Dreadknight (Bram Velsing) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

The character first appeared in Iron Man #101 (Aug. 1977) and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and penciller George Tuska.

Fictional character biography

Bram 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, scarring him as a way to make him even with Doom. 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 bat-winged horse created by Victoria Frankenstein using the Black Knight's horse Aragorn. Calling himself the Dreadknight, the character attempts to force more resources from Frankenstein to defeat Doctor Doom, only to be defeated by Iron Man and Frankenstein's Monster and rendered comatose. Dreadknight 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. Dreadknight appeared as a member of Wizard's latest incarnation of the Frightful Four alongside Trapster and Man-Bull. In their attempt to capture a physicist named Dr. Cargill, the Frightful Four were defeated by Spider-Man and Dr. Cargill's daughter Turbine. Dreadknight was among the villains who attend the wedding of Absorbing Man and Titania. He flees when She-Hulk crashes the wedding. Hawkeye impersonated Dreadknight to get close to the Thunderbolts. After Onslaught apparently kills Doctor Doom, Dreadknight briefly takes over Latveria and battles Spider-Man. In Dark Reign, Quasimodo researches Dreadknight, among other villains, for Norman Osborn. Dreadknight battles Iron Man, but is defeated, and the Hellhorse abandons him.

Powers and abilities

Dreadknight 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. Bram Velsing is also a gifted scientist with skills as an engineer. Dreadknight rides the "Hellhorse", a demonic mutant horse.

Other versions

Mini Marvels

In the Mini-Marvels reality, Dreadknight is depicted as a child.

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Dreadknight from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate Comics: Armor Wars. This version is German and wields armor based on Iron Man's designs.

In other media

Television

Merchandise