Dionysus (Marvel Comics)
Encyclopedia
Dionysus is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics
, a god in the Olympian pantheon based on the legendary Olympian god.
#129 (June 1966), and was adapted from mythology by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
.
The character subsequently appeared in Thor Annual #5 (1976), Champions #2-3 (January-February 1976), Thor Annual #8 (1979), The Avengers #281 (July 1987), #283-285 (September-November 1987), Solo Avengers #11 (October 1988), Thor #398 (December 1988), Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed (October 1966), Hercules #4 (September 2005), Thor: Blood Oath #2-4 (December 2005-January 2006), Ares #1 (March 2006), #3 (May 2006), and Deadpool/GLI: Summer Fun Spectacular #1 (September 2007).
Dionysus appeared as part of the "Olympian Gods" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
#9.
was gravely injured during the assault by the Masters of Evil
on Avengers Mansion
, Dionysus served Zeus in his attempt to punish the Avengers
for these injries. Dionysus disguised himself as an Italian ice vendor, and served it to She-Hulk
laced with Elixir of Frenzy. She attacked the other Avengers, and when Doctor Druid
tried to restore her to normal, Dionysus reinstilled the elixir's potency. Captain Marvel
noticed him and tried to subdue him, but Dionysus strangled Doctor Druid and used a potion to knock She-Hulk unconscious. Dionysus then fought She-Hulk in physical combat, this time in Olympus
, but she struck him down with a pillar. Zeus then forbade all Olympians from interfering with the earth.
Despondent at his defeat at the hands of She-Hulk, Dionysus became suicidal. He came to believe the Olympian race was dying, so he stole a nuclear warhead from earth to help it along. Hercules attempts to talk him out of it, but Dionysus crafts a servant called 'Butcher T. Washington' to deal with him. Hercules was almost slain but at the last moment, Dionysus regains his sanity, saves Hercules and returns the warhead to Earth. He places himself at Zeus' mercy. As punishment, he is stripped of his memories and abilities. He ends up on Earth, as Dion, the bartender for 'Dion's Bar'.
Later, while back on Olympus, he becomes so inebriated, he falls off the edge and lands on Earth itself, namely 'Christmas Mountain' in Wisconsin
. He is taken by the terrorist group A.I.M.
They use his powers to cause mental instability in all the superheroes they consider a threat. At a pre-determined time, all affected bases are invaded. The Great Lakes Avengers
and Deadpool
rescue Dionysus just in time for the affected heroes to regain their stability and defeat their respective invading A.I.M. forces. Squirrel Girl
helps Dionysus back to Olympus and into his own bed to sleep it off.
.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, a god in the Olympian pantheon based on the legendary Olympian god.
Publication history
Dionysus first appeared in ThorThor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
#129 (June 1966), and was adapted from mythology by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
The character subsequently appeared in Thor Annual #5 (1976), Champions #2-3 (January-February 1976), Thor Annual #8 (1979), The Avengers #281 (July 1987), #283-285 (September-November 1987), Solo Avengers #11 (October 1988), Thor #398 (December 1988), Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed (October 1966), Hercules #4 (September 2005), Thor: Blood Oath #2-4 (December 2005-January 2006), Ares #1 (March 2006), #3 (May 2006), and Deadpool/GLI: Summer Fun Spectacular #1 (September 2007).
Dionysus appeared as part of the "Olympian Gods" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#9.
Fictional character biography
Dionysus is the son of Zeus. When HerculesHercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
was gravely injured during the assault by the Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
on Avengers Mansion
Avengers Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Avengers Mansion has traditionally been the base of the Avengers. The enormous, city block-sized building is located at 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City.-Creative origin:...
, Dionysus served Zeus in his attempt to punish the 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...
for these injries. Dionysus disguised himself as an Italian ice vendor, and served it to She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
laced with Elixir of Frenzy. She attacked the other Avengers, and when Doctor Druid
Doctor Druid
Doctor Druid, also known as Doctor Droom and Druid, is a fictional character, a supernatural monster-hunter in the Marvel Comics universe....
tried to restore her to normal, Dionysus reinstilled the elixir's potency. Captain Marvel
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
noticed him and tried to subdue him, but Dionysus strangled Doctor Druid and used a potion to knock She-Hulk unconscious. Dionysus then fought She-Hulk in physical combat, this time in Olympus
Olympus (Marvel Comics)
Olympus is a fictional setting, a location in the Marvel Universe. Adapted from Greek mythology by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 ....
, but she struck him down with a pillar. Zeus then forbade all Olympians from interfering with the earth.
Despondent at his defeat at the hands of She-Hulk, Dionysus became suicidal. He came to believe the Olympian race was dying, so he stole a nuclear warhead from earth to help it along. Hercules attempts to talk him out of it, but Dionysus crafts a servant called 'Butcher T. Washington' to deal with him. Hercules was almost slain but at the last moment, Dionysus regains his sanity, saves Hercules and returns the warhead to Earth. He places himself at Zeus' mercy. As punishment, he is stripped of his memories and abilities. He ends up on Earth, as Dion, the bartender for 'Dion's Bar'.
Later, while back on Olympus, he becomes so inebriated, he falls off the edge and lands on Earth itself, namely 'Christmas Mountain' in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. He is taken by the terrorist group A.I.M.
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
They use his powers to cause mental instability in all the superheroes they consider a threat. At a pre-determined time, all affected bases are invaded. The Great Lakes Avengers
Great Lakes Avengers
The Great Lakes Initiative, originally known as The Great Lakes Avengers , are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were first introduced in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #46 , and were created by John Byrne.-Publication history:The team...
and Deadpool
Deadpool (comics)
Deadpool is a fictional character, a mercenary and anti-hero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98 Deadpool (Wade Winston Wilson) is a fictional character, a mercenary and...
rescue Dionysus just in time for the affected heroes to regain their stability and defeat their respective invading A.I.M. forces. Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
helps Dionysus back to Olympus and into his own bed to sleep it off.
Other versions
A 23rd century version of Dionysus is murdered on panel by Zeus.Powers and abilities
Dionysus can control the growth of vines and grapes. He once had control of a pig that could create wine. At least in ancient times he could change his own shape and that of other things. Lack of access to wine causes him to rapidly age. He proved to be strong enough to fight toe-and-toe against She-HulkShe-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
.