Dreadknight (Bram Velsing) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The character first appeared in Iron Man #101 (Aug. 1977) and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and penciller George Tuska.[1]
Bram Velsing is a Latverian scientist, unsatisfied with serving Doctor Doom whom he referred to as a "grotesque mockery of a man" and thought himself as his superior. Upon learning of Velsing's treacherous ideals, Doom grafts a skull-like metal helmet to his head using a Bio-Fusor device, scarring him as a way to make him even with Doom.[2] Velsing flees and comes under the care of Victoria Frankenstein, who nurses him back to health at Castle Frankenstein. Velsing gains a variety of weapons and rides the "Hellhorse", a bat-winged horse created by Victoria Frankenstein using the Black Knight's horse Aragorn. Calling himself Dreadknight, Velsing attempts to force more resources from Frankenstein to defeat Doom, only to be defeated by Iron Man and Frankenstein's Monster and rendered comatose.[3]
Dreadknight is revived by the mystical villains Morgan Le Fay and Mordred and menaced Captain Britain, Victoria Bentley, and Sean Dolan, but is defeated by Dane Whitman.[4]
Dreadknight appears as a member of Wizard's incarnation of the Frightful Four alongside Trapster and Man-Bull. In their attempt to capture a physicist named Dr. Cargill, the Frightful Four were defeated by Spider-Man and Cargill's daughter Turbine.[5]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Dreadknight joins Mad Thinker's incarnation of the Masters of Evil and assists them in invading the Impossible City.[6]
Bram Velsing is a gifted scientist with skills as an engineer.
Dreadknight wears a steel alloy body armor granting him superhuman strength and durability. He uses a power lance capable of projecting energy blasts; electrified steel cable bolas; miniature missiles; and also uses a carbon dioxide pistol that fires concentrated nerve gas which can render opponents unconscious or kill them.
Dreadknight rides the "Hellhorse", a demonic mutated horse.
In the Mini-Marvels reality, Dreadknight is depicted as a child.[7]
An alternate universe variant of Dreadknight from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate Comics: Armor Wars. This version is German and wields armor based on Iron Man's designs.[8]