Smuggler (character)

Conrad Josten debuted in Thunderbolts #16 (May 1998), created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley, ==Fictional character biography==

Conrad Josten is the youngest of the four Josten siblings, born to farmers living outside Madison, Wisconsin. Following the deaths of his siblings Carl and Lindy, Conrad's second oldest brother Erik becomes the supervillain Power Man. After Erik is arrested, the Josten family lose their farm, with Conrad's parents dying shortly afterwards from an illness. Conrad becomes estranged from Erik. At the request of the Commission on Superhuman Activities, Conrad joins the Redeemers as Smuggler, utilizing a special suit that can harness the Darkforce. The group battles the Thunderbolts, with the Thunderbolts disbanding shortly afterward. The Redeemers assume control of the Thunderbolts' former base in Burton Canyon, Colorado. Smuggler and the Redeemers are seemingly killed by Graviton. He survives by escaping into the Darkforce, but is trapped there. Helmut Zemo eventually discovered Smuggler's fate and gives an offer to Erik Josten to free him in exchange for killing Genis-Vell. Erik complies and Zemo frees Smuggler, who rejoins the Thunderbolts. ==Powers and abilities==

The Smuggler wears a costume that enables him to manipulate energy from the Darkforce Dimension. He can reshape and elongate his body, conceal himself within shadows, and use them for teleportation. Furthermore, he is able to strangle victims using Darkforce energy drawn from their own shadows. ==References==