After gaining his powers, Dunphy found himself unable to participate in normal athletic competition due to the danger his strength posed to others. He instead joined the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation, where enhanced individuals competed in staged matches. Wrestling under the name “Demolition Dunphy,” he found a new outlet for his abilities and began building a reputation.

During his time in the Federation, Dunphy befriended Ben Grimm, the Thing. When the Power Broker attempted to force his enhanced clients into capturing Ms. Marvel and the Thing by threatening to cut off their drug supply, Dunphy refused. He endured a painful withdrawal period and broke free of the Broker’s control, an act that marked his first true step toward heroism.

Dunphy soon encountered Captain America, who was investigating the Power Broker’s activities. Inspired by his childhood hero, Dunphy volunteered to assist him. Adopting a costume patterned after Daredevil’s original outfit, he became Demolition-Man. He quickly proved his worth by rescuing Captain America from a trap set by Dr. Karl Malus and capturing Malus himself.

When Steve Rogers temporarily relinquished the Captain America identity under pressure from the Commission on Superhuman Activities, Dunphy remained loyal. Alongside allies such as the Falcon and Nomad, he tracked Rogers across the country and supported him as he adopted the identity of “the Captain.” Dunphy even provided Rogers with elements of his new costume.

D-Man accompanied the Captain on numerous missions, including clashes with the Serpent Society and attempts to prevent breakouts from the Vault, a maximum-security prison for superhuman criminals. During one such mission, he was nearly killed by Titania, whose overwhelming strength left him psychologically shaken. This encounter caused Dunphy to become more cautious and less confident in his abilities.

During a confrontation with the terrorist organization ULTIMATUM, Dunphy demonstrated immense bravery. Piloting a quinjet into an enemy base to destroy a doomsday device, he attempted to save an enemy agent moments before the explosion. The resulting blast destroyed the base and the device, and Dunphy was presumed dead.

In reality, Dunphy survived but suffered brain damage and wandered in a confused state before eventually being rescued by allies including the Falcon and U.S. Agent. He later recovered, though the experience left lasting psychological effects.

In the years that followed, Dunphy continued to assist Captain America and other heroes. Eventually, he found a new purpose protecting a community of homeless individuals living beneath New York City, an area sometimes referred to as “Zerotown.” Choosing to live among them, Dunphy became their defender, dedicating himself to helping those who had been overlooked by society.

Though not always a central figure in major superhero events, Demolition-Man has remained a steadfast ally and a symbol of perseverance. His journey—from exploited athlete to reluctant hero to protector of the marginalized—reflects a deeply human struggle to find purpose and redemption.

Limitations: While physically powerful, Dunphy has experienced psychological trauma affecting his confidence in combat situations.

• ULTIMATUM confrontation and presumed death (Captain America #358–362, 1989)
• Rescue and recovery (Captain America #372–378, 1990)
• Life in Zerotown (Captain America #400–408, 1992–1993)
• Avengers involvement (Avengers Vol. 3 #1, 1998)