Mad Dog (Marvel Comics)

Publication history

Buzz Baxter's first appearance was in Miss America Comics #2 (1944), as the boyfriend of Patsy Walker. He continued to appear as a supporting character of Patsy until her comic was cancelled in 1965. He reappeared, alongside Patsy, in Amazing Adventures #13 (Jul. 1972) and made occasional appearances afterwards. He was revamped as the villain Mad Dog in The Defenders #125 (Nov. 1983).

Fictional character biography

Robert "Buzz" Baxter was born in Centerville, California. He and Patsy Walker are high school sweethearts, and marry shortly after graduation. After high school, Baxter joins the USAF, serving in the Vietnam War and eventually acquiring the rank of colonel.

Baxter later becomes the security consultant to the Brand Corporation. While working for Brand, he and Patsy become distant and eventually divorce. Baxter has the Squadron Supreme capture the Avengers and holds them prisoner at a Brand facility. Baxter confronts Patsy, who forces him to release the Avengers.

Baxter later allows Roxxon, the company to which Brand is a subsidiary, to experiment on him and mutate him. As Mad Dog, he becomes a mercenary and a leading member of Mutant Force. Mutant Forces attacks the wedding of Daimon Hellstrom and Patsy Walker, but are defeated and placed in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.

Mad Dog later becomes an agent of the third Secret Empire. As security chief, he aids the Secret Empire and its leader, Professor Power, in an attempt to start World War III. Together with Mutant Force, he battles and is defeated by the Defenders.

Mad Dog makes a minor appearance in the "Hunted" storyline, where he is among the animal-themed superhumans who are captured for Kraven the Hunter's Great Hunt. When the Great Hunt begins, Mad Dog is shot to death by one of Arcade's Hunter-Bots.

Powers and abilities

Mad Dog gained superhuman powers as a result of bionic engineering and cellular augmentation by the Roxxon Mutagenic Department and by the third Secret Empire. He was given a dog-like appearance with pointed ears, claws, and fur on his limbs and torso. Mad Dog possesses superhuman strength, durability, and senses, particularly hearing and smell. His teeth can emit a foaming chemical poison that can induce paralysis if it enters another's bloodstream.

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026214350/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/7160/Timely6.htm The Timely Comics Web Page, The War Years Part 2]
2. Rovin, Jeff. (1987). "The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains". Facts on File.
3. (2019). "The Marvel Encyclopedia". DK Publishing.
4. ''[[The Avengers (comic book). The Avengers]]'' #144 (February 1976)
5. ''[[Amazing Adventures]]'' (vol. 2) #13 (July 1972)
6. ''The Avengers'' #141–142 (November - December 1975)
7. ''The Avengers'' #149 (July 1976)
8. ''[[The Defenders (comic book). The Defenders]]'' #125–126 (November - December 1983)
9. ''The Defenders'' #129–130 (March - April 1984)
10. ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (vol. 5) #19 (June 2019)
11. Lainez, Kevin. (April 14, 2019). "Amazing Spider-Man #19: "Hunted" Part 3 - Comic Book Revolution".