# Blockbuster (DC Comics)

Blockbuster is the name of four supervillains and a criminal organization appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first iteration was an adversary of Batman and Robin, while the second served as one of Nightwing's greatest enemies. The third debuted in 52 as a member of Lex Luthor's Infinity, Inc.
Blockbuster has appeared in various media outside comics, including television series and films. Kevin Michael Richardson, Dee Bradley Baker, René Auberjonois, and Dave Fennoy have voiced the character in animation.

## Publication history

The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster first appeared in Detective Comics #345 (November 1965), and was created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.
The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster first appeared in Starman #9 (April 1989), and was created by Roger Stern and Tom Lyle.

## Fictional character biography
### Mark Desmond

The first Blockbuster is Mark Desmond, a chemist who desires to increase his physical strength. He succeeds, but is rendered mindless and aggressive. His brother Roland cares for him and manipulates him into committing crimes on his behalf.
In later appearances, Blockbuster joins the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Suicide Squad before being killed in battle with Brimstone. He returns following The New 52 continuity reboot.

### Roland Desmond

Roland Desmond, Mark's brother, becomes the second Blockbuster after undergoing experimental treatment for an illness. He later moves to his mother's hometown of Blüdhaven, where he battles Nightwing.
Desmond later develops albinism and a heart defect as a side effect of his initial transformation. He receives a heart transplant in Gorilla City before Tarantula kills him.
In Blackest Night, Blockbuster is resurrected as a Black Lantern. He later returns permanently following the DC Rebirth relaunch. In Nightwing #96, he is killed by Heartless.

### Other Blockbusters

Two unidentified incarnations of Blockbuster appear in 52 and Superman #689, with the former being a member of Infinity, Inc. created by Lex Luthor. In Salvation Run, Martian Manhunter disguises himself as Blockbuster to observe the exiled villains.

## Powers and abilities

All incarnations of Blockbuster possess superhuman physical abilities coupled with reduced intelligence. Roland Desmond temporarily overcomes this weakness after receiving enhanced power from Neron.

## Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Blockbuster appears in Just Imagine.... This version is Brock Smith, a murderer and death row inmate who is rescued and empowered by Dominic Darrk and joins the Doom Patrol. He is defeated by Batman and Wonder Woman and dies after being electrocuted.

## In other media
### Television

* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. This version is a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society before being killed by Darkseid.
* Mark Desmond appears in The Batman episode "Meltdown", voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. This version is an African-American scientist working for Wayne Enterprises who is in charge of enforcing Ethan Bennett's parole.
* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by James Arnold Taylor and Kevin Michael Richardson respectively. This version is a prodigy who stole chemicals from S.T.A.R. Labs to create a strength-enhancing serum.
* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Young Justice, voiced initially by René Auberjonois and again by Dee Bradley Baker following Auberjonois' death. This version is a senior member of Project Cadmus and the Light. Additionally, he was redesigned due to his perceived similarity to Marvel Comics character the Hulk, with Desmond's transformation having his Blockbuster form ripping through his human skin.
* Mark Desmond appears in The Flash episode "Funeral for a Friend", portrayed by an uncredited actor. This version is a criminal who wields an exo-suit stolen from Ivo Laboratories.

### Film

* Blockbuster was reportedly featured in David S. Goyer's unproduced screenplay for a Green Arrow film project entitled Escape from Super Max as an inmate of the eponymous prison.
* An alternate universe variant of Blockbuster appears in Justice League: Gods and Monsters, voiced by Marcelo Tubert. He and a group of terrorists fight their universe's Justice League before Batman kills him.
* The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster makes a minor appearance in Batman: Bad Blood.
* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
* The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, voiced by Dave Fennoy. This version is a henchman of Professor Zoom before being killed by Killer Frost.

### Video games

* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears as a boss in Young Justice: Legacy, voiced by Mark Rolston.
* The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Batman: The Telltale Series, voiced by Steve Blum. This version has blue skin and is a member of the Children of Arkham, an anti-corruption terrorist group.

### Miscellaneous

* The Roland Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Adventures in the DC Universe #1.
* The Mark Desmond incarnation of Blockbuster appears in Batman: Arkham Knight – Genesis #5 as an associate of the Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catman until Jason Todd kills him.