Bloodsport
The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport as depicted in Who's Who: Update '97 #1 (August 1987).
Art by John Byrne.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceRobert DuBois:
Superman (vol. 2) #4 (April 1987)
Alexander Trent:
The Adventures of Superman #507 (December 1993)
Unknown:
Superman #652 (July 2006)
Created byRobert DuBois:
John Byrne
Alexander Trent:
Karl Kesel
Barry Kitson
Unknown:
Kurt Busiek
Geoff Johns
Pete Woods
In-story information
Alter ego
  • Robert DuBois
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliations(Robert DuBois)
Suicide Squad
Abilities(All)
  • Considerable strength, stamina and durability
  • Access to high tech weaponry in a warehouse by using a teleportation device
  • Skilled in firearms, knives, explosives and hand-to-hand combat

Bloodsport is the name of several 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][2][3]

The Robert DuBois version of Bloodsport made his live-action debut in the television series Supergirl, played by David St. Louis.[4] Idris Elba portrayed the character in the DC Extended Universe 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

Robert DuBois

Robert DuBois is a Vietnam draft evader, who had a mental breakdown and became obsessed with the Vietnam War after learning that his brother had gone in his stead.[13] DuBois was drafted to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Upon receiving his induction notice, DuBois fled to Canada, not because he was morally opposed to the war, but because he was afraid of death.[14][15] DuBois' younger brother, Michael, reported for induction in his place, passing himself off as Robert.[16] Michael DuBois was sent into combat in Vietnam, where he lost both his arms and legs.[17] After learning this, DuBois went insane from guilt.[18][19]

Later, DuBois was contacted by employees of Lex Luthor, who sought a pawn to assassinate Luthor's archenemy Superman.[20] Operatives of Luthor, under the direction of a man named Kimberley, played upon DuBois' fixations on Vietnam to condition him psychologically to want to kill Superman.[21] They also equipped DuBois with an arsenal of powerful, advanced weapons, including a Kryptonite gun.[22] DuBois then went into action in Metropolis, calling himself Bloodsport.[23] He now claimed that both his brother and he had served in combat in Vietnam and had been injured there.[23] Professing rage at the citizens of Metropolis for wasting the freedom he claimed both his brother and himself fought to defend, Bloodsport indiscriminately slaughtered dozens of innocent people.[23] In his first clash with Superman, Bloodsport severely weakened him with a Kryptonite bullet.[24] After receiving medical aid, Superman confronted Bloodsport once more. Even Luthor, outraged by Bloodsport's murders of so many people due to the attention this would attract to his assault, attempted to stop the mad killer.[25] Superman succeeded in causing the teleportation device Bloodsport used to bring weapons to himself to malfunction.[26] Bloodsport then threatened to detonate his teleporter's power pack, blowing up ten square miles of the city.[27] Superman's friend Jimmy Olsen had learned of Bloodsport's true identity and located his brother.[28] Confronted by Michael, Bloodsport collapsed in grief and was taken into custody.[29]

DuBois has a brief encounter with Deadshot, which was eventually broken up by Superman and Batman.[30] He also appeared in JLA/Avengers as a villain who ambushes Vision and Aquaman with a group of other villains.[31] He later fights Steel, but is restrained by Hal Jordan.[32] DuBois remained in prison for several years, and eventually earned the enmity of Alexander Trent, another prisoner on Stryker's Island who had since taken up the name Bloodsport.[33] As racial tension began to overwhelm Stryker's Island, the prison warden decided to host a boxing match between DuBois and Trent.[34] He believed that this was the ideal way to allow the inmates to vent their frustrations without inciting further acts of violence.[33] To safeguard the situation, the warden asked Superman to referee the match.[34] The riot broke out,[35] resulting in DuBois getting his hands on one of Trent's weapons and using it to blast a hole in the prison wall.[36] DuBois ran for freedom, but was apparently shot dead by armed prison guards in the watchtower.[37]

Following the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, DuBois was reintroduced to the DC Universe during Infinite Frontier. 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.[38]

Alexander Trent

Alexander Trent as Bloodsport; art by Barry Kitson

The character of Alex Trent is a fanatical racist, a member of the white supremacist group that both Perry White and Franklin Stern encountered in their youth. He adopts the name Bloodsport, ironically used previously by an African American.[39] He also has a similar teleporter grafted into his body, which he can likewise use to summon weapons.[40] He is captured by Superman after Ron Troupe destroys the warehouse from which he was teleporting his weapons.[41] Some time later, in an effort to provide an outlet for rising tensions at Stryker's Island Prison, a boxing match between the two Bloodsports is organised.[42] Trent is able to activate his teleporter and bring in weaponry.[43] In the resulting confusion, DuBois is killed while trying to escape.[43] Trent is later burned in his prison cell by the Brotherhood for showing weakness in front of DuBois.[44][45] The teleporter technology has since been used by the anti-corporate vigilante Demolitia.[46][43]

Third version

An unnamed person took up the mantle of Bloodsport, and eventually teamed up with Hellgrammite, Silver Banshee, Kryptonite Man, Toyman, Puzzler, Livewire and Riot to take on Superman.[47] Superman attempted to stop all the villains, especially as Bloodsport shot at Jimmy Olsen, to which the bullet was stopped.[48][49] After these events, Bloodsport turned up in the crowd of villains transported to another planet in Salvation Run;[50] and to be a quickly defeated menace by Guardian.[51][43]

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.[52] 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.[53][54] 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.[55]

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.[56] 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.[57][58][59][60] Superman has described the arsenal to be "extradimensional" in both quality and quantity.[61]

He is incredibly strong and significantly more durable than the average human, as evidenced by his survival of several physical altercations with Superman.[62][63][26] DuBois' reflexes and senses are extraordinarily keen and allow him to respond to Deadshot and alarm Superman.[64][62][24] He's a quick and accurate shooter with a wide variety of firearms, from handguns to shoulder-fired weapons.[65] He's a fully ambidextrous marksman, and can shoot with either hand without any loss of accuracy or speed.[66] On top of his sheer size and musculature, the insane DuBois seems to have a significant level of manic strength and intensity:[67] In a boxing match, he stood toe-to-toe with Alexander Trent, a man with borderline superhuman strength and reflexes.[68][65]

In other media

Television

  • The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport makes non-speaking appearances in Justice League Unlimited.[69][70][71] Following a minor appearance in the episode "The Cat and the Canary" as a participant in Roulette's Meta-Brawl, he becomes a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society as of the episode "The Great Brain Robbery".[71] Prior to and during the episode "Alive!", Lex Luthor takes command of the Society, but Grodd mounts a mutiny against him. Bloodsport initially sides with the latter, but later defects to Luthor's side before he and most of the Society are killed by Darkseid.[72]
  • The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport appears in the Supergirl episode "Girl of Steel", portrayed by David St. Louis.[73] This version was originally part of the military until he was caught stealing weaponry and became a mercenary and terrorist.[74][75][76]

Film

Idris Elba as Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad.

Video games

The Robert DuBois incarnation of Bloodsport, inspired by the DCEU incarnation, appears as a skin in Fortnite Battle Royale.[87]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Burlingame, Russ (November 9, 2017). "'Supergirl': Who is Bloodsport?". Comic Book. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Back Issue Review: Superman #4". Supergirl Comic Box Commentary. October 9, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ Acuna, Kirsten (August 22, 2020). "Here's the cast of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' and who they're playing". Insider Inc. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ Abdulbaki, Mae (August 25, 2020). "IDRIS ELBA'S THE SUICIDE SQUAD CHARACTER HINTS AT AN ALTERNATE DCEU TIMELINE". Inverse. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  5. ↑ Haring, Bruce (November 14, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' Adds Sylvester Stallone To Its Lineup, Confirmed By James Gunn On Instagram". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  6. ↑ Aliev, Bek (August 25, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: DC Comics' Bloodsport, Explained". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Superman #4 [Direct]". Grand Comics Database. April 12, 1984. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Adventures of Superman #507 [Newsstand]". Grand Comics Database. April 24, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  9. ↑ Cronin, Brian (August 22, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: Idris Elba's Character Revealed (Hint: He Shot Superman with a Kryptonite Bullet)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Superman #652 [Direct Sales]". Grand Comics Database. July 24, 2006. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Action 718 – Demolitia debuts". Babblings about DC Comics. April 21, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  12. ↑ Michelinie, David (February 1996). By Darker Reason. DC Comics. p. 1. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  13. ↑ Wickline, Dan (September 12, 2017). "Supergirl Season 3 Premiere Trailer Shows Us The Villain Bloodsport". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. ↑ Balkovich, Robert (August 23, 2020). "Why Idris Elba is perfect for Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad". Looper. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  15. ↑ S. Lealos, Shawn (August 23, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: Bloodsport's Introduction Could Bring a MAJOR Superman Villain Back to the DCEU". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  16. ↑ Cecchini, Mike (August 22, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: Idris Elba Revealed as Bloodsport in James Gunn Sequel". Den of Geek. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  17. ↑ "SUPERMAN #4". Not A Hoax! Not A Dream!. March 26, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Superman #4". World of Superman. July 31, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  19. ↑ Campbell, Jacob (August 22, 2020). "Idris Elba To Play Bloodsport In James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Full Circle Cinema. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  20. ↑ Aberl, Joseph (August 22, 2020). "'THE SUICIDE SQUAD': WHO IS BLOODSPORT?". Murphy's Multiverse. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  21. ↑ Hollander, Kevin (July 22, 2016). "Mild Mannered Reviews - Classic Post-Crisis Superman Comics Superman #4". Superman Homepage. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Maurice (September 13, 2017). ""SUPERGIRL" PROMO SHOWS AMAZING SEASON 3 VILLAIN BLOODSPORT". The Geek Twins. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 2. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  24. 1 2 Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 10. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  25. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 13. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  26. 1 2 Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  27. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 20. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  28. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  29. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 22. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  30. ↑ Kesel, Karl (April 1987). World's Finest #10. DC Comics. p. 17. ISBN 978-1401200824.
  31. ↑ Busiek, Kurt (December 2003). JLA/Avengers. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 978-1401219574.
  32. ↑ Busiek, Kurt (December 2003). JLA/Avengers. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 978-1401219574.
  33. 1 2 Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 2. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  34. 1 2 Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 3. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  35. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 10. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  36. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 18. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  37. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  38. ↑ Suicide Squad (Volume 7) #7-11. DC Comics.
  39. ↑ Kesel, Karl (December 1993). Adventures of Superman #507 - Skin Game. DC Comics. p. 1. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  40. ↑ Kesel, Karl (December 1993). Adventures of Superman #507 - Skin Game. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  41. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1994). Action Comics #702. DC Comics. p. 21. ISBN 978-1401227951.
  42. ↑ Killham, Evan (June 13, 2017). "15 Superheroes And Villains Who Literally Stole Their Identities". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  43. 1 2 3 4 Marchand, Dave (October 5, 2017). "Supergirl Stats: Bloodsport And More". Dave's Comic Heroes Blog. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  44. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 23. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  45. ↑ Foss, Tom (February 27, 2011). "Walking with Superman: Day 221". The Fortress of Soliloquy. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  46. ↑ Michelinie, David (February 1996). By Darker Reason. DC Comics. p. 23. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  47. ↑ DiDio, Dan (July 2006). Up, Up, and Away!, Part V of VIII: Speeding Bullet. DC Comics. p. 19. ISBN 978-1401209544.
  48. ↑ DiDio, Dan (July 2006). Up, Up, and Away!, Part V of VIII: Speeding Bullet. DC Comics. p. 22. ISBN 978-1401209544.
  49. ↑ DiDio, Dan (July 2006). Up, Up, and Away!, Part V of VIII: Speeding Bullet. DC Comics. p. 23. ISBN 978-1401209544.
  50. ↑ DiDio, Dan (April 2008). Life is but a Dream Nightmare. DC Comics. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-4012-1930-7.
  51. ↑ DiDio, Dan (November 2009). Down Time. DC Comics. p. 5. ISBN 978-1401209544.
  52. ↑ Godino, Edward (August 22, 2020). "Suicide Squad: Bloodsport Really DID Shoot Superman in Comics". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  53. ↑ Johnson, Michael (August 23, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: Who is Idris Elba's Bloodsport?". Bam Smack Pow. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Robert DuBois (Bloodsport)". Who's Who. September 15, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  55. ↑ Reyes Black, Dorian (August 23, 2020). "Who is Bloodsport? Idris Elba's Suicide Squad Character Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  56. ↑ Lapin-Bertone, Joshua (August 28, 2020). "Who's Who in James Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD (and How Likely They Are to Survive)". DC Universe. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  57. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (August 23, 2020). "DC's Bloodsport Explained: Who Is Idris Elba's The Suicide Squad Character?". IGN. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  58. ↑ W. Barr, Mike (August 1987). Who's Who: Update '87 #1. DC Comics. p. 22. ISBN 9781779505996.
  59. ↑ Beatty, Scott (August 2006). DC Comics Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded. DC Comics. p. 56. ISBN 978-0756641191.
  60. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (August 23, 2020). "DC's Bloodsport Explained: Who Is Idris Elba's The Suicide Squad Character?". IGN. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  61. ↑ DiDio, Dan (July 2006). Up, Up, and Away!, Part V of VIII: Speeding Bullet. DC Comics. p. 6. ISBN 978-1401209544.
  62. 1 2 Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 9. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  63. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 17. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  64. ↑ Kesel, Karl (April 1987). World's Finest #10. DC Comics. p. 16. ISBN 978-1401200824.
  65. 1 2 Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 11. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  66. ↑ Byrne, John (April 1987). Superman vol. 2, #4. DC Comics. p. 15. ISBN 978-1401202460.
  67. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 8. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  68. ↑ Kesel, Karl (August 1995). Bobby Bloodsport DuBois vs. Alex Bloodsport Trent. DC Comics. p. 9. ISBN 1-56389-323-1.
  69. ↑ "Justice League Unlimited S02E01 Review: Fight Club". Blackjack Rants. February 23, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  70. ↑ Sava, Oliver (March 31, 2014). "Justice League Unlimited: "The Cat And The Canary"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  71. 1 2 "Justice League Unlimited: Bloodsport". DC Animated. March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  72. ↑ Martin, Michileen (September 25, 2019). "The untold truth of DC's Bloodsport". Looper. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  73. ↑ Wickline, Dan (November 24, 2017). "Supergirl Season 3: Catch Up On The Season Before The Crossover". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  74. ↑ Morrison, Matt (August 28, 2020). "Suicide Squad: Idris Elba's Character Bloodsport Already Appeared In Supergirl". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  75. ↑ Wickline, Dan (October 10, 2017). "Supergirl Season 3, Episode 1 Recap: The Girl Of Steel". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  76. ↑ Estrada, Mary Jane (October 16, 2017). "Supergirl Season 3, Episode 1 Recap: The Girl of Steel". DC World. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  77. ↑ Couch, Aaron (January 7, 2019). "'Justice League vs. The Fatal Five' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  78. ↑ "Justice League Vs The Fatal Five Review". Earth 9. April 17, 2019. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  79. ↑ "Justice League vs. The Fatal Five". The Legion of Super-Bloggers. April 29, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  80. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 22, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad': James Gunn Reveals Full Character List, Offers First Look At Action-Packed Pic – DC FanDome". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  81. ↑ "The Suicide Squad: Behind-the-Scenes Teaser - DC FanDome". IGN. August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  82. ↑ Beasley, Tom (August 22, 2020). "DC FanDome: Who's playing who in James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'?". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  83. ↑ Bonomolo, Cameron (December 6, 2020). "The Suicide Squad Reveals New Look at Idris Elba's Badass and Brutal Bloodsport". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  84. ↑ B. Vary, Adam (August 22, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' First Look, Full Cast Revealed by Director James Gunn at DC FanDome". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  85. ↑ Anderton, Ethan (August 22, 2020). "The Suicide Squad DC FanDome Panel Recap: Meet the Bad Guys". /Film. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  86. ↑ Anderton, Ethan (August 22, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' Introduces the Full Roster of Bad Guys James Gunn is Bringing to Theaters [DC FanDome]". Slashfilm. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  87. ↑ Goslin, Austen (July 28, 2021). "Fortnite is getting a Suicide Squad-themed update that will include Bloodsport". Polygon. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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