Reactron | |
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![]() Reactron as depicted in Supergirl vol. 5 #26 (April 2008). Art by Drew Johnson and Lee Ferguson (pencillers), Ray Snyder and Marc Deering (inkers), and Brad Anderson (colorist). | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983) |
Created by | Paul Kupperberg (writer) Carmine Infantino (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Benjamin Martin Krull |
Species | Metahuman |
Place of origin | Earth |
Team affiliations | Suicide Squad Nuclear Legion |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, stamina and durability Flight Nuclear blasts Body generates lethal radiation |
Reactron is a fictional supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, usually as an adversary of Supergirl.
Reactron first appears in The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983), in a story written by Paul Kupperberg and drawn by Carmine Infantino. [1]
Ben Krullen is a sergeant serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War, alongside Joshua Clay. When Krullen massacres the inhabitants of a Vietnamese village, the shock triggers the activation of Clay's metahuman powers. [2] Clay seemingly destroys Krullen with his energy blasts, then goes AWOL.
Krullen, instead of being killed, is transformed into a being capable of generating radioactive energy and concussive blasts. Calling himself Reactron, the Living Reactor, he surfaces years later and attacks the Doom Patrol, [3] then later fights Supergirl. [4]
Reactron's origin and background are altered following the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot. Now named Benjamin Krull, he faces the Doom Patrol and Power Girl in his first appearance. [5] Most of his pre-Crisis continuity seems intact, but it is now said that his previous battles involved Power Girl instead of Supergirl. [6] Seemingly destroyed after overloading on Negative Woman's energy, [7] Reactron resurfaces unharmed as a member of the Suicide Squad. [8]
Reactron reappears in the Superman: New Krypton storyline with a new costume and abilities. Recruited by Sam Lane as part of Project 7734, Reactron is equipped with a heart made of gold kryptonite and partnered with Metallo. Reactron and Metallo attack the city of New Krypton, where Reactron kills Zor-El, the father of Supergirl. As part of his participation in Project 7734, Lex Luthor sends a robot double of himself with Brainiac on a mission to attack New Krypton, a new planet in Earth's solar system populated by the survivors of the Kryptonian city of Kandor. While there, the Luthor robot tampers with Reactron's body chemistry. [9] Shortly afterward, Reactron kills himself, causing a chain reaction that destroys New Krypton and kills all but a handful of its inhabitants. [10]
Reactron is a metahuman with the ability to generate nuclear radiation and concussive blasts. Reactron is also equipped with a gold Kryptonite heart, which allows him to briefly depower Kryptonians. [11]
Reactron appears in the Supergirl episode "Fight or Flight", [12] portrayed by Chris Browning. [13] This version is a former nuclear engineer who was exposed to radiation amidst a terrorist attack that Superman thwarted, during which Ben's wife Alyssa died. Blaming Superman for her death, Ben built an advanced biomedical exo-suit that grants super-strength, the ability to fly, and fire energy blasts. In pursuit of his revenge, he attacks Supergirl, only to be defeated by her and arrested. [14]