Curtis Giles (Earth-7484; one of the doctors who created Deathlok)

CURTIS GILES

Real Name: Curtis Giles

Identity/Class: Alternate reality (Earth-7484 / "Earth-Deathlok") human;
observed in 1990 A.D. and possibly 1985 A.D as well

Occupation: Surgeon

Group Membership: Presumably some medical organizations like the American Medical Association

Affiliations: Dr. Wilkins (see comments), Dr. Wilcox, Jim (see comments), unidentified associate (see comments; see also the surgeons sub-profile here);
formerly Harlan Ryker (aka Hellinger), Simon Ryker, Dr. Wilcox (partially covered under the CIA-associated Luther Manning clone (see comments);
he helped transform Luther Manning's corpse and preserved brain into Deathlok (Luther Manning);

Enemies: Julian Biggs, Deathlok, Simon Ryker

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
apparently died in the Columbus Circle/59th Street (subway) Station, Manhattan, New York

Education: Unspecified medical degree (likely M.D. or D.O, and then presumably some advanced training in surgery and bionics/cybernetics)

First Appearance: Astonishing Tales I#25 (August, 1974)

Powers/Abilities: Curtis Giles is a physician and presumably a surgeon experienced with bionics and cybernetics. He was involved in the creation of Deathlok via bionic implants and the corpse and preserved brain of Luther Manning.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'8" to 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 150-200 lbs.)
Eyes: Dark (presumably brown or dark blue)
Hair: Dark (apparently black or dark brown, likely with some graying)

History:
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#35 (fb) - BTS / Captain America I#288 (fb) - BTS) - Curtis Giles is native to Earth-7484, in which -- circa 1983 A.D. -- the Roxxon Oil Company, via the Brand Corporation's N^th Command, had banished Earth's super heroes extradimensionally (to likely terminal fates) and then attempted to take over the USA via more conventional warfare. Eventually, many US cities, including Manhattan +/- all of New York City were bombed by unidentified parties.

.
.
.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) <1985 A.D.> - Four men worked on the mortally wounded Colonel Luther Manning.

Although they failed to save his life, they -- at Simon Ryker's direction -- isolated and preserved a portion of his brain, keeping it alive.

The apparent lead doctor voiced his opposition to what he felt to be ghastly, but Ryker advised him of the necessity of Project: Alpha-Mech to the current war, and further warned the doctor he would be court-martialed if he had further complaints (indicating that he was a military doctor).

.
.
.
(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb)) <Circa 1990> - Four men -- including Wilkins and Jim -- worked on the Deathlok cyborg.

     When one man noted that the metal graft would take, Wilkins added that everything seemed to progressing well, but that it would be better if Ryker wasn't constantly spying on them.

     The third man silenced Wilkins and then received a report from Jim that all vital functions were stable.

     As they installed the brain, they further discussed rumors of previous computer-housing in a man (who, apparently unknown to them, was Simon Ryker himself).

     Finally, presumably the lead doctor noted that despite his considering the project horrific, the operation was a success.

(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS / Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Working as a mercenary, Deathlok was hired by Julian Biggs -- secretly an agent of Simon Ryker -- to kill Curtis Giles and another unidentified man, who were two of three (see comments) surgeons who had operated on / created Deathlok.

(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Giles allegedly arranged to meet his unidentified associate near the subway at the Columbus Circle 59 Station at 4 pm.

(Astonishing Tales#25) - Confronted by Deathlok (whose computer confirmed Giles as a target) in the subway at the Columbus Circle 59 stop, Giles fled.

Although Deathlok's computer swiftly analyzed Giles' flight pattern, targeted him, and urged Deathlok to fire, Deathlok chose to let Giles continue for a few moments to enjoy his fear.

After Giles stumbled, fell, and begged for mercy as he got pack on his feet and continued his flight, Deathlok fired his laser, striking Giles in the back and killing him.
Deathlok's computer noted the completion of this mission at 3: 58 pm.

(Astonishing Tales#25 - BTS) - Deathlok confronted and slew Giles' associate as well.

(Astonishing Tales#28 - BTS) - Deathlok's computer informed him that the two men Julian Biggs had hired him to slay (Giles and his associate) were two of the three (see comments) surgeons who had operated on/created him.

Comments: Created by Rich Buckler with Doug Moench.

Giles and his associate have a very similar appearance. Regardless, the first guy was clearly identified as Giles just before Deathlok killed him, and the other guy specifically notes he was there to meet with Giles, just before Deathlok slew him, as well.

Who were the surgeons who created Deathlok?

Circa 1985 A.D., we are clearly shown four doctors (none of whom are identified) who worked on harvesting and preserving at least a portion of Luther Manning's brain circa 1985.
Circa 1990 A.D., we are clearly shown four doctors working on the creation of Deathlok, two of whom are identified as "Wilkins" and "Jim" (the latter monitoring vital signs, either as a doctor/anesthesiologist (or as a fourth surgeon monitoring vital signs for at least a portion of the procedure) or a as a nurse/anesthetist).
We don't know for sure that it is the same four doctors in both cases, although it seems very likely that some or all of them were the same. Still, there's too much speculation to worry overly about that now.
In Astonishing Tales#28, Deathlok's computer informed him that there were three surgeons who performed the operation...and that two of them were the men Julian Biggs employed Deathlok to assassinate (that would be Curtis Giles and his associate).
In Astonishing Tales#33, Harlan Ryker/Hellinger informed Deathlok that he was the surgeon who had operated on him.
In Astonishing Tales#34, a clone of Luther Manning informs Deathlok that he has the mind of the last of the three surgeons who had created Deathlok (as Simon Ryker had had the other two eliminated).

In Astonishing Tales#35, that third surgeon is identified as Dr. Wilcox, who was dying, as his mind-transference into the Luther Manning clone was temporary.The CIA confirmed Wilcox as one of the surgeons who had worked on Deathlok.
In that same issue, Luther Manning's mind was subsequently transferred/copied into the clone's body, but Manning's mind also remained active within Deathlok.

In the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I#3: Deathlok entry, it is noted that Harlan Ryker performed the surgery.
So, I see a few possibilities

There were four doctors shown to be working on Deathlok.

There were likely three surgeons and one anesthesiologist/monitor.
All four doctors were surgeons, with one of them monitoring vital signs/anesthesia for at least part of it.

Harlan Ryker's role

Harlan Ryker was one of the surgeons directly working on Deathlok.
Harlan Ryker may have been the mastermind/designer, but he did not actually participate in the operation.

Of the four men in the operating room with Deathlok, we have Wilkins and Jim identified. We later have the surgeons identified as Curtis Giles and his his unidentified associate, Harlan Ryker, and Dr. Wilcox, with the former two having died before the introduction of the latter two.

It makes the most sense to me to assume all information to be true/accurate and then figure out a way to make it work.

That would make the surgeons Curtis Giles, Harlan Ryker, Wilcox, and Wilkins.

It has been shown that Harlan Ryker was able to cover up evidence of his involvement, and so most people believed there were only three surgeons involved. Perhaps even Dr. Wilcox was programmed to think that.
As Wilkins and Jim were two different people, Jim would be Wilcox...Dr. James Wilcox.
and Wilkins would most likely be the associate of Curtis Giles that Deathlok slew in the Columbus Circle Station.

If we go with the stories that there were only three surgeons, and we accept the repeated information that two of them were slain by Deathlok in Astonishing Tales#25:

The three surgeons would have to be Curtis Giles, Wilkins, and Wilcox, with Harlan being the director behind the scenes.

That would also fit with Wilkins being the associate of Giles slain by Deathlok in Astonishing Tales#25.

It has also occurred to me that the names Wilkins and Wilcox are fairly similar.
Keep in mind that the stories identifying the two characters took place in May 1974 and August 1976, respectively and that there were not computer records or anything to use at the time.
Stan Lee called Spider-Man "Peter Palmer" in print in the early days. It could just be a mistake.
If Wilkins and Wilcox are the same person, then the other two could be Curtis Giles and Harlan Ryker
But then we know that Wilcox and Harlan Ryker were not slain by Deathlok in Astonishing Tales#25 (unless they were clones or something).
Another possibility is that the other person slain by Deathlok was Jim...even if he wasn't one of the "three surgeons," he was in the operating room, and he may have just been referred to as one of the surgeons.

Assuming that Wilkins and Wilcox were not meant to be the same person -- -- then Giles' associate who was also slain by Deathlok was likely either Wilkins or Jim.

The man to answer all of this would be Rich Buckler, but he unfortunately he died in 2017. Doug Moench was involved in the early stories, but as far as I can tell, he was not involved by the time of the introduction of Hellinger or Wilcox.
I don't think we can get a definite answer until a new story clarifies the matter (and hopefully doesn't confuse/complicate it further)

I have in the notes I compiled on Hellinger and Simon Ryker's profiles, I stated that Hellinger was secretly commanding Julian Biggs without Simon's knowledge. I've re-re-re-re-reviewed the issues and associated Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe profiles, and I don't know where that information came from. I suspect that I added the information to my notes in the late 1990s or even early 2000s based on internet research, not realizing at the time that profiles on characters posted on the internet were not official confirmed.
But, if you know the source of information that Hellinger was secretly behind Julian Biggs, please let me know.

Dr. Wilcox deserves at least a sub-profile under the Luther Manning clone or perhaps his own profile. I'll get to it.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Curtis Giles should be distinguished from:

GILES, BLACKIE ( ) - mobster; encountered the Ferret--Marvel Mystery Comics#8
other "Curtis" or "Giles" (or guile) characters, groups, items, events, races, or places...

Curtis Giles' unidentified associate
(observed circa 1990 A.D. (and possibly 1985 A.D. as well))

giles-curtis-7484-associateflee (Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) <Circa 1990 A.D.> - Working as a mercenary, Deathlok was hired by Julian Biggs -- secretly an agent of Simon Ryker -- to kill Curtis Giles and another unidentified man, who were two of three (see comments) surgeons who had operated on / created Deathlok.

(Astonishing Tales#25 (fb) - BTS) - Giles allegedly arranged to meet his unidentified associate near the subway at the Columbus Circle 59 station at 4 pm.

(Astonishing Tales#25) - As he approached the subway stop, the unidentified associate was assaulted by scavenger/cannibals who recognized him as not being around there and figured he had money.

giles-curtis-7484-associateshot .

. The man broke free and rushed to the subway entrance, only to be confronted by Deathlok, who had killed Giles at 3:58 pm and who aimed his laser pistol at his face.

The man begged for mercy, but Deathlok shot him through the chest.

Falling backwards and lying on his back, the man noted that Deathlok's voice was not human...that he was a robot or android or cyborg...with no feelings or remorse...just an inhuman machine.

With his dying breath, he expressed his pity for Deathlok.

-- Astonishing Tales#25

Note: See the comments for the main profile for an OVERLY-detailed discussion on the identity of Giles' associate, but he was apparently one of the surgeons who created Deathlok. I favor that he is Dr. Wilkins.

images: (without ads)
Astonishing Tales#25, pg. 1, panel 1 (Curtis Giles; face);
        pg. 2, panels 4-9 (Giles fleeing);
            panel 10 (Giles shot in the back, death; Columbus Circle 59);
        pg. 3, panel 10 (Giles' associate, face in profile);
        pg. 4, panel 1-5 (full body, falling back, shot);
            panel 7-8 (death);
       pg. 5, panel 1 (sheet placed over Manning's corpse);
            panel 4 (doctor arguing with Ryker over Manning's corpse);
        pg. 6, panels 1-5 (surgeons working on Deathlok);

Appearances:
Astonishing Tales#25 (August, 1974) - Rich Buckler & Doug Moench (writers), Rich Buckler (pencils), Rich Buckler, Klaus Janson, Al Milgrom & Mike Esposito (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Astonishing Tales#28 (February, 1975) - Rich Buckler (writer/artist), Roy Thomas (editor)

First started: 08/26/2018
First posted: 05/24/2024
Last updated: 07/19/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and � 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters