Every episode of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., I hold my breath worrying that somehow Ward will turn a corner and I'll be expected to get on board with his redemption. But so far, this season of the show is just underlining Ward's lack of humanity and his deepening commitment to being the deplorable villain that a team of good guys needs to make their mission really mean something. Case in point: in the episode "Purpose In The Machine," Ward recruits Hydra royalty to his proposed rebuild of the organization. Werner Von Strucker is the son of Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker, and I hate him so, so much already. So what's Werner Von Strucker's history in Marvel comics lore?
On S.H.I.E.L.D., Spencer Treat Clark gives Werner a smug quality that calls to mind every rich kid you've ever met who thought he was too good for everybody. (The fedora he wore on that yacht helped.) And though he wasn't privy to any of his father's Hydra activities, he shows quick thinking in a dangerous situation, a casual attitude towards violence, and an eagerness to get on board with Ward's scheme once he's brought up to speed. Whether he knew it or not, Hydra was already in his blood.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is already taking liberties with this character, but his comic book background is still worth noting. Here are the important Werner Von Strucker facts you need to know.
He's Not Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker's Only Child
Werner is the eldest offspring of the former Nazi and Hydra mastermind, but not the only. His half-siblings are twins Andrea and Andreas Von Strucker. The twins' powers are dependent on their closeness; as a duo, they're known as Fenris. They use their powers to work towards their father's vision of a master race, and don't acknowledge Werner as part of the family. Werner is raised in the lap of luxury; he enjoys his cushy lifestyle but doesn't meet his father's approval. He's the black sheep of a family full of sociopaths.
He Runs Hydra For A While
After Baron supposedly dies, Werner takes control of Hydra for a period. Under his command, the organization intends to recruit the Gnobians, an alien race who infiltrated earth under cover of war, in order to take control of the world and bring down S.H.I.E.L.D in the process. His father isn't 100 percent dead though, and returns to eventually remind his son who's boss. Could Wolfgang show up in the Marvel Cinematic or Television Universes again? Audiences didn't actually see Wolfgang bite it in Age Of Ultron, is all I'm saying.
He Dies At The Hands Of His Father
There's no love lost in the Von Strucker family. The Hydra power struggle leads to Werner's death, and it's daddy who does it.
The Von Struckers have a twisted family history, and so far, Werner seems just as dangerous and deplorable as the rest of his bloodline. It'll be interesting to see how S.H.I.E.L.D. uses him to terrorize its world.
Images: Kelsey McNeal/ABC; Giphy (3)
