Roland Desmond

History

Roland Desmond was the brother of Mark Desmond, the original Blockbuster. Suffering from seizures due to the Dominator’s gene-bomb, Roland was treated with experimental steroids. The treatment left him with superhuman strength along with enhanced durability and stamina, but lowered his intellect. With the Underworld Unleashed, Roland made a deal with the demon Neron and was given genius-level intelligence which he used to become the new crime lord of Blüdhaven, where Roland’s mother lived. Blockbuster clashed with Nightwing on numerous occasions. He had nearly achieved total control of Bludhaven’s organized crime and was looking to expand into Gotham City when he was killed by the new Tarantula.

Blackest Night

For more information see: Blackest Night

While Roland’s dead body, along with several other Batman villains were being transported from Gotham to Washington DC, to be put in the Justice League’s private crypt for safe keeping, Roland was changed into a Black Lantern. Roland and the other newly formed Black Lanterns flew to the Gotham Police Department Headquarters. There, Roland stays on the roof with the Bat-Signal, taunting Batman to come and save the police trapped inside.

When Batman and Robin show up, Roland learns that Dick Grayson is now Batman and taught him about how the real Batman felt if he know what Nightwing did in Bludhaven. Dick throws a flamethrower to Roland’s face.

Later after the Black Lantern’s reform, they track Batman and Red Robin to a cemetery, but with the help of Etrigan the Demon and Deadman, Batman and Red Robin are able to escape the Black Lanterns.