Gladiator (Daredevil character)

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For the leader of the Imperial Guard in the X-Men universe, see Gladiator (Shi'ar).
The Gladiator


The Gladiator
Alex Maleev, Art

Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Daredevil #18 (July 1966)
Created by Denny O'Neil
Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
Characteristics
Alter ego Melvin Potter
Affiliations Emissaries of Evil
Alexander Bont
Maggia
Abilities Powerful armor that expels weapons.

Gladiator (Melvin Potter) is a reformed supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.

[edit] Character history

Potter was one of the first enemies of the superhero Daredevil. In civilian life, he is a costume-designer. He eventually reformed and became one of the staunchest supporters of Daredevil.

During the "Born Again" storyline, he was pressured into producing a Daredevil costume for a madman in the employ of the crimelord known as the Kingpin.

He was later forced into working for the Kingpin's elderly predecessor Alexander Bont, who claimed that Potter had a four year old daughter that he had never met and that she would die if Potter did not help. Gladiator brought Murdock to Bont, who attempted to kill Murdock and assume his old mantle but instead died of a drug-induced heart attack. The Gladiator was defeated by the new White Tiger, and went back to prison.

[edit] Powers and abilities

Gladiator has no superhuman abilities. However, he is a superb martial arts fighter and very powerful. He wore a thick metal armor and was armed with an arsenal of edged weapons and whirling blades protruding from his wrists.

[edit] Ultimate Gladiator

In the Ultimate Marvel continuity, Gladiator has a cameo appearance. He appears as an enemy of Spider-Man, and is a crazed madman obsessed with Emperor Nurhachi.