Hello, and welcome to another great character spotlight, right here in Marvel Snapshot! In this edition, we’ll be taking a look at one of Marvel’s best blood suckers – Baron Blood! This character has been around for a long time, and been a thorn in the side of Captain America (and later, Dr. Strange). The character first appeared in the pages of The Invaders, but really made his “mark” in the pages of Captain America. Now that’s thanks to the best Captain America creative team of all time, Roger Stern and John Byrne! But the character was actually created by the venerable team of Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins (Invaders #7, 1976)!
The Falsworth family is one of the richest families in England, but when the fortune is left to James, John then leaves, and heads to Transylvania, because of his love of vampire lore. He gets more than he bargained for, though, and gets bitten by the lord of vampires himself, Dracula! During WWI, the newly named Baron Blood actually faces off with his brother, the costumed hero Union Jack, and is nearly killed. Later, in WWII, he once again joins Germany, and the Nazis. He savagely attacks his own niece, Jacqueline Falsworth, almost killing her. He’s eventually driven off by the Human Torch (Jim Hammond). Jacqueline then receives a blood transfusion from Torch, and it imbues her with superpowers, creating Spitfire.
Blood then captures Spitfire, and takes her to a cave below the castle (Falsworth Manor). Union Jack attempts to save her, but is crippled (legs) by Blood. Just as it seems that all is lost, the Invaders show up, and defeat Blood by impaling him on a spike. His bones are put into a coffin and taken to London Tower. An agent of Dracula later revives him, though, and he seeks revenge on Union Jack and his other family members. Captain America is alerted of this, and he heads to England. Once he arrives, he checks the crypt where Blood’s remains were kept. The bones are missing, so the hunt is on. Several grisly murders are perpetrated in the area, and the police seem helpless to stop the killer. Captain America and the Falsworth family know who it is, though, and they lay a trap for the Baron. The original Union Jack is elderly now, but Blood still wants him dead. Cap and Joe Chapman (a friend of the family) lure Blood to the home, and trick him into thinking he’s about to kill his brother, but then surprise him with the old switcheroo. In the confusion, Cap battles Blood, and ultimately decapitates him with his shield!
Baron Blood would show up later, but it was a different persona under the mask. He’s been seen very recently in the pages of Infinity, but who that is we still don’t know. As usual, take a look at my recommended reading list, and also some great cover pics below! Enjoy!
Recommended Reading
Invaders Classic vol. #1, 2, and 4 – Tpb
Captain America: War and Remembrance – Tpb
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
