Chemois asupervillainappearing in comic books published byDC Comics.Debuting in theSilver Age of Comic Books,the character has appeared in bothcomic booksand other DC Comics-related products such asanimated television seriesandtrading cards.
| Chemo | |
|---|---|
 Chemo as depicted inInfinite Crisis#4 (March 2006). Art byPhil 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 |
|
Publication history
editThe character first appeared inShowcase#39 (July–August 1962) and was created by writerRobert Kanigherand artistsRoss AndruandMike Esposito.[1]
Chemo debuted in a story called "The Deathless Doom" inShowcase#39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962), being the adversary for DC Comics' new superteam theMetal Men.The character returned inMetal Men#14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976).
Chemo reappeared inDC Comics Presents#4 (December 1978);Superman#342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982);Crisis on Infinite Earths#9-10 (December 1985-January 1986) andAction Comics#590 (July 1987). WriterLen Weinsaid 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 inSupergirl(vol. 4) #5 (January 1997) and then appeared briefly during theOur Worlds At Warstoryline inThe Adventures of Superman#593-594 (August–September 2001) and inBirds of Prey#36 (December 2001) andJoker: Last Laugh#2 (December 2001).
Chemo featured as a major villain in the limited seriesInfinite Crisis#1-7 (December 2005-June 2006) and appeared in multiple forms inSuperman#663 (July 2007). The character also appeared inOutsiders - Five of a Kind:Nightwing/Captain Boomerang(October 2007);Salvation Run#1-7 (November 2007–June 2008) and inBooster Gold(vol. 2) #13 (December 2008).
WriterMike Conroynoted "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
editChemo 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 theMetal Men.[5][6][7][8][9]
InCrisis on Infinite Earths,BrainiacandLex Luthorunleash Chemo onEarth-4,where he destroysNew York Cityand killsAquagirl.It is defeated whenNegative Womanshatters its plastic shell.[10]
InInfinite Crisis,Chemo assists theSecret Society of Super Villainsand theBrotherhood of Evilin attackingBlüdhaven.[11]It covers the city with toxic waste, killing hundreds of thousands of people, before being defeated by Superman.[12]
InSalvation Run,theJokerandGorilla Groddretrieve and weaponize Chemo while on a prison planet.[13]RogueNew Godsvisiting the city ofMetropoliscapture three miniature versions of Chemo. Superman follows the true Chemo and discovers it to be aLexCorpproject.[14]
InThe New 52continuity reboot, Chemo is created when a thief throwsWill Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals.[15]
Powers and abilities
editChemo 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'sDNA,gaining strength comparable to his.[17]
In other media
editTelevision
edit- An unnamed synthoid resembling Chemo appears in theJustice Leaguetwo-part episode "Metamorphosis", voiced byDee Bradley Baker.[18]This version was created by an accident that animated mutagens being used inSimon Stagg's "Metamorpho"project and rendered Stagg comatose, with his subconscious mind controlling it. Driven by Stagg's obsession to keep Rex Mason away from his daughterSapphire,the synthoid abducts her before being killed by Mason and theJustice League.
- Chemo appears inBatman: The Brave and the Bold,voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.[19]
- Chemo appears in the "Metal Men" segment ofDC Nation Shorts.
- Chemo appears in theDC Super Hero Girlsepisode "#SuperWho?". This version was created by unlicensed toxic chemicals.
Film
edit
Chemo appears inBatman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants.[19]
Video games
edit- Chemo appears inDC Universe Online.
- Chemo appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[20]
- Chemo appears as a playable character inDC Legends.
Merchandise
editAn action figure based on Chemo was released as part of the "Collect and Connect" line inMattel'sDC Universe Classics6-inch line.
References
edit- ^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.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^Eury, Michael (2006).The Krypton Companion.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 140.ISBN9781893905610.
- ^Conroy, Mike (2004).500 Comicbook Villains.Collins & Brown. p. 250.ISBN184340205X.Retrieved6 June2017.
- ^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. p. 54.ISBN978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^Metal Men#39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962)
- ^Metal Men#14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976)
- ^Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. pp. 56–57.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.
- ^DC Comics Presents#4 (December 1978)
- ^Superman#342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982)
- ^Crisis on Infinite Earth#9-10 (December 1985-January 1986)
- ^Batman#649 (January 2006),
- ^Infinite Crisis#1-7 (December 2005-June 2006)
- ^Salvation Run#1-7 (November 2007–June 2008)
- ^Superman#663 (July 2007)
- ^Justice League(vol. 2) #28 (April 2014)
- ^Showcase#39 (July 1962)
- ^Action Comics#590 (July 1987)
- ^"Synthoid Voice -Justice League(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedJuly 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.
- ^ab"Chemo Voices (DC Universe)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedJuly 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.
- ^Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects -Scribblenauts UnmaskedGuide ".IGN.RetrievedJuly 23,2024.
External links
edit- Chemoat Comic Vine