| Stegron | |
|---|---|
 Stegron the Dinosaur Man, art byAngel Medina | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Team-Up #19 (March 1974) |
| Created by | Len Wein (writer) Gil Kane (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Vincent Stegron |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Team affiliations | Anti-Arach9 Savage Six |
| Notable aliases | Stegron the Dinosaur Man |
| Abilities | Genius-level intellect Ability to transform into a large bipedalStegosaurus-like creature When transformed: Superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, stamina and durability Sharp claws and teeth Spiked tail Ability to control or manipulate any dinosaur and the reptilian part of the brain in any life form Ability to drain life force from others through physical contact |
Stegron (Vincent Stegron) is a fictional supervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.[1] Created by writerLen Wein and artistGil Kane, he first appeared inMarvel Team-Up #19 (March 1974).[2]
Vincent Stegron is aS.H.I.E.L.D. who worked withCurt Connors to studyDNA ofdinosaurs from theSavage Land. Inspired by the experiment that turned Connors into the Lizard, Stegron stole some dinosaur DNA and injected himself with it, transforming into aStegosaurus-like creature. Stegron gained the ability to command real dinosaurs, and he planned to use them in his plans for conquest of the world and converting all of humanity into creatures like himself. Taking several dinosaurs with him from the Savage Land to New York City, he encounteredSpider-Man,Black Panther, andKa-Zar.[3] During the battle that followed, Stegron was beaten by being knocked into a nearby river and seemingly drowned.[4]
Months later, Stegron returned and blackmailed Connors into helping him restore several dinosaur remains from a museum. Connors did what Stegron asked and accidentally turned into the Lizard. The two reptile-men clashed as Spider-Man arrived and later Stegron was sent into hibernation by the extremely cold temperatures the weather was producing.[5]
Months later Stegron, now back in his human form, woke from hibernation and wandered New York. During a battle between theVulture and Spider-Man, Stegron regained his dinosaur form and powers and joined many of Spider-Man's enemies (includingDoctor Octopus, Vulture,Rhino,Beetle,Boomerang,Answer,Swarm,Strikeback, andHardshell) in an all-out battle to defeat him. Stegron was knocked unconscious and was taken in by the authorities.[6]
Stegron eventually returned to the Savage Land, where he took over a S.H.I.E.L.D. installation which drew the attention ofThunderstrike, Black Widow, and Black Panther. During the battle over the installation, Stegron was forced into an extremely cold environment and again went into hibernation.[7]
Sometime later, Stegron managed to awaken from his slumber and terrorizedRoxxon Oil (who was illegally drilling in the Savage Land). Soon, Stegron was opposed by Ka-Zar,Shanna the She-Devil, and Spider-Man. During the battle, theHulk and a gigantic chicken/ox-like creature known asChtylok arrived and helped Stegron fight Roxxon Oil. The heroes joined forces with Stegron when they realized he was trying to protect the Savage Land. Eventually, Stegron managed to scare the Roxxon agents and was left in peace in the Savage Land.[8]
Sometime later, Stegron (reverted to his human form) exiled himself to wander the Arctic Circle when he stumbled upon the Rock of Life. Inspired by its de-evolving abilities, he took it with him back to New York where he slowly began to transform back into his dinosaur form. He then sent the Rock to a friend of his, who then put it on display at the Museum of Natural History in hopes that it would devolve the inhabitants of New York City into prehistoric creatures like himself with him as their leader. As a result, various heroes and villains with connections to the animal kingdom such as Spider-Man,Puma,Black Cat, Vulture, Lizard,Man-Wolf, andVermin were affected by its power, causing an increase in their savagery. Spider-Man maintained control, and he discovered Stegron's plans at the museum where the two battled. With the help ofMister Fantastic and theInvisible Woman, Spider-Man managed to stop the Rock's powers from reaching others in New York using a piece of his armor. He then beat Stegron into submission. Stegron was then taken into custody by the authorities as theFantastic Four placed the Rock in a secure vault in the Baxter Building.[9]
Stegron again returned to the Savage Land, but shortly after his return, Roxxon Oil attacked again, intent on obtainingvibranium. Stegron was recruited by Ka-Zar and Brainchild of theSavage Land Mutates to help fight the attackers.[10]
Stegron was later seen in theNegative Zone's Prison during the 2008 "Secret Invasion" storyline.[11]
Somehow, he escaped and returned to the Savage Land. While there he happened upon the starvingDevil Dinosaur, who had slumped into a depression after his companionMoon-Boy was kidnapped byS.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Fearing for Devil's life, Stegron left the Savage Land without informing Ka-Zar to wage war on S.H.I.E.L.D. Building an army of reanimated dinosaurs, Stegron marched across the US, attacking military base after base, searching for the missing primate. He met little opposition. His only serious challenge coming from attacks by theFifty State Initiative. Eventually, due to the help of their new recruitReptil, Stegron was defeated and taken into custody. Learning the motive behind his attack, they agreed to return Moon Boy to the Savage Land to be reunited with his companion.[12]
Stegron later collaborates withSauron in a plan to turn humanity into dinosaurs, battling Spider-Man and the mutant students from the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. The duo's plans are unraveled by their own infighting, purposely exacerbated by their mutual crushShark-Girl who caused their powers to neutralize each other.[13][14]
Stegron is later revealed as the mastermind behind a monster attack on a church. AfterEddie Brock discovers one of Stegron's dinosaurs and delivers it toLiz Allan, CEO ofAlchemax, he heads down the sewers and finds his lair, until he is spotted and captured.[15] Venom then manages to escape with help from Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, who were investigating the dinosaur attacks. When Venom and Moon Girl return to the hideout, Stegron takes control of Devil Dinosaur and sends him to attack them.[16] Stegron revealed that he had earlier been hired by Alchemax to find a way to have healing factors placed in humans which led to him doing his dinosaur serum experiments on homeless people and wild animals. Before Stegron can dump the dinosaur serum into the water supply, Venom and Moon Girl worked together to free Devil Dinosaur from Stegron's control and defeat Stegron who was placed in Alchemax's custody.[17] Though his Dinosaur People creations still resided underground.[18]
In the "Hunted" storyline, Stegron is among the animal-themed characters captured byTaskmaster andBlack Ant on Kraven the Hunter's behalf. He is among those whoArcade publicly reveals as theSavage Six.[19][20]
Stegron later appears as a member ofOctavia Vermis'Anti-Arach9.[21]
In a flashback, Stegron was trying to steal dinosaur bones from the museum when he was subdued bySpider-Boy andMs. Marvel.Funhouse crashed the battle where she copied the abilities of Ms. Marvel and Stegron.[22]
Stegron possesses superhuman physical abilities, as well as powerful claws and teeth and a prehensile tail. He also has the mental ability to control other reptiles.[citation needed] During their alliance, Sauron granted Stegron the ability to drain life force via physical contact.[23]
Like other reptiles, Stegron is vulnerable to cold temperatures.[citation needed]
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