Members

The Air Pirates of Don Karnage stand out from among fellow bands of sky pirates and freebooters. As a whole, they are the most diverse gang of criminals one could have the misfortune of encountering. Bandits, cutthroats, and outcasts from the fringes of society, the Air Pirates' motley members share little in common except a passionate craving for wealth and utter contempt for the law. Far from being the chivalrous swashbucklers immortalized in literature and legend, Don Karnage's Air Pirates are nothing more than a ragtag crew of scruffy scalawags, held together by greed and Captain Karnage's firm command.

Most of Karnage's pirates started as thieves and petty criminals working within the tough underworld of civilization. Lacking families, homes, and friends, these sorry individuals were eager to pursue a life of piracy in the skies, far above the mean streets. Their myriad talents, of which each Air Pirate possesses a particular specialty, range from aircraft piloting and mechanics to pickpocketing and demolition. Some wonder whether Karnage picked up his entire crew off the streets, or perhaps led a rival gang of air pirates in revolt against their captain.

According to police estimates, Karnage's Air Pirates number about three dozen men, with personalities and pasts as checkered as that of their leader. (Authorities do not believe there to be any female Air Pirates in Karnage's band, unlike in certain other groups.) Few pirates go by their true names, assuming colorful nicknames such as Banditsnatch, Hacksaw, and Thick Blade. Equally colorful are the pirates' costumes, pieced together from a variety of sources. Accessorized with belts, straps, and pouches, these patchwork outfits enhance the pirates' fearsome image in combat, but appear absolutely ridiculous (and quite conspicuous) in normal circumstances. Specific Air Pirates can often be identified by their distinctive clothing alone.

The Air Pirates' command chain starts with Captain Don Karnage — assisted by first mate Gibber and second mate Will — followed by a small cadre of pirates who serve as Karnage's wingmen. These individuals regularly accompany Karnage in the air and on the bridge of the Iron Vulture. Two in particular, Mad Dog and Dumptruck, are the captain's first choice to send on errands or special assignments. On the rare occasions when Karnage cannot travel with the crew, he leaves Gibber in charge while he is gone (or, rarely, Dumptruck, whom Karnage considers too stupid to cause any harm). The remainder of the pirates perform various duties aboard the Iron Vulture, while one or two guard the Air Pirates' home base, Pirate Island.

The lure of air piracy is quite strong, especially among spirited, independent youths. As glamorous as it appears to some, however, pirate life is actually filled with hardship and difficulty. Many Air Pirates expected to find excitement and adventure flying among the clouds, free as a bird, rampaging and pillaging. Needless to say, they were unprepared for the tedium — indeed, drudgery — that life as an Air Pirate could bring, especially for those pirates assigned to such lowly tasks as guard duty and cleanup detail. Adding insult to injury, the pirates suffer frequent smackings and tongue-lashings from Captain Karnage as punishment for their own incompetency. Those with strong consciences or weak constitutions soon find they have no place among the Air Pirates.

Hardships aside, those pirates who participate in raids and attacks upon civilian aircraft enjoy air piracy immensely. Camaraderie of sorts often develops among crewmates who have braved harrowing missions together, although actual friendships between pirates are incredibly rare. Recreation among the Air Pirates includes arm wrestling; target practice; betting on shipboard cockroach races; and a dangerous new sport invented by pirate Hal, called "bomb bowling" (the hazards of which are self-evident). The pirates also partake in revelries such as singing pirate songs, although their captain is the only one who can request a second chorus. Each Air Pirate gets a meager share of profits from a heist, whereas Don Karnage takes the lion's share of the spoils. Grumbling over the pay is common; asking for a raise is out of the question.

Managing an unruly mob of pirates is no easy task, but Don Karnage has succeeded mainly through wits, arrogance, and intimidation. Karnage wishes that his band of "noble pirates" and "plundering protégés" could one day reach his own level of proficiency, but the Air Pirates' knack for making reckless mistakes proves intensely frustrating for Karnage, and he often takes his anger out on the crew. Likewise, many of the less ignorant pirates feel cheated at times, upset that they do all the looting and their boss gets all the loot. Yet Don Karnage maintains the obedience of his men if only because he threatens to hang insubordinates by their pinkies.

No one knows how criminals contact and join the Air Pirates. Evidently Don Karnage is not seeking new recruits. He has enough trouble handling the men already under his command, and remains aware of the possibility that spies and undercover agents may try to infiltrate the Air Pirate ranks. One thing is certain: those who join the Air Pirates don't leave. There have of course been exceptions, but certainly not if Karnage can help it.

Beyond greed and threat of punishment, there is little motivating the Air Pirates' ongoing criminal activity — or for that matter, their allegiance to Captain Karnage. Doubts about Karnage's sanity, as well as random, feeble attempts at mutiny, have surfaced among the crew; but no Air Pirate has proven bold enough to wrest leadership from Karnage. Most Air Pirates would probably remain loyal to the captain anyway, knowing the alternatives: a life back on the streets, imprisonment — or worst of all, a long drop from the Iron Vulture.