Deathlok...the Demolisher!

Deathlok Marvel figure and its cover counterpart, drawn by creator Rich Buckler

Recently picked up the new, or latest, Deathlok figure front the Marvel Infinite Series line (still alive, yes!). Pretty cool figure, though a bit fragile. (His leg popped off with some posing; yep, these figures aren't really meant for kids.)

Deathlok? Um, no.

On the character of Deathlok himself (itself?), seems I'm not the only fan and admirer; some of Marvel's writers have given him a significant role in recent years - Charlie Huston/Lan Medina did a reboot mini-series a few years back, Rick Remender included him as a part of Uncanny X-Force, and Jason Aaron made him Terminator-esque killing machine in Wolverine: Weapon X, plus there's a new ongoing series of him (intriguing so far) by Edmundson and Perkins. On TV, they made a version of him (criticized by many for having a lame costume) in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. So the concept started in 70's by artist-creator Rich Buckler (and to a lesser extent, writer Doug Moench) sure has legs, even though it has never made a great impact, whether in in its initial publication or subsequent restarts. When it comes to popular Marvel characters, or company wide-events, Deathlok isn't included.

Underrated

So, what's the appeal? The version I was into was the 90's reboot, written by the late, great Dwayne McDuffie (of the animated Justice League fame), Greg Wright, and drawn by Denys Cowan, artist of one of my favorite Batman stories, Blind Justice. McDuffie and Cowan became part of the group that founded Milestone Media, which focused on minority-based superheroes and concepts. In their version: The corrupt company Roxxon is creating cyborg killing machines and selling them to the highest bidder. Michael Collins, a moralistic engineer, protests, and is subsequently "killed," with his mind transferred into said killing machine, Deathlok. Michael gains consciousness and control of the robot, and goes on the path of bringing down the unscrupulous company head, with the larger goal of transferring his mind back into the body he initially thought dead.


The most interesting part of the concept (even in the original) is that Collins has a relationship and interaction with the computer part of his consciousness. Collins is a pacifist with strict morals, while the machine part of his brain, besides handling all the grunt work, leans more towards extermination and self-preservation. Collins frequently instructs and reminds the computer on "no killing" parameters, wanting to just incapacitate his enemies, but amusingly sometimes does this through humor and sarcasm. Another cool detail is is how he could instruct the computer to "run" fights and other actions for him, i.e., the grunt work, so that he doesn't have to worry about it.

"Handle it, computer, ok? Thanks."

Another cool aspect to Deathlok, both as character and in play or display as a figure is he can be a good or bad guy. Portray him as a lone wolf, with internal dialogue as he/it battles against evil forces. Or make him a Terminator-like, unstoppable killing machine sent from an alternate future timeline to eliminate heroes in the present.

Can play the hero and the villain.