Earl Dukeston (New Earth)

Earl J. Dukeston
Real Name	Earl J. Dukeston
Affiliation	SKULL, The Society
Status
Citizenship	American
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Businessman
Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	6' 6"
Weight	270 lbs (122 kg)
Eyes	Blue
Hair	Red
Origin
Universe	New Earth
Creators	Mike W. Barr; Jim Aparo
First Appearance	Outsiders #6 (April, 1986)

Overview

The Duke of Oil is an oil tycoon and robotic super-villain. His outward appearance is that of a loud obnoxious good ol' boy who dresses like a cowboy. Underneath his human exterior is a complicated mechanical body that can interface with machines and extend to great lengths.

History

You got guts! Intestinal fortitude, Grade A American ball bearings!! It makes me proud to kill ya!

-- The Duke of Oil  

Origins

Earl Dukeston was an oil baron who started the company Dukeston Oil. His company tried to reduce costs by cutting corners, and this had dire consequences. Dukeston was caught in a massive explosion that destroyed most of his body. When he woke up, his mind was trapped in a robot's body. The scientists responsible explained that they had saved his brain, and put it into a body they could shut off at will. They explained that they would clone him a new body if he worked for them and cut them in on his profits. The cloning process would take twenty years, but Dukeston agreed for the chance to be fully human again.

S.K.U.L.L.

The Duke is seen twenty years after his accident working as an agent of SKULL. They send him to infiltrate Station Markovia and kidnap scientist Helga Jace, so they can steal her energy research. SKULL does not realize that this is also the headquarters of the Outsiders. Dukeston is taken on a tour of the facilities, and exposes himself when he tries to knock out Brion Markov. Helga Jace throws acid at the Duke's face, revealing the robot inside. The Duke is outraged when Jace calls him a machine, and insists that he is human deep down. The Outsiders burst in to battle the Duke, but he takes control of their security system and uses it against them. Katana finally manages to split his head open, revealing that there is no brain inside and no part of him is human. The Duke goes berserk when he realizes the scientists lied to him. Geo-Force knocks him into the ocean, and they are unable to find his body.

 

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Template:Technopathy

Abilities

• Business Management

Paraphernalia

Equipment

• Cybernetic Enhancement
  

Notes

• The Duke of Oil is an unreliable narrator. It is very possible that his origin story happened differently than the way he remembers and explains it. The scientists lied to him about having a human brain, so it is unclear exactly what he is. The Duke of Oil is either a human named Earl Dukeston whose brain was transferred to a machine, or he is a robot given the false memories of a man who never existed.
  

Recommended Reading

• Outsiders #6-7
• Green Arrow Vol 3 #47-48

Links and References

• 7 Appearances of Earl Dukeston (New Earth)
• Minor Appearances of Earl Dukeston (New Earth)
• Media Earl Dukeston (New Earth) was Mentioned in
• Images featuring Earl Dukeston (New Earth)
• 1 Quotations by or about Earl Dukeston (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Earl Dukeston (New Earth) 
• Duke of Oil at Wikipedia.org

Footnotes

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Outsiders Villain(s) This character, team or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of Outsiders. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Outsiders Villains category."