Duke of Oil

Duke Of Oil
Cover art to Green Arrow #48.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Outsiders vol.1 #6 (April 1986)
Created by	Mike W. Barr (writer) Jim Aparo (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Earl J. Dukeston
Team affiliations	Dukeston Oil The Society SKULL
Abilities	Powerful cybernetic body and limbs, Flexible joints and limbs, Control of nearby mechanical devices

The Duke of Oil (Earl J. Dukeston) is a fictional cyborg supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Outsiders (1st series) #6 (April 1986), and was created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo.

Fictional character biography

The Duke of Oil is a cyborg supervillain who has fought both the Outsiders and Green Arrow.

His first incident involving the Outsiders happens when Dukeston Oil wants to examine Station Markovia, an automated ocean research station off the coast of Los Angeles. This also is the Outsiders current headquarters.

Geo-Force and Dr. Jace give Earl a tour of the base. After it is finished, Dukeston attacks them both. It is revealed Dukeston is an agent of unknown forces that wish to steal Jace's research. Dukestons says that twenty years ago, he was injured in an explosion at his company. He awoke in this body and was told it would take about two decades to grow a clone body. In the meantime, the Duke works as their agent.

Other members of the Outsiders appear. Looker discovers the man has no brainwaves. Katana impales the man's head with her sword and it is discovered he has no actual brain. Dukeston realizes he is fully machine. This drives him insane. He escapes into the ocean below and his body is not recovered.

He recently reappeared in Green Arrow #46 as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. Green Arrow, the new Speedy and Arsenal deal with him and the problem of a locked-down bank that contains innocent people and a bomb. The Duke has also gained new powers of controlling nearby mechanical devices. He is subdued before he can do any lasting harm.

Appearance

When first re-introduced in the new Green Arrow series, the Duke of Oil was depicted as an "eight-foot tall cowboy." He wore a brown, Western-style suit, cowboy boots, bolo tie, and ten-gallon hat. Soon after, he revealed his true form by tearing off his clothing and artificial skin, showing himself to be a massive metal construct with extremely flexible limbs and joints. After his face and hair are destroyed, it is revealed that his head is also fully artificial.

Powers and abilities

The Duke has a malleable body and the ability to control machines telekinetically.

External links

• DCU Guide: Duke of Oil
• DCU Guide chronology: Duke of OilGreen Arrow Villians