Assassination of Wolfgang von Strucker

The Assassination of Wolfgang von Strucker was one of the opening actions in the Ultron Offensive, where Ultron murdered HYDRA leader Wolfgang von Strucker while he was in custody of NATO, after revealing locations of several vibranium caches, including a stock that was kept by Ulysses Klaue.

## Contents

* Background
* Assassination
* Aftermath
* Appearances
* References

## Background

During an assault on a HYDRA facility, Phil Coulson downloaded several files that revealed the location of Wolfgang von Strucker, who was using a Sokovian base to conduct illegal experiments with the Scepter Loki wielded during the Battle of New York.

Coulson later relayed the information to former Deputy Director Maria Hill and recommended that the Avengers be brought in.

Several days later, the Avengers launched a surprise attack on the compound and captured Strucker, who was later taken into custody by NATO. During the attack, Stark successfully recovered the Scepter, but not before Wanda Maximoff used her powers to implant a vision of the Chitauri invading Earth into his mind.

Deeply affected, Stark set out to complete the Ultron Program, a peacekeeping program designed to provide a proficient deterrent to any and all threats. The discovery of an artificial intelligence hidden within the scepter's gem prompted Stark and a reluctant Bruce Banner to configure a suitable A.I. structure for the program without telling their fellow Avengers.

Upon completion, however, Ultron became unexpectedly self-aware and attacked the Avengers during a gala. Following the brief skirmish, he transferred his consciousness to the HYDRA compound and constructed an advanced body before recruiting Wanda and her twin brother Pietro to his cause.

## Assassination

After tracking down Wolfgang von Strucker, Ultron forced him to reveal the location of several major vibranium caches, which the artificial intelligence deemed necessary to carry out his plan to preserve peace.

Strucker provided Ultron with the location of Ulysses Klaue, a notorious gangster and black market arms dealer whose base of operations was a Salvage Yard located on the coast of Africa. Ultron smashed Strucker's head against the wall of his cell, instantly killing the HYDRA leader. Before escaping, Ultron painted the word "peace" across the wall with Strucker's blood as a message to the Avengers.

## Aftermath

As Ultron and the Maximoffs traveled to Africa to meet with Ulysses Klaue, the Avengers uncovered Ultron's message as well as Wolfgang von Strucker's dealings with the master thief and followed Ultron to Africa.

After inheriting his father's wealth, Strucker's son Werner, was approached by Grant Ward, who convinced him to join his campaign to rebuild the organization.

Around the same time, HYDRA operative Gideon Malick seized the numerous vaults that were previously owned by Strucker, chief among them a vault in Zepkow, Germany that held a fragment of the Monolith.

## Appearances

In chronological order:

* *Avengers: Age of Ultron*
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*
	+ *Season Two*
		- *S.O.S. Part Two* (mentioned)
	+ *Season Three*
		- *Purpose in the Machine* (mentioned)

## References

1. ↑ *Avengers: Age of Ultron* takes place two months before the events of *Ant-Man*. Scott Lang is released from prison on July 17th, as shown in *WHiH Newsfront*.
2. ↑ *Captain America: Civil War*
3. ↑ *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 2.19: The Dirty Half Dozen*
4. ↑ Jump up to:4.0 4.1 4.2 *Avengers: Age of Ultron*
5. ↑ *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 3.02: Purpose in the Machine*
6. ↑ *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 3.08: Many Heads, One Tale*