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. Originally an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., he became unsatisfied with the way the agency was led, and was recruited by HYDRA, which was secretly living within S.H.I.E.L.D. Around the time of the Battle at the Triskelion, he openly deserted S.H.I.E.L.D., becoming one of HYDRA's leaders after the death of Alexander Pierce.

S.H.I.E.L.D.
As one of the high-ranking members of HYDRA, Strucker was charged with various science projects, including advanced weaponry. After the Battle of New York, Strucker desired the Chitauri Scepter, which S.H.I.E.L.D. acquired, and began to study it in the S.H.I.E.L.D. S.T.A.T.I.O.N. facility. After a HYDRA mole inside that facility informed Strucker that one of the scientists working on the Chitauri Scepter, Mark Smith, was a potential HYDRA recruit, Strucker decided to recruit Smith personally. Following the successful recruitment of Smith into HYDRA, Strucker ordered him and another HYDRA mole to retrieve the Scepter. Smith and his HYDRA colleague retrieved the Scepter and transported it to Strucker's secret facility in Sokovia.

Strucker's scientists began to power weapons using the Scepter. Although Dr. List considered the weapon's results to be remarkable, they were not to Strucker's satisfaction; he ordered List to recruit human volunteers among the rioters of Sokovia to get the results he desired. Many of the volunteers died in the experiments; the twins Pietro and Wanda Maximoff gained extraordinary powers as a result of the experiments.

Despite all the progress HYDRA made with the Scepter, they only managed to "scratch the surface", according to Strucker.

The End of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"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."

- Dr. List and Wolfgang von Strucker

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 Sokovian facility. When Dr. List 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.

HYDRA Leadership
"Since Strucker is overseas, I assume you report to someone else." "That's correct."

- Grant Ward and Sunil Bakshi

Grant Ward knew that Strucker was overseas, so he asked Sunil Bakshi who the American leader of HYDRA was. He learned that Daniel Whitehall was that person.

Strucker was not able to attend the biannual meeting of HYDRA leaders held at the mansion of Octavian Bloom; he sent Doctor List in his stead. Strucker, though List, sent his condolences on the death of Daniel Whitehall.

Allies

 * HYDRA
 * Dr. List - Right-Hand Man
 * Daniel Whitehall †
 * Octavian Bloom †
 * Sheikh †
 * Baroness †
 * Banker †
 * Mark Smith - Subordinate
 * Mark Basso - Subordinate
 * Scarlet Witch
 * Quicksilver

Video Game Only

 * Red Skull - Leader
 * Arnim Zola - Superior Officer
 * Madame Hydra
 * Iron Cross
 * Heinrich Zemo - Unwilling Ally

Enemies

 * S.H.I.E.L.D.
 * Nick Fury
 * Avengers
 * Iron Man
 * Captain America
 * Thor
 * Hulk
 * Black Widow
 * Hawkeye

Trivia

 * In the non-canon video game Captain America: Super Soldier, Baron von Strucker is an officer of HYDRA during World War II. He commands the HYDRA troops stationed at Castle Zemo and eventually clashes with Captain America in 1944.
 * 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.

Behind the Scenes

 * Thomas Kretschmann was uncredited for his appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
 * Wolfgang von Strucker was planned to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger but the idea was ultimately rejected.