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Knickknack

Knickknack

Knickknack is an original member of the Death Throws.

Name:
Knickknack
Publisher:
Real name:
Nicholas Grossman
Aliases:
  • Nick Grossman
Birth date:
None
Gender:
Male
Powers:
  • Agility
  • Gadgets
  • Unarmed Combat
  • Weapon Master
First issue:
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1986) #2 Volume Two: Clea To Gaea
cover

Origin

Knickknack's true identity is Nicholas Grossman and he would join a team of criminal jugglers called the Death Throws and help free Crossfire from police custody as he was being escorted to trial where Hawkeye and Mockingbird had been subpoenaed to testify against him. The other members of the Death Throws included Oddball, Tenpin, Bombshell, Knickknack and Ringleader. This eccentric group of criminals threw gas bombs, hardballs, razor rings and other objects to knock out police officers and cause confusion during their attack. Crossfire was pleased that Oddball received his message and was very impressed with his new associates. Knicknack and the Death Throws decide to ransom off Crossfire because he lied about the payment he promised for the rescue operation. Hawkeye receives a message from the Death Throws stating they have Crossfire and are willing to sell or trade him. Captain America comes with Hawkeye to the abandoned railroad terminal and gives Barton his shield. Hawkeye enters the station and sees Crossfire tied to a chair in the middle of the room. Ringleader spots Captain America as he enters the room and the super soldier uses a flare arrow to reveal the Death Throws' trap. Tenpin activates a switch that drops a large net made out of steel cables but it fails to snare any of the Avengers. Knicknack and the Death Throws engage their enemies and attack with their deadly projectiles. Despite his short stature, Knicknack displayed some impressive moves when he caught one of Hawkeye's arrow in mid-flight and destroyed his bow with a chainsaw throw. Knicknack intercepted Captain America's shield and hit Barton in the jaw with it. Knicknack ran outside with the shield and planned to ambush the super soldier when he tried to follow but was taken down by Mockingbird. The Death Throws were defeated and Oddball was literally stuck to the ground thanks to Hawkeye's adhesive arrow. Oddball revealed to Barton their plans to use Crossfire as bait to nab an Avenger where they could get at least a million dollars for his release.      

Creation

Knicknack was created by Mark Gruenwald, Paul Neary and Dennis Janke in 1986 and first appeared in Captain America # 317. 

Story Arcs

Knicknack and the Death Throws would reappear years later and join a terrorist organization called RAID with other super criminals where they strategically strike numerous locations in London. Crossfire and the Death Throws terrorize civilians from the Tower Bridge and come into conflict with Union Jack and Sabra. Knicknack and Ringleader were about to ambush an injured Sabra when they both get struck by a car driven by Union Jack. 

Skills & Abilities

Knickknack is an expert juggler that specialize in juggling various objects of weight, size and shape. He will juggle dangerous weapons like chainsaws, flaming torches and various bladed weapons. He is a skilled fighter that has extensive knowledge of judo, karate and street fighting.

Issues

May 1986

October 1989

November 1989

April 1991

August 1991

January 1993

February 1993

March 1993

August 2001

May 2005

June 2005

December 2006

December 2008

July 2009

October 2009

January 2015

January 2024

Volumes

1968

1983

1989

1990

1997

2003

2006

2007

2008

2009

2014

2023

Authors

Friends

Enemies

Teams