Deathcharge (Namor foe)

DEATHCHARGE

Real Name: Unknown

Identity/Class: Atlantean mutate

Occupation: Mercenary

Affiliations: former Atlantean exile/prisoner, later worked for Transcor under the auspices of Senator Tacwood

Enemies: Namor

Known Relatives: None known

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile

Appearances: Namor the Sub-Mariner Annual#4/2 (1994)

Powers: Deathcharge had all the attributes of a typical Atlantean before his accident. Due to the accident, Deathcharge now has the ability to release energy that he generates within his body outward. The first time he did this, it was multi-directional, and strong enough to kill several Atlantean physicians. In time, he learned to control and channel the energy through his arms. Further, the accident made him amphibious (he can breath on land, unlike other Atlanteans, and in the water, as well) and hardened his skin, increasing his durability. The accident may have increased his strength and stamina also, but this was not shown.

Weaknesses: Apparently, Deathcharge is affected by his own blasts if redirected toward himself. Actually, this may not be the full truth, as it is hard to believe that the energy he releases without harm to him would do the opposite when returned. What was shown was that his hair was affected, being singed by one of his blasts. What is more plausible is that he learned to channel his energy through his arms so that he would not burn off all of his body hair every time he used his power.

History: Namor Annual#4/2(fb)-According to Deathcharge, he was an Atlantean exile/prisoner, paying for crimes of which he was never convicted. While doing manual labor, he came across a dumping ground for unwanted military devices, one of which set off a chain reaction throughout the landfill, engulfing him in the conflagration. Afterward, he was found by amazed farmers and taken to doctors. During the examination, he released energy seething within him since the accident outward in a pan-directional blast that killed the attending physicians. In time, he learned to control and channel the energy through his arms, selling his powers and services to the highest bidder.

Namor Annual#4/2-Deathcharge was hired by Transcor under the auspices of Senator Tacwood to protect a liner that was dumping toxic waste into the ocean. Affected by the nearby waste, Namor boarded the ship but was blindsided by a blast from Deathcharge. This coupled with exposure to the waste made for a brief confrontation between Namor and Deathcharge, with the latter winning. Below deck, Deathcharge gloated to a reviving Namor, who had been shackled to a several ton anchor. After Deathcharge went above deck, Namor tilted part of the anchor through the ships hull. Reinvigorated through contact with the flooding water, Namor flew above deck to once again confront Deathcharge. During the battle, Deathcharge managed to place his hands around Namor’s throat and said that he would kill Namor with a point-blank blast. This being said, Deathcharge’s hands were redirected by Namor, blasting Deathcharge in the face, burning his hair in the process, and knocking him out probably due to shock. The waste and an unconscious Deathcharge was left at Senator Tacwood’s estate in upper New York by Namor after finding out that he was behind all the dumping.

Comments: Created by Roger Brown and Robert Walker

A potentially interesting character to be expanded upon from a rather poor back-up story.

In his flashback, he is wearing an armored suit. This may have been an Atlantean version of a biohazard suit with anti-escape capabilities built into it. It was never stated in the story that he was a prisoner, but that’s what it looks like in the flashback. Further, it is never discerned if the abandoned military devices were of surface or Atlantean origins.

Clarifications: Death Charge should not be confused with:
Depth Charge, of the Outcasts III, a former ally of Puck, @ Alpha Flight I#122/2

Profile by Kyle Smith

Last updated: 11/08/01

Back to Characters