CAPTAIN CONNER

Real Name: Conner (first name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Human (World War II era)

Occupation: Commanding officer

Group Membership: US Military

Affiliations: General McCord

Enemies: Deadly Dozen, Howling Commandos (Isadore "Izzy" Cohen, Timothy "Dum-Dum" Dugan, Nick Fury, Gabe Jones, Eric Koenig, Robert "Reb" Ralston)

Known Relatives: Unnamed father

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: US front lines, World War II

First Appearance: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#104 (November, 1972)

Powers/Abilities: Captain Conner was an unrealistic officer, unable to cope to with the realities of war, and more concerned with his father's reputation. He could operate firearms, but seldom did so.

History: (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#104 (fb) - BTS) - Captain Conner was the son of a prominent military officer, and felt that he had to live up to his father's example in his own career. In January, 1945, following the Battle of the Bulge, Conner was placed in command of Able Sector on the frontlines, which included command over the Deadly Dozen.

(Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos#104) - As the Deadly Dozen fought against swarms of German tanks, Conner continued to simply hold the line, and the squad became nervous. Dino Manelli contacted Sgt. Nick Fury to request reinforcements, and Fury was called in to meet with Conner and the General McCord. Conner insisted that he did not require assistance, determined to prove his own strength, but the general was convinced to send Fury and his Howling Commandos to aid Conner.

The Howlers' arrival helped turn the tide for the Deadly Dozen, driving the German tanks back, but Conner refused to allow them to pursue, believing it was too dangerous. He and Fury then held a private meeting, in which Conner offered Fury one of his cigars. Conner decided that before they could move forward, they would have to scout ahead, and ordered Fury to lead the Howling Commandos on a night patrol to probe the German line, and threatened Fury with jail if he refused.

Fury and the Howling Commandos returned from their scouting after seeing hundreds of tanks up ahead. Conner still refused to listen to Fury, until Fury showed him a thousand German soldiers advancing through his binoculars. At the sight of the Germans, Conner cracked-up, now convinced that he would die and be a disgrace to his father.

(Combat Kelly and the Deadly Dozen#4) - Fury beat up Conner for his cowardice, then assumed command of the situation, ordering Larry "Hillbilly" Wagner and Michael "Bullseye" Miller of the Deadly Dozen to bring Conner back to headquarters. On their way there, they were ambushed by Germans, and Wagner was killed. Conner and Miller were both hit, but Conner refused to help Miller, and went back to the frontlines to have his revenge on Kelly and Fury. Conner confronted the two men with a gun, accusing them of mutiny and for wanting to ruin his career. Before he could fire, Miller caught up to Conner and shot him in the back. Miller then died of his injuries.

Conner was decorated for bravery by General McCord, who wrongly believed that Conner was responsible for the victory that Fury had led the Howling Commandos and Deadly Dozen to. The two squads left Conner's body on the battlefield, saying "Get on with the war...and to HELL with heroes!"

Comments: Created by Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers and Vince Colletta.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
Captain Conner should not be confused with:


Images taken from:
Sgt. Fury#104, page 19, panel 4
Combat Kelly#4, page 15, panel 6


Combat Kelly and the Deadly Dozen#4 (December, 1972) - Gary Friedrich (writer), Dick Ayers (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)

Last updated: 06/21/05

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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