Saturday Showcase: Bloodscream

    For this Saturday Showcase, I want to discuss one of my favorite Wolverine villains from the '80's.  The villain in questions is Bloodscream. Bloodscream originally debuted as Bloodsport back in 1989 in Wolverine Vol. 2 #4.  He was created by Chris Claremont and John Buscema.  He made is debut along with Roughouse to attack Patch aka Wolverine in Madripoor.  Why does he attack Logan?  Well to know that you need to know his story.

First appearance of Bloodsport aka Bloodscream and Roughouse.

    Bloodscream was born in England in the 16th century.  As a young adult, he served as a naval surgeon in Sir Francis Drake's pirate fleet between 1577 and 1580.  He is critically injured in battle and brought before Dagoo, a necromancer, to save his life.  In the process of saving his life, Dagoo made Bloodscream into a vampire-like being.  Before killing Dagoo, he learns that the only way to reverse the transformation is to use the blood of an immortal.  (See where I am going?)

    Fast forward to World War II...Bloodscream is now an officer of Nazi Forces. During the battle of Normandy, he  comes across a Canadian soldier known as Logan.  Bloodscream gets wounded and is left for dead.  Years later, while in Madripoor, Bloodscream comes across Logan again and notices that Logan has not aged.  He assumes that Logan is the key ingredient to cure him of his immortality.  Well, little did he know that Wolverine had some tricks up his sleeve besides a damn good healing factor.  Several battles are fought, but Wolverine stands tall and Bloodscream is forced to vanish into the shadows...for now.

Healing Factor

    Bloodscream's powers and abilities include superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility and reflexes. He also has a regenerative healing factor which causes him to have an extended lifespan. He has a limited shape-shifting ability as well as the ability to drain blood from victims by touching their skin with his hand.  Since he has fought in many wars, he is a good hand to hand combatant.  He also created many underworld connections.  I guess you can have a lot of connections if you live forever.

    Bloodscream eventually returns to the Marvel universe to take on teh X-men, Avengers, Reavers, and many, many more.  Bloodscream has met his death in many fashions.  Some notable deaths were a beheading by Typhoid Mary and basically an explosion caused by Ant-Man.  Of course Bloodscream cannot be killed.  He just pulls himself together and returns to the fight once he is healed.

Death by Ant-Man

    I hope you have enjoyed this spotlight on Bloodscream.  If you are not familiar with the character, I suggest you try to get your hands on some classic issues of Wolverine to see the being known as Bloodscream.

Until next time, get your READ on!

Marvel Universe Handbook