A certain degree of dedication isn't unusual among comics fans, but one Venezuelan man's devotion to the Marvel supervillain Red Skull apparently exceeded his devotion to having a sense of smell.

According to the Daily Mail, 37-year-old Henry Damon had his nose surgically removed so he could look more like his idol, the Nazi agent and Captain America foe who (quite sensibly) just wore a red skull mask in the original comics.

The body modification artist who removed Damon's nose assured the Mail that his client is not mentally ill.

"He's an excellent son, husband and father, who has an extreme taste for body modification," said Emilio Gonzalez, a former med student who dropped out to pursue body alteration.

Damon's future plans reportedly include tattooing his entire face red and putting silicone implants in his cheeks and chin.

"He has loved comic books since he was a kid and always dreamed of being Red Skull," said a friend of Damon's, "but never got round to doing it," which has to be the lamest excuse for not cutting off your nose I've ever heard.

[ Images via AP Images/Marvel Studios]