Electro

Real Name
Maxwell Dillon

Occupation
Professional criminal, former linesman for Consolidated Edison
 
Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth 
Endicott, New York
 
Known Relatives
Norma Lynn Dillon (ex-wife), Jonathan Dillon (father, deceased), Anita Dillon (mother, deceased), unnamed sister

Group Affiliation
Formerly Superior Six, Sinister Six, Sinister Seven, Sinister Twelve, Frightful Four, Emissaries of Evil 

Education 
High school graduate

Height
5' 11"

Weight
165 lbs.

Eyes
Blue 

Hair
Reddish-brown (often shaved bald) 

Powers 
Electro is a living electrical capacitor, powered by the micro-fine rhythmic muscle contractions that normally regulate body temperature. He can generate electrostatic energy at a rate of about 1,000 volts per minute and store up to 1,000,000 volts allowing him to emit lightning arcs from his fingertips at speeds of up to 1,100 feet per second, achieving a maximum distance of about 100 feet. In addition, he can override electrically powered devices and manipulate them mentally, travel along conductive surfaces (such as power lines) at speeds as fast as 140 mph, create electrostatic "bridges" to travel varying distances and disrupt Spider-Man's ability to cling to walls. Thanks to the electricity circulating through his body, his strength is augmented to the point where he can lift over 450 pounds. However, when fully charged, Electro becomes extremely sensitive to anything that can "short circuit" his abilities, particularly water. 

Abilities
None

Other Info 
Maxwell Dillon was born in Endicott, New York where his father was a struggling accountant and had difficulties keeping a job. Eventually, his father walked out on the family which resulted in Dillon's mother to become overprotective. In fact, when Max wanted to leave home to go to college to become an electrical engineer, his mother was against the idea and told him that he should work for the local electric company--Consolidated Edison. Max joined the company and became one of the best linemen. It was here that he also met and married a fellow co-worker, Norma Lynn. However, Norma left Max when she realized he wasn't ambitious enough to become an engineer. Unfortunately, his mother also died during his time with the company.

One day, while repairing a power line still connected to its spool, Max was struck by lightning. However, instead of being killed, the freak accident caused a mutation in his genes in his nervous system. This mutation allowed him to generate and control electricity. Fueled by greed, Max created a colorful costume and turned to a life of crime, calling himself "Electro."

Early in Electro's criminal career, J .Jonah Jameson began a smear campaign in the Daily Bugle stating that this "Electro" was actually just an alter-ego of Spider-Man. Intent on proving the him wrong, Spider-Man faced off against Electro. The criminal nearly killed Spider-Man by merely touching him. However, Spider-Man used a fire hose, and was able to defeat Electro. (Click the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or place.)

At one point, Electro broke into the Baxter Building (headquarters of the Fanastic Four), and surprisingly ran into Daredevil (Matt Murdock was at the building for legal reasons). The two battled and Electro was once again defeated. (To learn about the highlighted place, team, and/or character above, just click on their names.)

Eventually, Electro decided to take on Spider-Man as part of a team, instead of by himself. Therefore, he became a member of the Sinister Six, alongside Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, Mysterio, and Vulture. Relying on their numbers, the team planned that each villain would face-off  against Spider-man in a different location which drew upon their respective talents until one of them was victorious; however, they all ended up be defeated. (To learn about the team and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

Later on, still believing that he could gain his revenge in larger numbers, Electro created his own team known as the Emissaries of Evil. This team consisted of Daredevil foes who all wanted revenge on the hero. They each paired up and tried attacking Daredevil; however, the entire team failed and each villain was incarcerated. (To learn about the highlighted team above, just click on their name.)

At one point, Electro derived a master plan to control the entire city of New York City's power supply. However, during his attempt, he was once again defeated by Spider-Man. Tired of being constantly defeated, Electro quit his criminal career. 

However, it wasn't too long until Electro resurfaced as a member of the next incarnation of the Sinister Six (this time with Hobgoblin replacing the deceased Kraven the Hunter). This time the team planned to hold the world for ransom under a cloud of poison gas. However, Doctor Octopus abandoned Electro and the rest of the team when he discovered he could sell the gas; thus, the team was disbanded. (To learn about Hobgoblin, just click his name above.)

After some time, Electro joined as a member of Mysterio's Sinister Seven--created to combat Spider-Man's insane, homicidal clone: Kaine. However, when Kaine disappeared, the team was no longer needed and was disbanded. (Click the highlighted team and/or character above to learn more about them.)

Later on, Rose offered Electro an experimental procedure that would enhance his abilities in exchange for Electro's services. He agreed, sensing the opportunity to rise above his past failures. After undergoing the procedure and dispatching several members of the True Believers (a faction of the Hand) at the request of the Rose, Electro returned to his original plan of attempting to take over New York City's power supply. However, once again, he was defeated by Spider-Man. At this point, a frustrated and desperate Electro threw himself into the Hudson River, apparently killing himself. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the character and/or teams.)

Electro had actually lived, as he was seen as a member of the next few incarnations of the Sinister Six. However, the most recent incarnation--the Sinister Twelve--was gathered by the Green Goblin as part of a larger plan to enable his escape from prison and destroy Spider-Man. However, like many of the past incarnations of the team, they were defeated. This time by the combined efforts of Captain America, Iron Man, Daredevil, Yellowjacket, and the Fantastic Four. (To learn about the teams and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

At one point, Electro was hired by Brainchild to break Sauron out of the Raft (a maximum-security prison designed to hold supervillians). To do so, Electro initiated a prison break, releasing many criminals at the same time. However, his actions also brought together a number of the world's most powerful superheroes to contain the outbreak, including Captain America, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, Daredevil, Sentry, and Spider-Man. Electro, himself, tried to escape with his girlfriend, but was captured by these "New Avengers"--the very team he inadvertently helped create. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or place. Note: Beware of the very form-fitting outfit worn by Spider-Woman on her bio page.) 

More recently, Electro was broken out of prison by the Kravinoff family to help revive Kraven the Hunter from the dead. After helping the Kravinoffs, Electro departed on his own way. 

To learn a little more about Electro, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Electro.