt explored Hawal's storehouse and discovered the Spine of Complicity.

(Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3) - When Hawal expressed that he had little motivation to finish his work because he knew the Super-Skrull would kill him the moment he was done, Kl'rt revealed that he had discovered the Spine of Complicity.

    Hawal begged Kl'rt for mercy, but received none.

    With the Spine of Complicity in place, Hawal screamed in agony, and Kl'rt told him to stop fighting it and finish his weapon, and perhaps he would deign to deliver him from his misery.

    Hawal shouted that he would do it and to get the spine of him. Kl'rt departed, telling Hawal he knew he would come around.

(Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3 (fb) - BTS) <Annihilation Day, plus 66> - After Hawal finished his weapon, Kl'rt decapitated him.

Comments: Created by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Greg Titus.

   This profile was completed 01/12/2025, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25^th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Spine of Complicity should be distinguished from:

• SPINE OF AGAMOTTO - used by Robert Minoru to install a California governor who would keep the Pride affluent--[Runaways I#11]
• SPINE (     ) - supervillain, enemy of Laser, Scullface and Super Slimer--Spider-Man Magazine I#7
• SPYNE ( ) - Dark Riders, killed by Wolverine. Reptilian, red + long tail--Cable II#17
• other "Spine" characters, groups, items, events, races or places...
  

images: (without ads):
Annihilation: Super-Skrull#3, pg. 9, panel 2 (Spine);
          panel 4 (Spine on Hawal)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

First posted: 09/30/2026
Last updated: 01/12/2025

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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