View source for Demolition Man (character)

{{Short description|Marvel Comics superhero}}
{{Other uses of|Demolition Man}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|date=April 2023}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Demolition Man
| image          = Demolition Man (character).jpg
| caption        = 
| real_name      = Dennis Dunphy
| publisher      = Marvel Comics
| debut          = '''(As Dennis Dunphy)'''<br />''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' #28 (October 1985)<br />'''(As Demolition-Man)'''<br />''Captain America'' #328 (April 1987)
| creators       = [[Mike Carlin]] (writer)<br />[[Ron Wilson (comics)|Ron Wilson]] (artist)
| alliances      = [[Night People (comics)|Night People]]<br />[[Inuit|Inuit Tribe]]<br />[[Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation]]<br />[[US Military]] (branch unknown)<br />[[Revengers]]<ref>''The New Avengers'' (vol. 2) Annual #1 (2011)</ref>
| partners       = [[Captain America]]
| aliases        = D-Man, Demolition Dunphy, [[Scourge of the Underworld]]
| powers         = Skilled aircraft pilot<br />Excellent hand to hand combatant<br />Superhuman strength, stamina and durability
}}
'''Demolition Man''' ('''Dennis Dunphy'''), also known as '''D-Man''', is a fictional [[superhero]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]], primarily in association with [[Captain America]].

Demolition Man has made limited appearances in media outside comics. [[Will Friedle]] voices the character in the [[Disney+]] special ''[[LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition]]'' (2024), while William McCullough portrays him in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[Captain America: Brave New World]]'' (2025).

==Publication history==
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}
Dennis Dunphy first appeared in ''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' #28 (October 1985) and was created by [[Mike Carlin]] and [[Ron Wilson (comics)|Ron Wilson]]. He first appeared as Demolition-Man in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #328 (April 1987).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=230}}</ref> ''Captain America'' writer [[Mark Gruenwald]] explained his decision to make Demolition-Man (or D-Man, as he was usually referred as at the time) Captain America's newest partner: "All of Cap's past partners - [[Bucky Barnes|Bucky]], [[Rick Jones (character)|Rick Jones]], [[Falcon (comics)|the Falcon]] and [[Jack Monroe (character)|Nomad]] – have been less powerful than he is, so he was naturally the dominant figure in the partnership. But this new guy can lift ten tons, so he's no slouch in the power department and he's half a head taller than C.A., so there's a different kind of relationship with D-Man, as he's called."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=James |last=Van Hise |title=With Armor and Shield |magazine=[[Comics Feature]] |issue=51 |date=January 1987 |publisher=Movieland Publishing |page=31}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Dennis Dunphy was born in [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]. Dennis becomes an aspiring athlete who receives the strength augmentation treatments offered by [[Power Broker (character)|Power Broker]], Inc. Finding himself too strong now for normal sports, he becomes a professional wrestler and member of the [[Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation]] (UCWF) along with other superheroes and supervillains such as the [[Beyonder]], the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]], and [[Songbird (character)|Screaming Mimi]]. He refuses to throw a fight with the Thing, and is defeated.<ref>''The Thing'' #28 (October 1985).</ref> The [[Puppet Master (Marvel Comics)|Puppet Master]] later mentally compels him to attack the Thing.<ref>''The Thing'' #34 (April 1986).</ref> Dunphy refuses the Power Broker's order to help kill [[Sharon Ventura|Ms. Marvel]]. He reveals his addiction to the Power Broker's drug to the Thing, and goes through a painful withdrawal when the Power Broker cuts off his drug supply.<ref>''The Thing'' #35 (May 1986).</ref>

After the fall of the UCWF, Dunphy becomes the Demolition Man and teams up with [[Captain America]] to investigate Power Broker, Inc. His costume is intentionally designed so the body of it is a duplicate of [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]]'s first costume, and the hood is a knock-off of [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]'s. He successfully rescues Captain America from [[Karl Malus]] and helps Captain America catch him.<ref>''Captain America'' #328 (April 1987).</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Harrison |date=October 15, 2021 |title=A Marvel Hero Stole the Worst Parts of Daredevil and Wolverine's Costumes |url=https://screenrant.com/d-man-demolition-dunphy-worst-costume-daredevil-wolverine/ |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> Dunphy is captured by the Power Broker and is subjected to further treatments which augment his strength further but damage his heart. While under the influence of the stimulant, he goes mad and attacks Captain America. Dunphy suffers a heart attack, his second augmentation is reversed and he is hospitalized.<ref>''Captain America'' #330–331 (June–July 1987).</ref> Dunphy then takes a step back from superhero activity to take over Captain America's hotline.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2013}}

Soon after this, Steve Rogers is stripped of his Captain America costume by the [[Commission on Superhuman Activities]] (CSA) and goes missing. Demolition Man joins [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]], [[Nomad (Marvel Comics)#Jack Monroe|Nomad]], and [[Vagabond (comics)|Vagabond]] to search for Rogers. They discover Rogers, who had renamed himself simply "The Captain", and they all become a short-lived informal team. They defeat the [[Serpent Squad]] in their first outing.<ref>''Captain America'' #336–337 (December 1987 – January 1988).</ref> D-Man aids the Captain, Falcon, and Nomad against [[Famine (comics)|Famine]].<ref>''Captain America'' #339 (March 1988).</ref> D-Man is nearly killed in battle by [[Titania (Marvel Comics)|Titania]].<ref>''Captain America'' #340 (April 1988).</ref> He begins teaching Vagabond hand-to-hand combat, but is attacked by a jealous Nomad. He fights [[Anaconda (character)|Anaconda]] and Slither of the [[Serpent Society]].<ref>''Captain America'' #342 (June 1988).</ref> He is attacked and poisoned by [[Viper (Madame Hydra)|Viper]], and mistakenly fights [[Battlestar (character)|Battlestar]]. Dunphy is arrested by the CSA and held for questioning about The Captain's activities.<ref>''Captain America'' #344 (August 1988).</ref>

When Dennis is finally released by the CSA, he seeks out the Captain, discovering that not only had his team disbanded, but that the East Coast [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] team had also just disbanded and that the Captain is seeking new members. The Captain asks Demolition Man to join the Avengers and they immediately leave on a mission at the request of Battlestar. Battlestar's partner is [[U.S. Agent|John Walker]], Captain America's replacement, who was captured by [[Flag-Smasher]] and his group [[ULTIMATUM (comics)|ULTIMATUM]]. While Battlestar and the Captain investigated ULTIMATUM's Arctic base, Demolition Man is left with their plane. During the fight, the Captain discovers that Flag-Smasher's base contains a doomsday weapon (an electromagnetic pulse generator), and he orders Dunphy to set the plane on course to crash into the base and then bail out. Dennis sets the course, but then sees an enemy agent land on the plane. Dunphy elects to stay on the plane to ensure that it crashes. The plane explodes, apparently with Dunphy in it, and Captain America is unable to find any trace of him.<ref>''Captain America'' #349 (January 1989).</ref>

In a later adventure with [[Jack Frost (Marvel Comics)|Jack Frost]], Captain America sees what he believes to be Dunphy's body in suspended animation near the North Magnetic Pole in the Arctic. However, he is unable to free him.<ref>''Captain America'' #384 (April 1991).</ref> Demolition Man survived the explosion, but suffered wounds that rendered him mute and in a stupor, and is discovered living among the [[Inuit]]. During a backup story to "[[Operation: Galactic Storm]]", he is rescued by [[U.S. Agent (comics)|U.S. Agent]] and the Falcon and recovers under Avengers' care.<ref>''Captain America'' #400–401 (May–June 1992).</ref> In time he becomes a hero of a subterranean group of homeless people called the Zero People. Dennis assists the Avengers who are under attack by [[Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)|Morgan Le Fay]]'s forces.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 3) #1 (February 1998).</ref>

It was later established that Dunphy had become delusional and mentally unstable.<ref>''[[The Pulse (comics)|The Pulse]]'' #13 (March 2006).</ref> His intentions remain pure, but he had begun to believe that a "Cosmic Gamemaster" had asked him to retrieve the [[Infinity Gems]], which D-Man carried out by stealing jewelry. At [[Ben Urich]]'s request, Daredevil descends into the sewers and persuades Dennis to get some help.

Dennis was being considered as a "potential recruit" for the [[Avengers: The Initiative|Initiative]] program, according to ''Civil War: Battle Damage Report''.<ref name="civilwarbattledamage">''Civil War: Battle Damage Report'' one-shot (May 2007)</ref>

During the ''[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]'' storyline, D-Man is shown to be serving in the U.S. military in his civilian identity and covertly in his Demolition Man costume. For a while, he inspires several of his fellow soldiers to operate covertly in costumes as well, but he puts a stop to it out of concern for their military careers. He continues operating by himself. How he recovered from the brain damage/mental instability he had been suffering from is unknown at this point.<ref>''Marvel Assistant Size Spectacular'' #2 (March 2009).</ref>

In a one-page strip in ''I am an Avenger'' #2, D-man attends a picnic at [[Avengers Mansion]] and competes in a pie-eating contest, besting The Thing, Protector, and [[Valkyrie (Marvel Comics)|Valkyrie]].<ref>''I am an Avenger'' #2 (2010)</ref>

D-Man made an appearance in ''The New Avengers'' #7, while various heroes are being interviewed to be a nanny for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. He appears to be spontaneously weeping and his only lines are "I am so lonely...", "I think I came off desperate before--" and "Does Captain America ever talk about me?". When Jessica Jones says her mind is made up on a nanny (Squirrel Girl), Cage quips "D-Man it is." to which she responds "Cute".<ref>''The New Avengers'' (vol. 2) #7 (February 2011)</ref>

[[Wonder Man]] recruits Demolition Man to join his [[Revengers]].<ref>''The New Avengers'' Annual 2011</ref> All three Avengers team defeat Demolition Man and the rest of the Revengers and they are remanded to the Raft. Demolition Man claims the [[Grandmaster (Marvel Comics)|Grandmaster]] called him to reclaim the Infinity Gems from the Avengers and that the Avengers have not been returning his calls leading him to be recruited into the Revengers.<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 4) Annual #1 (March 2012)</ref>

A brainwashed [[Henry Peter Gyrich]] chooses him to become the new [[Scourge of the Underworld]].<ref>''Captain America'' (vol. 6) #12 (July 2012)</ref> Captain America tracks down the new Scourge and the two engage in an intense fight. During the altercation, Captain America recognizes Demolition Man and pleads with him to stop fighting. Demolition Man accuses Captain America of making deals with villains and providing them with new lives instead of punishment, and he takes control of the brawl and Captain America's shield. As Demolition Man is about to strike the killing blow, [[Sharon Carter]] arrives on the scene and kills him.<ref>''Captain America'' (vol. 6) #14 (September 2012)</ref>

During the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, Dennis is accidentally resurrected by a young sorcerer who mistakes the name "D-Man" for "demon". He visits Avengers Mansion and meets with [[Edwin Jarvis]] and [[Rage (comics)|Rage]] before being killed in the incursion between [[Earth-616]] and [[Earth-1610]].<ref>''Secret Wars Too'' one-shot (January 2016)</ref>

After the eight month [[ellipsis (narrative device)|ellipsis]] following ''Secret Wars'', Demolition Man is seen as one of the partners of [[Falcon (comics)|Sam Wilson]] (now the new Captain America). It is not explained how he returned, but Sam simply remarks "he's a survivor". As part of the ''[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]'' event, Dennis started working for Captain America as a pilot, mechanic, technician, and field backup. Dennis also bought himself battle armor to "finally look cool".<ref>''Captain America: Sam Wilson'' #1 (December 2015)</ref> He later returns to the UCWF for a special charity match against Battlestar, and the two men end up foiling an attempt to steal the money raised by the event. It is also revealed that he has a boyfriend,<ref>''Captain America: Sam Wilson'' #15 (January 2017)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=November 10, 2016 |title=After Thirty Years, We Get To Meet Demolition Man's Boyfriend |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/11/10/after-thirty-years-we-get-to-meet-demolition-mans-boyfriend/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]}}</ref> later revealed to be named Chris.<ref name=":0" />

[[Lockjaw (character)|Lockjaw]], the Inhuman's teleporting dog, recruits D-Man in an attempt to rescue Lockjaw's siblings. D-Man travels with Lockjaw across his home Earth and beyond. Eventually all the canine siblings gain a place of safety. One with the woman he loves, D-Man's elderly neighbor.<ref name=":0">''Lockjaw'' (vol. 2) #1–4 (April – July 2018)</ref>

D-Man is later seen as a security officer at the rebuilt [[Ravencroft|Ravencroft Institute]].<ref>''Ravencroft'' #1 (March 2020)</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Augmentation of Dennis Dunphy's physical attributes by [[Karl Malus]] on behalf of the [[Power Broker (character)|Power Broker]] increased his physical strength, stamina and durability to superhuman levels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grimaldi |first=John |date=September 4, 2022 |title=10 Strongest Superhero Sidekicks in Marvel Comics |url=https://collider.com/10-strongest-sidekicks-in-marvel-comics/ |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref> Dunphy possesses superhuman strength sufficient to enable him to lift at least 15 tons. He was addicted to a drug supplied by the Power Broker based on a lie that it was needed to stabilize his augmentation, but was used to keep him dependent on the Power Broker.<ref>''The Thing'' #35–36 (May – June 1986)</ref> He has a heart condition, increasing his vulnerability to excessive exertion. Dennis is a skilled aircraft pilot. He is also an excellent hand-to-hand combatant, especially in wrestling, and received further training from Captain America.

==Other versions==
* An alternate universe variant of Demolition Man from Earth-18119 appears in ''[[Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows]]''.<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows'' #1 (August 2015)</ref>
* A medieval-themed alternate universe variant of Demolition Man created by [[Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)|Morgan le Fay]] appears in ''Avengers'' (vol. 3).<ref>''Avengers'' (vol. 3) #2 (March 1998)</ref>

==Reception==
{{expand section|date=September 2017}}
''[[Newsarama]]'' ranked Demolition Man as the ninth worst [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] member, describing him as having "the power of pretty strong strength, constantly being confused for Wolverine and Daredevil, and as demonstrated in the first issue of [[Kurt Busiek]] and [[George Pérez]]'s Avengers run smelling so awful that no one wants to get within 30 feet of him."<ref>{{cite web |last=Marston |first=George |date=July 25, 2012 |title=The 10 WORST AVENGERS of All Time |url=https://www.newsarama.com/15590-the-10-worst-avengers-members-of-all-time.html#s3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513104725/https://www.newsarama.com/15590-the-10-worst-avengers-members-of-all-time.html#s3 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |access-date=September 2, 2017 |website=[[Newsarama]] |language=en}}</ref>

==In other media==
* Demolition Man appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2016 |title=Characters - ''LEGO Marvel's Avengers'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-avengers/Characters |access-date=March 10, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Demolition Man appears in ''[[LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition]]'', voiced by [[Will Friedle]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blevins |first=Adam |date=September 19, 2024 |title=Demolition Man Is Front and Center in New ''LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition'' Poster |url=https://collider.com/lego-marvel-avengers-mission-demolition-poster/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Demolition Man / Dennis Voice – ''LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition'' (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/LEGO-Marvel-Avengers-Mission-Demolition/Demolition-Man-Dennis/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is a member of [[Damage Control (comics)|Damage Control]] and aspiring member of the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].
* Dennis Dunphy appears in ''[[Captain America: Brave New World]]'', portrayed by William McCullough.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pereira |first=Sergio |date=February 14, 2025 |title=''Captain America: Brave New World'' Introduces a Marvel Superhero That No One Noticed |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/captain-america-brave-new-world-introduces-a-marvel-superhero-that-no-one-noticed/ |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=February 14, 2025 |title=''Captain America: Brave New World'' cameos and Easter eggs: all the Marvel references you might have missed |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/marvel-movies/captain-america-brave-new-world-cameos-and-easter-eggs-all-the-marvel-references-you-might-have-missed/ |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en}}</ref> This version is a [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]] [[Commander (United States)|commander]] and friend of [[Sam Wilson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Sam Wilson]] who is later killed by the [[Samuel Sterns (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Leader]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Marvelwiki|demolition-man-dennis-dunphy|Demolition Man (Dennis Dunphy)}}
* {{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/demolitionman.htm|Demolition Man}}
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/ohotmu/bibliography/Issue3.html Bibliography page for ''The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' containing Demolition Man]
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/earthmorgan.htm ''Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe''{{'}}s article on Morgan Le Fay's alternate reality]

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