Duke of Deception
An illusion-casting servant of Ares who battled Wonder Woman on several occasions.
Name:
Duke of Deception
Publisher:
Real name:
Aliases:
- Prof. Dekon
- Thomas Byde
Birth date:
None
Gender:
Male
Powers:
- Astral Projection
- Divine Powers
- Illusion Casting
- Immortal
- Longevity
First issue:
Major Story Arcs
Golden Age
One of Ares' most trusted allies, the Duke of Deception was one of Wonder Woman's earliest enemies. He uses his illusions to spread falsehoods among humanity to provoke them into conflict and war. During World War II, he worked with Lord Conquest and the Earl of Greed to worsen the hatred between countries. He has taken several disguises over the years, including Wonder Woman, and he often vainly projects an attractive illusion of himself. He had a daughter named Lya, who at one point tried to overthrow him.
Modern Age
He appeared Post-Crisis as one of several villains who allied themselves with Circe. He was mentioned as a servant of Ares, and used his illusions to create duplicates of himself. He was defeated by Wonder Woman and her allies, and presumably imprisoned.
Alternate Versions
The Legend of Wonder Woman
The Duke of Deception is a moniker used by a servant of Ares and Hades, a personification of deceit. He manipulated a young man named Thomas Byde to kill himself, and thus possessed his body. Using his illusions and necromancy, he became famous during World War II as a being who raised the dead.
