| Character Name: | Mad Dog |
| Real Name: | Robert "Buzz" Baxter |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Debut: | As Buzz Baxter: Miss America Comics #2 (Nov. 1944)[1] As Mad Dog: The Defenders #125 (Nov. 1983) |
| Creators: | Stuart Little (writer) Ruth Atkinson (artist) |
| Alliances: | Roxxon Oil Secret Empire Mutant Force United States Air Force |
| Species: | Human mutate |
| Powers: | Enhanced senses and physical abilities Neurotoxic bite |
Mad Dog (Robert "Buzz" Baxter) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.[2] Originally introduced in 1944 as a supporting character of Patsy Walker, Baxter became the dog-like supervillain Mad Dog in the 1983 series The Defenders.
Buzz Baxter's first appearance was in Miss America Comics #2 (1944), as the boyfriend of Patsy Walker. He continued to appear as a supporting character of Patsy until her comic was cancelled in 1965. He reappeared, alongside Patsy, in Amazing Adventures #13 (Jul. 1972) and made occasional appearances afterwards.[3] He was revamped as the villain Mad Dog in The Defenders #125 (Nov. 1983).
Mad Dog was killed off in the Spider-Man storyline "Hunted", in which he was captured and hunted down alongside many other animal-themed characters.[4]
Robert "Buzz" Baxter was born in Centerville, California. He and Patsy Walker are high school sweethearts, and marry shortly after graduation.[5] After high school, Baxter joins the USAF, serving in the Vietnam War and eventually acquiring the rank of colonel.[6]
Baxter later becomes the security consultant to the Brand Corporation.[7] While working for Brand, he and Patsy become distant and eventually divorce. Baxter has the Squadron Supreme capture the Avengers and holds them prisoner at a Brand facility. Baxter confronts Patsy, who forces him to release the Avengers.[8] [9]
Baxter later allows Roxxon, the company to which Brand is a subsidiary, to experiment on him and mutate him. As Mad Dog, he becomes a mercenary and a leading member of Mutant Force. The members of Mutant Force attack the wedding of Daimon Hellstrom and Patsy Walker, but are defeated and placed in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.[10] [11] [12]
Mad Dog later becomes an agent of the third Secret Empire. As security chief, he aids the Secret Empire and its leader, Professor Power, in an attempt to start World War III. Together with Mutant Force, he battles and is defeated by the Defenders.[13]
Mad Dog makes a minor appearance in the "Hunted" storyline, where he is among the animal-themed superhumans who are captured for Kraven the Hunter's Great Hunt. When the Great Hunt begins, Mad Dog is shot to death by one of Arcade's Hunter-Bots.[14] Following his death, Mad Dog ends up in Hell, where he becomes a servant of Blackheart.[15] [16]
Mad Dog gained superhuman powers as a result of bionic engineering and cellular augmentation by Roxxon and the third Secret Empire. He was given a dog-like appearance with pointed ears, claws, and fur on his limbs and torso. Mad Dog possesses superhuman strength, durability, and senses, particularly hearing and smell. He can generate a foaming chemical poison from his mouth that induces paralysis if it enters the bloodstream.
. The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . 1987 . Facts on File . 0-8160-1356-X . New York . 198-199 . Jeff Rovin. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/198/mode/2up
