Forcefield/Force (Comics)

Force is a character appearing in Marvel Comics.

History
Clay Wilson was a graduate student at Empire State University who worked as a research assistance for Dr. Damon Walters, a physicist working on an experimental force field generator. Seduced by the trappings of power, Wilson stole the device and used it as the costumed criminal Force. He attempted to make his presence known in Times Square, but was attacked and defeated by Namor, who was in New York doing business with Dr. Walters.

Force narrowly escaped capture and agreed to work with Justin Hammer. Per the standard arrangement, Hammer would upgrade his equipment and get 50% of the profits from his criminal enterprises. Force accepted these terms and was awarded with an enhanced, microcircuited battlesuit, which made him quite the powerhouse when combined with his forcefield generator. Perhaps desiring or anticipating a rematch with Namor, the battlesuit is also made to be amphibious.

Force quickly becomes the primary mover and shaker for an operation in the Caribbean where Hammer hijacks luxury yachts and uses them smuggle opium into the United States. Though he was somewhat "drunk with power" during his first outing in Times Square, he now finds himself conflicted by this operation: He envisioned his costumed criminal career as something in between thief and a soldier of fortune, but Hammer had turned him into a murderer and terrorist. Nevertheless, he relished the chance to fight Iron Man, as he had been waiting to use his newfound powers on a worthy opponent. Force gave Iron Man a tough fight due to his energy manipulating abilities, which included the polarization fields of Iron Man's armor. Nevertheless, Iron Man was able to narrowly defeat him, knocking him out. When Force recovered and rejoined Hammer, he confronted his boss over the collateral damage of the smuggling operation. Hammer responded by activating a failsafe that turned Force into a silent, robotic enforcer incapable of questioning orders. Force nevertheless fights his way to Stark Unlimited, announcing his intention to defect and asking for sanctuary. Iron Man decides to take him to jail instead, but the police chief is on Hammer's payroll. Hammer sends Blizzard, Whiplash, and Beetle to eliminate Force. Iron Man and his allies repel the attackers, and Force hands over his armor. Iron Man inspects it and discovers it contains some of his own S-chip technology, leading to the Armor Wars.

Wilson is given a new identity as Carl Walker and gets a job as a technician at Barstow Electronics. He ends up piloting a set of Model 05 armor twice, once against a villain called the Fixer, and again as part of the Iron Legion battling Ultimo.

Walker eventually got a lucrative Pentagon contract, but an extensive security check revealed his criminal past. He is blackmailed into refurbishing Iron Man armors that James Rhodes had scuttled to prevent from falling into the hands of Obadiah Stane, and tricked into believing that Stark betrayed him. Equipped in a new set of custom armor, Force tracked down Iron Man in Iraq and attacked him. However, after a short fight, Iron Man is able to convince Force that he has been lied to, and he uses his connections with SHIELD to grant Walker a full pardon.

Force is recruited into the Fifty-State Initiative during the events of Dark Reign. He is part of a team of heroes that pursue The Hood, though they are forced to let him go after he blackmails them.

Powers and Abilities
Force had no extranormal abilities on his own, but he had a genius level intellect, and was a highly skilled martial artist. His armor greatly enhanced his strength, while also granting him the ability to fly. The gauntlets contained energy projectors that enabled him to shield himself with forcefields or fire energy projectile attacks. He could also create smaller forcefields around his gloves, giving his punches extra hitting power.