DOCTOR TRAVIS

Real Name: Dr. Hugo Travis 

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Scientific researcher; probably nuclear physicist

Group Membership: Darkmoor Research Centre Researchers

Affiliations: Brian Braddock (assistant) 

Enemies: Assault Teams "A" and "B" (the Reaver's men);  The Reaver

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Darkmoor Research Centre, Darkmoor, England

First Appearance: Captain Britain Weekly#1/1 (October 13th, 1976)

Powers/Abilities:  Dr.Travis possesses a high level of scientific knowledge, most likely in the area of nuclear physics.

History: (CB I#1 - BTS) - Dr.Travis was working at Darkmoor Research Centre. He took on physics student Brian Braddock as a research assistant during the university holidays. 

(CB I#1/1) - Dr.Travis discussed with Brian about Darkmoor's deliberate remoteness and the value of the research being done there. Apparently trying to convince Brian to stay on rather than return to university, the Doctor mentioned how the Centre was on the threshold of developing a safe, practical fusion reactor system which could solve the world's energy problems overnight -- the kind of project people would sell their soul to be in on, or kill to possess the secrets of. His words proved prophetic, as seconds later both men heard sounds of shouting coming from outside the room they were in. Dr.Travis noted that something was happening to the wall, just before it was smashed in by Joshua Stragg's walking tank. As the villain and his men proceeded with their assault, Travis yelled to Brian that they had to get help, or else Stragg would kidnap all the scientists in the Centre. Even as he said this, he was shot down by a blast from the gun of one of Stragg's men. Brian noted that he was stunned, like the rest of the scientists.  

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont (writer), and Herb Trimpe and Fred Kida (artists).

Though it is highly likely that Dr.Travis' area of speciality is nuclear physics, it is not a certainty. Brian Braddock is confirmed as a physics student (presumably a post-graduate, if he is working, even temporarily, in an institute like Darkmoor), so if he is Travis' assistant, that makes it highly likely that Travis is in the same field. And given that Darkmoor is working on a method of creating a safe fusion system, he is probably a nuclear scientist (especially as Brian Braddock refers to the men working at the Centre as "the finest nuclear minds in the U.K."). However it's likely Darkmoor also carries out research in other areas, given its name, and it's not inconceivable that Brian might be trying to improve his scientific knowledge in other areas by working with Dr.Travis. After all, in the Marvel Universe if not in the real world, it's extremely common for scientists to be expert in a wide and varied number of unrelated fields.

When Stragg breaks in to the facility, Travis seems to recognise him, if only by reputation. He notes that "Their leader is Stragg." Admittedly, Stragg had bellowed his name out to the room when he entered, but how can Travis be so certain Stragg is the top man? Brian, during his escape, deduces that Stragg will use the men he has kidnapped to force them to work for him, allowing "Stragg Atomics" to corner the energy market. Perhaps this is an actual company, and Stragg is a reasonably well-known industrialist, which would explain Travis knowing him.

It is to be presumed that after Brian Braddock was transformed into Captain Britain, then defeated the Reaver and his forces, that Dr.Travis and his fellows were freed from captivity. It is not, however, confirmed.

Dr.Travis only appears in four panels in total (three of which you can see here), making him a candidate for one of the most minor, yet significant, characters in Marvel comics. Significant? Yes, because if he hadn't taken Brian Braddock on as a research assistant, Brian wouldn't have been at Darkmoor when Stragg attacked, and wouldn't have become Captain Britain as a direct result. Handy really, a top scientist working at a "top secret nuclear complex" taking on a lowly graduate not yet finished at university. Coincidence? As we learn much later with Merlyn involved, there is no such thing. Possibly Merlyn, directly or indirectly, had a hand in Dr.Travis picking Brian -- or Dr.Travis may even be an alias of that shapeshifting schemer! Dr.Travis was the one who put the idea into Brian's head to flee for help, and Merlyn's alter egos favour white hair (check out the line-up images on his page), so this is not outwith the realms of possibility; see also Sandy York for another possible Merlyn alias.

Travis' first name was revealed in Marvel Atlas#1.

Profile by Loki

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Images: All images from Captain Britain Weekly#1

p.3, panel 2

p.4, panel 1

p.5, panel 3

Appearances:
Captain Britain Weekly#1/1 (October 13th, 1976) - Chris Claremont (writer), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Fred Kida (inks), Larry Lieber (editor)

Last updated: 01/22/04

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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