Blob (comics)

Blob
The Blob Art by Stuart Immonen
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The X-Men #3 (January 1964)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Frederick J. "Fred" Dukes
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	Secret Empire X-Cell Brotherhood of Evil Mutants X-Corps Factor Three Freedom Force Defenders
Abilities	Superhuman strength, endurance, durability and resilience Personal gravity field Near impenetrable skin

The Blob (Frederick J. "Fred" Dukes) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of the X-Men. A mutant originally depicted as an obese circus freak, the Blob claims to be immovable when he so desires. He possesses an extreme amount of pliable body mass, which grants him superhuman strength. Possessing the mindset of a bully, he mostly uses his powers for petty crime and as a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants and Freedom Force. He is one of the most prominent, long-running mutants to be depowered as a result of the Decimation storyline.

The Blob appears in the 2009 superhero film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he is played by actor Kevin Durand.

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #3 (January 1964).

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Fred J. Dukes starts out as a member of a circus sideshow under the name "The Blob". He is detected and contacted by Charles Xavier via Cyclops, who sees his performance and tells him that he (Dukes) is a mutant, and asks him to join the X-Men. At the mansion, the other X-Men dislike Dukes for his obnoxious attitude. Ice-Man uses his power against Dukes to create an ice block round his foot, but the Blob easily escapes. The Blob refuses Xavier's invitation, saying he is better than the other X-Men. When Xavier tries erasing his mind of what has transpired, the Blob escapes the Mansion despite the efforts of the Beast and uses the sewer to get away without being followed. He tells the manager of the carnival he is taking over, then gathers up the other circus members and they attack the mansion, as he plans to get the X-Men's technology and take over the world. Meanwhile, Xavier works on a device so he can erase the memories of many people. The carnival succeeds in defeating the X-Men despite a warning from Angel. They tie up the X-Men and leave them on the lawn. They then enter the mansion to find the Professor and his technology. Xavier telepathically contacts Marvel Girl and tells her to remove her blindfold using her telekinesis, then levitate a knife from a performer's tent to cut through her bonds, after which she frees the other members. Xavier is able to wipe everyone's minds after the carnival is stopped by a wall of ice, and the Blob goes back to the circus.