DOCTOR SYNNE
DOCTOR SYNNE
Real Name: Christopher Thorn
Identity/Class: Human mutate (UK citizen)
Occupation: former Nuclear Physicist
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Pawn of the Mastermind robot/computer;
James Braddock Sr. (employer/co-worker);
Dr. Ramsey
(pawn)
Enemies: Betsy Braddock (Psylocke), Jamie Braddock Jr. , Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Emma Collins
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Braddock Manor, England
First Appearance: Captain Britain I#8 (Marvel UK, December 1, 1976)
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History: (CaptBrit I#13 (fb) - BTS) - The man known only as Dr. Synne was originally a co-worker of James Braddock, Sr. He worked for Braddock at his laboratory in Braddock Manor for a short time before Braddock died. Braddock's computer (later known as Mastermind) had possessed its own intelligence, and without Braddock to monitor and control it, its programming went askew. It took over the mind of Braddock's colleague and transformed him physically and mentally into Dr. Synne.
(CB#9 (fb) ) - Dr. Synne started his reign of terror in the local farms and villages around Braddock Manor. Those who opposed him had their minds taken over and became his slaves.
(CB#8 (fb) - BTS) - After a month of these attacks, Dr. Synne caused Jamie Braddock to wreck his Formula 1 racer. He was rescued by his sister, Betsy.
Comments: Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe,
fleshed out a little further by Gary Friedrich.
The name Dr. Synne comes from Dr. Syn, Russell Thorndyke's Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, who was a fighter against tyranny and injustice. Dr. Synne was said to have been deliberately perverting the name and memory to demoralize those who might oppose him.
I'd have to believe that the Morder Research Centre is named for Mordor, the city from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
If you're looking for some excellent Captain Britain stories, SKIP AHEAD to the Hulk Comic featuring the Otherworld War with Necromon, and then continue on to Alan Moore's stories, which are some of my favorite ever! However, if you're like me, a completist, and you can appreciate a goofy story, go ahead and get the original Captain Britain series (good luck finding all of the issues!). It's still fun, I think!
Ramsey's first name was revealed in Marvel Atlas#1.
Profile by Snood, slightly reformatted by Daevanator.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Betsy Braddock in these stories is definitely the same character who went on to become Psylocke. These stories took place before her telepathy developed, and when she was still blond and not Asian
(you'll have to read the X-Men stories for that one!).
Dr. Keith Ramsey was a doctor at the Morder Research Centre. He was an operative of the Red Skull taken over and turned into a pawn by Dr. Synne.
- But, you say, there is nothing in his appearance in #10 or #12 to suggest a connection with the Red Skull, and #12 is the last we see of him! Nope. Immediately after Synne and his master, the computer at Braddock Manor, were defeated, the Red Skull revealed his presence in the area. In order to prevent Captain Britain from interfering he took over from the computer in holding Jamie and Betsy Braddock hostage. As was seen in CB I#19, Captain Britain and his new ally Captain America found the two of them being held captive "at a small hospital not far from ... Braddock Manor" by two men in neo-Nazi outfits and a third man in regular clothes. Given that this third man has the same goatee beard and hairdo as Dr. Ramsey, and with the Morder Research Centre (where we last saw Jamie and Betsy prior to them becoming hostages) having been said to be the only clinic within fifty miles, it's not a huge stretch to say that the third man is Dr. Ramsey. And since he is trusted with a gun, it is highly unlikely that he's just been recruited. He must have been working for the Skull all along.. -
Loki Appearances: Last updated: 12/08/07 Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know. Non-Marvel Copyright info
(CB#8-13) - Betsy found Brian and flew him out to their manor to help Jamie. Dr. Synne caused Betsy to see illusions of monsters while she was flying the plane, causing her to crash. Brian, as Captain Britain, saved her, but was then confronted by Dr. Synne. After Britain overcame Synne's illusions, the Braddocks returned to their manor. Synne then took control of Betsy, made her believe that Brian and Jamie were monsters, and sent her after them with a battleaxe. Captain Britain subdued Betsy with the Vulcan nerve pinch, but she then lapsed into a coma.
Betsy was brought to the Morder Research Centre, where she was put under the care of Dr. Ramsey, who was actually another pawn of Dr. Synne. Meanwhile, Synne manipulated the local villagers, sending angry mobs after innocent people, and attempting to burn another woman at the stake. Captain Britain opposed Dr. Synne, and the Braddock computer diverted all of its power into Synne, enabling him to gain the advantage. With all power diverted to Synne, Betsy recovered from her coma.
Dr. Synne had Captain Britain at his mercy (Things looked grim for our hero), when Emma Collins, the housekeeper of Braddock Manor, turned off the power to the Braddock computer so she could safely clean around it. The sudden loss of power caused Dr. Synne to return to his true form, which suffered a heart attack and died, before he warned, "You
must--Destroy the--Computer! Before it--Destroys the
World!"
No known connection to:
--CB I#10 (12, 19, 20)
Captain Britain I#8-13 (December 1st, 1976 - January 5th, 1977) - Chris Claremont (#8-10) & Gary Friedrich (#11-13) (writer), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Fred Kida (inks), Larry Lieber (editor)
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Powers: Dr. Synne's primary ability was illusion casting...and mind control. His chief weapons are illusion casting, mind control...and projection of energy shields and blasts. Among his weapons were...ah, you get the picture.