AGENT X

Real Name: Rijk Rooten

Identity/Class: Human (World War II era);
   citizen of the Netherlands

Occupation: Spy

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Howling Commandos

Enemies: Nazis, Vandeveer

Known Relatives: Hans Rooten (son), unnamed wife (deceased)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Holland

First Appearance: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#15 (February, 1965)

Powers/Abilities: Agent X was a spy who concealed his true identity in order to better monitor Nazi activity. He was a skilled scuba diver.

History: (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#15 (fb) - BTS) - Mayor Rooten officiated over a small town on the coast of Holland. After World War II broke out, his wife died battling the Nazis. Mayor Rooten began to operate in secret as "Agent X" to protect his son Hans from being killed in retaliation, and maintained a public facade as a Quisling. Hans believed that his father was truly a traitor, and became a determined freedom fighter himself.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#15) - As Agent X, Rooten warned England of a Nazi invasion force on coast, and suggested "Operation: Deluge," which was to destroy the dikes on the coast. The Howling Commandos were sent to aid Agent X, but he missed the rendezvous because he had to deal with Vandeveer, a member of the underground who had informed on the Howlers' arrival. As Mayor Rooten, he "exposed" Vandeveer as a traitor to the Nazis and had them execute him. The Howling Commandos wound up befriending young Hans, who aided them until Rooten was able to arrive as Agent X, concealing his identity with the scuba gear he had donned. He helped lead Isadore "Izzy" Cohen to the points where the explosives would have to be laid, and the dikes were successfully destroyed.

Afterward, Agent X asked Sgt. Fury to take Hans back to England with them. Fury had guessed who Agent X really was, and agreed.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#19) - When the Howling Commandos returned to Holland on a mission to kill General von Krummpt, the man who had slain Fury's lover Pamela Hawley, Agent X gave them temporary shelter and provided civilian clothes. They let him know that Hans was still safe back in England, and assured him that one day Hans would know that his father was a hero.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Dick Ayers and Steve Ditko.

His first name was revealed in Netherlands' profile in OHotMU A-Z HC#14.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
Agent X should not be confused with:

• Agent X, Lt. Cynthia Glass, Bundist, Captain America foe, @ Adventures of Captain America#1
• Agent-X, leader of the Next Wave, @ Ghost Rider III#28
• Agent X, Nijo, merc with a mouth who isn't Deadpool, @ Agent X#1