Enemies: Battlestar, the Blue Marvel, Captain America (Steven Rogers), New York Fire Department (including Mike Farrell), Silver Sable

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: (former) Blockbuster

Base of Operations: None

First Appearance: (as Blockbuster) Captain America I#258 (June, 1981);
(as Heat-Ray) Quasar#41 (December, 1992)

Powers: Heat-Ray wears a suit (constructed by Justin Hammer) that grants him superhuman strength (around Class 10) and resistance to injury. The suit contains wrist mounted heat-rays and concussive energy blasters, and has boot-jets enabling him to fly. The suit contains breathing and cooling systems which enable Heat-Ray to withstand fires he may have started. He is a skilled arsonist.

History: (Captain America I#258) - As Blockbuster, he was hired to burn down a number of Brooklyn apartment buildings. Captain America appeared at the scene of his initial arson job, rescuing people before succumbing to smoke inhalation. The New York Fire Department rescued Cap, but a firefigther was killed in the blaze. Realizing that Cap would surely track him down, Blockbuster reassured his employer and obtained a battlesuit from Justin Hammer. Cap appeared at the scene of Blockbuster's next arson attempt, and the two battled. While Blockbuster's suit gave him the initial advantage, Cap got in close and smashed the suit's power pack and breathing and cooling units. Blockbuster collapsed, but as firemen arrived, he struggled free of the suit and tried to shoot Cap with a handgun. Cap's friend Mike Farrell (a firefighter) blasted Blockbuster unconscious with a firehose. Blockbuster turned in his employers, and the entire arson ring was arrested.

(Quasar#41) - Heat-Ray was in the midst of a crime when he was assaulted and nearly killed by the Blue Marvel, an evil duplicate of the 1950s Marvel Boy. Fortunately for Heat-Ray, Captain Marvel interrupted the Blue Marvel's attempt to behead him.

(Captain America I#419) - The Viper was conducting a plan designed to blind everyone in America watching television. She was doing this with money given to her by the Red Skull, who disapproved of her plans and tried to stop her. The Skull's agent, the Iron Monger, captured her, and began torturing her for information (beginning with shattering one of her shins). However, her agents--the Fangs--arrived, defeated the Iron Monger and freed her. As Viper's plans proceeded, her base was discovered by Battlestar, Captain America, and Silver Sable. The Fangs were sent to stop them. The rechristened Heat-Ray was the first one out of the fight, as Cap reflected Bludgeon's bazooka blast right into him.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont, David Michelinie, and Mike Zeck.

You can really tell what parts of the Cap story were Claremont's and what parts were Michelinie's. Claremont used a plot similar to the one in his Marvel Team-Up I#75, also about arson and firefighters. Michelinie, no doubt, brought in the armored suit and Justin Hammer stuff.

His real name was revealed in Super-Patriot's profile on OHotMU A-Z HC11.

Profile by Omar Karindu.

Clarifications: Heat-Ray, aka Blockbuster, is not to be confused with:

• Hate-Ray, the original Hate-Monger's trademark weapon, @ Fantastic Four I#21
• Blockbuster,aka Man-Brute, a foe of Cap and Omega the Unknown, @Captain America #121 (as Man-Brute) and Omega the Unknown #6 (as Blockbuster)
• Blockbuster, Michael Baer, of the Marauders @ X-Factor I#10

Appearances:
Captain America I#258 (June, 1981) - Chris Claremont & David Michelinie (writers), Mike Zeck (artist), Jim Salicrup (editor)
Quasar#41 (December, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Andy Smith (pencils), Ralph Cabrera (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Captain America I#419 (September, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rik Levins (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)

First Posted: 01/07/2002
Last updated: 06/30/2018

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.