John Falsworth was an English aristocrat before he was turned into a vampire and became the first incarnation of Baron Blood. He has the typical vampiric traits like superstrength, power to hypnotize, ability to fly and mentally control animals, as well as the power to manipulate the weather. The Marvel villain was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins, who introduced him 50 years ago in The Invaders #7 (July 1976).

Falsworth was interested in learning about vampires, so he left home when his brother was given the family fortune and traveled to Transylvania. There, he met Dracula who drained Falsworth of his blood and turned him into a vampire. Now a minion of the King of the Vampires, Falsworth was sent back to England to cause mayhem.

He became Baron Blood and sided with Germany during World War I, meanwhile his brother, James, had become England’s hero Union Jack. Without knowing each other’s new identities, the brothers fought and Baron Blood was injured when Union Jack cut him with a silver dagger.

Baron Blood resurfaced during World War II, once again aiding Germany in return for offering him some protection from sunlight through the Nazi’s technological advancements. He attacked and seriously injured his niece, Jacqueline, who was saved by the Human Torch. The android gave her a transfusion of artificial blood, and she gained superhuman abilities, becoming the hero, Spitfire. Baron Blood attacked the newly powered Spitfire and took her back to Falsworth Manor where he injured his brother. He was stopped when a stalactite laced with silver impaled him.

Lady Lotus then sent Japanese soldiers to find and revive Baron Blood. They were met by Spitfire and her brother, Brian, aka Union Jack II, but Baron Blood was resurrected before Lady Lotus’ troops were defeated. He went to the US and faced off against the Invaders then joined the Nazi’s Super-Axis team. They were unable to protect him, however, and Namor impaled Baron Blood with a stake, killing him.

Dracula sent his servant, Dr. Jacob Cromwell, to the Tower of London to resurrect Baron Blood. He was able to bring Blood back, and the vampire showed his appreciation by killing Cromwell and his daughter, then turning her into a vampire (she would later become Baroness Blood). Then Baron Blood stole Cromwell’s identity and went on a murder spree. James, now an old man, sought the help of Captain America and Union Jack III to stop him. Distracted by his older brother, Baron Blood was decapitated by Captain America’s shield and he turned to ash.

Baron Blood returned again during “Secret Empire” as a part of the Army of Evil and he helped in their attacks in New York City and Washington, DC. When the Darkforce blocked the sun in the “Blood Hunt” story, Baron Blood led an army of vampires who planned to spread across North America, but they were defeated by the Avengers.