Dum Dum Dugan

Origin

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, the young Dum Dum Dugan sought employment with a circus during World War II, finding work as a strongman. During his time with the circus he helped Nick Fury and Sam "Happy" Sawyer escape from Nazis. Following this encounter he joined the British Army, and soon after was seconded to work with Fury's newly-formed Howling Commandos. He transferred to the US Army and became Fury's second-in-command.

Creation

Dum Dum Dugan was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Character Evolution

In his early appearances Dugan was a British national. This was later retconned and he was established as an American citizen.

Major Story Arcs

Soldier and SHIELD

Dugan participates in numerous missions as a member of the Howling Commandos. He remains with the US Army until sometime before the breakout of the Korean War. Partway through that conflict he is drawn back in, and works with Fury as part of the reformed Howling Commandos through both Korea and Vietnam. During this time he starts to become involved in SHIELD, and he is eventually placed in charge of security for the SHIELD Helicarrier. He is also given command of the Godzilla Squad, a group specifically created to hunt and contain the Godzilla monster; during their numerous confrontations, he comes to bear a grudging respect for the monster. He is elevated to Deputy Director, and briefly placed in charge of SHIELD following Fury's death. When his death is revealed to be a ruse, Dugan gladly gives up his new position.

Nick Fury vs SHIELD

Dugan is apparently killed in what is later revealed to be an effort by the mysterious controlling council to instigate a survival of the fitness amongst the leaders of SHIELD and HYDRA. Dugan is briefly replaced by a Life Model Decoy during this time. He later resigns from SHIELD, but his resignation is short-lived. Shortly after Fury recreates SHIELD, Dugan rejoins the organization. When Nick Fury leaves for a time, Dugan operates as second-in-command to Maria Hill, and is the head of mutant affairs.

Civil War

Under orders from SHIELD leadership, Dugan and several of his colleagues attempt to capture Captain America. Their efforts fail, and Dugan expresses discomfort at being asked to turn against his friend, and distaste for the side that SHIELD has taken in the war. At the conclusion of the war, when SHIELD is taken over by Tony Stark, Dugan attempts to resign due to his disagreement with Stark and Stark's policies. His resignation is not accepted, and he is kept on as a leader at SHIELD and given control of a weapon capable of trapping huge areas of land in the Negative Zone. Later, despite working with Stark and for SHIELD against his will, Dugan aids Stark by convincing Hill to shut down the UN to allow Stark to pursue the Mandarin.

Secret Invasion

Dugan is ambushed and apparently killed by s Skrull who has taken the identity of Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. He is impersonated by a Skrull, and spends the remainder of the Invasion held in stasis, and after its conclusion is rescued, alongside the other Skrull victims, by Iron Man. He is later convinced to attend a support group meeting for the victims of the Skrulls.

Secret Warriors

Fury calls on Dugan, now operating a version of the Howling Commandos as a private military company, to aid him following a difficult confrontation with The Gorgon. Dugan soon discovers the SHIELD has again fallen under the control of HYDRA. He and his group join Fury in attempting to bring down HYDRA and the Russian LEVIATHAN. These efforts whittle down his group's membership to himself and Jasper Sitwell. He and Sitwell are arrested by the UN, and later released following the conclusion of the Secret Warriors event.

Powers and Abilities

Dugan has no known superhuman abilities. He possesses immense physical strength, as evidenced by his time spent as a strongman. He is gifted in armed and unarmed combat due to his time in the army and working for SHIELD. He is a capable leader and skilled tactician.

Alternate Versions

1602

A soldier named Dougan is the commander of Sir Nicholas Fury's soldiers. He later becomes a defender of the Roanoke Colony.

Earth X

Having been killed by the Hydra entity, a ghostly Dugan joins numerous heroes and members of the Howling Commandos in fighting against the forces of Mephisto.

Transformers

Dugan appears briefly alongside Nick Fury, Peter Parker, and Joe Robertson.

Ultimate Universe

As a member of the army, Dugan was involved in Project: Rebirth. Later, aging but still active, he becomes SHIELD's Director of Mutant Affairs, displaying a mysterious knowledge of Wolverine's past.

Other Media

Animation

X-Men: the Animated Series

Dugan makes a cameo appearance in the episode "Old Soldiers". He does not speak.

Iron Man: the Animated Series

Dugan appears in the episodes "Cell of Iron" and "Not Far From the Tree". He is voiced by W. Morgan Sheppard.

The Super Hero Squad Show

Dugan appears in the episode "Wrath of the Red Skull" alongside Howling Commandos compatriots Gabe Jones and Izzy Cohen. He does not speak in this appearance.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Dugan appears in the episodes "Meet Captain America" and "The Fall of Asgard". He is voiced by John DiMaggio.

Film

Captain America: The First Avenger

Dugan appears as a soldier who is taken captive by Nazis and later rallied by Captain America to stage an assault on the HYDRA bases. He is portrayed by Neal McDonough.

Television

Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD

Dugan appears in this live-action TV movie. Physically he does not resemble his comic counterpart. He is portrayed by Gary Chalk.

Video Games

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Dugan appears as a non-playable character in this game. He is voiced by Scott MacDonald.

Captain America: Super Soldier

Dugan appears in this video game based on the Captain America movie. Neal McDonough reprises his role.