Dr. Nikola is a mad genius and criminal mastermind who has two major goals: immortality and world domination. He is hunted by Richard Hatteras and a Mongolian assassin with half of one ear missing. Nikola is originally from Venice, a descendant of Fransisco del Revecce on his mother's side. His mother died when he was young and the two were living in poverty. Don Jose de Martinos, a South American dictator, is Nikola's stepbrother. Nikola is charming and well mannered, but entirely evil, and commands his henchmen by fear, often threatening their families. His henchmen included Baxter, Eastover and William Pendergast.