Hourman

Last updated

Hourman
3hourmen jhwilliams3.jpg
All three Hourmen (from top: Matthew, Rick and Rex Tyler). Promotional art for JSA #65 by J. H. Williams III.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First comic appearance Adventure Comics #48 (March 1940)
Created byKen Fitch (writer)
Bernard Baily (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoRex Tyler
Rick Tyler
Matthew Tyler
Team affiliations
Notable aliasesHour-Man
Abilities

Hourman or Hour-Man is the name of three different fictional superheroes appearing in comics published by DC Comics. The original Hourman was created by writer Ken Fitch and artist Bernard Baily in Adventure Comics #48 (March 1940), during the Golden Age of Comic Books. [1] The first Hourman is chemist Rex Tyler, who creates a new synthesis, "Miraclo", which grants him super-strength and endurance, but only for one hour. [2]

Contents

Rex Tyler made his live action debut in the season one finale of The CW series Legends of Tomorrow portrayed by Patrick J. Adams. Both Rex and Rick Tyler also appear in the DC Universe series Stargirl portrayed by Lou Ferrigno Jr. and Cameron Gellman respectively.

Fictional character biography

Rex Tyler

The original Hourman is Rex Tyler, who appeared in the Golden Age of Comic Books and is a founding member of the Justice Society of America. [3]

Rex Tyler, raised in upstate New York, is a scientist who develops an affinity for chemistry, particularly biochemistry. [2] After graduating college, he lands a job researching vitamins and hormone supplements at Bannermain Chemical. A series of discoveries and accidents lead him to the "miraculous vitamin" Miraclo, which gives the user superhuman strength and vitality for one hour at a time. [4] Feeling that Miraclo should be used for good purposes, Rex uses its powers to help those in need, becoming a superhero based in Appleton City. It is later revealed that Miraclo is addictive and that Rex is struggling with its effects.

In Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! , Hourman is killed by Extant, who causes him to age rapidly. [5] [6] He is resurrected after the Hourman android takes his place in the battle with Extant, enabling him to survive. Hourman retires from heroics and provides technical support for the JSA All-Stars, of whom his son Rick is a member. [7]

Rick Tyler

Rick Tyler, Rex's son, becomes Hourman during Crisis on Infinite Earths , using some of his father's Miraclo pills to save people trapped in a burning hospital. After serving for a few years as a member of Infinity, Inc., Rick becomes addicted to Miraclo just as his father did before Amazo, posing as the android Hourman, cures him of his Miraclo addiction. Having conquered his personal demons, Rick joins the Justice Society.

Matthew Tyler

In the 853rd century, an android modeled on Rex Tyler serves with both the Justice League and the Justice Society for a time. Originally possessing the Worlogog, an artifact which can manipulate time, he gives up most of his power at the suggestion of Snapper Carr. After failing to stop Extant from escaping a fight, Hourman quits the JSA and begins traveling through time. The android briefly uses the alias Matthew Tyler and is often simply called Tyler.

Powers and abilities

All incarnations of Hourman derive their powers from Miraclo, a substance that gives them superhuman strength, durability, and speed for one hour at a time. Other, lesser known and mentioned powers include night vision and the ability to survive underwater.

Rex and Rick both wear an hourglass around their necks given to them by the Hourman android. The hourglass is filled with energized tachyons which give them the ability to see one hour into the future. The body of the Hourman android consists of countless nanomachines, enabling him to repair himself if damaged. [8] In addition to the abilities granted by Miraclo, he is able to manipulate and travel through time.

In other media

Television

Film

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. 145. ISBN   978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. 1 2 Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 25. ISBN   978-1605490892.
  3. ↑ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History . Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p.  146. ISBN   0-87833-808-X . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  4. ↑ Markstein, Don. "Hourman". Don Markstein's Toonopedia . Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  5. ↑ Greenberger, Robert (2008). "Extant". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 117. ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC   213309017.
  6. ↑ Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! #3 (September 1994)
  7. ↑ JSA All-Stars #1 (February 2010)
  8. ↑ JSA #4 (November 1999)
  9. ↑ Goldberg, Natalie (November 5, 2013). "The CW Developing Drama Based on DC Comics Hero 'Hourman'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (May 19, 2016). "Legends of Tomorrow to introduce Justice Society of America in season 2". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 13, 2018). "Stargirl Casts Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Hourman, Founding Member of JSA". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  12. ↑ Abbate, Jake (January 7, 2021). "Stana Katic and Matt Bomer Headline DC's Animated Justice Society Film". Superhero Hype.
  13. ↑ "Warner Bros, DC Films And Chernin Teaming On 'Hourman' Film With Gavin James And Neil Widener Writing The Script". March 17, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.