| Dreadknight | |
|---|---|
 Dreadknight as depicted in Iron Man #102 (September 1977). Art by George Pérez. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Iron Man #101 (August 1977) |
| Created by | Bill Mantlo George Tuska |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Bram Velsing |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Frightful Four Masters of Evil |
| Abilities | Gifted scientist Rides the "Hellhorse" Use of weapons Steel alloy body armor grants: Superhuman strength and durability |
Dreadknight (Bram Velsing) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was a Latverian scientist who was bio-fused to a skull-like metal helmet for conspiring against Doctor Doom and became a knight-like villain who plans different revenge plots against Doctor Doom which often leads him into conflict with Iron Man and other superheroes.
Publication history
editThe character first appeared in Iron Man #101 (Aug. 1977) and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and penciller George Tuska.[1]
Fictional character biography
editBram Velsing is a Latverian scientist, unsatisfied with serving Doctor Doom whom he referred to as a "grotesque mockery of a man" and thought himself as his superior. Upon learning of Velsing's treacherous ideals, Doom grafts a skull-like metal helmet to his head using a bio-fusion device, scarring him as a way to make him even with Doom.[2] Velsing flees and comes under the care of Victoria Frankenstein, who nurses him back to health. Velsing gains a variety of weapons and rides the "Hellhorse", a bat-winged horse created by Frankenstein using Black Knight's horse Elendil. Calling himself Dreadknight, Velsing attempts to force more resources from Frankenstein to defeat Doom, but is defeated by Iron Man and Frankenstein's Monster and rendered comatose.[3]
Dreadknight is revived by the mystical villains Morgan Le Fay and Mordred and menaces Captain Britain, Victoria Bentley, and Sean Dolan. He is defeated by Dane Whitman.[4]
Dreadknight appears as a member of Wizard's incarnation of the Frightful Four alongside Trapster and Man-Bull. In their attempt to capture a physicist named Dr. Cargill, the Frightful Four are defeated by Spider-Man and Cargill's daughter Turbine.[5]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Dreadknight joins Mad Thinker's incarnation of the Masters of Evil and assists them in invading the Impossible City.[6] After battling the Masters of Evil alongside Captain America, the Impossible City resets itself, freeing it from the group's control.[7]
In light of Doctor Doom's death, Dreadknight formed the Dreadsquires from his fellow Latverians and attacked the Latverian embassy where he demanded to meet with the world leaders to grant him the throne of Latveria. He and the Dreadsquires were defeated by Captain America and Iron Man.[8]
Powers and abilities
editBram Velsing is a gifted scientist with skills as an engineer.
Equipment
editDreadknight wears a steel alloy body armor granting him superhuman strength and durability. He uses a power lance capable of projecting energy blasts; electrified steel cable bolas; miniature missiles; and also uses a carbon dioxide pistol that fires concentrated nerve gas which can render opponents unconscious or kill them.
Dreadknight rides the "Hellhorse", a demonic mutated horse.
Other versions
editMini-Marvel
editAn alternate universe version of Dreadknight appears in Mini Marvels.[9]
Ultimate Marvel
editAn alternate universe version of Dreadknight from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate Comics: Armor Wars. This version is German and wields armor based on Iron Man's designs.[10]
In other media
editTelevision
edit- Dreadknight and his Hellhorse, Nightwing, appears in Iron Man, voiced by Neil Dickson.[11]
- A legion of Dreadknights appear in the Iron Man: Armored Adventures episode "Ancient History 101".[citation needed] They are depicted as stone statues created by the Mandarin to guard one of his Makluan rings and test his potential successors' wisdom.
Merchandise
edit- Toy Biz produced a Dreadknight action figure for the Iron Man animated series tie-in line.
- A figure of Dreadknight was released for the Marvel Super Hero Squad line in The Danger of Dreadknight four-pack, packaged with two figures of Iron Man and one of the Mandarin.
- A figure of Dreadknight is included in the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Marvel Legends "The Raft" box set.[12]
References
edit- ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 113-114. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
- ^ Iron Man #101-102 (August - September 1977)
- ^ Black Knight (vol. 2) #2 (July 1990)
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man: Chaos in Calgary #4 (February 1992)
- ^ Avengers (vol. 9) #25 (June 2025)
- ^ Avengers (vol. 9) #28 (September 2025)
- ^ Iron Man (vol. 7) #2 (April 2026)
- ^ Spidey and the Mini-Marvels one-shot (May 2003)
- ^ Ultimate Comics: Armor Wars #2-3 (December 2009 - January 2010)
- ^ "Dreadknight Voice - Iron Man (1994) (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 24, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Diestch, T. J. (July 11, 2016). "Marvel Legends Breaks Out SDCC-Exclusive The Raft Action Figure Set". CBR. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
External links
edit- Dreadknight at Marvel.com
- Dreadknight at Marvel Appendix
- Dreadknight at MarvelDirectory.com
