| “ | You've gotta believe you can win, Goliath -- even when it's hopeless! Especially then! You've gotta psych yourself up for the game! It's the only way to drive yourself to do your best -- even when you're up against someone you can't outdo. | „ |
| ~ Triathlon to Hank Pym. |
| “ | I've respected the Avengers for years, and looked up to them. Ordinarily, I'd be honored to join your ranks. But this kind of "honor," I don't want -- And I'm going to think long and hard about the respect. I will join for one reason, and one reason only. I'm going to prove your wrong -- Wrong about me, wrong about the Triunes -- And then I'm going to rub your noses in it! You hear me in there, Iron Man -- Or does that helmet of yours filter out uncomfortable sounds, along with anything else you don't want to let in. | „ |
| ~ Delroy Garett Jr. to Iron Man. |
Delroy Garrett Jr., also known as 3-D Man and formerly Triathlon, is a superhero from Marvel Comics.
Originally a track star turned Olympic athlete, Garrett lost everything after he tested positive for steroid use. Dejected, he joined the Triune Understanding and gained powers from the group's founder, Jonathan Tremont. Now Triathlon, the new adventurer crossed paths with the Avengers, later becoming a member due to the manipulations of Tremont and Duane Freeman. Eventually, Delroy was given the name "3-D Man" once he passed the 50-State Initiative's training program.
He was created by Kurt Busiek and the late George Perez, and first appeared in Avengers (Vol. 3) #8 (July 1998).
Biography[]
Background[]
Delroy Garrett Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to unnamed parents. He became a famous track star in his high school by breaking all track records in high school, leading him to become an Olympic athlete in adulthood. However, Delroy tested positive for steroids and lost his gold medals in the process. While he received job offers in spite of his new reputation, he refused them as he saw himself as a damaged goods.
Becoming Triathlon[]
| “ | Nice to meet you too, Avengers! Wish we had time for tea an' crumpets an' all. But hey, as long as I helped you out, how 'bout a hand here? | „ |
| ~ Triathlon to the Avengers. |
Feeling hopeless, Garrett turned to religion for enlightenment and joined the Triune Understanding, a religious organization founded by Jonathan Tremont. He rose through the ranks of the religious group, and received powers from Tremont to take on the alter-ego of Triathlon. Garrett's exploits resulted in him crossing paths with the Avengers, who later recruited the former when Tremont started a smear campaign against the superhero team. It's later revealed that Tremont's campaign was a ploy to have the Avengers recruit Garett. Initially, Triathlon had a hostile attitude toward the team but developed friendships with his teammates Monica Rambeau and Carol Danvers.
During Kang the Conqueror's campaign, Triathlon discovered the truth behind his powers - they belong to a piece of fragment tied to the Triple-Evil. Tremont formed the Triune to retrieve the other two pieces and unite them, hoping to gain immense power. Triathlon prevented this from happening by uniting the fragments himself, allowing him to help the Avengers stop Kang. Afterward, he left the team and the Triune but continued his superhero career.
Becoming 3-D Man[]
During the Civil War storyline, Garrett was recruited by Captain America for the Secret Avengers, a team created to fight against Iron Man's team and the superhuman registration act. After Captain America's defeat (and later apparent "death"), Triathlon joined the 50-State Initiative as part of their training program. After passing the program, he was given the name of "3-D Man" and made leader of the Point-Men team. This in turn led him to play a pivotal role in the Secret Invasion storyline, utilizing his goggles to detect Skrull imposters. His part in the storyline ended with him killing the Skrull Crusader, and him leaving the Initiative due to the hostility he received from others.
Afterward, he became a member of the Agents of Atlas and joined Doctor Doom's Avengers, helping him stop the vengeful Scarlet Witch. 3-D Man later appeared in the Secret Empire storyline, going on the run from Hydra Supreme and HYDRA's take over until he was turned in by Deadpool. Later, 3-D Man was sent undercover to Orchis by Black Panther, who erased his memory to make Garrett appear as a loyal agent. At Orchis' facilities, Black Panther triggered Delroy's memories, allowing him to shut down M.O.D.O.K.'s sentinels and run away with the Avengers.
Trivia[]
- Ranked 8th on Comic Book Resources' "8 Fastest Avengers" list.
