Death-Throws
The Death-Throws are a team of five costumed jugglers who combine extraordinary agility, coordination, and circus-inspired skills for criminal purposes. Their exact origins and personal histories remain largely unknown, though the collective was organized under the leadership of Ringleader, whose strategic direction has kept the team operational over decades. The group’s criminal methods often involve using juggling weapons such as knives, explosives, and other projectiles, exploiting their dexterity to overwhelm opponents in combat.
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The first member to gain independent notoriety was Oddball, who briefly left the group to work for the costumed villain Crossfire. During this period, Oddball encountered the demolitions expert Bombshell, and the two were assigned by Crossfire to capture Hawkeye and Mockingbird as part of a plot to eliminate New York’s superhuman crimefighters. Though defeated and briefly imprisoned, Oddball’s brother Tenpin bailed them out, allowing Oddball to cultivate a relationship with Bombshell by teaching her the art of juggling. Bombshell’s rapid mastery of these skills earned her a permanent place in the Death-Throws, expanding the team to its modern lineup.
After recruiting Bombshell, the Death-Throws carried out their first high-profile assignment: breaking Crossfire out of police custody before his trial. This mission directly brought them into conflict with Hawkeye and Captain America, establishing the Death-Throws as recurring threat to the world. Over time, the group has operated in both independent criminal schemes and as mercenary enforcers for larger villains, including repeated clashes with street-level heroes
Despite their theatrics and circus-themed gimmicks, the Death-Throws are highly competent and dangerous in combat. Their combination of juggling skill, teamwork, and specialized weaponry allows them to challenge even highly trained superheroes. Though often outmatched by individual heroes, their coordinated attacks make them formidable in groups, particularly when exploiting urban environments and close quarters.
First Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA #317
- Base of Operations: Mobile
- Affiliation:
- Founder(s): Ringleader
- Status: Active
- Oddball gains initial notoriety as a member of the Death-Throws before joining Crossfire’s operations (Hawkeye #3, 1983)
- Oddball and Bombshell attempt to capture Hawkeye and Mockingbird under Crossfire’s orders but are defeated and arrested (Hawkeye #4, 1983)
- Bombshell learns juggling from Oddball and joins the Death-Throws, completing the core team lineup (Hawkeye #5, 1983)
- Death-Throws execute a jailbreak to free Crossfire from police custody, clashing with Hawkeye and Captain America (Captain America #317, 1986)
- Engage Spider-Man during a citywide jewel heist, using juggling weapons and coordinated attacks (Web of Spider-Man #38, 1987)
- Battle Daredevil while attempting an armored truck robbery, showcasing their combined agility and juggling combat techniques (Daredevil #229, 1986)
