Death's Head: The Interdimensional Freelance Peacekeeping Agent

The character Death's Head (DH) is a unique entity in comic book history, notable for his appearances across three major franchises: Transformers, Doctor Who, and Marvel. His existence is a result of 1980s comic book licensing quirks, where Marvel UK retained rights to characters they created even within licensed properties.

Origins and Early Appearances

Death's Head is an independent alien robot who prefers to be called a "freelance peacekeeping agent for certain financial remuneration" rather than a bounty hunter. His story is highly nonlinear due to time travel and retcons.

• 
  Transformers (Marvel UK): DH first appears in The Transformers (Marvel UK) #113. He's introduced as a large, purely mechanical being, roughly Transformer-sized, who accepts a bounty from Rodimus Prime to hunt Galvatron. After various battles and shifting alliances, including being mind-controlled by Unicron, DH exits the Transformers universe by tackling his targets into a time portal. He's explicitly stated to never appear in a Transformers property again after this point.

 

• Doctor Who: His exit from the Transformers universe leads to a "time travel car crash" with the TARDIS, bringing him into contact with the Seventh Doctor. The Doctor, using a "tissue compression eliminator," shrinks DH to human size. After a brief, tense encounter, The Doctor jettisons him from the TARDIS, accidentally landing him on Earth in the far future of 8162.

• Marvel UK's "Secret Fourth Franchise": Before fully entering the Marvel Universe, DH appears in Dragon's Claws, a Marvel UK series not directly connected to the main Marvel Multiverse. He then
  gets his own self-titled series, Death's Head, set in this "Greater Britain" future.

Looping Back into Doctor Who and Entering Marvel

 

 

• Doctor Who Revisited: In Death's Head #8, the Doctor reappears after DH is hired to kill him by the villain Josiah W. Dogbolter. The Doctor and DH team up to defeat Dogbolter, after which the Doctor provocatively tells DH he is merely a static machine incapable of change or growth. He then leaves DH on the roof of the Baxter Building, the headquarters of the Fantastic Four.

  

• 
  Arrival in the Marvel Universe: This directly leads to DH's official entry into the Marvel universe, starting with a confrontation against the Fantastic Four in Death's Head #9. After a misunderstanding, DH temporarily reconciles with the team and saves Franklin Richards. The
  Fantastic Four attempt to send him back to his own time, but Reed Richards, upon realizing DH is a killer, partially cancels the time travel, sending DH to the year 2020 where he encounters Iron Man (Arno Stark).

Death's Head's Origin Story and Chronological Confusion

 

 

• The Body in Question: DH's origin is finally revealed in the graphic novel Death's Head: The Body in Question. He was created in the magical pocket dimension of Styros by an apprentice named Pyra, who intended him as a vessel to trap the consciousness of her warlord master, Lupex.

However, before activation, DH's body was stolen (heavily implied to be by the Doctor), leading him to activate without knowledge of his past.

 

• The Non-Linear Timeline: Canonically, Death's Head's adventures are split into "before" and "after" his time in the Transformers universe. Before Transformers, he had adventures in the Marvel universe, even briefly working with the TVA. It's implied the Doctor intentionally transported him to the Transformers universe to ensure events unfolded as they "should," leading to his eventual return to Marvel. The inconsistent depiction of his size (human vs. Transformer-sized) further complicates his already "wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey" timeline.

Death's Head 2 and Concluding Thoughts

 

• 
  Death's Head II (DH2): A separate character, DH2, is introduced as a cyborg named Minion created by AIM in the year 2020. Minion is sent back in time to eliminate targets, with DH being
  his second-to-last. Upon successfully "killing" DH, Minion tries to absorb his consciousness but is overwhelmed, resulting in DH's personality taking control of the Minion body, thus creating DH2. DH2 is generally considered less unique and popular than the original.

 

• Enduring Appeal: Despite his convoluted history and inconsistent appearances, Death's Head maintains a cult following. His unchanging personality as a mercenary, combined with his ability to pop up anywhere and anywhen due to time travel, makes him a consistently entertaining character. His fans often embrace the self-aware absurdity of his timeline. The key takeaway is not to overthink the canon implications of his crossovers but to simply have fun.

In conclusion, Death's Head's appeal lies in his unchanging, fun persona, making every appearance a treat for fans, regardless of the chaotic timeline.

Episode 91 - The Power Of Three Podcasters

The first half of Series Seven is drawing to a close, but not before an in-depth look at the character of the Ponds. In this week's episode, we take a look at the Eleventh Doctor story, "The Power of Three".

Episode 90 - The Wild Wild West

♪ "So fill up your glasses And join in the song The Law's right behind you And it won't take long. So come, you coyotes, And howl at the moon Till there's blood upon the sawdust In "The Last Chance" Saloon." ♪ Howdy partners! In this week's episode we take a look at one of Glenn's favorite genres, westerns with the First Doctor Story, The Gunfighters.

Episode 89 - Jurassic Ark

Week two of NEW WHO and we return with our review of Dinosaurs On a Spaceship. But first a look at the Classic Doctor Who story featuring those prehistoric beasts, Invasion of the Dinosaurs.

Episode 88 Daleks In Disguise

It's finally here! The return of Doctor Who to our televisions. But first, we get one more Dalek story out of the way. This week, our review of Day of the Daleks featuring The Third Doctor and Jo Grant. Then, the episode we've all been waiting for. Our thoughts on Series Seven, Episode One, Asylum of the Daleks.

Episode 87 – The Greatest Show In The Galaxy

It's finally here. The wedding bells have rung and the party is over. Now it's time to sit back and recount the day; The Greatest Show In the Galaxy.

Episode 86 – The Two Podcasters

As Keith and Sarah head off on holiday this week to celebrate their recent nuptials with a well deserved honeymoon, it' up to Shaun and Glenn to carry on the show ourselves for the week. This week, it's book report time. Shaun reviews the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane novel, Amorality Tale.

Episode 85 – Let’s Do The Timelash Again

In this weeks episode we visit two Sixth Doctor and Peri stories. First, our heroes are joined by H.G. Wells in the Season 22 story Timelash. Then the Doctor and Peri visit the Museum of Aural Antiquities in the Big Finish audio play Whispers of Terror.

Episode 84 – Now Boarding Concorde, Golf Alpha Charlie

In this week's show a double dose of Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor. First we review the Season 19 finale, Time-Flight with companions Nyssa and Tegan. Next, our thoughts on The Big Finish audio play, WInter for the Adept.

Episode 83 – Mess With The Bull, You Get The Horns

In this week's show a look at another Adversary Archive, this time The Nimon. First the Fourth Doctor, Romana II and K-9 take on the Nimon in Horns of the Nimon. Then the Eighth Doctor and Charley face down the foe in the Big Finish audio play Seasons Of Fear.

Episode 82 – We Built This Forbidden City On Rock ‘N’ Roll

In this week's show we turn our attention on the Doctor's greatest enemy for our fifth Adversary Archive featuring the Daleks. In this episode we review the Third Doctor televised story, Death To The Daleks, and two Big Finish audio plays.

Episode 81 – The Croutons

Another episode hits the feed, this time we have a little fun with our review of the Second Doctor story, The Krotons. One of the final outings for Jamie, Zoe, and The Doctor, the Krotons was released in North America on DVD for the first time just this week.

Episode 80 - All Things Shada

We’ve been promising a review of Shada and the time has finally come. This week we look at, Shada – The Novel, Shada – The VHS reconstruction, Shada – The Big Finish audio and BBCi webisode, and Shada – The Flamethrower (The kids love this one.) Also, a look at one really cool bit of news, the sonic screwdriver t.v. remote control. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. Plus your feed back! Enjoy!

Episode 79 - Prognosticating Podcasters

In this week’s episode we take an “evening newscast” look at things as we review the remarkable Torchwood: Children of Earth mini-series. We go almost step by step through the monumental television event that changed the series and mood of the Whonivers on the whole. Also, a bit of serendipity, (or perhaps we just channeled our inner fortune tellers powers) as Dr. Phil points out that CERN is about to announce the Higgs boson or “God Particle” has been found. A bit spooky, huh? Plus, a look at other things making news in Doctor Who including some speculation on a possible start date for Series 7. And of course, your feedback. Enjoy!

Episode 78 - Now With Higgs Particle

In this week’s episode we review The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane story (and one of Shaun’s favorites) The Android Invasion. Then, in a lead up to next week’s Torchwood Series three review, we give our thoughts on the BBC audio play, Torchwood – Lost Souls. Also, we have another review from our UK correspondent Philip Malkin on The 11th Hour, the three day convention last weekend in Birmingham, England. And, of course, we’ll have a look at this week’s news and your feedback. Enjoy!

Episode 77 - What A Wonderful Butler, He's So Violent

In this week’s episode, we take a look at the Classic Doctor Who story, City of Death starring the Fourth Doctor and Romana II. We give our reviews on this David Fisher, Douglas Adams and Graham Williams collaboration. Also, a report on The 11th Hour, the three day convention this past weekend in Birmingham, England. Plus, a look at some other news, and of course your feedback! And stick around after our review as Dr. Phil Serna takes us through the music of City of Death. Enjoy!

Episode 76 -

To be updated...

Episode 75 - Book Reports

This week we take a break from the electronic media delivery of Doctor Who and turn to the novels. First, Glenn reviews “The Crooked World” by Steve Lyons starring the 8th Doctor. Then, Shaun takes on the 9th Doctor story “Only Human” written by Gareth Roberts. And finally, Keith has a review of “The Story of Martha” by Dan Abnett (and others) featuring Martha and the 10th Doctor. *WARNING THERE WILL BE SPOLIERS* Also a look at the week’s news including some Galley announcements, and of course your feedback.

Episode 74 - Patience Of The Daleks

Here it is, the latest episode of Traveling the Vortex. This week, another Adversary Archive featuring the Doctor’s greatest enemy – The Daleks. We look at the Dalek War box set featuring Frontier in Space and Planet of the Daleks starring the Third Doctor and Jo Grant. then we travel forward and review the Big Finish audio The Genocide Machine featuring the Seventh Doctor and Ace. Plus this week’s news (with a surprise guest anchor) and of course your feed back. Enjoy!

Episode 73 - The Rogues And Renegades Of Rassilon

Late again this week, but it’s finally here. In this week’s episode of Traveling the Vortex, we look back over the last few weeks of stories reviewed and focus on the rogues and renegades of Doctor Who. We focus our attention on The Meddling Monk, The War Chief, Omega, The Master, and The Rani. Also how The Doctor, and perhaps even Rassilon fit this title. Also, our take on the news of the week, and of course your feedback. Enjoy!