Werner von Strucker

"My father, so rarely, let me see any of his world."

- Werner von Strucker

Werner von Strucker was the son of one of HYDRA's former leaders, Wolfgang von Strucker. A few months after his father's death, he was persuaded by Grant Ward to join HYDRA and help him rebuild the organization. When he failed in his first mission, he abandoned Ward, seeking help from his father's old acquaintance Gideon Malick, but he was betrayed and tortured by Ward's thugs, causing him to fall into a coma.

Months later, von Strucker has been coping with his enhanced powers to recall specific memories, after being affected by a combination of Lincoln Campbell's electricity, and the effects of the Theta Brain-Wave Frequency Machine. He was kept under solitude at a secret base run by General Hale, where he befriended Ruby and allied with the Absorbing Man.

Traumatic Childhood
"Mr. Braun needs to see the world for what it really is."

- Grant Ward

The son of  HYDRA's leader Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, Werner von Strucker was raised away from his father's work and he felt resentment towards him, often going to Gideon Malick for support instead. Although he was aware of what his father did, he was not allowed to enter into that world of terrorism and world domination. Werner also claimed that his father frequently abused him. Once during his childhood, he was told to look after Ruby Hale. When the two were playing about in the kitchen, an accident caused Ruby to gain an injury to her left temple. The injury to Ruby infuriated Wolfgang who proceeded to relentlessly beat Werner right in front of Ruby's mother.

Von Strucker lived a life of luxury, using his father's money to purchase large boats and host parties with beautiful women. When his father was murdered by Ultron, HYDRA was destroyed and von Strucker inherited all of his father's money, with which he continued to fund his party life-style, using the name Alexander Braun to hide his family's connection to HYDRA.

Proving himself Worthy


"It's been a good run kid, now let's just get to the end. Come on." "Okay, you win. No one treats me like that and lives. Do you even know who I am? Do you?"

- Kebo and Werner von Strucker

While hosting another party, von Strucker's boat suddenly became infested with rats which poured onto deck. While the women ran away in fear, Grant Ward appeared and began attacking von Strucker's security team. Despite their best efforts, the guards could not defeat the highly trained HYDRA agent and before long almost every guard was unconscious. When the final guard hit Ward in the face, von Strucker watched as Ward shot and killed him. Ward then turned his attention to von Strucker and captured him. Ward brought von Strucker to a secret warehouse where he began to berate the young millionaire over never having earned a single thing in his life, instead wasting all of his father's money on parties and expensive items like boats. Ward demanded that he hand over all his wealth to them by giving over his banking passwords; when von Strucker resisted, Ward punched him in the face and made it clear that he was not asking for his money but was going to get it. In order to force the passwords from him, Ward ordered his soldier Kebo to begin torturing him. Kebo began to mercilessly beat von Strucker, mocking him for his cowardliness. However, von Strucker pretended to crawl away from Kebo out of fear, but instead grabbed a blade and stabbed his torturer in the leg before grabbing a solid item and hitting him repeatedly. Ward then entered the room; when von Strucker tried to use his family as leverage, Ward made it clear that he knew who he was, noting that Baron Wolfgang von Strucker was one of HYDRA's greatest leaders before dying a meaningless death. Ward told him that he had earned his respect and gave him tacos as a reward.

Return to HYDRA


"My father would have had you shot." "Your father kept you in the dark then died a meaningless death, leaving you a HYDRA face with no answers."

- Werner von Strucker and Grant Ward

Grant Ward and von Strucker then explored the HYDRA base where they discussed their family histories, with von Strucker noting that he should have Ward killed for what he had done to him, as his father would have done. Ward insulted von Strucker's father before he explained that since Baron Strucker's death HYDRA had become fractured and he intended to rebuild it, offering von Strucker a place with him as he had earned his respect and proved his worth.

First Mission


"You know why most people take Psych, right? They're trying to figure out families." "You got me there, you wouldn't believe how messed up mine is."

- Andrew Garner and Werner von Strucker

For his first mission working for the new HYDRA, von Strucker was instructed to enroll at Culver University to study Psychology 101. Arriving at the university, von Strucker introduced himself, keeping his alias of Alexander Braun, to his new instructor: Andrew Garner, the ex-husband of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Melinda May. Garner spoke to von Strucker, noting that most people take Psychology because of family issues; von Strucker assured him that his family was very special.

Attack on Andrew Garner


"Hey professor, where you been? You know you're a tough guy to track down." "What's going on here Alex?"

- Werner von Strucker and Andrew Garner

Working under the order of Grant Ward, whose base of operations was under attack by Lance Hunter and Melinda May, von Strucker was ordered to corner Andrew Garner in a store. As the encounter was filmed for May to watch, von Strucker entered the shop alongside two other HYDRA agents and trapped Garner, who was confused by von Strucker's presence. The agents and von Strucker then revealed they were carrying fuel and a lighter.

When Ward did not order him to stand down due to Hunter firing upon him and causing him to escape, von Strucker's orders remained to kill Garner. However, one of the shoppers was revealed to be an undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent who defended Garner but was soon shot and killed. As von Strucker hid from the gunfire, he horrifically watched as Garner stepped forward and suddenly transformed into Lash, a monstrous being with grey skin and long dreadlocks who massacred the HYDRA agents by using blasts of energy to rip open their chests. In the resulting struggle, all of von Strucker's guards were killed by Lash and he barely managed to make it outside, despite being punched in the face by Lash as his first offense. Garner resumed his human form and looked over the chaos, using the lighter to set fire to the store. Having escaped the violence, von Strucker managed to run outside and duck behind a car moments before the entire store erupted in a huge fireball, leaving von Strucker in a state of shock at having witnessed the seemingly impossible and knowing he had failed Grant Ward, who would undoubtedly be furious at the failure.

Gideon Malick's Advice


"He's a monster." "You were right to ask me to come." "I didn't know where else to turn, I figured you and my father must have dealt with guys like Ward all the time."

- Werner von Strucker and Gideon Malick

Knowing that Grant Ward would have him killed for failing to kill Andrew Garner, despite the circumstances of the failure, von Strucker took what money he had and flew to Lisbon, where he sought the help of his father's old HYDRA ally Gideon Malick, firstly gaining access to him via telephone. As he was being given a whiskey by Malick, Strucker explained what had happened during the Attack on Andrew Garner to Malick, calling Ward a monster who would stop at nothing to have him killed for his failure, and begged him to help him to kill Ward. Strucker noted how Malick and his father must have dealt with people like Ward during their time running HYDRA, when Strucker tried to explain just what a scary man Ward could be, Malick explained that he knew who Ward was as he had known him when he was an untested youth. When Strucker asked if Malick would help him, Malick seemed sympathetic and agreed to take care of everything.

Skirmish in Lisbon


"I tried to do what Ward wanted. I tried to kill him." "Him? Professor Garner?" "We had him. But I didn't know he'd change into that thing."

- Werner von Strucker and Melinda May

Gideon Malick instead betrayed von Strucker and gave up his location to Grant Ward, who sent Kebo to find him. Strucker was quickly overpowered by Kebo and his soldiers. Kebo tied him to a ceiling and proceeded to torture him by beating him mercilessly and cutting into his skin. Suddenly the door was kicked down by Melinda May and Bobbi Morse who were armed and ready for a fight. Kebo stabbed von Strucker in the gut before leaving May to fight the guards. May subdued the guards and took off von Strucker's handcuffs, holding the bleeding boy in her arms before asking him where she could find Ward. Strucker told her what had happened when he had tried to assassinate Andrew Garner, revealing that he had witnessed Garner transform into a monstrous beast who had massacred the HYDRA guards. Knowing he was dying, von Strucker asked May what Garner was and she told him she did not know; von Strucker then closed his eyes, going into a coma.

Manifestation


"Where's Malick?" "Just kill me. Just kill me! Just kill me!"

- Phil Coulson and Werner von Strucker

Wanting revenge on Gideon Malick for the assassination of Rosalind Price, Phil Coulson attempted to get von Strucker to release as much information as he could on Malick, in the hopes of soon discovering Malick's location. Just after S.H.I.E.L.D. had gotten von Strucker out of his comatose state, they started having troubles keeping Strucker alive as his brain was damaged due to all his injuries sustained previously in Lisbon, Portugal, remembering the pain he endured of Kebo stabbing him multiple times as Strucker desperately begged for the mercy of death. Eventually, a hesitant Lincoln Campbell had managed to put Werner out of his state by shocking his head with electricity, allowing other areas of von Strucker's brain to stimulate and allow him to remember everything that had previously occurred. Strucker then explained how Malick had sold him out to Grant Ward, gaining more glimpses of the pain he had felt when tortured by Ward's thugs and gave out how he had came into contact with Malick via telephone, which he gained access to by speaking to a HYDRA agent, and giving him the coded phase that allowed him to then personally contact Malick.

Losing Control
"I don't think that you are a violent person. A few outbursts don't define you but you need to open up about the trauma that lead you here"

- Levi Van Kempen to Werner Von Strucker Strucker was eventually sent to a mental care center where his mental condition continued to detiriorate with Strucker reportedly showing increased levels of aggression. During a meeting with Dr. Levi Van Kempen, the doctor informed Strucker that they were planning to use a heavy treatment plan on Werner involving the medication known as since Strucker did not talk about the traumatic experiences that lead him to that place. Strucker then states that he remembered everything before saying the word, "April".

The doctor proceeded to inquire what happened in April to which Strucker replied by saying that April was the month his Daughter had turned three and had her birthday party. Strucker then proceeded to remind the Doctor how he was informed by his wife that her daughter had caught a sickness in the birthday party. The Doctor's face starts to turn red and horrified as Strucker went on to state the Doctor's address before the Doctor notices that the pen he uses to prop up his window is gone. Within seconds Strucker jumped up from his seat an proceeds to assault the doctor by stabbing him the pen into his palm bringing out screams of pain from the doctor.

Strucker then looks the doctor in the eye and confesses that he truly did remember everything, every detail of everything he has ever seen involving his father Wolfgang von Strucker and the torture at the hands of Grant Ward and Kebo. He then requested that the Doctor use Thorazine on him before being dragged away by the guards in the care centre.

Military Solitude
Strucker soon woke up and found himself in a room with clothes and shoes nearby, with no idea where he actually was. Strucker then proceeded to exit the room and headed towards the buffet area and started taking food. He also found a knife laying about which he grabbed and kept inside his pocket. As he was about to start eating, Ruby entered the room. Strucker questioned Ruby as to where the pair where and what that facility was. Upon recieving no answer, Strucker was prompted to aggressively question Ruby by shouting at her which had no effect on her whatsoever.

Upon finishing the breakfast, Strucker found Ruby training in the gym where he proceeded to talk to her but Ruby refused to answer him. Strucker recognised her as his childhood friend when they used to play together and how she was hurt which lead him to get thrashed by his father. He asked her with what motives her mother bought him here. Ruby simply told Strucker all his questions will be answered by her mother and continued to practice with her Chakram Blades, throwing one a the target behind Strucker. This made Strucker lose his patience and he grabbed Ruby in a chokehold threatening to kill her by placing the knife on her neck. At that moment General Hale entered with her Sleeper Mechs and told him to leave Ruby or her soldiers will kill him. She just told that all she wanted from him was information related to HYDRA. Strucker refused and asked her to simply kill him. Hale assured him she had no motive of killing him and he would be set free next day.

Joining a Team
"It doesn't have to be her team. It could be our team only she wouldn't know until it was too late" "I don't want to be part of any team. I just want to go somewhere far away." "With all of those bad memories? Maybe the key is to bury them under newer, happier memories."

- Ruby and Werner von Strucker Later at night Strucker was having nightmares of his previous tortures at the hands of Kebo under the orders of Grant Ward. As he awoke, Ruby came to him claiming that she heard screams while Strucker explained to her that he remembered every single torture inflicted on him even by his own father, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker.

Ruby shared her experiences of how her mother was tyrant and she was forced to do her dirty work. She informed him she was sent to seduce him in staying back and joining her team. She also advised that they can take over the team by getting rid of her mother. Strucker told her that he just wanted to go away somewhere, however Ruby advised him that he could simply get rid of his bad memories by replacing them with good ones. Ruby told him he can leave if he wants, but if he choose to stay there, she hinted him to live with her.

Next morning Strucker is found by Ruby in cafeteria having breakfast. He told her he has decided to stay back by thinking over her proposal to gain control over his future. He is shown around and bought to the lab to see his father's old experiment Carl Creel, who Ruby noted Strucker did not need her to explain as he he could still remember everything.

Formulation of Plans
"I am trying to re-create these as fast as I can, to understand it all." "We may be running out of time. My mother just gave Creel the Gravitonium.A new toy for him to play with." "Creel? What, is he the the test subject?" "That's what she says, but she's up to something, and I can feel it."

- Werner von Strucker and Ruby Later, Strucker was researching his father's notes to perfectly assemble the Particle Infusion Chamber for Ruby although he was having a hard time since all the information was placed in multiple journals. Later Ruby visited him to enquire about his progress. Strucker told it was very hard for him as it was difficult to compile all the information together. Ruby in turn expressed her sadness that her mom had instead chosen Carl Creel to experiment further with Gravitonium. Strucker argued that it was meant for her only. He informed her he was doubling up his efforts to assemble the Particle Infusion Chamber as quickly as possible.

Later Ruby arrived and bought food for him. Strucker said he'll eat once his work is complete. Later he heard as the alarms went off. Hale arrived with Sleeper Mechs and informed them Creel had broken out Phil Coulson and Glenn Talbot. She ordered Ruby & the mechs to capture them alive and ordered one of the mechs to stay back and guard Strucker.

Escaping with Ruby
"Creel betrayed us, but she'll still listen to every word that he says." "You said this was ours. You don't have to follow her orders anymore." "She locked me in here. I don't have a choice." "Of course you do. You could tear her apart if you wanted to. So why don't you? " "I don't know.""

- Ruby and Werner von Strucker Having completed his work Strucker decided to escape with Ruby. He reached her room and opened the door using the code he had memorised after seeing General Hale using it. He entered the room and made Ruby aware of his success. Ruby reported it might be of no use as her mother would still go ahead with Carl Creel even though he betrayed them earlier. Strucker questioned her why was she blindly following her and encouraged her to rebel against her mother. Later he executed two scientists and ordered the remaining ones to hand over the gravitonium to him. Ruby also arrived by his side after locking Hale in her cell. She noted they were free now. They both fled the facility together.

Acquiring the Chamber
""No They destroyed a component for the infuser. It's useless. We can't transfer the Gravitonium until it's repaired.""

- Werner von Strucker Having known the location of the Chamber Strucker & Ruby reached Herefordshire, England in a HYDRA QuadCopter. They discovered S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had defeated Anton Ivanov and Sleeper Mechs present. He along with Ruby intercepted Leo Fitz & Jemma Simmons near the Chamber and captured them on gunpoint. Using his enhanced memory he discovered they had damaged a vital part of the machine. He watched as Ruby threatened them to repair the machine.

Activating the Chamber and Death
Werner was accidentally killed by Ruby after she was infused with 8% of gravitonium when she crushed his head.

Personality
Outsiders would likely view Werner von Strucker as a privileged, pampered and weak party boy whose identity revolved around elaborate spendings, parties and his own inheritance. It has been shown however that Werner can defend himself as displayed by his vicious and cunning attack on Kebo when he was being tortured and seemingly helpless, was quickly able to turn the tables on him and overpower his captor. The son of infamous HYDRA operative, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, Werner knew the kind of man his father was but was detached from the world Strucker lived and often resented him for it. When granted the opportunity to join the new HYDRA, he accepted either to learn deeper about the kind of man his father was or another way to spite Strucker a final time.

Unfortunately, despite Werner's infamy amongst the HYDRA barracks, he was ultimately not his father's son due to his youthfulness and being so defactched from Strucker's world that he was unprepared for the brutality that came with being a HYDRA operative. Grant Ward's arrogance at the time led him to believe that Werner was a capable asset despite receiving no formal training beforehand and he was too unhardened having been sheltered as a rich playboy, becoming completely shook by the way Andrew Garner transformed into the monstrous Lash when he was sent to kill him. Werner placed faith in Gideon Malick to help him, based on Malick's former friendship with his father but failed to see the ruthless pragmatist that Malick was until he was betrayed by him and tortured by Ward.

After gaining his powers from the Theta Brain-Wave Frequency Machine, Werner has shown to have impulsive outbursts of violence. As a result, Werner is shown to be paranoid, and showcases traits of aggression and recklessness.

Powers
"I remember everything."

- Werner von Strucker


 * Enhanced Memory: Werner von Strucker gained the ability to remember things with extraordinary details after being brain stimulated by electricity from Lincoln Campbell's powers while being attached to the Theta Brain-Wave Frequency Machine. He used this power to remember the details of a play date he had with Ruby, years prior to their reencounter, when Ruby hit her head; von Strucker was able to remember details of the event such as the color and pattern of the kitchen floor where they were playing.

Family

 * Wolfgang von Strucker † - Father

Allies

 * HYDRA
 * Hale
 * Turkish Old Man
 * HYDRA Arsonist †
 * HYDRA Assassin †
 * Ruby † - Childhood Friend and Love Interest turned Accidental Killer
 * Carl Creel
 * Anton Ivanov †
 * Sleeper Mechs
 * Lincoln Campbell †

Enemies

 * S.H.I.E.L.D.
 * Phil Coulson
 * Melinda May - Savior
 * Leo Fitz
 * Jemma Simmons
 * Daisy Johnson/Quake
 * Andrew Garner / Lash † - Target turned Attempted Killer
 * HYDRA
 * Grant Ward † - Superior turned Enemy
 * Gideon Malick † - Ally turned Enemy
 * Kebo † - Ally turned Attempted Killer
 * Levi Van Kempen - Psychiatrist turned Attempted Victim

Appearances
In chronological order:
 * Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
 * Season Three
 * Purpose in the Machine
 * Devils You Know
 * Among Us Hide...
 * Chaos Theory (mentioned)
 * Many Heads, One Tale (mentioned)
 * Bouncing Back
 * Absolution  (mentioned)
 * Season Five
 * Principia
 * Rise and Shine (mentioned)
 * Inside Voices
 * The Honeymoon
 * All Roads Lead...

Trivia

 * In the comics, Werner von Strucker was the eldest child of Wolfgang von Strucker's three children and the half-brother of Andrea and Andreas von Strucker. He took control of HYDRA during one of his father's supposed deaths, who killed him upon his return to regain his power within the organization.

Behind the Scenes

 * Werner von Strucker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the second live-action incarnation of the character, following an incarnation portrayed by Scott Heindl.
 * Kyle Mclean was a stunt double for Spencer Treat Clark in the role of Werner von Strucker.