Jonas Hale was the head of the research division of Roxxon Oil.  He was first seen after discovering a vibranium resource in an island of the Atlantic Ocean. He attempted to remove the island's only inhabitant, Hiram Dobbs, in order to extract it.  His attempt was opposed by Namor and Iron Man. Hale decided to destroy the island rather than have anyone else lay claim to it. He was a frequent business rival of Tony Stark. He developed Nuform, a form of artificial vibranium, and attempted to market it but the product proved unstable. He was last seen allied with the Sphinx in the development of a new new super-soldier project.