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Demolition Man (comics)
Encyclopedia
Demolition Man also known as D-Man, is a fictional character
in the .
#28 (October, 1985), written by Mike Carlin and illustrated by Ron Wilson
. He first appeared as Demolition-Man in Captain America #328 (April 1987).
. Dennis becomes an aspiring athlete who receives the strength augmentation treatments offered by Power Broker
, Inc. Finding himself too strong now for normal sports, he becomes a professional wrestler and member of the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation
(UCWF) along with other superheroes and supervillains such as the Beyonder
, the Thing
, and Screaming Mimi
. He refuses to throw a fight with the Thing, and was defeated. He was later mentally compelled by the Puppet Master
to attack the Thing. Dunphy refuses the Power Broker's order to help kill Ms. Marvel. He revealed his addiction to the Power Broker's drug to the Thing, and went through a painful withdrawal when the Power Broker cut off his drug supply.
After the fall of the UCWF, Dunphy becomes the Demolition Man and teams up with Captain America
to investigate Power Broker, Inc. His costume is intentionally designed so the body of it is a duplicate of Daredevil
's first costume, and the hood is a knock-off of Wolverine
's. He is successful in rescuing Captain America from Karl Malus
and helping Captain America catch him. Dunphy is captured by the Power Broker and subjected to further treatments which augment his strength further but damage his heart. While under the influence of the stimulant, he goes mad and attacks Captain America. Dunphy suffers a heart attack
, and his second augmentation is reversed and he is hospitalized. Dunphy takes a step back from superhero activity to take over Captain America's hotline.
Soon after this, Steve Rogers is stripped of his Captain America costume by the Commission on Superhuman Activities
(CSA) and goes missing. Demolition Man joins Falcon
, Nomad, and Vagabond
in searching for Rogers. They discover Rogers, who had renamed himself simply "The Captain", and they all become a short-lived informal team. They defeat the Serpent Squad
in their first outing. D-Man aids the Captain, Falcon, and Nomad against Famine
. D-Man is nearly killed in battle by Titania
. He begins teaching Vagabond hand-to-hand combat, but is attacked by a jealous Nomad. He fights Anaconda
and Slither
of the Serpent Society
. He is attacked and poisoned by Viper
, and mistakenly fights Battle Star
. Dunphy is arrested by the CSA and held for questioning about the Captain's activities.
When Dennis is finally released by the CSA, he seeks out the Captain, discovering that not only has his team disbanded, but that the East Coast Avengers
team have also just disbanded and that the Captain is seeking new members. The Captain inducts Demolition Man as the first of his new Avengers and they almost immediately leave on a mission at the request of Battlestar. Battlestar's partner is John Walker
, Captain America's replacement, who has been captured by Flag-Smasher
and his group ULTIMATUM
. While Battlestar and the Captain investigate ULTIMATUM's Arctic base, Demolition Man is left with their plane. During the fight, the Captain discovers that Flag-Smasher's base contains a doomsday weapon (an electromagnetic pulse generator), and he orders Dunphy to set the plane on course to crash into the base and then bail out. Dennis sets course, but then sees an enemy agent land on the plane. Dunphy elects to stay on the plane to ensure that it connects. The plane explodes apparently with Dunphy in it, and Captain America is unable to find any trace of him.
In a later adventure with Jack Frost, Cap sees what he believes to be Dunphy's body frozen in suspended animation
in ice near the North Magnetic Pole in the Arctic. However, he is unable to free him at that time. Demolition Man had survived the explosion, but suffered wounds that rendered him mute and in a stupor, and is discovered living among Eskimos. During a backup story to "Operation: Galactic Storm
", he is rescued by U.S. Agent
and the Falcon and recovers under Avengers' care. In time he becomes a hero of a subterranean group of homeless people called the Zero People. Dennis appears when the Avengers are attacked by Morgan LeFay
's forces. His inattention to hygiene causes many to sit far away from him.
It is later established that Dunphy has become delusional and mentally unstable. His intentions remain pure, but he has begun to believe that a "Cosmic Gamemaster" has asked him to retrieve the seven Infinity Gems
, which D-Man carries out by stealing common jewelry. At Ben Urich
's request, D-Man's hero Daredevil comes into the sewers and persuades Dennis to get some help.
, an unnamed newspaper carries the headline "D-Parted: D-Man On The Run After Whereabouts Revealed By Anonymous Tip."
Dennis is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative
program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
D-Man makes an appearance in New Avengers #7, while various heroes are being interviewed to be a nanny for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. He appears to be spontaneously weeping and his only lines are "I am so lonely...", "I think I came off desperate before--" and "Does Captain America ever talk about me?". When Jessica Jones says her mind is made up on a nanny, Cage quips "D-Man it is." to which she responds "Cute."
's team of Revengers in the New Avengers 2011
Annual.
on behalf of the Power Broker
increased his physical strength, stamina, and durability to superhuman levels. Dunphy possesses superhuman strength sufficient to enable him to lift at least 15 tons. He was addicted to a drug supplied by the Power Broker, but after his drug supply was cut off, his superhuman strength decreased to its current level.
He has a heart condition, increasing his vulnerability to excessive exertion.
Dennis is a skilled aircraft pilot. He is also an excellent hand-to-hand combatant, especially in wrestling, and received further training from Captain America.
usurps the Scarlet Witch
's powers and remakes the world in Avengers vol. 3, all of the Avengers members are remade into medieval versions possessing the same powers. In this reality, Demolition Man is renamed Serf.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the .
Publication history
Dennis Dunphy first appeared in The ThingThing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
#28 (October, 1985), written by Mike Carlin and illustrated by Ron Wilson
Ron Wilson (comics)
Ron Wilson is an American comic book artist known for his work on titles starring the Marvel Comics character The Thing, including the titles Marvel Two-in-One and The Thing...
. He first appeared as Demolition-Man in Captain America #328 (April 1987).
Fictional character biography
Dennis Dunphy was born in Lincoln, NebraskaLincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
. Dennis becomes an aspiring athlete who receives the strength augmentation treatments offered by Power Broker
Power Broker
Power Broker is the name of two characters in Marvel Comics.Power Broker, Inc. is a fictional criminal corporation in the Marvel Universe which provides individuals with superhuman physical abilities for a price...
, Inc. Finding himself too strong now for normal sports, he becomes a professional wrestler and member of the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation
Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation
The Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation is a fictional organization in the Marvel Comics Universe. It is an association for professional wrestlers who possess superhuman strength, endurance and resistance to injury.- Overview :...
(UCWF) along with other superheroes and supervillains such as the Beyonder
Beyonder
The Beyonder is a fictional character in . Created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, the immensely powerful Beyonder first appeared in Secret Wars vol. 1 #1 as an unseen force. He reappears in Secret Wars II #1 , which was created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom.-Publication history:The Beyonder was a...
, the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, and Screaming Mimi
Songbird (comics)
Songbird , formerly known as Screaming Mimi, is a fictional character, a superheroine and former supervillainess in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:...
. He refuses to throw a fight with the Thing, and was defeated. He was later mentally compelled by the Puppet Master
Puppet Master (comics)
The Puppet Master, real name Phillip Masters, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Fantastic Four comics. His first appearance was in Fantastic Four volume 1 #8...
to attack the Thing. Dunphy refuses the Power Broker's order to help kill Ms. Marvel. He revealed his addiction to the Power Broker's drug to the Thing, and went through a painful withdrawal when the Power Broker cut off his drug supply.
After the fall of the UCWF, Dunphy becomes the Demolition Man and teams up with Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
to investigate Power Broker, Inc. His costume is intentionally designed so the body of it is a duplicate of Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
's first costume, and the hood is a knock-off of Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
's. He is successful in rescuing Captain America from Karl Malus
Karl Malus
Dr. Karl Malus is a fictional mad scientist and criminal in the Marvel Universe, created by Michael Fleisher, Steve Leialoha and Jim Mooney. He first appeared in Spider-Woman # 30, in September 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
and helping Captain America catch him. Dunphy is captured by the Power Broker and subjected to further treatments which augment his strength further but damage his heart. While under the influence of the stimulant, he goes mad and attacks Captain America. Dunphy suffers a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, and his second augmentation is reversed and he is hospitalized. Dunphy takes a step back from superhero activity to take over Captain America's hotline.
Soon after this, Steve Rogers is stripped of his Captain America costume by the Commission on Superhuman Activities
Commission on Superhuman Activities
The Commission on Superhuman Activities is a fictional government group from the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
(CSA) and goes missing. Demolition Man joins Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, Nomad, and Vagabond
Vagabond (comics)
Vagabond, the alter ego of Priscilla Lyons, is a superhero that has appeared in different books published by Marvel Comics. She has primarily appeared in series associated in some way with Captain America.-Fictional character biography:...
in searching for Rogers. They discover Rogers, who had renamed himself simply "The Captain", and they all become a short-lived informal team. They defeat the Serpent Squad
Serpent Squad
The Serpent Squad is a fictional mercenary group composed of snake-themed criminals in Marvel Comics. Most often antagonists of Captain America, the roster has changed through various incarnations...
in their first outing. D-Man aids the Captain, Falcon, and Nomad against Famine
Famine (comics)
Famine is a fictional character, a Mutant supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. She is most notable for being one of the original four horsemen of the villain Apocalypse.-Fictional character biography:...
. D-Man is nearly killed in battle by Titania
Titania (Marvel Comics)
Titania is a supervillainess in the Marvel Comics universe, notable for being Marvel's strongest human female with the possible exception of the She-Hulk, and the wife of the Absorbing Man. She was created by then Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, in the successful company-wide crossover known as...
. He begins teaching Vagabond hand-to-hand combat, but is attacked by a jealous Nomad. He fights Anaconda
Anaconda (comics)
Anaconda is a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe who was created by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio and first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64 in June 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
and Slither
Slither (comics)
Slither is a fictional character, a snake-like mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Captain America Annual #4 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
of the Serpent Society
Serpent Society
The Serpent Society is a fictional organization of snake-themed supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The group was initially formed from the membership of a previous supervillain team, the Serpent Squad. The group, like its predecessor, has been made up of longtime antagonists of Captain...
. He is attacked and poisoned by Viper
Viper (Madame Hydra)
Viper, formerly known as Madame Hydra, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the X-Men...
, and mistakenly fights Battle Star
Battlestar (comics)
Battlestar , who was also the fifth Bucky, is a fictional character, who is a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America #323 ....
. Dunphy is arrested by the CSA and held for questioning about the Captain's activities.
When Dennis is finally released by the CSA, he seeks out the Captain, discovering that not only has his team disbanded, but that the East Coast Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
team have also just disbanded and that the Captain is seeking new members. The Captain inducts Demolition Man as the first of his new Avengers and they almost immediately leave on a mission at the request of Battlestar. Battlestar's partner is John Walker
U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually those starring Captain America and the Avengers. He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America vol...
, Captain America's replacement, who has been captured by Flag-Smasher
Flag-Smasher
The Flag-Smasher is the name used by two fictional supervillains appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. The original was most often a foe of Captain America while other adversaries of the Flag-Smasher include The Punisher, Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, The Runaways, and The Liberteens.-Fictional...
and his group ULTIMATUM
Ultimatum (comics)
ULTIMATUM is a fictional terrorist organization in the Marvel Comics universe. It was founded by the Flag-Smasher in his attempts to destroy nationalism...
. While Battlestar and the Captain investigate ULTIMATUM's Arctic base, Demolition Man is left with their plane. During the fight, the Captain discovers that Flag-Smasher's base contains a doomsday weapon (an electromagnetic pulse generator), and he orders Dunphy to set the plane on course to crash into the base and then bail out. Dennis sets course, but then sees an enemy agent land on the plane. Dunphy elects to stay on the plane to ensure that it connects. The plane explodes apparently with Dunphy in it, and Captain America is unable to find any trace of him.
In a later adventure with Jack Frost, Cap sees what he believes to be Dunphy's body frozen in suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
in ice near the North Magnetic Pole in the Arctic. However, he is unable to free him at that time. Demolition Man had survived the explosion, but suffered wounds that rendered him mute and in a stupor, and is discovered living among Eskimos. During a backup story to "Operation: Galactic Storm
Operation: Galactic Storm
"Operation: Galactic Storm" was a 19-part comic book crossover storyline which ran through Marvel Comics' Avengers related titles - Avengers, Avengers West Coast, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wonder Man and Quasar - between March and May 1992.The storyline, which involves the Avengers...
", he is rescued by U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually those starring Captain America and the Avengers. He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America vol...
and the Falcon and recovers under Avengers' care. In time he becomes a hero of a subterranean group of homeless people called the Zero People. Dennis appears when the Avengers are attacked by Morgan LeFay
Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)
Morgan le Fay is a fictional character in the , based loosely on the Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legend. In this version of the character, she is the half-faerie half-sister of the mythic Arthur. Her elven heritage granted her immortality, and she used this time to master the mystic arts. She...
's forces. His inattention to hygiene causes many to sit far away from him.
It is later established that Dunphy has become delusional and mentally unstable. His intentions remain pure, but he has begun to believe that a "Cosmic Gamemaster" has asked him to retrieve the seven Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
, which D-Man carries out by stealing common jewelry. At Ben Urich
Ben Urich
Ben Urich is a Marvel Comics character, usually appearing in comic books featuring Daredevil and Spider-Man. Created by Roger McKenzie and Gene Colan, he first appeared in Daredevil #153 ....
's request, D-Man's hero Daredevil comes into the sewers and persuades Dennis to get some help.
Civil War/The Initiative
In Civil War: War CrimesCivil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
, an unnamed newspaper carries the headline "D-Parted: D-Man On The Run After Whereabouts Revealed By Anonymous Tip."
Dennis is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
Dark Reign
D-Man has been shown to be serving in the U.S. military in his civilian identity and covertly in his Demolition Man costume. For a while, he inspires several of his fellow soldiers to operate covertly in costumes as well, but he put a stop to that out of concern for their military careers. He continues operating by himself. How he recovered from the brain damage/mental instability he had been suffering from is unknown at this point.Age of Heroes
In a one-page strip in I Am An Avenger #2, D-man attends a picnic at Avengers Mansion and competes in a pie-eating contest, besting The Thing, Protector, and Valkyrie.D-Man makes an appearance in New Avengers #7, while various heroes are being interviewed to be a nanny for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. He appears to be spontaneously weeping and his only lines are "I am so lonely...", "I think I came off desperate before--" and "Does Captain America ever talk about me?". When Jessica Jones says her mind is made up on a nanny, Cage quips "D-Man it is." to which she responds "Cute."
Revengers
D-Man is set to join Wonder ManWonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
's team of Revengers in the New Avengers 2011
2011 in comics
-January:*January 4 Axel Alonso is named editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, replacing Joe Quesada.-September:*During the whole month of September DC Comics released 52 brand new titles as part of their The New 52 publishing scheme after canceling all titles in August.-Conventions:*July 2–3 -...
Annual.
Powers and abilities
Augmentation of Dennis Dunphy's physical attributes by Dr. Karl MalusKarl Malus
Dr. Karl Malus is a fictional mad scientist and criminal in the Marvel Universe, created by Michael Fleisher, Steve Leialoha and Jim Mooney. He first appeared in Spider-Woman # 30, in September 1980.-Fictional character biography:...
on behalf of the Power Broker
Power Broker
Power Broker is the name of two characters in Marvel Comics.Power Broker, Inc. is a fictional criminal corporation in the Marvel Universe which provides individuals with superhuman physical abilities for a price...
increased his physical strength, stamina, and durability to superhuman levels. Dunphy possesses superhuman strength sufficient to enable him to lift at least 15 tons. He was addicted to a drug supplied by the Power Broker, but after his drug supply was cut off, his superhuman strength decreased to its current level.
He has a heart condition, increasing his vulnerability to excessive exertion.
Dennis is a skilled aircraft pilot. He is also an excellent hand-to-hand combatant, especially in wrestling, and received further training from Captain America.
Queen's Vengeance
When Morgan le FayMorgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)
Morgan le Fay is a fictional character in the , based loosely on the Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legend. In this version of the character, she is the half-faerie half-sister of the mythic Arthur. Her elven heritage granted her immortality, and she used this time to master the mystic arts. She...
usurps the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
's powers and remakes the world in Avengers vol. 3, all of the Avengers members are remade into medieval versions possessing the same powers. In this reality, Demolition Man is renamed Serf.