ESPIONAGE ELITE

Membership: Number 1, Number 2, Number 3, Number 4, Number 5;
formerly Glitch (Charles “Chazz” Amundson), Number 1 (Marya Penskiyov), Number 2 (Samson Washington), Number 3 (Farley London), Number 4 (Godfried Herter), Number 5 (Roger Philips)

Purpose: To commit crimes with a focus on espionage and corporate takeover

Aliases: None

Affiliations: Justin Hammer, "Foggy" Nelson, Spymaster (Nathan Lemon), Spymaster (unidentified)

Enemies: Black Widow, Captain Alcott, Daredevil (Matt Murdock), "Happy" Hogan, Iron Man (Tony Stark), Joe, Michael O'Brien, "Pepper" Potts, James Rhodes, Jasper Sitwell, Yoshio

Base of Operations: None known

First Appearance: Iron Man I#33 (January, 1971)

History: (Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Planning revenge on Tony Stark, Spymaster gathered five powerful agents from around the world to form the Espionage Elite. Marya Penskiyov was Number 1, a former top agent for the Kremlin. Number 2 was Samson Washington, an African American ex-circus strongman and Rhodes scholar. Number 3 was Farley London, a magician, gambler and master of disguises. Number 4 was Godfried Herter, an electronics genius. Number 5 was Roger Philips, an expert gymnast.

(Iron Man I#33) – Spymaster kept his identity secret from the Espionage Elite as they planned to infiltrate Stark Industries. Marya memorized the layout and Godfried cut the power to the security system. The next morning, policeman Joe called for help when a phone line went down and Godfried and Washington showed up, planting a device. As the Elite sparred with each other in combat training, Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. warned Stark of their pending attack. London snuck into Stark Industries in disguise on a tour, feigning a heart attack, and Marya posed as his niece, dropping her purse so Godfried's prepared device could be planted. London and Marya took an ambulance away and London returned in a different disguise, using the name Somerset, saying he was there for a job interview and secretly planting more explosives. The explosions hit the plant and the Elite rushed the place, defeating Joe, Micheal O'Brien and others. Meanwhile, Stark himself was off-site to meet with Fury, who turned out to be London in disguise, and Stark was defeated.

(Iron Man I#34) – London stayed in disguise and kept Stark captive for the night, knocking him out when Stark tried fighting back. The next morning, Stark was taken to Stark Industries by London, disguised as Nick Fury, and the Espionage Elite tried forcing Stark to open his safe to expose his secrets. Stark briefly summoned his Iron Man armor, scaring the Elite. O'Brien freed himself from restraints and came across Stark standing next to London, who was disguised like Stark. O'Brien attacked, letting Stark escape before London defeated him. After Spymaster helped Washington escape an elevator, Washington was defeated by Iron Man. Marya battled Jasper Sitwell until Philips held Sitwell at gunpoint. Herter hit Iron Man with a D-Ray and Spymaster further damaged the armor. As the Elite tried to escape with their hostage, Sitwell threw himself in front of a gun blast to stop them and the tables turned. Spymaster abandoned his team, leaving the Elite to be arrested.  

(Iron Man I#35) – The Espionage Elite were held by the police as Jasper Sitwell lay wounded. Iron Man threatened them but the district attorney "Foggy" Nelson and his assistant Matt Murdock warned Iron Man to back off.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – Spymaster recruited talented hacker, Glitch ("Chazz" Amundson) to join the team and Glitch had Numbers 1-5 steal equipment for him (though they did so reluctantly) to complete the hacking of Iron Man's armor. Glitch then adopted a costume for himself and in time, Glitch learned he could place his consciousness in electronics. Spymaster had grand plans but when Iron Man attacked, Glitch chose to betray the Espionage Elite and side with hero. Iron Man defeated the Iron Howitzer that Number 4 attacked him with then he tied up 1-5. Spymaster escaped though Glitch soon helped Iron Man track him down.

(Iron Man III#8 (fb)) – The new, unidentified Spymaster formed a new Espionage Elite including Number 1 (white man with grey hair and mustache), Number 2 (long-haired blond woman, seemed good at martial arts), Number 3 (short-haired blond woman, seemingly a body builder), Number 4 (white man with brown hair, seemed good at martial arts), and Number 5 (white man with brown hair, seemingly a body builder).

(Iron Man III#3) – Number 2 posed as Doreen and flirted with "Happy" Hogan (annoying "Pepper" Potts) while delivering supplies to Stark's company, all part of Spymaster's plans.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Espionage Elite lured Tony Stark into an alley, where he was separated from his briefcase that contained his Iron Man armor, then beat him into a coma savagely until Black Widow arrived to scatter them.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood#1) – Sneaking close to the yacht on which Tony Stark was vacationing using mechanized buoys and attack crafts, the Espionage Elite surrounded the boat with a force-field, trapping Stark on board with civilians including Captain Alcott, Yoshio and others. Planning on kidnapping Stark, the Elite were overwhelmed when Iron Man attacked using superior technology against them and threatening to cut off the arm of Number 4 when he threatened civilians. Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 were all arrested but Number 3 was lost at sea when his ship crashed. Later, Number 3 pulled himself ashore and took time to plan revenge on Stark, ambushing him in the woods in his car with James Rhodes and causing them to crash. Planning to kill Stark, Number 3 chased him through the woods. In a remote cabin, Stark triggered an explosion, badly wounding 3, then Stark beat 3 badly until James Rhodes pulled him off.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood#4 – BTS) – Iron Man exposed Justin Hammer as the one behind the recent Espionage Elite attacks. Hammer was killed in space.

Comments: Created by Allyn Brodsky, Don Heck and Joe Guadioso.

The Espionage Elite received a profile in Iron Manual Mark 3#1.

Only Numbers One, Four, and Five were seen on panel in Iron Man I#35. Similarly, only Numbers 3 and 4 were identified on panel in Iron Man: Bad Blood#1.

Profile by Chadman.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Espionage Elite has no known connections to:

Captain Alcott

(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – Captain Alcott headed the crew of a yacht that Tony Stark commissioned for a vacation. When she noticed irregular buoys in the water, she called to have them investigated but ignored the potential threat until the Espionage Elite attacked. Stark ordered the civilians into cover but Alcott got a gun to fight back until he convinced her to protect the civilians. Iron Man soon handled the threat.









--Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1

Joe

(Iron Man I#33) – Joe and another officer responded when there was damage at Stark Industries. They called the phone repair man and the Espionage Elite's Numbers Two and Four arrived instead, posing as repairmen. Later, when explosions rocked the factory, Joe was defeated by the Espionage Elite.







--Iron Man I#33

Number 1 (Marya Penskiyov)

(Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Marya Penskiyov was a former top agent in the Kremlin trained in espionage. She was recruited by Spymaster to join the Espionage Elite as Number 1.
 
(Iron Man I#33-35) – The Espionage Elite helped Spymaster with his detailed plot to infiltrate Stark Industries and steal secrets. They faced Tony Stark, his bodyguard Iron Man (secretly Stark himself), Michael O’Brien and security guards including Joe, and badly wounded Jasper Sitwell before they were defeated by Iron Man and arrested. Spymaster abandoned them when they faced failure. During the planning, Marya was tasked with memorizing the layout of the headquarters, and she briefly sparred with Jasper Sitwell. "Foggy" Nelson and Matt Murdock arrived to arrest them.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – The Espionage Elite joined Spymaster in fighting Iron Man again but their new member Glitch ultimately betrayed the team and they were defeated again. Spymaster again abandoned the team again but was later arrested.

--Iron Man I#33 (#33 (fb) – BTS, 33-35, Marvel Super-Heroes I#12/3,

Number 1

(Iron Man III#8 (fb) – BTS) – Justin Hammer worked through Spymaster to recruit a new Espionage Elite including Number 1, a white man with a mustache.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Elite badly beat Tony Stark into a coma then fled from the Black Widow.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – The Elite attacked a ship Tony Stark was on and they were swiftly repelled by Iron Man and arrested.


--Iron Man III#8 (8 (fb) – BTS, 8, Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,

Number 2 (Samson Washington)

(Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Rhodes scholar Samson Washington was a former circus strongman who was recruited by Spymaster to join the Espionage Elite as Number 2.

(Iron Man I#33-35) – The Espionage Elite helped Spymaster with his detailed plot to infiltrate Stark Industries and steal secrets. They faced Tony Stark, his bodyguard Iron Man (secretly Stark himself), Michael O’Brien and security guards including Joe, and badly wounded Jasper Sitwell before they were defeated by Iron Man and arrested. Spymaster abandoned them when they faced failure. During the battle, Washington briefly squared off against Iron Man solo but was defeated. "Foggy" Nelson and Matt Murdock arrived to arrest them.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – The Espionage Elite joined Spymaster in fighting Iron Man again but their new member Glitch ultimately betrayed the team and they were defeated again. Spymaster again abandoned the team, but was later arrested.

--Iron Man I#33 (#33 (fb) – BTS, 33-35, Marvel Super-Heroes I#12/3,

Number 2

(Iron Man III#8 (fb) – BTS) – Justin Hammer worked through Spymaster to recruit a new Espionage Elite including Number 2, a blond woman seemingly good at martial arts.

(Iron Man III#3) – Posing as Doreen, Number 2 delivered supplies to Tony Stark's company, flirting with "Happy" Hogan and annoying "Pepper" Potts.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Elite badly beat Tony Stark into a coma then fled from the Black Widow.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – The Elite attacked a ship Tony Stark was on and they were swiftly repelled by Iron Man and arrested.

--Iron Man III#8 (8 (fb) – BTS, 3, 8, Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,

Number 3 (Farley London)

(Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Farley London was trained magician, gambler and master of disguises who was recruited by Spymaster to join the Espionage Elite as Number 3.

(Iron Man I#33-35) – The Espionage Elite helped Spymaster with his detailed plot to infiltrate Stark Industries and steal secrets. They faced Tony Stark, his bodyguard Iron Man (secretly Stark himself), Michael O’Brien and security guards including Joe, and badly wounded Jasper Sitwell before they were defeated by Iron Man and arrested. Spymaster abandoned them when they faced failure. During the battle, London used several disguises, including that of an ill old man, a job applicant named Somerset, Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Tony Stark himself. "Foggy" Nelson and Matt Murdock arrived to arrest them.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – The Espionage Elite joined Spymaster in fighting Iron Man again but their new member Glitch ultimately betrayed the team and they were defeated again. Spymaster again abandoned the team but was later arrested.

--Iron Man I#33 (#33 (fb) – BTS, 33-35, Marvel Super-Heroes I#12/3,

Number 3

(Iron Man III#8 (fb) – BTS) – Justin Hammer worked through Spymaster to recruit a new Espionage Elite including Number 3, a blond woman, seemingly a body builder.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Elite badly beat Tony Stark into a coma then fled from the Black Widow.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – The Elite attacked a ship Tony Stark was on and they were swiftly repelled by Iron Man and arrested.



--Iron Man III#8 (8 (fb) – BTS, 8, Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,

Number 4 (Godfried Herter)

(Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Godfried Herter was an electronics expert who was recruited by Spymaster to join the Espionage Elite as Number 4.

(Iron Man I#33-35) – The Espionage Elite helped Spymaster with his detailed plot to infiltrate Stark Industries and steal secrets. They faced Tony Stark, his bodyguard Iron Man (secretly Stark himself), Michael O’Brien and security guards including Joe, and badly wounded Jasper Sitwell before they were defeated by Iron Man and arrested. Spymaster abandoned them when they faced failure. During the battle, Herter set off a series of electronic attacks through specially prepared devices and he fired a D-Ray at Iron Man, briefly breeching his armor. "Foggy" Nelson and Matt Murdock arrived to arrest them.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – The Espionage Elite joined Spymaster in fighting Iron Man again but their new member Glitch ultimately betrayed the team and they were defeated again. During the battle, Herter fired an Iron Howitzer. Spymaster again abandoned the team but was later arrested.

--Iron Man I#33 (#33 (fb) – BTS, 33-35, Marvel Super-Heroes I#12/3,

Number 4

(Iron Man III#8 (fb) – BTS) – Justin Hammer worked through Spymaster to recruit a new Espionage Elite including Number 4, a white man, seemingly good at martial arts.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Elite badly beat Tony Stark into a coma then fled from the Black Widow.
 
(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – The Elite attacked a ship Tony Stark was on and they were swiftly repelled by Iron Man and arrested. Number 4 was briefly believed dead when his aircraft crashed into the ocean but he got himself to shore and later fired a gun at a car containing James Rhodes and Tony Stark. Rhodes was badly wounded. 4 pursued Stark through the woods, where Stark set off an explosion and then he savagely beat 4, breaking bones.



--Iron Man III#8 (8 (fb) – BTS, 8, Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,

Number 5 (Roger Phillips)

(Iron Man I#33 (fb) – BTS) – Roger Phillips was an expert gymnast was who recruited by Spymaster to join the Espionage Elite as Number 5.

(Iron Man I#33-35) – The Espionage Elite helped Spymaster with his detailed plot to infiltrate Stark Industries and steal secrets. They faced Tony Stark, his bodyguard Iron Man (secretly Stark himself), Michael O’Brien and security guards including Joe, and badly wounded Jasper Sitwell before they were defeated by Iron Man and arrested. Spymaster abandoned them when they faced failure. "Foggy" Nelson and Matt Murdock arrived to arrest them.

(Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/3) – The Espionage Elite joined Spymaster in fighting Iron Man again but their new member Glitch ultimately betrayed the team and they were defeated again. Spymaster again abandoned the team but was later arrested.





--Iron Man I#33 (#33 (fb) – BTS, 33-35, Marvel Super-Heroes I#12/3,

Number 5

(Iron Man III#8 (fb) – BTS) – Justin Hammer worked through Spymaster to recruit a new Espionage Elite including Number 5, a white man, seemingly a bodybuilder.

(Iron Man III#8) – The Elite badly beat Tony Stark into a coma then fled from the Black Widow.

(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – The Elite attacked a ship Tony Stark was on and they were swiftly repelled by Iron Man and arrested.





--Iron Man III#8 (8 (fb) – BTS, 8, Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,

Yoshio


(Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1) – Yoshio was a private chef for Tony Stark on a yacht but he rushed to safety when the Espionage Elite attacked.









 

--Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1

images: (without ads)
Iron Man I#33, p1, pan1 (main)
Marvel Super-Heroes II#12, p69, pan1 (with Glitch)
Iron Man III#8, p18, pan2 (new team)
Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1, p4, pan4 (Captain Alcott)
Iron Man I#33, p8, pan3 (Joe)
Iron Man I#33, p2, pan1 (Number 1/Marya Penskiyov)
Iron Man III#8, p18, pan2 (Number 1)
Iron Man I#33, p2, pan2 (Number 2/Samson Washington)
Iron Man III#8, p18, pan2 (Number 2)
Iron Man I#33, p2, pan3 (Number 3/Farley London)
Iron Man: Bad Blood I#3, p17, pan1 (Number 3)
Iron Man I#33, p2, pan5 (Number 4/Godfried Herter)
Iron Man III#8, p18, pan2 (Number 4)
Iron Man I#33, p2, pan6 (Number 5/Roger Phillips)
Iron Man III#8, p18, pan2 (Number 5)
Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1, p3, pan1 (Yoshio)

Appearances:
Iron Man I#33-34 (January-February, 1971) - Allyn Brodsky (writer), Don Heck (penciler), Joe Guadioso (inker), Stan Lee (editor)
Iron Man I#35 (March, 1971) – Gerry Conway (writer), Don Heck (penciler), Mike Esposito (inker), Stan Lee (editor)
Marvel Super-Heroes II#12/2 (January, 1993) - Cordwainer Fury, Kurt Busiek (writers), Dave Simons (penciler), Ralph Cabrera (inker), Rob Tokar (editor)
Iron Man III#3 (April, 1998) – Kurt Busiek (writer), Sean Chen (penciler), Eric Cannon, Troy Hubbs, Sean Parsons (inkers), Bobbie Chase (editor)
Iron Man III#8 (September, 1998) – Kurt Busiek (writer), Sean Chen (penciler), Eric Cannon, Sean Parsons (inkers), Bobbie Chase (editor)
Iron Man: Bad Blood I#1,4 (September, December, 2000) – David Michelinie (writer), Bob Layton (artist), Bobbie Chase (editor)

First Posted: 05/30/2018
Last updated: 05/30/2018

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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