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Chemo (character)

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For the recurring character in novels by Carl Hiaasen, see Blondell Wayne Tatum.
Chemo
Chemo as depicted in Infinite Crisis #4 (March 2006). Art by Phil Jimenez.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceShowcase #39 (July–August 1962)
Created byRobert Kanigher
Ross Andru
Mike Esposito
In-story information
SpeciesRobot
Team affiliationsInjustice 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.

Publication history

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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

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Chemo is a plastic vessel used by scientist Ramsey Norton to contain chemical by-products from his experiments. When Norton places the remnants of a failed growth formula in the vessel, it accidentally brings the vessel to life as "Chemo".[4] After killing Norton, Chemo becomes an enemy of the Metal Men.[5][6][7][8][9]

In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Brainiac and Lex Luthor unleash Chemo on Earth-4, where he destroys New York City and kills Aquagirl. It is defeated when Negative Woman shatters its plastic shell.[10]

In Infinite Crisis, Chemo assists the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Brotherhood of Evil in attacking Blüdhaven.[11] It covers the city with toxic waste, killing hundreds of thousands of people, before being defeated by Superman.[12]

In Salvation Run, the Joker and Gorilla Grodd retrieve and weaponize Chemo while on a prison planet.[13] Rogue New Gods visiting the city of Metropolis capture three miniature versions of Chemo. Superman follows the true Chemo and discovers it to be a LexCorp project.[14]

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Chemo is created when a thief throws Will Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals.[15]

Powers and abilities

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Chemo has very limited intelligence coupled with immense strength and durability. It can alter its mass, generate corrosive acid, and regenerate after being destroyed.[16] On one occasion, Chemo is augmented after absorbing Superman's DNA, gaining strength comparable to his.[17]

In other media

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Television

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Film

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Chemo as it appears in Batman Unlimited

Chemo appears in Batman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants.[19]

Video games

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Merchandise

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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

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  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. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  5. ^ Metal Men #39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962)
  6. ^ Metal Men #14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976)
  7. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  8. ^ DC Comics Presents #4 (December 1978)
  9. ^ Superman #342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982)
  10. ^ Crisis on Infinite Earth #9-10 (December 1985-January 1986)
  11. ^ Batman #649 (January 2006),
  12. ^ Infinite Crisis #1-7 (December 2005-June 2006)
  13. ^ Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007–June 2008)
  14. ^ Superman #663 (July 2007)
  15. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #28 (April 2014)
  16. ^ Showcase #39 (July 1962)
  17. ^ Action Comics #590 (July 1987)
  18. ^ "Synthoid Voice - Justice League (TV Show)". 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.
  19. ^ a b "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.
  20. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
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