Experiments In Domination

Can YOU

Name This Marvel Villain??

It's always nice when a villain makes his own introductions, don't you think?

I don't know much about his pax-whatsis, but if there's anyone who's going to strive to bring about a new world order, it's Dr. Demonicus, who certainly doesn't lack for ambition (or a very cool villain name). A former geneticist in a private research company, Dr. Douglas Birely had become interested in how super-beings had acquired their abilities by exposure to radiation, but was denied permission to experiment on himself--yet Birely decided to proceed regardless, by staging a lab "accident." Unfortunately, the radiation exposure instead led to him contracting skin cancer, as well as being driven just a tad mad.

Fired from his position, Birely began experimenting with the radiation from a fallen meteor (he named it the "Lifestone") in order to create monstrous creatures as a means of revenge. Renaming himself Dr. Demonicus and designing a suit to inhibit the effects of his cancer, he acquired an island base and intended to rampage throughout the world with his monsters and his criminal/mercenary army (his "Demon-Soldiers"). His activities led to encounters with Godzilla and S.H.I.E.L.D., and eventually he was taken into custody. Demonicus later relocated to a satellite base orbiting the moon, and acquired the Shogun Warriors in an attempt to conquer Earth; but the Shoguns were eventually able to turn the tables on him.

Demonicus is one of those handy villain masterminds who can show up anywhere with grand designs and become a viable threat for a few issues with new squads of soldiers (the Taskmaster is no doubt delighted to receive his calls), as well as continuing with his personal obsession of mutating others to do his bidding. He even settled scores with Godzilla in that respect.

Demonicus was making headway toward becoming a world power when he established his cadre of "Pacific Overlords"--as well as raising an island from the ocean floor, "Demonica," and declaring it to be its own nation. In time, his schemes led to conflict with the West Coast Avengers--and a rather disturbing unveiling.

The plans of Demonicus would collapse with his island (due to a sonic assault by Klaw), leading to his incarceration. Along with a host of other super-powered criminals, he would later become involved with the Hood--though it's safe to say that Demonicus has it all over the Hood when it comes to making an unforgettable impression on his subordinates.