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| Bloodscream | |
|---|---|
 Bloodscream from Wolverine vol. 2 #4. Art by John Buscema. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Wolverine vol. 2 #4 (Feb. 1989) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont John Buscema |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Pseudo-Vampire |
| Team affiliations | Nightstalkers |
| Notable aliases | Bloodsport |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility and reflexes Regenerative healing factor Extended lifespan Limited shape-shifting Life force absorption Skilled hand to hand combatant Many underworld connections |
Bloodscream (originally Bloodsport) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an enemy of Wolverine.
Publication history
[edit]Bloodscream first appeared in Wolverine vol. 2 #4 (February 1989), and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Buscema.[1]
Fictional character biography
[edit]Bloodscream was once an unnamed naval surgeon who served in Sir Francis Drake's pirate fleet between 1577 and 1580.[2] In 1580, he is mortally wounded during an attack on a Spanish galleon and Drake personally directs him to be treated by a Native American shaman named Dagoo. The shaman, however, is actually a necromancer and is only able to save his life by transforming him into a vampire-like being. Learning that his condition can only be reversed by the blood of an immortal, Bloodscream travels the world in search of one, fighting in any war he can.
During the 20th century, he serves as a soldier in the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. He sees action during World War II and first encounters Logan, who would later become Wolverine, during the Battle of Normandy, when Wolverine is a corporal in the Canadian Forces. The two engage in a brief battle, with Bloodscream being stabbed and left for dead.
Bloodscream encounters Wolverine decades later in Madripoor and notices that Wolverine has not aged since their first encounter. This leaves Bloodscream to believe that Wolverine's blood will work in the formula to transform him back into a human.[volume & issue needed]
Bloodscream enters a partnership with Cylla Markham of the Reavers, who at that point is tracking Wolverine for reasons of her own. He joins her in tracking Wolverine throughout the Canadian wilderness and they finally locate him, though both he and Markham are near death from hunger and fatigue. Knowing he has no chance against Wolverine unless he's at his peak, Bloodscream turns on Markham and drains her of blood. Bloodscream then confronts Wolverine, who is armed with the honor sword of Clan Yashida. Bloodscream is struck down by Wolverine, who again leaves him for dead.[volume & issue needed]
Bloodscream and Roughouse later come into the employment of Hydra.[3] After being beheaded by Typhoid Mary, Bloodscream is defeated by Ant-Man, who destroys Bloodscream's body by growing inside of it. However, Ant-Man states Bloodscream will regenerate, urging the Shadow Initiative to evacuate Hydra's headquarters.[volume & issue needed]
Bloodscream later appears as a member of the Nightstalkers when they attack the vampires residing on North Brother Island. He also reanimates and controls Frank Drake's corpse to assist them. When the Avengers Emergency Response Division battle the Nightstalkers, Drake is freed from Bloodscream's control and assists in defeating the Nightstalkers. Bloodscream and the rest of the Nightstalkers are left to stand trial.[4]
Powers and abilities
[edit]Bloodscream is a vampire-like being who possesses the abilities of vampires without any of their weaknesses. He possesses superhuman physical traits, is functionally immortal, and can drain the life forces of others and revive corpses as mindless, zombie-like beings under his control.
Bloodscream can also transform into a monstrous form with elongated claws and teeth, but reduced intelligence.
Bloodscream is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and has many connections throughout the criminal underworld, adding to his reputation as a mercenary for hire. His extended lifespan has granted him great experience in matters of naval warfare and piracy.
In other media
[edit]- Bloodscream makes a cameo appearance in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Whatever It Takes".
- Bloodscream appears as a boss in Wolverine: Adamantium Rage.
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. 58. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ Wolverine (vol. 2) #78 (February 1994)
- ^ Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual (January 2008)
- ^ Avengers Assemble (vol. 3) #3 (January 2025)
