Should Shocker get more character development or a more fleshed-out backstory?

[The Overlord]

Should Shocker get more character development or a more fleshed-out backstory?

People say Shocker is the most sane and professional of Spidey's Rogues Gallery, but no one has defined what that means.

Does he has an actual code of honor or is he just a scumbag who would do any evil thing for money? If he had a chance for a big payday, but it results in several dead civilians, including children, would he take it?

Also if he has the ability to invent technology like his Shocker gear, why is he a criminal in the first place? Why couldn't he use his intelligence to earn money legitimately? Maybe the writers should delve more into the character to explain some of this.

[ImOctavius]

I don't know why, but I've always really liked Shocker. I'm all for more stories with him.

[SturdyMike89]

Should Shocker get more character development or a more fleshed-out backstory?

People say Shocker is the most sane and professional of Spidey's Rogues Gallery, but no one has defined what that means.

Does he has an actual code of honor or is he just a scumbag who would do any evil thing for money? If he had a chance for a big payday, but it results in several dead civilians, including children, would he take it?

Also if he has the ability to invent technology like his Shocker gear, why is he a criminal in the first place? Why couldn't he use his intelligence to earn money legitimately? Maybe the writers should delve more into the character to explain some of this.

I would fine if they explored more of the Shocker including his past as long as they don't drag out the old "tragic troubled childhood" trope. Sometimes people are criminals because they want to be. Not every bad guy needs a Freudian excuse.

[Frontier]

Have we ever gotten any kind of background/origin for Shocker?

I'm just reminded of Ultimate Shocker going on that whole spiel when he had Peter captured.

[Daibhidh]

Also if he has the ability to invent technology like his Shocker gear, why is he a criminal in the first place? Why couldn't he use his intelligence to earn money legitimately?

I think this is just one of those genre tropes that one has to run with. In the real world, the US government would compare the price of a tank and the price of a supervillain, and unless the supervillain is so psychotic as to be uncontrollable pay out accordingly.

[Kaitou D. Kid]

Yes. He invented his gauntlets. That doesn't get talked about enough.

[exile001]

Absolutely.

I love the guy.

I would chase him to the ends of the Earth.

[Triniking1234]

Shocker needs a good showcase/spotlight story.

[IamnotJudasTraveller]

I personally think they just need to stop treating him like a gag character.

[Frontier]

I personally think they just need to stop treating him like a gag character.

People forget he's actually beaten Spidey a few times.

The last time he got respect was the ending of Superior Foes (I guess he gave Ms. Marvel trouble too).

[Huntsman Spider]

I would fine if they explored more of the Shocker including his past as long as they don't drag out the old "tragic troubled childhood" trope. Sometimes people are criminals because they want to be. Not every bad guy needs a Freudian excuse.

And even then, "Freudian Excuse Is No Excuse," as TV Tropes would put it.

Have we ever gotten any kind of background/origin for Shocker?

I'm just reminded of Ultimate Shocker going on that whole spiel when he had Peter captured.

616 had him as a career criminal who invented the vibroshock gauntlets to make safecracking easier. Ultimate had him as formerly a legitimately employed inventor who got screwed over by his corporate bosses and turned to crime out of desperation, then went unhinged after being constantly mocked by Peter. After hearing from Shocker himself why he ended up the way he did, Peter found himself actually apologizing to or at least sympathizing with him. Went well enough with the overarching theme of Ultimate Spider-Man being all the terrible things that can and do happen to people and the world at large when great power is abused with great irresponsibility and ambition and greed overwhelming any sense of morality or humanity.

I think this is just one of those genre tropes that one has to run with. In the real world, the US government would compare the price of a tank and the price of a supervillain, and unless the supervillain is so psychotic as to be uncontrollable pay out accordingly.

Pretty much, yeah.

Absolutely.

I love the guy.

I would chase him to the ends of the Earth.

I see what you did there.

[exile001]

People forget he's actually beaten Spidey a few times.

About once a decade he gets a really good showing to reset him, then the next writer just goes back to using him as a loser. It's a shame, but maybe that lower tier status has helped his longevity.

[Refrax5]

I don't know why, but I've always really liked Shocker. I'm all for more stories with him.

Me too. Some of it is probably nostalgia, since he was one of the earliest Spider-Man villains I read about, but I always loved the costume and that he's basically just some thug.

[Pav]

I think both Shocker and Electro could use more fleshing out. Of all the major Spidey villains, these two are seemingly villains because... reasons.

-Pav, who wonders what fans would consider the best story featuring each of these guys...

[Frontier]

I think both Shocker and Electro could use more fleshing out. Of all the major Spidey villains, these two are seemingly villains because... reasons.

-Pav, who wonders what fans would consider the best story featuring each of these guys...

At least with Dillon I think the powers went to his head.