Dionysus (Marvel Comics)

Dionysus
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Thor #129 (Jun 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego	Dionysus
Species	Olympian god
Team affiliations	Olympus
Notable aliases	Bacchus
Abilities	God of wine and revely, controls states of mind. Can cast illusions and control vine and grapes matter transmutation and shapeshifting

Dionysus is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics, a god in the Olympian pantheon based on the legendary Olympian god.

Publication history

Dionysus first appeared in Thor #129 (June 1966), and was adapted from mythology by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

The character subsequently appeared in Thor Annual #5 (1976), Champions #2-3 (January-February 1976), Thor Annual #8 (1979), The Avengers #281 (July 1987), #283-285 (September-November 1987), Solo Avengers #11 (October 1988), Thor #398 (December 1988), Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed (October 1966), Hercules #4 (September 2005), Thor: Blood Oath #2-4 (December 2005-January 2006), Ares #1 (March 2006), #3 (May 2006), and Deadpool/GLI: Summer Fun Spectacular #1 (September 2007).

Dionysus appeared as part of the "Olympian Gods" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #9.

Fictional character biography

Dionysus is the son of Zeus. When Hercules was gravely injured during the assault by the Masters of Evil on Avengers Mansion, Dionysus served Zeus in his attempt to punish the Avengers for these injries. Dionysus disguised himself as an Italian ice vendor, and served it to She-Hulk laced with Elixir of Frenzy. She attacked the other Avengers, and when Doctor Druid tried to restore her to normal, Dionysus reinstilled the elixir's potency. Captain Marvel noticed him and tried to subdue him, but Dionysus strangled Doctor Druid and used a potion to knock She-Hulk unconscious.^[1] Dionysus then fought She-Hulk in physical combat, this time in Olympus, but she struck him down with a pillar.^[2] Zeus then forbade all Olympians from interfering with the earth.^[3]

Despondent at his defeat at the hands of She-Hulk, Dionysus became suicidal. He came to believe the Olympian race was dying, so he stole a nuclear warhead from earth to help it along. Hercules attempts to talk him out of it, but Dionysus crafts a servant called 'Butcher T. Washington' to deal with him. Hercules was almost slain but at the last moment, Dionysus regains his sanity, saves Hercules and returns the warhead to Earth. He places himself at Zeus' mercy. As punishment, he is stripped of his memories and abilities. He ends up on Earth, as Dion, the bartender for 'Dion's Bar'.^[4]

Later, while back on Olympus, he becomes so inebriated, he falls off the edge and lands on Earth itself, namely 'Christmas Mountain' in Wisconsin. He is taken by the terrorist group A.I.M. They use his powers to cause mental instability in all the superheroes they consider a threat. At a pre-determined time, all affected bases are invaded. The Great Lakes Avengers and Deadpool rescue Dionysus just in time for the affected heroes to regain their stability and defeat their respective invading A.I.M. forces. Squirrel Girl helps Dionysus back to Olympus and into his own bed to sleep it off. ^[5]

Other versions

A 23rd century version of Dionysus is murdered on panel by Zeus. ^[6]

Powers and abilities

Dionysus can control the growth of vines and grapes. He once had control of a pig that could create wine. At least in ancient times he could change his own shape and that of other things. Lack of access to wine causes him to rapidly age.^[7] He proved to be strong enough to fight toe-and-toe against She-Hulk.^{[volume & issue needed]}

References

1. ^ Avengers #281
2. ^ Avengers #283-284
3. ^ Avengers #285
4. ^ Solo Avengers #11
5. ^ Deadpool/GLI: Summer Fun Spectacular #1 (September 2007)
6. ^ Hercules vol. 2, #1 - 4 (March - June 1984)
7. ^ Thor: Blood Oath #1-4

External links

• Dionysus at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe