John Craig is an assassin for the British MI-6.
An orphan since birth and brought up in an orphanage from hell until he was able to run away to join the Royal Navy in 1941 at the age of seventeen, Craig showed immediate and remarkable prowess in the handling of small boats. He was also highly proficient with small arms and unarmed combat. He soon transferred to the Special Boat Service in the Mediterranean where he rose in rank up to Lieutenant.
Twice decorated, with the D.S.O. and the D.S.C., he took part in many raids in Italy, North Africa, and Greece. He was captured twice and escaped both times.
By the time the war was over, he had amassed a considerable amount of contacts all over the Med and had become fluent in Italian, Greek, and French with a good deal of ability with Arabic and German.
Joining the shipping firm, the Rose Line, he quickly rose in authority such that soon he was the number two man in the company. While the head of the firm, Sir Geoffrey, saw profits when most companies struggled, Craig saw profitability in smuggling and his reputation grew.
Things might have continued if Craig hadn't angered the wrong people and his peaceful, albeit illegal, world was blown up. Literally.
Always good with guns and boxing, Craig earned a black belt in judo from his friend, Hakagawa. After his enemies came after him, he got Hakagawa to also teach him the more dangerous art of karate, thus making him the 'man with the killer hands'.
Craig's much despised boss is Loomis, the very fat, 'gross, sloppily-dressed' head of Department K. He uses Craig without guilt but not without considerable worry that Craig will one day mind being used. Helping him and working with Craig is Grierson, one of the eldest members of Department K. He is the man to first make contact with Craig and bring him into the organization but he will suffer greatly from the friendship he forms with this dangerous man.