Bloodsport (character)
Bloodsport is an alias used by several fictional supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. All of these versions exist in DC's main shared universe, known as the DC Universe.[1] Created by writer and artist John Byrne, the original Bloodsport first appeared in Superman #4 (April 1987).[2] Bloodsport is an adversary of the superhero Superman, and the most notable incarnation was Robert DuBois.[3]
The character has been adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including television series and feature films. The Robert DuBois version of Bloodsport made his live-action debut in the television series Supergirl, portrayed by David St. Louis.[4] In the DC Extended Universe, Robert DuBois is portrayed by Idris Elba in the film The Suicide Squad (2021).[5]
Publication history[]
The character of Robert DuBois, created by writer and artist John Byrne, first appeared in Superman #4 (April 1987) as Bloodsport.[6][7] The second incarnation, Alexander Trent, made his first appearance in The Adventures of Superman #507 (December 1993) and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Barry Kitson.[8] The third incarnation, known as Bloodsport III, made his first appearance in Superman #652 (July 2006) and was created by writers Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns, and artist Pete Woods.[9][10] Demolitia, a female version of Bloodsport, is introduced by writer David Michelinie, and artists Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier in Action Comics #718 (February 1996), in which she procured Bloodsport's technology.[11][12]
Fictional character biography[]
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Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Superman #4 (April 1987) |
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Robert DuBois[]
Infinite Frontier[]
Following the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, DuBois was reintroduced back into the DC Universe. After his brother's death, his mental state deteriorated, leading him to become the mercenary Bloodsport. After failing to kill Superman, he was sent to Belle Reve until he was forced into the Suicide Squad with the task of exploring the Multiverse for Amanda Waller's own personal ambitions.
Alexander Trent[]
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Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | The Adventures of Superman #507 (December 1993) |
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Bloodsport[]
Bloodsport | |
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Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Superman #652 (July 2006) |
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Characterization[]
Personality[]
DuBois pretends that he is a bitter Vietnam veteran who feels greatly betrayed and rejected by his country, thus he enjoys powerful and righteous anger toward his fellow Americans for wasting the freedoms invading Vietnam supposedly helped preserve.[51] However, he has no first-hand experience about this war, ergo, his speeches and character are largely drawn from movies about the war and folk representations of Vietnam War veterans. Though at first he seemed aware that his vet persona was fictional, he grew increasingly delusional and dissociated.[52][53] Described as a very violent and powerful man, DuBois was plunged into a permanent fantasy about being a soldier, and was even feared by the other dangerous prisoners at Stryker's Island Prison in Metropolis.[54]
Powers and abilities[]
While Robert DuBois has no superhuman powers, he has proven to be a formidable hand-to-hand combatant when needed due to his excellent physical condition and his fearlessness as a fighter.[55] He's in possession of a device that enables him to teleport high-tech weaponry to him from a distant location instantaneously, with many being one-of-a-kind prototypes from advanced LexCorp research projects.[56][57][58][59] Superman has described the arsenal to be "extradimensional" in both quality and quantity.[60]
He is incredibly strong and significantly more durable than the average human, as evidenced by his survival of several physical altercations with Superman.[61][62][26] DuBois' reflexes and senses are extraordinarily keen and allow him to respond to Deadshot and alarm Superman.[63][61][24] He's a quick and accurate shooter with a wide variety of firearms, from handguns to shoulder-fired weapons.[64] He's a fully ambidextrous marksman, and can shoot with either hand without any loss of accuracy or speed.[65] On top of his sheer size and musculature, the insane DuBois seems to have a significant level of manic strength and intensity:[66] In a boxing match, he stood toe-to-toe with Alexander Trent, a man with borderline superhuman strength and reflexes.[67][64]
In other media[]
Television[]
- The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport makes a non-speaking appearance in Justice League Unlimited.[68][69][70] Introduced in the episode "Fight Club", he fights in Roulette's Meta-Brawl. When Green Arrow and Black Canary try to end it, DuBois and the other fighters attempt to stop them, but are subdued. As of the episode "The Great Brain Robbery", Bloodsport became a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society.[70] Prior to and during the episode "Alive!", Lex Luthor takes control of the Society, but Grodd mounts a mutiny in an attempt to reclaim his position. In the ensuing free-for-all, Bloodsport initially sides with the latter, but later defects to Luthor's side.[71]
- The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport appears in the Supergirl episode "Girl of Steel", portrayed by David St. Louis.[72] This version was originally part of the military until he was caught stealing weaponry and became a mercenary and terrorist.[73] DuBois is hired by Morgan Edge to attack the Girl of Steel statue unveiling and destroy the surrounding area.[74] However, Supergirl notices the attack while DuBois is underwater and raises his ship, foiling his plans and seeing him arrested.[75]
Film[]
- A hybridized incarnation of Bloodsport appears in Justice League vs. the Fatal Five, voiced by Tom Kenny.[76] This version is referred to as Alexander Trent, but resembles Robert DuBois. Additionally, he is depicted as a deranged conspiracy theorist rather than a white supremacist.[77] He holds a newsroom hostage until Miss Martian and Batman arrest him.[78]
- The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport appears in The Suicide Squad, portrayed by Idris Elba.[79][80] This version is a Black British mercenary armed with a high-tech suit and weapons that only he can use,[81][82] who is serving time in prison for shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet.[83] Additionally, he has a daughter named Tyla.[84][85]
Video games[]
- The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport inspired by the DC Extended Universe version appeared as a skin in Fortnite Battle Royale.[86]
See also[]
References[]
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- ^ a b Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 978-1401202460.
- ^ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 20. ISBN 978-1401202460.
- ^ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 978-1401202460.
- ^ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 22. ISBN 978-1401202460.
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- ^ a b Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 2. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
- ^ a b Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 3. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
- ^ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 10. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
- ^ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 18. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
- ^ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
- ^ Kesel, Karl (December 1993). Adventures of Superman #507 - Skin Game. DC Comics. p. 1. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
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- ^ Kesel, Karl (August 1994). Action Comics #702. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 978-1401227951.
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External links[]
- Bloodsport (Robert DuBois) at DC Comics Wiki
- Bloodsport (Alexander Trent) at DC Comics Wiki
- Bloodsport III at DC Comics Wiki
- Characters created by John Byrne (comics)
- Characters created by Karl Kesel
- Characters created by Geoff Johns
- DC Comics male supervillains
- Fictional African-American people
- Fictional murderers
- Fictional mass murderers
- Fictional torturers
- Fictional marksmen and snipers
- Fictional mercenaries
- Fictional Vietnam War veterans
- Superman characters
- Male characters in film
- Superhero television characters
- DC Comics neo-Nazis
- Fictional members of secret societies
- Fictional characters with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Animated series villains
- Male film villains
- Action film villains
- DC Comics adapted into films
- DC Comics film characters
- DC Comics television characters
- Suicide Squad members
- Vigilante characters in comics