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Blockbuster (DC Comics)

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This article is about the DC Comics supervillain. For the Marvel Comics supervillain, see Blockbuster (Marauder).

Blockbuster is the name of four supervillains and a criminal organization appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.[1] The first iteration was an adversary of Batman and Robin, while the second served as one of Nightwing's greatest enemies. The third debuted in 52 as a member of Lex Luthor's Infinity, Inc.

Blockbuster has appeared in various media outside comics, including television series and films. Kevin Michael Richardson, Dee Bradley Baker, René Auberjonois, and Dave Fennoy have voiced the character in animation.

Publication history

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The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster first appeared in Detective Comics #345 (November 1965), and was created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.[2]

The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster first appeared in Starman #9 (April 1989), and was created by Roger Stern and Tom Lyle.

Fictional character biography

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Mark Desmond

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Blockbuster
The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster as depicted in Batman #309 (March 1979).
Art by John Calnan.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDetective Comics #345 (November 1965)
Created byGardner Fox (writer)
Carmine Infantino (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoMark Desmond
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsSecret Society of Super Villains
Suicide Squad
Abilities

The first Blockbuster is Mark Desmond, a chemist who desires to increase his physical strength. He succeeds, but is rendered mindless and aggressive.[3] His brother Roland cares for him and manipulates him into committing crimes on his behalf.[4][5]

In later appearances, Blockbuster joins the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Suicide Squad before being killed in battle with Brimstone.[6] He returns following The New 52 continuity reboot.[7]

Roland Desmond

[edit]
Blockbuster
The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster as depicted in Underworld Unleashed: Patterns of Fear #1 (November 1995). Art by Rick Burchett.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceStarman #9 (April 1989)
Created byRoger Stern (writer)
Tom Lyle (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoRoland Desmond
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsBlockbuster's Gang
Underground Society
Black Lantern Corps
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability
  • Genius-level intellect

Roland Desmond, Mark's brother, becomes the second Blockbuster after undergoing experimental treatment for an illness.[8][9] He later moves to his mother's hometown of Blüdhaven, where he battles Nightwing.[10][11]

Desmond later develops albinism and a heart defect as a side effect of his initial transformation. He receives a heart transplant in Gorilla City before Tarantula kills him.[12]

In Blackest Night, Blockbuster is resurrected as a Black Lantern.[13] He later returns permanently following the DC Rebirth relaunch.[14] In Nightwing #96, he is killed by Heartless.[15]

Other Blockbusters

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Two unidentified incarnations of Blockbuster appear in 52 and Superman #689, with the former being a member of Infinity, Inc. created by Lex Luthor.[16][17] In Salvation Run, Martian Manhunter disguises himself as Blockbuster to observe the exiled villains.[18]

Powers and abilities

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All incarnations of Blockbuster possess superhuman physical abilities coupled with reduced intelligence. Roland Desmond temporarily overcomes this weakness after receiving enhanced power from Neron.[19]

Other versions

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An alternate universe variant of Blockbuster appears in Just Imagine.... This version is Brock Smith, a murderer and death row inmate who is rescued and empowered by Dominic Darrk and joins the Doom Patrol. He is defeated by Batman and Wonder Woman and dies after being electrocuted.[20]

In other media

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Television

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Blockbuster as he appears in Young Justice.

Film

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Video games

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Miscellaneous

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 57–58. ISBN 9780345501066.
  2. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 34. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  4. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). "Blockbuster I". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  5. ^ Eury, Michael; Kronenberg, Michael (2009). The Batcave Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 220. ISBN 978-1893905788.
  6. ^
    • Secret Society of Super Villains #1-15 (June 1976 - July 1978)
    • Justice League of America #135 (October 1976)
    • Legends #3 (January 1987)
  7. ^
    • Hawk and Dove (vol. 5) #6 (April 2012)
    • The Savage Hawkman #18 (May 2013)
    • Justice League of America (vol. 3) #3 (July 2013)
  8. ^ Starman #10 (May 1989). DC Comics.
  9. ^ Wallace, Dan (2008). "Blockbuster II". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  10. ^ Nightwing (vol. 2) #44 (June 2000). DC Comics.
  11. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
  12. ^ Nightwing (vol. 2) #93 (July 2004)
  13. ^ Blackest Night: Batman #1 (October 2009)
  14. ^ Nightwing (vol. 4) #22 (August 2017)
  15. ^ Brooke, David (October 18, 2022). "Nightwing #97 review". AIPT Comics. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  16. ^ 52 #21. DC Comics.
  17. ^ Superman #689 (August 2009)
  18. ^ Salvation Run #3 (March 2008)
  19. ^ Underworld Unleashed #1 (November 1995)
  20. ^ Just Imagine... JLA #1, DC Comics.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Blockbuster Voices (Batman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 5, 2023. 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.
  22. ^ "Mark Desmond Voice - Young Justice (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 23, 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.
  23. ^ "Blockbuster Turn by *Phillybee". Deviant Art. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  24. ^ Mayimbe, El (May 19, 2008). "Supermax: Green Arrow Story Details + Villains/Inmates Gallery". LatinoReview.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  25. ^ "Tough Guy Voice - Justice League: Gods and Monsters (Movie)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 23, 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.
  26. ^ Gerding, Stephen (January 13, 2016). "Exclusive: Nightwing's Romantic Life Takes a Hit in Batman: Bad Blood Clip". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  27. ^ "Adventures in the DC Universe #1 - Now You See 'Em (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  28. ^ "Batman: Arkham Knight: Genesis #4 (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved March 23, 2024.


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