| Baron Bedlam | |
|---|---|
 Baron Bedlam and the Bad Samaritan inBatman and the Outsiders. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman and the Outsiders #1 (August 1983) |
| Created by | Mike W. Barr (writer) Jim Aparo (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Baron Frederick DeLamb |
| Abilities | Skilled fighter and tactician Formerly:
|
Baron Bedlam (Baron Frederick DeLamb) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. The character first appeared inBatman and the Outsiders #1 (August 1983).
Baron Bedlam was originally Frederick DeLamb ("Bedlam" being an anagram of his last name). DeLamb's father, a minor government official in the kingdom ofMarkovia, was installed as apuppet ruler by theNazis duringWorld War II. At the end of the war, American forces helped the Markov family reclaim the throne. Even though Frederick managed to flee the country, his father was hanged by the mob.
Years later, Frederick DeLamb, taking the name Baron Bedlam, gains the support of the Soviet army and the mysterious political manipulatorBad Samaritan. Bedlam murders Markovian king Viktor and seizes the throne, inciting a conflict between Markovia and theSoviet Union.[1]
Markovia's crown prince,Brion Markov, with the aid of scientistHelga Jace, gives himself superpowers to stop the invasion.[2][3] With the aid of other superheroes, a grouping underBatman's leadership that would soon call themselves theOutsiders, they infiltrate the country. Having heard of Jace's work inmetahuman research, Bedlam undergoes a similar process to Brion and gains similar earth-manipulating abilities. In the final confrontation between Bedlam's forces and Markovia's army, the Outsiders intervene, turning the tide of the battle.[4]
Soon after, the Outsiders confront another aspect of Bedlam's forces, theMasters of Disaster. The two groups engage in a prolonged battle. In the meantime, the Bad Samaritan also discovers Bedlam's plan to cloneAdolf Hitler.[5] However, Hitler's clone is greatly distressed by the actions of at what his 'father' has done and has no wish to continue the madness.[6] The Hitler clone later commits suicide, his body being found by the Outsiders. Shortly afterward, Geo-Force kills Bedlam by decapitating him with a Nazi shield.[7]
Following his death, Bedlam is impersonated byPsycho-Pirate. He manipulates Wilhelm Vittings, who is running to becomeprime minister of Markovia, in an attempt to gain power and overthrow the royal family of Markovia. The real Bedlam later appears alive as one of several villains recruited bySonar to battleJustice League Europe.[8]
Baron Bedlam is a skilled fighter and tactician, and possesses vast financial resources. He temporarily possessed earth-manipulating abilities similar to Geo-Force, but lost them due to not being Markovian royalty.[4]
Baron Bedlam appears inYoung Justice, voiced byNolan North.[9] This version is the maternal uncle of Princes Gregor and Brion Markov who runs a secret metahuman trafficking syndicate and is a metahuman with a durable stone-like body. He hiresJaculi to murder Markovia's royal family, but is defeated and killed by Brion.[10][11]
But Brion feels betrayed by his sister, and the anger infects his actions when he decides to kill his uncle. Because it happens on live television, the people of Markovia [praise] the young royal's actions — but the people of the world are frightened.
[Artemis] wants Tara to choose to walk the path of righteousness, and luckily she does. However, Brion doesn't, and decides Baron Bedlam must pay for the murder of their parents. He uses his powers to kill his treacherous uncle by forcing lava down his throat.