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Overdrive (James Beverley) is a fictional villain, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man.
| Overdrive | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift (May 2007) |
| Created by | Dan Slott Phil Jimenez |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | James Beverley |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Sinister Six |
| Abilities | Ability to convert any vehicle into a high-powered one |
Created by Dan Slott and Phil Jimenez, Overdrive first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift (May 2007), a Free Comic Book Day issue set after the events of the Spider-Man: One More Day storyline.
Something of a throwaway joke character, Overdrive made a few inconsequential appearances throughout Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man. As part of Marvel NOW! and the Superior Spider-Man relaunch, Overdrive joined the Sinister Six and featured as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man.
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James Beverley is a race car driver who had dreams of being a superhero. When every attempt failed and he ended up in an accident, he gained the assistance of Power Broker. Mister Negative approached him and offered him a job in his criminal organization.[1]
Overdrive was hired by Mister Negative to steal an artifact from a museum, but was unable to deliver it because of interference from Spider-Man. Overdrive led Spider-Man on a high-speed chase through the streets of Manhattan. When Spider-Man smashed the windshield of Overdrive's car, it revealed dozens of pieces of Spider-Man-related merchandise such as bobble-heads, air-fresheners, and action figures. Overdrive declared that he was Spider-Man's "biggest fan", even asking for an autograph as Spider-Man was trying to stop him.[2]
The chase finally culminated in a car-wreck that had Overdrive and his vehicle hanging from a bridge in New York by Spider-Man's webbing with Spider-Man's trademark note, "Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man". Overdrive asked the police who were on the scene to arrest him if he could keep the note. Overdrive was then sent by Mister Negative to steal the Sonic Pulse Generator from a laboratory but he failed again when he met Spider-Man once again. Mister Negative told his men to dispose of Overdrive and they put him in the trunk of Mister Negative's limo and Overdrive was able to escape them by converting the limo into one of his "tricked out" cars.[3]
Ever since Lily Hollister's baby was stolen by the Chameleon, Spider-Man had been going on a rampage against any villains involved. The police recovered a web ball containing Overdrive, Spot, and Diablo.[4]
Peter Parker later sees Overdrive kidnapping Terri Hilman, the daughter of a powerful socialite. Since his costume is dirty after the battle with Doctor Octopus, Peter is forced to use a Halloween Spider-Man costume. Overdrive transforms the limousine he is driving into a copy of the Spider-Mobile. He then shoots Peter with webs pinning him into a wall. However, Peter manages to take Overdrive out from the car and leave him hanging for the police.[5]
While working for Kingpin, Overdrive fought Black Panther.[6]
In Marvel Now!, Overdrive joins Boomerang's incarnation of version of the Sinister Six. Overdrive stole the original Big Wheel vehicle and upgraded it through his powers. However, the Superior Spider-Man (Doctor Octopus' mind in Peter Parker's body) defeats Overdrive and the rest of the Sinister Six using a power-dampening field.[7] Overdrive features as one of the main characters in Superior Foes of Spider-Man. He secretly admitted that he only became a villain to gain a reputation, then planned to convert to the good side like Hawkeye.[8]
The new Hijacker that fought Ant-Man and Captain America in Miami claimed that his superpowers were derived from Overdrive's nanites.[9]
Overdrive later worked for Mister Negative again and became a getaway driver for his henchmen. Following a bank heist, Overdrive drives the Inner Demons away from the police.[1] However, he is attacked and killed by the Sin-Eater before mysteriously resurrecting.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
Following Sin-Eater's suicide which caused those that he purged of their sins to regain them, James Beverley encounters Carlie Cooper and reveals that he is considering reforming.[16]
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Overdrive can generate nanites which transform vehicles to his will, improving its physical abilities. These changes will revert if Overdrive is away from the vehicle for too long.
- An original, Marvel 2099-inspired incarnation of Overdrive appears in the Nintendo DS version of Spider-Man: Edge of Time, voiced by Kari Wahlgren.[17] She wears a nanite-based costume and primarily commits crimes in search of thrills.
- Overdrive appears in the Spider-Man episode "Bring on the Bad Guys" Pt. 1, voiced by Team Penske's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney.[17]
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