Power Broker (character)

The Power Broker is a mantle held by several characters in the Marvel Universe, most notably Curtiss Jackson. The Power Broker organization provides individuals with superhuman strength, endurance, and other enhanced physical abilities through a proprietary process.

Curtiss Jackson (Original Power Broker)

Curtiss Jackson, a ruthless entrepreneur, was the original Power Broker. He founded Power Broker, Inc. with Dr. Karl Malus. The pair promised superhuman abilities to paying clients, but the process was often flawed, resulting in disfigurement, mental instability, or even death. Jackson himself underwent the augmentation process, granting him superhuman strength, but also leaving him heavily dependent on constant treatments to maintain his powers and physical form. He often used his augmented strength to intimidate and control his clients and employees. Jackson's ambitions frequently put him into conflict with various superheroes, most notably Captain America and U.S. Agent.

The Power Broker Process

The process developed by Dr. Malus and utilized by Power Broker, Inc. involved a series of injections and treatments based on manipulating cellular structures and granting superhuman attributes. However, the process was highly unstable and carried significant risks. Those who underwent the procedure often experienced severe side effects. Over time, Jackson attempted to refine the process, but consistently struggled with maintaining its stability and controlling its outcomes.

Later Power Brokers

Following Curtiss Jackson's death, the Power Broker mantle has been assumed by others, typically involving the control of similar technologies and processes related to granting superhuman abilities. These later iterations of the Power Broker often operated with similar objectives: profit and control through the distribution or manipulation of superhuman powers. They also tended to face the same recurring problems: the inherent instability of the power-granting process and the opposition of heroes attempting to stop their activities.

In Other Media

The Power Broker concept has appeared in various Marvel adaptations, including animated series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, the Power Broker is Sharon Carter, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent operating in Madripoor, highlighting a different interpretation of the character and their motivations.