Dreadknight is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #102 (Aug. 1977) and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and penciller George Tuska.

Fictional character biography[link]

Bram Velsing is a Latverian scientist, unsatisfied with serving Doctor Doom whom he referred to as a "grotesque mockery" and thought himself as his superior. Upon learning of Velsing's treacherous ideals, Doom permanently grafts a skull-like cybernetic helmet to Velsing's head, scarring him. Velsing flees, and comes under the care of Victoria Frankenstein who nurses him back to health at Castle Frankenstein. The character gains a variety of weapons and rides the "Hellhorse", a mutated bat-winged flying horse genetically engineered from Nathan Garrett's flying horse by Victoria Frankenstein. Calling himself the Dreadknight, the character attempts to force more resources from Frankenstein to defeat Doctor Doom but is defeated by Iron Man, Frankenstein's Monster, and Victoria's mutated charges The Children.^[1]

Velsing is revived by the mystical villains Morgan Le Fay and Mordred, and menaced Captain Britain, Victoria Bentley, and Sean Dolan but is defeated by Dane Whitman.^[2]

Hawkeye impersonated Dreadknight in order to get close to the Thunderbolts.^[3]

Following Doctor Doom's apparent death at the hands of Onslaught, Dreadknight briefly takes over Latveria and battles Spider-Man.^[4]

Dreadknight later appeared fighting Tony Stark and apparently still serving (but resenting) Doctor Doom.^[5]

Powers and abilities[link]

Dreadknight wears a steel alloy body armor granting him superhuman strength and durability. The character 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 unconscious or kill opponents. Dreadknight rides the "Hellhorse", a mutated bat-winged flying horse that was genetically engineered by Victoria Frankenstein from the winged horse that was used by Nathan Garrett.

Bram Velsing is also a gifted scientist with skills as an engineer.

Other versions[link]

Ultimate Dreadknight[link]

Ultimate Bram Velsing appears in a suit of armor based on Ultimate Iron Man's designs in the 2009 Ultimate Comics: Armor Wars series. Although his armor features a skull motif and is painted in a color scheme reminiscent of his mainstream Marvel Universe counterpart, he is never called Dreadknight. Velsing made his home in a renovated Castle Frankenstein, where he fought Iron Man, with the help of Justine Hammer. At the end of their encounter, Iron Man locked down the defeated Velsing's armor, leaving him to suffocate. At one point during the battle, Velsing asks why a girl (in this case, the Ultimate version of Justine Hammer) is in his presence "without a leash." ^[6]

In other media[link]

Television[link]

• Dreadknight appears in the 1994 Iron Man TV series voiced by Neil Dickson. He serves as one of the minions of the Mandarin. He and Blacklash were rivals for the affections of Hypnotia, the sole female member of the Mandarin's followers.
• In the Iron Man: Armored Adventures episode "Ancient History 101", the Dreadknights are a legion of stone statues brought to life by a test formed by the first Mandarin. The word to stop them and pass the test of "Wisdom", is "Jung", which Iron Man managed to translate off of a sword.

Toys[link]

• Toy Biz produced a Dreadknight action figure for the 1994 Iron Man Animated Series.
• A figure of Dreadknight was released in The Danger of Dreadknight 4-pack from the Marvel Super Hero Squad line, packaged with 2 figures of Iron Man and one of Mandarin.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Dreadknight at Marvel.com
• Dreadknight at MarvelDirectory.com