Vulture

"Years, not a word from the feds, nothing from those Hallowe'en costume-wearing bozos up there in Stark Tower, then all of a sudden this little bastard in red tights shows up, and he thinks he can tear down everything I've built. Really? ... I'm gonna kill him."

- Vulture

Adrian Toomes is the former owner of Toomes Salvage Company, based in New York City, who turned to a criminal lifestyle after his livelihood was usurped by the Department of Damage Control, in alliance with Tony Stark. Equipping himself with an exo-suit created from stolen Chitauri technology, Toomes took on the identity of Vulture and spent the next four years stealing advanced weaponry until his actions were noticed and prevented by Spider-Man.

Cleaning up after the Battle of New York
"These alien bastards, they're tough. You gotta use the stuff they use."

- Vulture to Herman Schultz

After the Battle of New York, the Toomes Salvage Company gains the contract to clean up the city. Toomes oversees his men cleaning up, telling Herman Schultz to use the Chitauri technology to take apart a Chitauri Chariot. He is then approached by Anne Marie Hoag and a group of agents, telling him that he is to withdraw his men from the area as the Department of Damage Control had secured the contract to clean up after Avengers battles. As Toomes explains that he had the contract to clean up New York City, he concluded that they were allowed to be there. Hoag was unrelenting, however, telling Toomes to leave. Toomes started begging her to let him have the contract, as he had a family to support. When one of Hoag's men mockingly told him to not overreach in his work, Toomes punched him in the face, causing the guards around Hoag to draw their guns and for Toomes to leave the area. Hoag told Toomes that he could talk to Tony Stark about the contracts if he wished.

Turn to Crime
"Hey chief, we still have another load from yesterday. We're supposed to turn this in, right?" "I'm not haulin' it." "It's too bad. We could have made some pretty cool stuff with all that alien junk." "I'll tell you what. Let's keep it. The world's changing, boys. Time we change too."

- Herman Schultz, Jackson Brice, Tinkerer and Vulture

Watching the television report on Tony Stark creating Damage Control, Toomes and Herman Schultz comment on how the system is rigged. With Jackson Brice discovering that the group still had a large amount of Chitauri technology left over, Toomes decides to keep it, convincing the group to turn to a life of crime by reverse-engineering and weaponizing the technology for sale on the streets.

Several months later, Toomes delivers more technology to Tinkerer in his Vulture Suit, telling him that "business is good".

Conflict with Spider-Man
Several years later, Toomes' arms-dealing business was still going strong. However, he received a call from Herman Schultz that Spider-Man had come across their arms deal with Aaron Davis and was pursuing him. Toomes quickly donned the Vulture Suit and flew off to Schultz's location. Open arriving at his crew's speeding van, he spotted Spider-Man about to catch the group. Swooping down, he seizes Spider-Man in his 'talons', flying hundreds of feet into the air, only for Spider-Man's Suit to deploy a parachute, ripping the young hero out of Toomes' grip. Seeing that his men had made a successful getaway, Toomes flew back to his lair.

Confrontation with the Shocker
"I wonder what your wife would think of how you really get your money? You willin' to risk that?" "No, I'm not."

- Jackson Brice and Vulture

Toomes successfully landed back in his base, removed his suit and waited for his men to return. Jackson Brice and Herman Schultz managed to get back to the base, Brice thrilled with the chase. Toomes confronts Brice, asking him how many times he had told Brice not to fire the weapons in public, with Brice defending his actions saying that he had to move the weapons. Toomes became fed up with Brice's recklessness and attitude, telling Brice that he was fired. Disgusted, Brice threatened Toomes, saying that he will inform the authorities about their operation. Brice then asked Toomes what would happen if he told Doris Toomes about his business. This was a step too far for Toomes, who promptly picked up a weapon and shot Brice with it, instantly killing him. Confused and shocked about his actions, he asked Tinkerer if he had picked up an Anti-Gravity Gun, only to have picked up a Chitauri Gun instead. Toomes walked over to Brice's ashes and picked up the Shocker Gauntlet and passed it to Schultz, sarcastically telling him that he was the 'Shocker' now.

Hijacking the Damage Control Truck
Several days later, the crew received a tip that a truck full of confiscated technology was heading to the Damage Control Headquarters by the way of Maryland. With Herman Schultz and Tinkerer in a van nearby, Vulture stealthily intercepted the truck. Anchoring his Wings to the truck, Toomes used a Matter Phase Disrupter to enter the truck's trailer. Taking in the sight, Toomes started filling a duffel bag with the technology. To his surprise, however, Spider-Man showed up, causing Vulture to quickly exit the truck, seeing that Spider-Man was about to jump through the wormhole he created, Toomes shut of the Matter Phase Disrupter, sealing Spider-Man in the truck. Toomes quickly made his escape, angrily leaving his stolen technology behind.

Back at his base, Toomes was still fuming over the loss of the technology. Tinkerer offered to upgrade the Vulture Suit with the high-altitude vacuum seal, so they could pull off an airborne heist. Toomes turned Mason down, asking if they still had enough technology to sell on the in a few days. Mason conformed this. Toomes began muttering that it was all Spider-Man's fault and he would kill him for interfering with his business. Schultz overhearing, told Toomes to look at the television, which was broadcasting the Rescue at the Washington Monument, including Spider-Man saving Toomes' daughter, Liz Allan.

Skirmish on the Staten Island Ferry
"You're messing with things that you don't understand!"

- Vulture to Spider-Man

The next day, Toomes and Herman Schultz made their way on the. Schultz left Toomes dealt with their new buyer Mac Gargan. When Schultz radioed Toomes to inform him that Spider-Man had interrupted the deal, Toomes quickly ran down to his van where his suit was being kept. When the FBI showed up to arrest Gargan and Schultz, Toomes donned his Suit and grabbed a Chitauri Gun. Bursting through the van's doors, Vulture fired upon the agents and Spider-Man.

Freeing Schultz from his webbing restraints, Toomes told him to get off the ferry as they were retreating. Spider-Man fired his Web-Shooters at him, activating a Taser web when one of the strands managed to hit him. Toomes dropped the gun, which was reacting violently with the electricity, causing it to fire several lasers that cut the ferry in half. Seeing his opening, Toomes flew to the top of the ferry, where Schultz was waiting for him. With Schultz aboard his wings, Toomes took off, flying away from the battle before Iron Man could show up.

Chauffeuring
A few days later, on the night of the local homecoming dance, Toomes warmly welcomed Peter Parker into his home and tried to make small talk with the already uncomfortable boy. During the drive to the dance, Toomes quickly deduced Spider-Man's true identity from his daughter's rescue at the Washington Monument and, once Liz exited the car upon arrival, pulled a gun from the glove compartment, warning Peter to stay away from his operation.

Hijacking of the Stark Cargo Plane
"Well hot dog."

- Vulture

Despite Adrian's warning, Peter refused to back down and, following a fight with Schultz, tracked Toomes back to his hideout with help from Ned Leeds and confronted him. Adrian tried to justify his actions to Peter, explaining that everything he had done was to support his family and claiming that the wealthy and powerful care nothing for the common people like themselves. When Peter refused to listen again, Toomes summoned his suit to break the support beams around his lair, trapping Parker under a pile of rubble. With that, Adrian caught up with and entered the last cargo plane leaving Stark Tower, deploying a decoy drone to throw the plane's ground control off his scent. While attempting to alter the plane's course and marveling at the Avengers' equipment, Toomes discovered that Spider-Man survived, having broken out of the rubble and quietly followed him. Furious, Adrian fought Peter outside the plane, destroying one of the engines in the process. Fortunately, Parker successfully managed to redirect the craft away from the city, crash-landing it on the beach at Coney Island.

Incarcerated
"Rumor has it that you knew who he is." "If I knew who he was, he would already be dead."

- Mac Gargan and Adrian Toomes

Toomes is sent to prison impeding his trial and encounters former potential buyer and current inmate Mac Gargan, who questions him about the rumors about him knowing Spider-Man's true identity and to divulge it so his friends could kill him. Wanting to owe Parker for saving his life, Toomes merely responds to Gargan that if he knew who Spider-Man really was, he would already be dead.

Personality
"I want you to understand that I'd do anything to protect my family. I know you know what I'm talking about. So don't mess with me. Don't interfere with my business again. 'Cause I will kill you and everybody you love."

- Vulture to Spider-Man

Before being thrown out of business by the D.O.D.C. Toomes was apparently a hard-working man who supported his family honestly. However, after being thrown out of business he became desperate knowing he and his family would suffer, showing that he deeply cared for their well-being. As a result, he became a ruthless and calculating man who was willing to commit crimes to do whatever it takes to support his family. It was apparent that his wife and daughter were disapproving of his actions, as they left him following his arrest.

Initially, Toomes was annoyed by Spider-Man and tried multiple times to get the young hero out of his way, his realistic worldview clashing with Spider-Man's boundless idealism. However, after his daughter was saved by Spider-Man, and learning that he was, in fact, Peter Parker, one of Liz's classmates, he gradually developed respect for him and even tried to convince him to join his side. However, he was willing to kill him if he tried to thwart his plans. After his arrest, however, he refused to give away Spider-Man's secret identity that he deduced, possibly due to Spider-Man saving both his daughter and himself.

Powers
Exo-Suit
 * Flight: Vulture's suit is outfitted with a powerful winged harness that also has jet propulsion systems which allow him to fly.
 * Superhuman Strength: The suit's wings and talons give Vulture the strength to grab and overpower both humans and superhumans, as well as destroy concrete pillars.
 * Superhuman Durability: Vulture's suit is designed to withstand blows from superhumans like Spider-Man.
 * Superhuman Speed and Agility: The suits jet propulsion systems allow Vulture to fly at high speeds and maneuver in the air with incredible agility, despite its large frame.

Abilities

 * Gifted Intelligence: Toomes is very intelligent, being able to deduce Spider-Man's secret identity from existing information. He is able to see the profit in anything, seeing that the Chitauri technology could be used for more nefarious needs.
 * Expert Taction: Toomes was able to plan and execute the Hijacking of the D.O.D.C. Truck and the Hijacking of the Stark Cargo Plane.
 * Average Marksman: Toomes was able to aim and fire a Chitauri Gun precise enough to cut through the webbing restraining Herman Schultz from a far distance.

Equipment

 * Vulture's Exo-Suit: Vulture uses a suit made with Chitauri technology and outfitted with a winged steel harness that allows him to fly.
 * Beam Gun: Vulture uses a powerful beam gun that is capable of bisecting large ships.
 * Phasing Device: To be added

Family

 * Doris Toomes - Wife
 * Liz Toomes - Daughter

Allies

 * Adrian Toomes' Crew
 * Phineas Mason/Tinkerer
 * Herman Schultz/Shocker #2
 * Randy Vale
 * Mac Gargan

Enemies

 * Jackson Brice/Shocker #1 † - Former Employee turned Victim
 * Spider-Man - Attempted Victim and Savior
 * Damage Control - Business Opponents
 * Anne Marie Hoag
 * Foster
 * Stark Industries
 * Tony Stark/Iron Man

Trivia

 * In the comics, Vulture originally flew with a pair of magnetic wings to get revenge on his former business partner. Vulture was also one of the founding members of Spider-Man's recurrent group of enemies, the Sinister Six alongside Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Mysterio, Electro and Kraven the Hunter.
 * In the comics, Wilson Allan is the father of Liz Allan and the second husband of Doris Raxton. This is, however, not the first time Liz's father is a supervillain. In the Ultimate Comics, her father is the mutant villain Blob.

Behind the Scenes

 * Jon Watts stated that he was inspired by John C. Reilly's Rhomann Dey from Guardians of the Galaxy for Toomes' "ground-level perspective" in the film.
 * Jon Watts said Toomes would be different from other Marvel Cinematic Universe villains like Thanos and Ultron, as "It's fun to think that if Spider-Man is a regular kid who becomes a superhero, there's got to be a bunch of regular guys who become supervillains, too."
 * Michael Keaton calls Toomes "interesting to play" and not completely villainous, saying "there's parts of him that you go, 'You know what? I might see his point.'
 * Co-producer Eric Hauserman Carroll likened Toomes to "the dark Tony Stark", a "businessman with a family. He wants to look out for his kids. He’s got sort of a Tony Soprano mentality. He doesn't have these big delusions of grandeur where he wants to take over the world, or replace the government, or even defeat the Avengers or anything. He just wants his shot at the good life".
 * The Vulture is the third superhero-type character based on a flying animal that Michael Keaton has portrayed, with the previous two being in ' and ' and Birdman in .
 * Toomes intensely dislikes Tony Stark for putting him out of business. Michael Keaton's character in , Riggan Thompson, has a similar dislike of Robert Downey, Jr. due to the fact that while they both achieved fame portraying superheroes, Downey is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood while he has faded into obscurity.