Wolfgang von Strucker

"It's not a world of spies anymore, not even a world of heroes. This is the age of miracles, doctor. There is nothing more horrifying than a miracle!"

- Baron von Strucker

Wolfgang von Strucker is a German and one of the leaders of HYDRA. During World War II, he was involved in Project Master Man. Ruthless, cunning, and savage to his enemies, he was a strong and capable leader. After the fall of the Third Reich and Red Skull's disappearance, he took control over the remnants of HYDRA and went into hiding, only to re-emerge from the shadows at the beginning of the 21st century.

Early Life
"I am Baron von Strucker. I am nobility. I am your death...and the death of all you hold dear."

- Baron von Strucker to Captain America

Wolfgang von Strucker was born into a Prussian nobel family. Eventually acquiring the title of, he joined HYDRA, the deep science division of the Nazi Schutzstaffel led by the infamous Johann Schmidt, during the rise of Nazism in Germany. Ambitious, arrogant and harboring a particular distaste for the lower-class, Strucker quickly rose through HYDRA, becoming proficient in both combat and tactics.

World War II
"Ah, Captain. So good to meet you in person. Hmph. Look at you. Gaudy and common, like your country."

- Baron von Strucker to Captain America As World War II broke out, Strucker participated in the Nazi conquest of Europe, for which he was awarded with the Iron Cross First Class. The HYDRA documents intercepted by the Allied Strategic Scientific Reserve suggest that he was pursuing development of advanced weaponry known as the “Satan Claw” for his personal use.

In 1944, in the mountains of Bavaria, Captain America encounters him in a tower where a radio dish controlling a powerful cannon is located. Captain America engages Strucker in combat and after a deadly battle, manages to defeat him. However, the cannon loses control after the radio dish is destroyed and shoots down the aircraft transporting the Invaders and, after they bail out, the plane heads straight for the tower Strucker and Rogers are in. Strucker, in a last ditch attempt to take down Captain America, charges at him which sends both Rogers and Strucker flying off as the plane destroys their battleground. As Captain America and Baron Strucker free-fall off the tower, Baron Strucker manages to knock out Captain America, and he was last seen laying on the ground unconscious. Later one of the HYDRA personnel says that his recovery would take months.

21st Century
"It's over. Fury has released everything to the public." "Everything he knows about." "Herr Strucker, if they get word of our work here, if they find out we serve HYDRA..." "HYDRA. S.H.I.E.L.D. Two sides of a coin that's no longer currency."

- HYDRA Doctor and Wolfgang von Strucker

Though the Axis powers lost World War II in 1945, Strucker was one of those Nazis and HYDRA operatives who survived the fall of their tyrannical regimes. Through unknown circumstances, Strucker remained young until the 21st century.

After the battle of New York, thanks to HYDRA's moles inside S.H.I.E.L.D., Strucker was able to obtain the Chitauri Scepter used by Loki. The Scepter was transported to HYDRA's secret facility where a group of HYDRA scientists attempted to study it. However, by Strucker's words, they only managed to "scratch the surface". The facility also contained volunteers who were used for genetic enhancement research. However, only a few of the volunteers survived the experiments, and some of them gained extraordinary powers.

In 2014, after the destruction of the Triskelion and the revelation of all of HYDRA's secrets inside S.H.I.E.L.D., Strucker was touring the facility. When the doctor asked him how to proceed, Strucker said that he would sacrifice a few of the facilities to keep their enemies off their scent. When the doctor asked him about the surviving volunteers, Strucker replied that their enemies would sooner or later meet "The Twins", and that, in the age of miracles, nothing is more horrifying than a miracle.

Relationships

 * HYDRA - Allies
 * HYDRA Doctor
 * Scarlet Witch
 * Quicksilver
 * S.H.I.E.L.D. - Enemies

Behind the Scenes

 * Thomas Kretschmann was uncredited for his appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Trivia

 * In the comics, Adolf Hitler ordered his men to kill Strucker, which is why he escaped from Germany and organized HYDRA in the Japanese-occupied territory in the final days of World War II. He was also the father of twins who were super-powered through genetic manipulation.
 * In the animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Baron von Strucker was Red Skull's second in command during World War II.
 * In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Strucker is portrayed without his characteristic facial scars.