Chemo (character)

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Chemo
Chemo.PNG
Chemo as depicted in Infinite Crisis #4 (March 2006). Art by Phil Jimenez.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Showcase #39 (July–August 1962)
Created by Robert Kanigher
Ross Andru
Mike Esposito
In-story information
Species Robot
Team affiliations Injustice League
The Society
Suicide Squad
Abilities

Chemo is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character has appeared in both comic books and other DC Comics-related products such as animated television series and trading cards.

Contents

Publication history

The character first appeared in Showcase #39 (July–August 1962) and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artists Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. [1]

Chemo debuted in a story called "The Deathless Doom" in Showcase #39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962), being the adversary for DC Comics' new superteam the Metal Men. The character returned in Metal Men #14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976).

Chemo reappeared in DC Comics Presents #4 (December 1978); Superman #342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982); Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10 (December 1985-January 1986) and Action Comics #590 (July 1987). Writer Len Wein said in a 2006 interview: "I realized after doing that first story [with Chemo] that here was a villain that was a physical match against Superman, so I kept bringing him back". [2]

The character was reimagined in Supergirl (vol. 4) #5 (January 1997) and then appeared briefly during the Our Worlds At War storyline in The Adventures of Superman #593-594 (August–September 2001) and in Birds of Prey #36 (December 2001) and Joker: Last Laugh #2 (December 2001).

Chemo featured as a major villain in the limited series Infinite Crisis #1-7 (December 2005-June 2006) and appeared in multiple forms in Superman #663 (July 2007). The character also appeared in Outsiders - Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Captain Boomerang (October 2007); Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007–June 2008) and in Booster Gold (vol. 2) #13 (December 2008).

Writer Mike Conroy noted "where would comic books be without those flukes, those accidents of fate which, although inexplicable to science, result in innocuous materials having a far-reaching impact on the world outside the laboratory?". [3]

Fictional character biography

Chemo was originally the nickname given to a plastic vessel used by scientist Ramsey Norton to contain the chemical by-products from his failed experiments. When Norton places the remnants of a failed growth formula in the vessel as his latest contribution, it accidentally brings the vessel to life as Chemo. [4] [5] Chemo goes on to become a prominent enemy of Will Magnus' robot team, the Metal Men. [6]

During the Crisis on Infinite Earths , villains Brainiac and Lex Luthor use Chemo as a living weapon on Earth-4. Chemo destroys the alternate universe version of New York City and kills Aquagirl by releasing large quantities of toxic chemicals into the ocean. Chemo is dispersed and neutralized when Negative Woman shatters its plastic shell. [7]

During the Infinite Crisis storyline, the Secret Society of Super Villains employs the Brotherhood of Evil to use Chemo as a living weapon. They drop Chemo onto the city of Blüdhaven, killing thousands of civilians, before Superman hurls it into deep space. [8] [9] While in space, Chemo is found by the Joker and Gorilla Grodd. [10]

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Chemo was created when a thief threw Will Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals. [11]

Powers and abilities

Chemo has very limited intelligence coupled with immense strength and durability. It can alter its mass, generate corrosive acid, and regenerate if destroyed. [4] On one occasion, Chemo is augmented after absorbing Superman's DNA, gaining strength comparable to his. [12]

In other media

Television

Film

Chemo as it appears in Batman Unlimited Chemo (Batman Unlimited).jpeg
Chemo as it appears in Batman Unlimited

Chemo appears in Batman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants , voiced by Dave B. Mitchell. [13]

Video games

Merchandise

An action figure based on Chemo was released as part of the "Collect and Connect" line in Mattel's DC Universe Classics 6-inch line.

References

  1. ↑ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 68. ISBN   978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ↑ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 140. ISBN   9781893905610.
  3. ↑ Conroy, Mike (2004). 500 Comicbook Villains. Collins & Brown. p. 250. ISBN   184340205X . Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  4. 1 2 Kanigher, Robert  ( w ), Andru, Ross  ( p ), Esposito, Mike  ( i )."The Deathless Doom!" Showcase ,vol. 1,no. 39(July 1962).DC Comics.
  5. ↑ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 54. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  6. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains . New York: Facts on File. pp. 56–57. ISBN   0-8160-1356-X.
  7. ↑ Wolfman, Marv  ( w ), Pérez, George  ( p ), Ordway, Jerry ; Machlan, Mike ( i ),Tollin, Anthony ( col )."War Zone" Crisis on Infinite Earths ,vol. 1,no. 9(December 1985).DC Comics.
  8. ↑ Winick, Judd  ( w ), Battle, Eric  ( p ),Ramos, Rodney ( i ), Sinclair, Alex  ( col )."All They Do is Watch Us Kill, Part 2" Batman ,vol. 1,no. 649(March 2006).DC Comics.
  9. ↑ Johns, Geoff  ( w ), Jimenez, Phil ; Pérez, George ; Reis, Ivan  ( p ), Lanning, Andy ; Stucker, Lary; Pérez, George; Campos, Marc; Albert, Oclair; Palmiotti, Jimmy ; Geraci, Drew ( i ), Cox, Jeromy ; Major, Guy ( col )."Homecoming" Infinite Crisis ,vol. 1,no. 4(March 2006).DC Comics.
  10. ↑ Sturges, Lilah  ( w ), Chen, Sean  ( p ),Wong, Walden ( i ), Kalisz, John  ( col )."All You Need is Hate" Salvation Run ,vol. 1,no. 3(March 2008).DC Comics.
  11. ↑ Johns, Geoff  ( w ), Reis, Ivan  ( p ),Prado, Joe; Hanna, Scott ( i ),Reis, Rod ( col )."Forever Worthy" Justice League ,vol. 2,no. 28(April 2014).DC Comics.
  12. ↑ Byrne, John  ( w ),Byrne, John ( p ), Giordano, Dick  ( i ),Ziuko, Tom ( col )."Better Dying Through Chemistry" Action Comics ,vol. 1,no. 590(July 1987).DC Comics.
  13. 1 2 "Chemo Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 23, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  14. ↑ Erdmann, Kevin (December 19, 2024). "Creature Commandos Episode 4 Easter Eggs And DC References Explained". Screen Rant . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  15. ↑ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN . Retrieved July 23, 2024.
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