Dreadnought (comics)

Dreadnought
Nightstalkers #16 (Feb. 1994): Cover art by Bill Wylie and Frank Turner.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Strange Tales #154 (Mar 1967)
Created by	Jim Steranko
In-story information
Species	robot
Team affiliations	HYDRA New Enforcers
Abilities	Superhuman strength and durability Flame-throwing gauntlets Projectile spikes on knuckles Electrifying touch Ability to cause radiation emission from eyes Freezing breath

Dreadnoughts are a type of fictional robot appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are frequently employed by villainous organizations. Different forms of the robots are depicted by organizations such as HYDRA and the Maggia.

The Dreadnought is a non-sentient robotic combat instrument originally created by the subversive organization HYDRA for use in various commando operations. It was first used in an attempt to breach the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and assassinate director Nick Fury.

Later the design and specifications for it were sold to the criminal cartel, The Maggia, who built the Silver Dreadnought.

Some time later, Advanced Idea Mechanics designed a new version, the Dreadnought 2000, stored at Target Technologies in Rutherford, New Jersey.

A rebuilt version was used years later during an attack to destroy London, where the robot had to fight Union Jack.

Zeke Stane later built some new Dreadnought models which were used by Mandarin in a plot to take down Iron Man. The Dreadnoughts attacked the Three Gorges Dam in China.

The Dreadnought was designed by HYDRA and the Silver Dreadnought was built by the Maggia. Its robotic materials, design, and construction from a titanium steel alloy afford the Dreadnought superhuman strength, stamina, durability, and reflexes. It has limited artificial intelligence, and no capacity for self-motivated activity. It is programmed for hand-to-hand combat in the style of an American boxer and for combat uses of its built-in weapons sub-systems.

This original and Silver Dreadnought versions' gauntlets have flamethrower nozzles, capable of firing a hydrazine-liquid oxygen mix. Its knuckles are studded with spikes which can be shot like rifle bullets. From the modules mounted like ears, the Dreadnought generates a powerful electrical charge which conducts throughout its body's frame and through conducting material. The Dreadnought has no capability for projecting this electricity, but is capable of electrifying by touch. The Dreadnought's optical imaging sensor eyes are gamma ray particle beam projectors which can irradiate a target. The Dreadnought’s mouth is connected to a tank of refrigerated Freon gas which allows the Dreadnought a single-use attack of freezing breath.