Show pageBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Dominic Fortune ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity: In the high-stakes world of the 1930s, Duvid "David" Fortunov is Dominic Fortune, a swashbuckling adventurer, rogue, and soldier of fortune who lives by his wits, his charm, and the speed of his draw.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **Role in the Universe:** Dominic Fortune is Marvel's quintessential [[pulp_heroes|pulp hero]], a throwback to the serialized adventures of the 1930s and 40s. He embodies the spirit of a globe-trotting rogue, blending espionage, noir, and high adventure, often operating in the morally grey areas just before the dawn of the heroic age defined by characters like [[captain_america]]. * **Primary Impact:** His greatest contribution is injecting a distinct genre flavor into the Marvel timeline. His stories provide a crucial look at the pre-World War II landscape, filled with Nazi spies, femme fatales, and treasure hunts. In the modern era, his reappearance as a man out of time, kept young by a variant of the Super-Soldier Serum, creates a living link to a bygone era. * **Key Incarnations:** The primary **Earth-616** version is a long-lived, de-aged romantic hero with a strict (if self-serving) code of honor. The **Marvel Cinematic Universe** version, seen in the [[agent_carter_tv_series|Agent Carter TV series]], is a much more grounded and cynical black marketeer, serving as a foil and reluctant informant for [[peggy_carter]] rather than a headlining hero. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== Dominic Fortune is a character born from a love for classic pulp adventure and the creative freedom of Marvel's 1970s magazine line. He was created by the legendary writer and artist [[howard_chaykin]], a creator whose distinctive style and narrative sensibilities were perfectly suited to the character's noir-infused, high-adventure world. Fortune made his first appearance in **//Marvel Preview// #2**, published in 1975. This was a black-and-white magazine, which, unlike the mainstream color comics policed by the Comics Code Authority, allowed for more mature themes, grittier violence, and more complex, morally ambiguous characters. Chaykin seized this opportunity to create a hero who was not a superhero in the traditional sense, but rather a throwback to characters like The Shadow, Doc Savage, and the heroes of Hollywood's golden age serials. Chaykin's initial stories established the core tenets of the character: his 1930s setting, his base of operations aboard the "Mississippi Queen" floating casino in Los Angeles, his signature Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" pistol, and his tempestuous, on-again-off-again romance with the sharp-witted casino owner, Sabbath Raven. These early tales were celebrated for their sophisticated storytelling and Chaykin's dynamic, stylized artwork, which perfectly captured the fashion, architecture, and mood of the era. After his initial run, the character lay dormant for several years before being reintroduced to the modern Marvel Universe in the late 1980s. This revival, primarily occurring in the pages of //Web of Spider-Man//, updated the character by revealing he was still alive and young in the present day, providing a new narrative hook that allowed him to interact with contemporary heroes like [[spider_man]]. Howard Chaykin himself would return to his creation in 2009 for the //Astonishing Tales: Dominic Fortune// miniseries, which revisited the character's 1930s prime, further cementing his status as Marvel's premier pulp adventurer. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== The background and life story of Dominic Fortune differ significantly between his original comic book incarnation and his live-action adaptation, reflecting the different needs and tones of their respective universes. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === Born Duvid Fortunov in the early 20th century, the man who would become Dominic Fortune lived a life defined by a restless spirit and a rejection of convention. As a young man, he fled his home and an arranged marriage, seeking a life of excitement and self-determination. He traveled the world, taking on odd jobs and honing a wide array of skills, from piloting and marksmanship to brawling and espionage. By the 1930s, he had established himself in Los Angeles under the new, more dashing moniker of Dominic Fortune. He fashioned himself a "soldier of fortune," a professional adventurer for hire. His reputation was that of a man who could get any job done, for the right price. He was charming, arrogant, and impeccably dressed, a rogue with a carefully concealed code of honor. His base of operations was the Mississippi Queen, a luxurious yacht and floating casino anchored off the coast of California, which he co-ran with his sharp-tongued and formidable business partner (and perennial love interest), Sabbath Raven. Throughout the late 1930s, Fortune's adventures saw him crossing paths with Nazi spies, thwarting would-be conquerors, and recovering priceless artifacts. He tussled with recurring nemeses like the ruthless industrialist Simon Steele and battled foreign agents in the lead-up to World War II. While he operated on the fringes, his actions often had significant, if unrecorded, consequences, placing him in the same shadowy world of pre-war espionage as figures who would later become instrumental in the Allied war effort. His story took a dramatic turn when he was captured by agents of the Third Reich. He was subjected to experiments meant to replicate the burgeoning Super-Soldier program. While he eventually escaped, the experimental serum he was given had a profound, unforeseen effect: it drastically slowed his aging process. Decades passed, but Dominic Fortune remained in his physical prime. He emerged in the modern era as a man out of time, a living relic of the pulp age. This reintroduction saw him grappling with a world that had changed immensely while he had not, forcing him to find a new purpose alongside the superheroes of the 21st century. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The MCU's version of Dominic Fortune was introduced in the second season of the ABC series //Agent Carter//, set in 1947. This incarnation is a decidedly more grounded and morally ambiguous figure, portrayed by actor Enver Gjokaj. Unlike his comic counterpart's detailed origin, the MCU Fortune's backstory is largely implied through his interactions with [[peggy_carter]]. It's clear they have a long and complicated history, suggesting a past romantic entanglement that ended on sour terms. In the post-war world of 1947, he is not a heroic adventurer but a charismatic and well-connected black marketeer operating in Los Angeles. He is driven primarily by profit and self-preservation, a cynical opportunist who navigates the criminal underworld with ease. His "origin" within the show's narrative begins when Peggy Carter, now working for the SSR's Los Angeles branch, seeks him out for his underworld connections. She needs his help investigating the mysterious Isodyne Energy company and its ties to the Council of Nine. Fortune is initially reluctant, seeing involvement with a government agent as bad for his business. However, he is drawn into the conspiracy, acting as a reluctant informant and occasional field asset for Peggy. This version of Dominic Fortune is not a man out of time, nor does he possess any superhuman abilities. He is simply a resourceful, dangerous, and charming scoundrel whose skills lie in negotiation, intimidation, and knowing the right people. His role in the MCU is to serve as a foil to Peggy's unwavering morality, representing the grey world she must sometimes navigate to achieve her goals. He provides a different perspective on the post-war era—not one of heroic triumph, but of opportunistic dealings in the shadows. ===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality ===== The capabilities and character of Dominic Fortune are tailored to his specific milieu, with the comic version representing a larger-than-life pulp archetype and the MCU version reflecting a more realistic, noir-influenced world. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === The original Dominic Fortune is a classic adventurer, whose skills are a product of a lifetime of thrilling and dangerous experiences, later augmented by a unique scientific intervention. * **Personality:** * Fortune is the epitome of the swashbuckling rogue. He is supremely confident, often to the point of arrogance, with a quick wit and a flair for the dramatic. He presents a cynical, mercenary exterior, but beneath it lies a strong, if unconventional, moral compass. He is fiercely loyal to the few people he trusts, particularly Sabbath Raven, and will often take on a seemingly impossible job if it aligns with his sense of justice. He is a gambler in every sense of the word, thriving on risk and uncertainty. * **Abilities:** * **Peak Human Physical Condition:** Even before his de-aging, Fortune maintained his body at the absolute peak of human potential through rigorous, self-devised training. He is an exceptional acrobat, gymnast, and athlete. * **Master Marksman:** He is an incredibly gifted marksman, with near-perfect accuracy with his preferred firearms, particularly his Mauser C96. * **Expert Combatant:** Fortune is a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, highly skilled in street fighting and boxing. His style is pragmatic and efficient, designed to end a fight as quickly as possible. * **Expert Pilot:** He is an accomplished aviator, capable of flying a wide variety of aircraft from his era, from biplanes to early commercial planes. * **Artificially Slowed Aging:** His most notable "power." As a result of the experimental German serum, his aging process was arrested, leaving him in his physical prime despite being chronologically over 100 years old. This grants him enhanced vitality, stamina, and resilience compared to a normal man of his age, though he is not superhumanly durable and can be injured like any other human. * **Equipment:** * **Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Pistol:** Fortune's iconic and signature sidearm. The elegant yet powerful German pistol is as much a part of his character as his tailored suits. * **Period-Appropriate Arsenal:** He is proficient with a wide range of 1930s-era weaponry, including Thompson submachine guns and various rifles. * **Custom Aircraft:** In his prime, he owned and operated several aircraft for his globe-trotting adventures. * **The Mississippi Queen:** Not just equipment, but his home, office, and sanctuary. This floating casino provided him with income, a base of operations, and a place to disappear from the authorities. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The MCU's Dominic Fortune is a man of skill and cunning, but he is definitively a normal human operating within the constraints of the real world. * **Personality:** * This Fortune is far more cynical and self-serving. While he retains the charisma and charm of the original, it's a tool he uses to manipulate situations for his own benefit. His moral compass is almost entirely guided by what is most profitable or what will best ensure his survival. He has a grudging respect for Peggy Carter's competence but is exasperated by her idealism. He is a pragmatist, a survivor, and an opportunist through and through. * **Abilities:** * **Skilled Brawler:** He is a capable fighter, able to handle himself in a bar fight or a back-alley scrap, but he lacks the polished, near-superhuman skill of his comic counterpart. He fights dirty and relies on instinct. * **Master Infiltrator and Negotiator:** His true skills lie in his mind. He is an expert at navigating the criminal underworld, gathering intelligence, and brokering deals. He knows how to talk his way into—and out of—dangerous situations. * **Underworld Knowledge:** His greatest asset is his encyclopedic knowledge of the players, politics, and protocols of post-war organized crime in Los Angeles. * **Equipment:** * **Standard Firearms:** He carries and uses conventional firearms of the 1940s, such as Colt M1911 pistols and revolvers. There is no single signature weapon. * **Network of Contacts:** His most valuable equipment is intangible. He has a vast network of informants, smugglers, and fences that he can call upon for information or resources. ===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network ===== A man like Dominic Fortune, who lives on the fringes of society, is defined by his relationships—the allies he begrudgingly trusts, the enemies who mirror his own darker impulses, and the organizations he occasionally aligns with. ==== Core Allies ==== * **Sabbath Raven (Earth-616):** Without question, Sabbath is the most important person in Dominic Fortune's life. More than just a love interest, she is his equal in every way: a brilliant, shrewd, and fiercely independent businesswoman who owns the Mississippi Queen. Their relationship is the central emotional pillar of his 1930s stories. It's a fiery, passionate, and often contentious partnership built on mutual respect, deep-seated affection, and constant witty banter. She is his anchor, his confidante, and the one person who can see through his cavalier facade. * **Peggy Carter (MCU):** In the MCU, Peggy is Fortune's most significant "ally," though their relationship is fraught with tension and mistrust. It is heavily implied they were once romantically involved, a history that colors their every interaction in 1947. Peggy sees Fortune as a necessary evil—a distasteful but essential source of information. Fortune sees Peggy as a dangerous connection to a world of rules and consequences he actively avoids. Despite this, a grudging respect develops between them as they work together against Whitney Frost, with each recognizing the other's formidable competence. * **Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (Earth-616):** When Fortune re-emerged in the modern era, his first major team-up was with Spider-Man. This pairing created a fascinating dynamic: the old-world, gun-toting adventurer and the modern, quippy superhero. Fortune initially saw Spider-Man as a naive kid, while Spider-Man was uncomfortable with Fortune's lethal methods. Over time, they developed a mutual respect, with Fortune acting as a grizzled mentor figure, offering a unique perspective from a bygone age of heroism. ==== Arch-Enemies ==== * **Simon Steele (Earth-616):** If Fortune is the romantic rogue, Simon Steele is his dark reflection. A wealthy industrialist and rival adventurer, Steele is utterly ruthless, greedy, and amoral, often aligning himself with Nazi interests for personal profit. He matches Fortune in skill and resources but lacks any semblance of a moral code. Their conflicts are deeply personal, with Steele representing the soulless capitalism and fascism that Fortune, in his own way, stands against. * **Whitney Frost (MCU):** While not a personal arch-enemy in the traditional sense, the brilliant scientist and Hollywood actress Whitney Frost (the MCU's version of [[madame_masque]]) is the primary antagonist of the storyline in which Fortune appears. As the vessel for the powerful and destructive Zero Matter, her ambitions threaten the entire city of Los Angeles. Fortune is drawn into the conflict directly because Frost's activities disrupt the underworld he profits from. He becomes an enemy of Frost not out of heroism, but because she is a direct threat to his business and his life. ==== Affiliations ==== * **The Vanguard (Earth-616):** During a brief period in the modern era, Dominic Fortune was recruited into a government-sponsored superhero team known as The Vanguard. The team's purpose was to act as a proactive defense force for the United States. For Fortune, this was an ill-fitting role. He chafed under government authority and had little in common with his super-powered teammates. His tenure with the team was short-lived, highlighting his fundamental nature as a lone operator who thrives on independence. * **Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) (MCU):** Dominic Fortune was never a member of the SSR. To him, they were the "feds," the very organization he sought to avoid. However, through his connection to Peggy Carter, he became a reluctant and unofficial asset during the Zero Matter investigation. He provided intelligence, access, and muscle that the SSR could not obtain through official channels, operating as a deniable informant in the shadows of their official inquiry. ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== ==== Marvel Preview: The Swashbuckler's Debut ==== Dominic Fortune's introduction in the black-and-white pages of //Marvel Preview// #2 was a mission statement for the character. These initial stories by Howard Chaykin established the entire pulp-noir aesthetic. The plot involved Fortune being hired to protect a vapid Hollywood starlet, a seemingly simple job that quickly spirals into a conspiracy involving foreign agents and Nazi sympathizers in the glittering but corrupt world of 1930s Hollywood. This storyline was crucial for introducing his core cast (Sabbath Raven), his base of operations (the Mississippi Queen), his signature weapon, and his roguish personality. It was a masterclass in genre fiction, perfectly blending action, witty dialogue, and a palpable sense of time and place. ==== Web of Spider-Man: A Man Out of Time ==== The 1988 storyline beginning in //Web of Spider-Man// #10 was a pivotal moment, yanking Dominic Fortune from his historical setting and thrusting him into the modern Marvel Universe. The story reveals that Fortune is alive and well, looking no older than he did in the 1930s. He surfaces in New York City during a conflict involving Silver Sable and her Wild Pack. He reluctantly teams up with Spider-Man to stop a modern-day Nazi plot. This arc not only explained his longevity via the "Super-Soldier" variant serum but also explored the deep personal cost of his long life. It introduced his son, Jerry Fortune, who briefly tried to carry on his father's legacy before being tragically killed, adding a layer of melancholy and regret to the otherwise debonair adventurer's persona. ==== Astonishing Tales: Return to the 30s ==== In 2009, creator Howard Chaykin returned to his signature character for a miniseries that went back to Fortune's heyday. Set in 1937, the story sees Fortune and Sabbath Raven embroiled in a plot involving stolen financial assets, the looming threat of the Nazi party, and real-world historical figures. This series was a loving homage to the pulp genre, allowing Chaykin to fully indulge in the glamorous and dangerous world he had created decades earlier. It served as a perfect re-introduction for new readers and a welcome return for long-time fans, reinforcing the core elements of Fortune's character without the complexities of his modern-day continuity. ==== Agent Carter Season 2: The Zero Matter Incident (MCU) ==== This represents Dominic Fortune's entire arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When Peggy Carter relocates to the SSR's Los Angeles office, she finds herself investigating Isodyne Energy and the mysterious, extra-dimensional Zero Matter. Realizing she's up against a shadowy conspiracy (the Council of Nine) with deep roots in the city's corrupt power structure, she turns to the one person she knows who can navigate that world: Dominic Fortune. He becomes her unwilling guide to the underworld, his involvement escalating from providing information to actively participating in field operations against Whitney Frost and her forces. This storyline defined the MCU's version of the character as a self-interested rogue whose cynical worldview is constantly challenged by Peggy's unwavering heroism. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== While Dominic Fortune hasn't been a major player in large-scale multiversal stories, his legacy and adaptations provide interesting points of comparison. * **Jerry Fortune (Earth-616 Successor):** Not an alternate version, but a crucial part of his story. David Fortunov's estranged son, Jerry, was ashamed of his father's mercenary lifestyle. In a tragic twist of fate, Jerry attempted to redeem the family name by becoming the new Dominic Fortune, only to be killed in action. His death haunts his father, serving as a constant reminder of the life and family he left behind in his pursuit of adventure. It adds a significant layer of tragedy to the elder Fortune's character in his modern appearances. * **The Enver Gjokaj Duality (MCU Meta-Analysis):** One of the most fascinating aspects of the MCU's Dominic Fortune is a real-world, meta-textual one. The character is played by actor Enver Gjokaj. In the very same series, //Agent Carter//, Gjokaj also plays the main character of Agent Daniel Sousa, a principled and noble war veteran and SSR agent. The series never acknowledges any physical resemblance. This casting choice allows the actor to showcase incredible versatility, playing two characters who are polar opposites in personality and morality within the same narrative universe. Sousa represents everything Fortune is not: a law-abiding, loyal, and earnest hero. This makes Gjokaj's performance a unique and noteworthy "variant" in the history of MCU casting. ===== See Also ===== * [[peggy_carter]] * [[howard_chaykin]] * [[pulp_heroes]] * [[agent_carter_tv_series]] * [[spider_man]] * [[silver_sable]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((Dominic Fortune's creator, Howard Chaykin, is known for his work on characters and titles that often explore mature, complex themes with a distinctive, cinematic art style. His other famous works include //American Flagg!// and his run on Marvel's //Star Wars// comics in the 1970s.)) ((The choice of a Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" as Fortune's signature weapon is historically and culturally significant. The gun was a favorite of Winston Churchill and was famously used by Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones (as the base for his heavy blaster pistol in //Star Wars//) and is synonymous with early 20th-century adventure.)) ((The concept of a 1930s/40s hero being kept young and emerging in the modern day is a narrative device Marvel has used with other characters, most notably [[captain_america]] and the original [[union_jack_character|Union Jack]]. It allows the company to create a living link to its own fictional history.)) ((In //Agent Carter//, the showrunners have stated that they enjoyed Enver Gjokaj's performance as Daniel Sousa so much that they wanted to give him another, completely different role to play, leading to his casting as Dominic Fortune. There is no in-universe explanation for the resemblance.)) ((The first major storyline to bring Dominic Fortune into the modern day was written by J.M. DeMatteis, a writer known for his deep psychological explorations of characters, which is evident in the themes of regret and loss introduced through Fortune's relationship with his deceased son.))