Nabu

First appearanceMore Fun Comics #67 (1940)
Created byGardner Fox
Howard Sherman
TeamsLords of Chaos and Order
Various Doctor Fates (Kent Nelson, Eric and Linda Strauss, Hector Hall, Khalid Nassour)
Abilities
  • Incalculable levels of magical power, spell-casting mastery, cosmic awareness, highly knowledgeable on the supernatural, and more. Immortality and superhuman strength.
  • In the form of the Helmet of Fate, Nabu can coomune with those whom bear him and others, produce visions, levitate, flight, and can use his powers to access computers. He can also possess others at will to use their bodies.
AliasesFate, Nabu the Wise, Doctor Fate, Nabu-called Fate

Nabu is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in More Fun Comics #67 in May 1941, he is a major supporting character in Doctor Fate titles. A fictionalized version of the Mesopotamian god of the same name, he frequently serves as the first person to call himself Fate before serving as a guiding force and mentor of several bearers of Doctor Fate, notably being his agents for the Lords of Order. Over time, Nabu is characterized as cold and relentless in his battles against the Lords of Chaos, resorting to manipulating his first apprentice by usurping control of Kent Nelson's mind and body while being the chief cause of Inza Cramer's mental breakdown. This characterization becomes consistent although the character has also attempted to learn from his errors. In modern continuities, while his history of his mental control over Nelson is intact, he agrees to cede control to Khalid Nassour, favoring his newest host.[1]

Fictional history

Birth and early exploits

Shortly after the formation of the universe, two elemental forces were born: the Lords of Order and the Lords of Chaos. As the two emerged, both forces struggle for supremacy over the other. The Lords of Order manifest as the first sentience race in the universe as disembodied magical beings, in which included Nabu. As a Lord of Order, he was one of the first beings to contribute to the creation of the universe.[2] Eventually assigned to the mortal world of Earth, he adopted a human form and descended to Earth from Cilia, and became Nabu the Wise, an advisor to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He served as a court magician for various Egyptian pharaohs including Khufu and Ramses.

During his time with Ramses, Nabu tried to warn the pharaoh and subsequently his son against persecuting the escaping Jews, led by Moses. One night, Nabu was visited by the Spectre, who warned that every firstborn Egyptian child would be killed by him except for Hebrew slaves. This horrified the magician and he prepared to fight the Spectre with all of his powers but was defeated despite his preparations. The humiliated mystic returned to the pharaoh who had lost his son and, in despair, agreed to free the Hebrew slaves, but then decided to send his army to kill them to annoy God. Despite his plans, the Pharaoh was killed when the Spectre brought the Red Sea crashing into the Egyptian army after Moses and the Israelites had crossed.[2]

Nabu became the guardian of several powerful talismans, in 2578 BC, when Egypt had fallen under the rule of the Vandal Savage, who had assumed the identity of Pharaoh Khafre. Around this time, Bonnie Baxter of the Masters of Time had come from the 20th century, where Khafre's guards threw her into a prison cell. Nabu appeared before her and led her to safety with his magic and asked for her help in overthrowing the immortal Khafre. He intended to combine magic with the science of the time traveler where she gave him her communicator. By combining the pair, he created the Blue Beetle of Khaji-Da, which Bonnie used to overthrow the pharaoh who was wrapped in bandages to contain him, as his immortality would cause him to rise again.[3] The Beetle was lost for 4,500 years before being rediscovered in the 20th century by archaeologist Dan Garrett, who became the first Blue Beetle.

During the Theban dynasty, Nabu the Wise served as an advisor to Prince Khufu Kha-taar, where he served with his ally Teth-Adam. One day, they witnessed a Thanagarian spacecraft crashed and they headed to catch up, they arrived at the scene of the dying pilots where Nabu conjured a spell to translate their alien language that spoke of imminent danger in the far future after this they died. From the ship, they discovered the existence of Nth Metal, which Khufu forged into weapons for his use, and Nabu tried to prepare them, as it was determined that the prince and his fiancée had a role to play in this conflict. During this time, they encountered a traveler who could travel at high speeds and gave him a war glove forged from portions of the Nth Metal called the "Claw of Horus", which they predicted would be instrumental in a battle of thousands of years in the world.

Doctor Fate

In 1920, archaeologist Sven Nelson and his son Kent go on an expedition to the Valley of Ur. While exploring a temple discovered by his father, Kent opens the tomb of Nabu the Wise and revives him from suspended animation, accidentally releasing a poisonous gas which kills Sven. Nabu takes pity on Kent and teaches him the skills of a sorcerer over the next twenty years before giving him a mystical helmet, amulet, and cloak. In 1940, Kent meets Inza Cramer and Wotan in Alexandria, Egypt on his way back to America. After arriving back in the United States, Kent begins a career fighting crime and supernatural evil as the sorcerer and superhero Doctor Fate and sets up a base in a tower in Salem, Massachusetts. Due to Nabu occasionally possessing him, he converted to half of the helm to regain control but at the cost of halving the power.

After Kent's death, Nabu chooses Eric Strauss and his stepmother Linda to be the next Doctor Fate, with Eric and Linda having to merge into one being to become Fate.[4] Nabu goes on to possess Kent's corpse to personally advise them.[4] The three of them are soon joined by a friendly demon called Petey and lawyer Jack C. Small.[5] Eric is killed on Apokolips during a battle with Desaad, forcing Linda to become Doctor Fate on her own.[6] Linda is killed soon afterwards by the Lords of Chaos. Despite their grim fates, Eric and Linda's souls are reincarnated in the bodies of Eugene and Wendy DiBellia while Nabu reincarnates in Eugene and Wendy's unborn child.[7]

Eventually, Nabu came into conflict with the Spectre when he began hunting down and killing other Lords of Chaos and Order. In Infinite Crisis, Alexander Luthor, Jr. revealed that he had sent Superboy-Prime to recover the black diamond and that the Psycho-Pirate delivered it to Loring on Alex's orders and had Eclipso-Loring manipulated the Spectre by convincing him magic was an abomination to God and into breaking down magic into its more raw energy form, in which doing so killed the Lords of Chaos and Order in the process. In doing so, Alexander could use them for his own ends. After killing other Lords of Order including the Wizard Shazam, Nabu was the last one to face him. Nabu put up a valiant fight against the Spectre but knew he would lose this battle and instead, opted to fight at a level for the Presence to take notice. Je was fatally injured but ultimately stopped the Spectre. Nabu, in his final act, passed his Helm of Fate to Detective Chimp and tasked him to find one worthy of the mantle. With his death, the 9th Age of Magic had ended and the 10th Age of Magic begun.

The New 52

In 2011, as part of DC Comics' "The New 52" initiative, a reboot of the continuity in the DC Universe introduced a revised version of Nabu. This new iteration of the character featured alterations to his origin story. In the Doctor Fate series, the character's earlier history attributed him to being a servant of Thoth, who created the Helmet of Fate and designated Nabu as the spirit within. The reasons behind this choice remain currently unknown, but Nabu's role was to assist the chosen champion of the Egyptian pantheon, Doctor Fate.[8][1]

However, an alternative origin was later presented for Nabu in this revised continuity. It depicted his rise to becoming a member of the Lords of Order from a mortal existence. This transformation occurred as a result of his interactions with Hecate, a deity who had suffered abuse from fellow sorcerers, including the notable future practitioner of dark magic, Mordru. As a consequence of the inherent dangers of magic, Nabu's spirit eventually came to reside within the created Helmet of Fate, as his original body deteriorated. While this alternative origin restores his status as the Helm's primary intelligence, it diverges from the traditional depiction of the Lords of Order as energy beings that originated millions of years ago.[9]

Supporting Khalid Nassour

In the Doctor Fate series, Nabu assumes a new role as a guide and mentor to Khalid Nassour, the newly chosen Doctor Fate. Nabu assists the inexperienced Khalid in his battles against various adversaries, including Anubis, a necromancer, and the spirit of Julius Caesar. Additionally, Nabu imparts crucial information to Khalid, as well supports Kent Nelson when he resurfaces in Khalid's life after discovering Khalid's destiny as the next Doctor Fate.Nabu is portrayed as a deceased spirit who often communicates in cryptic ways, which fustrates the young Doctor Fate. At times, Khalid dismisses Nabu, likening him to an annoying Jinn.[8][10][11] For a period, Kent Nelson would resumed the Doctor Fate mantle while training Khalid Nassour, but Nabu trapped Kent in mystic stasis. Nabu then assumed the role of Doctor Fate, using Kent's connection to manifest through the Helm of Fate. Nabu clashed with Blue Beetle and his scarab Khaji-Da, orchestrated by their shared adversary, Arion. Kent eventually regained control, defeated Arion, and continued training Khalid.[12]

In the second Justice League Dark series, Nabu betrays Kent Nelson, taking control of his body and imprisoning Khalid Nassour. Nabu's goal is to eradicate magic and sacrifice the magical community to eliminate the threat of the Upside-Down Man and Hecate. Khalid, Kent, and the Justice League Dark unite to counter Nabu and Hecate, ultimately leading to Nabu passing on the mantle of Doctor Fate to Khalid. With Nabu's help, Khalid battles Circe, the Injustice League Dark, restores balance to the elemental Parliaments, and faces the Upside-Down Man. Both Nabu and Kent make sacrifices to aid the team. Though surviving, Nabu is no longer the primary intelligence in the Helmet of Fate. Throughout the series, Nabu's manipulative nature is evident, but he gradually learns from his mistakes and gains respect from Khalid. Kent, however, becomes cautious about trusting Nabu, while supporting Khalid as Doctor Fate.[13][14][15]

Some time before the battle with Upsidown-Man, Nabu assists Khalid and Superman in battling Xanadoth, a former leader of the Lords of Chaos.[16] After parting ways with Khalid following the fight with Upside-Down, Nabu reappears to help defeat Xanadoth once more alongside the Justice League and Justice League Dark.[17] Eventually, Hauhet replaces Nabu as the patron spirit of the Helmet of Fate, bringing her superior wisdom and perspective.[18] The Future State event hints at a connection between Nabu and Hauhet, with Hauhet considering herself wiser than Nabu.[19]

Other versions

  • In Futures End, John Constantine is able to set a trap for Nabu, who had been summoning countless people to try to be consumed by the helmet. John made a deal with a demon to summon the god Anubis to judge Nabu. He was found guilty of caring only for himself and killed, with the demon now trapped within the Helmet of Destiny.

Powers and abilities

Nabu, a sorcerous entity composed of pure magical energy and a key figure in the Doctor Fate mythology, is widely recognized as one of the most powerful beings on Earth. Among the esteemed members of the Lords of Order, Nabu holds a position of great power and influence. However, his capabilities are rivalled by other notable sorcerers such as the enigmatic Phantom Stranger and Arion, the former who serves as an agent of the Presence and the latter a fellow Lord of Order and a hailed Sorcerer Supreme, respectively.[20][21] Boasting an immeasurable reserve of magical power, this character possesses the ability to perform virtually any mystical feat. These powers encompass mind reading, interdimensional teleportation, and various others. Additionally, Nabu possesses inherent immortality and a degree of superhuman strength.When residing within the Helm of Fate, Nabu can establish communication with the wearer, provide visions, interface with computers, and even exert influence over the wearer's will.[1][22]

While Nabu possesses considerable might, it is important to note that his power is surpassed by the Spectre, the embodiment of divine vengeance and justice.[2] The character would also suffer from various imposed limitations overtime, with recent stories depicting him been rendered unable to utilize a human host without them willfully accepting his help after the events of the Lords of Order storyline.[1]

In other media

Naiad

Natas

Nebula Man

Nick Necro

First appearanceJustice League Dark #12 (2012)
Created byJeff Lemire & Mikel Janín
AbilitiesPowerful mastery over black magic and extensive knowledge of the occult and supernatural
AliasesNick Necro

Nicholas Edgar Nolan, known as Nick Necro, is a mystical supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Mikel Janin, the character would first appear in Justice League Dark #12,debuting during the New 52 era..

The character's backstory reveals that he was born to a seamstress and a plumber. In pursuit of a more exciting life, the character turned to the practice of magic and received instruction from esteemed sorcerers such as Zatara. At one point, the character gained recognition as one of the most accomplished sorcerers in New York, earning respect within the magical community. Additionally, he engaged in a polyamorous relationship with Constantine and Zatanna, two prominent figures in the mystical world. He not only shared a deep bond and romantic connection with them but also imparted knowledge of dark magic.However, as the character's obsession with locating the Books of Magic intensified, his personality underwent a negative transformation. This change in demeanor led to the deterioration of his relationships with Constantine and Zatanna. The pair ultimately severed ties with the character, with Constantine even absconding with his distinctive jacket, which had become a trademark of the character's appearance. Following these events, the character became an adversary of the Justice League Dark, joining forces with Doctor Mist and Felix Faust. Their shared objective was to locate the Books of Magic and seek retribution against Zatanna and Constantine, as the character harbored bitterness over what he perceived as a betrayal within their shared relationship.

Negative Flash

Negative Man

Nekron

Nemesis

Nemesis Kid

Neon the Unknown

Nereus

King Nereus
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAquman #19 (2013)
Created byGeoff Johns & Paul Pelletier
In-story information
Alter egoNereus of Xebel
SpeciesXebellian
Place of originXebel
Team affiliationsXebellian Royal Family
PartnershipsOcean Master
Abilities
  • Xebellian physiology grants abilities including breathing underwater, superhuman strength, superhuman durability, enhanced senses, able to swim at extreme speed.
  • Skilled aquakinetic, politician, and fighter

King Nereus is a fictional character who first appeared in Aquaman (vol. 7) #19 as part of The New 52 reboot and was created by Geoff Johns and Paul Pelletier. The character is depicted in the comics as Xebel's military chief and later ruler after the death of King Ryus, the father of Mera. He was also Mera's former fiancee before Aquaman.

In other media, the character is instead cast as Mera's father in several adaptations such as Young Justice and the DC Extended Universe movie, Aquaman, where he is played by Dolph Lundgren, and he reprise his role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Fictional history

In his earlier life, Nereus started out as a Xebel military chief to King Ryus and was to be betrothed to the king's daughter Mera. Before the wedding, Mera were tasked to kill the King of Atlantis as part of their kingdom's revenge for their imprisonment in the Bermuda Triangle by Atlantis centuries ago.[23]

When King Ryus died and Mera fell in love with Aquaman, Nereus was sworn in as the new King of Xebel. Some years later, Mera returned to Xebel, where Nereus discovered that Mera did not kill Aquaman. When Nereus tried to kill Mera, the enemy in ice that pursued Mera appeared and froze all of Xebel.[24] The frozen enemy introduced himself as Atlan the First King of Atlantis, who had awakened from his slumber and wanted his kingdoms back. Nereus swore his allegiance to the Dead King Atlan.[24] When Aquaman arrived, he and Mera fled from Xebel when Nereus and his men pursued them. Nereus led his forces into invading Atlantis, where Mera was captured.[25]

Some months later, Nereus was tasked by Atlan to find the other four Atlantean kingdoms where the Trench, the first one that was found, was. After Atlan was defeated, Nereus found the Ocean Master in Louisiana and told him that he knows where the other four Atlantean kingdoms are.[26]

Nereus in other media

  • Nereus appears in the DC Extended Universe, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren.[27] This version is Mera's father.
    • In the first Aquaman film, using a submarine provided to him by David Kane, Orm tricks Nereus into siding with him in his campaign against the surface world while arranging for Mera to be betrothed to him. After Mera helps Aquaman escape, Orm tells Nereus that Mera perished in the escape. Nereus accompanied Orm in his trip to the Kingdom of the Fishermen. When the Fisherman King Ricou turned down Orm's offer, he was killed while Nereus killed the three guards that tried to avenge him. Nereus then watched as Orm persuaded King Ricou's wife Queen Rina and daughter Princess Scales to take the offer. During the attack on the Kingdom of the Brine where Orm became the Ocean Master, Nereus fought the Brine soldiers and told the Ocean Master that they need the Brine King alive. When Aquaman arrives on the back of the leviathan Karathan and summons an army of sea creatures, Nereus is told by Princess Scales that Aquaman is also commanding the Trench, which Nereus considered impossible. Mera finds her father and informs him that Aquaman has King Atlan's trident, causing Nereus to switch sides. He then watches Aquaman's duel with the Ocean Master, where Aquaman is victorious, and even sees Atlanna appear. As the Ocean Master is taken away by the Atlantean guards, Nereus and the other Atlantean kingdoms accept Aquaman as their leader.
    • Lundgren will reprise the role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. After the attack on Atlantis by Kane, Nereus returns to see his daughter Mera, who was seriously injured. He helps Arthur to give him equipment to go free Orm, being a prisoner in the Kingdom of the Fishermen. Upon meeting with the others, Nereus decides to go help Mera and Arthur, in saving his grandson Arthur Jr. who was kidnapped by Kane, to be sacrificed and free Kordax. At the end of defeating Kordax and Kane, he reunites with them, and also sets Orm free. In the end, he accompanies Arthur and King Brine to the surface in revealing Atlantis' existence through an announcement at the United Nations and declares his intentions of making the kingdom a member state.
  • A version of Nereus named Ryus Nereus appears in Young Justice, being a combination of the Ryus character and Nereus character from the comics. This version, while sharing the name of Ryus, is instead characterized more similarly to Nereus from the comics and is portrayed as an abrasive ruler of Xebel and a political rival of Aquaman. During the events of season four, Nereus is reluctant to trust the seemingly resurrected Arion (who is truly Ocean Master in a cloned body of Arion) and transfer his rulership power to him. He later supports his daughter's nomination as Atlantis's new High King.
  • Nereus appears in Lego DC Super-Villains as part of the "Aquaman" DLC.

Neutron

New Wave

Carter Nichols

Professor Carter Nichols is a fictional character, a comic book scientist published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Batman #24 (August 1944), and was created by Joe Samachson and Dick Sprang.

Professor Nichols was created to lend some sci-fi "color" to Batman stories to both Batman and World's Finest Comics, during a period where more conventional superhero tales were out of favor and most remaining books of the genre drifted into science fiction and related genres.[28]

Carter Nichols is a childhood friend of Thomas Wayne. His appearances nearly always involved some form of time travel, based around his particular specialty referred to as "time travel hypnosis", a process that simulated time travel. The stories themselves are less than clear on this respect. At some point, he develops a "Time-Ray Machine" which he used to both displace and track objects through time. Professor Carter Nichols used his "time travel hypnosis" when he does therapy sessions with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Their first session with Carter Nichols started when Carter hypnotized Bruce into ending up in ancient Rome where he saves a man from being beaten up in the streets by some men. When Batman ends up in trouble in the past where he is caught by soldiers working for Publius Malchio, Dick Grayson has Carter hypnotize him as well so that he can save him. Dick saves him and the court jester where they beat Publius in a chariot race and exile him from Rome. Afterwards, Bruce and Dick are brought out of their hypnotic spell and return to the present.[29]

Carter hypnotizes Bruce and Dick where they end up 300 years in the past where they meet D'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers. When D'Artagnan ends up injured in a fight with Cardinal Richelieu's guards, Batman takes his place and prevents Lady Constance from being poisoned as history stated. After that mission, Batman sheds his disguise and returns to the present with Dick.[30]

Carter hypnotizes Bruce and Dick where they end up back in time at Camelot to discover the secret of Sir Hardi Le Noir. They start by protecting Merlin's niece Aline from Sir Mordred and his men which leads to Batman and Robin being brought before King Arthur. Batman bests Sir Mordred in combat. Batman, Robin, Lancelot, and Aline then try to rescue Merlin who is a prisoner of Morgan Le Fay who looks like Catwoman. Batman's modern science is thought to be wizardry, and he completes the mission, though Morgan Le Fay escapes. Afterwards, King Arthur awards Batman a knighthood naming him Sir Hardi Le Noir (translated as the Bold Black Knight).[31]

Carter hypnotizes Bruce and Dick where they end up back in time to witness the first Olympic Games. Batman befriends several of the athletes as a group of Persians try to disrupt the Olympic Games to start a civil war. Batman and Robin help the athletes defeat the Persians, take the place of the injured athletes in the Olympic Games, and return to the present.[32]

When Bruce is confounded by the mystery of his ancestor Silas Wayne (who was a silversmith and suspected highwayman), he has Carter hypnotize him where he arrives in 1787 to learn the truth about his ancestor. Batman and Robin stop a group of highwaymen where they are soon suspected of the crime themselves. Luckily for them, Benjamin Franklin was able to vouch for them as Batman concludes that Silas was framed as the highwaymen's leader. The real identity of the highwaymen leader is Henry, a former Tory. Silas Wayne loves Henry's sister Martha and agrees to take the blame as the highwayman to protect Martha's mother. Benjamin Franklin gives Silas Wayne a letter which proves his innocence to be used after Martha's mother dies. However, Silas dies first. Bruce later finds the letter hidden inside Silas Wayne 's portrait and Silas is finally cleared one hundred years later.[33]

Carter hypnotizes Bruce and Dick where they end up five centuries in the past to investigate the sighting of a Batman in Milan. They end up meeting Leonardo da Vinci who shows them his great works and learn that he is at odds with a dictator named Gian Trivulao. Batman helps Leonardo da Vinci to publicly humiliate Gian Trivulao. In the process, Leonardo uses a flying machine of his own invention. Men who see him believe they see a "Batman" who uses magic. With Leonardo safely away to Florence, Bruce and Dick return to their own time with an explanation for the "Batman" existing in Milan.[34]

Carter Nichols sends himself back in time to meet the real Baron Frankenstein. Carter sees Baron Frankenstein's experiments and meets his giant assistant Ivan. When Ivan is accidentally electrocuted, Carter revives him with adrenaline. However, Ivan is left in a trance like state. Frankenstein's cousin Count Mettern then orders Ivan to kill Baron Frankenstein. Carter summons Batman and Robin from the future. They battle Ivan who rampages through the nearby village. Count Mettern then attempts to make Batman his slave too. Batman is not affected like Ivan was. He is then able to revive Ivan fully. However, the villagers are angry at Baron Frankenstein and Ivan. When they storm the castle, Batman must calm them down. Ivan then takes revenge upon Count Mettern. Both men die when the castle explodes. Mary Shelley writes about the events, but fictionalizes the story for fear that it would never be believed.[35]

When the curator of the Gotham Museum buys a treasure map that belongs to Henry Morgan, Bruce Wayne finds his handwriting on it and has Carter hypnotize Bruce and Dick into sending them back in time to investigate. They end up captured by Henry Morgan even when Batman manages to injure him. Batman reluctantly draws a treasure map to Henry Morgan's treasure in Florida. Batman changes some of the numbers so that Henry Morgan is never able to recover his treasure. When Bruce returns to his own time, the treasure is still where it was originally buried. The recovered treasure is then given to the Gotham Museum.[36]

When Bruce Wayne finds an Arabian rug on auction with a picture that resembles Joker on it, Carter hypnotizes Bruce and Dick where they end up in ancient Bagdad which is being terrorized by the Crier (a crying villain who resembles Joker). Batman and Robin apprehend Crier and prevent a mass-panic where Crier claimed that the nearby volcano was going to erupt. Batman eventually finds the rug (the same one that was at the auction) which turned out to have been in Crier's possession.[37]

When a carving found by archaeologists traces back to the Age of Viking and has a carving of Bruce Wayne on it, Bruce decides to investigate where he has Carter send him back in time. Bruce and Dick arrive in the Age of Vikings where he is recognized by the townspeople as a coward. Bruce becomes Batman and discovers that his look-a-like is Olaf Erickson who was disgraced in battle and is now a prisoner. Batman rescues Olaf Erickson. He then faces several challenges posing as Olaf which help prove his courage. Olaf then leads an expedition to America where Batman's scientific knowledge saves the Vikings from an Indian attack. Olaf redeems himself in the process. The Vikings then honor him with the carving.[38]

Carter hypnotizes Bruce where they are sent back in time to 1854 to discover what really happened to the treasure of Rex Spears, the ancestor of one of Bruce Wayne's friends. They discover that Spears and young orphan Lorenzo Bagg are transporting the money by stagecoach. Bandits attack the coach forcing Spears to retreat into a canyon. The former prospector is fatally bitten by a rattlesnake. Before dying, he buried the treasure in the canyon. Batman and Robin then see an avalanche which covers the area. When Bruce and Dick return to their own time, they are able to remember the location of the treasure. They then aid the descendants of Rex Spears and Lorenzo Bagg to uncover the money and the will of Rex Spears.[39]

Carter sends Batman and Robin into the future where they accidentally prevent the apprehension of the space pirate Zarro since the police chief looks like Joker. To make up for the mistake, Batman offers to help stop the space pirates that have been looting space ships. Batman takes a job at the Milman space ship factory where he suspects the pirates are being tipped off. With Batman's help, Zarro is apprehended. A saboteur damages Milman's best ship, so Batman enters a specially-constructed Bat-Ship in a race around the Solar System. The saboteur strikes again, but Batman wins the race anyway. Batman then fingers the engineer Erkham and the saboteur who was working for a rival company.[40]

Bruce Wayne discovers a 13th Century Chinese rocket that displays Batman's picture. Carter Nichols sends him and Dick back in time to meet Marco Polo and discover the secret of the rocket. They save Polo's life, but they are unable to stop his rival Bahung from taking over Polo's territory and troops with a deceitful trick. Batman and Robin then ride to warn Kubla Khan about Bahung's invasion. To earn Kubla Khan's trust, Batman and Robin perform circus tricks. They then expose a traitor named Wong Tso who had conspired with Bahung. With the warning, Kubla Khan is able to prepare by using newly invented gunpowder to create rockets. He uses Batman's face to scare off the attackers. The Dynamic Duo then return to their own time period.[41]

In the mid-1970s the character was reintroduced in the Super Friends continuity as a mentor for the Wonder Twins, who lived with him in their civil identities of John and Joanna Flemming.

He was depicted as an older man still assisting Bruce Wayne with his "time travel hypnosis" where his latest one has Batman teaming up with Scalphunter when Batman was placed in 1862 to learn the secret of the Bat-Emblem in a Civil War campaign patch.[42]

In 2010, the character reappeared in the Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne storyline where the Black Glove (led by the mysterious Doctor Simon Hurt) attempted to convince Carter to help aid them in sacrificing an amnesiac victim to the bat god Barbatos in exchange for funding for his time-travel experiments. Carter Nichols rejects the offer when he refused to participate in the sacrifice which enabled the amnesiac victim (who turned out to be Bruce Wayne) to escape through time. Simon Hurt arranged for Carter Nichols to not be taken seriously as a scientist.[43] At some earlier point in Batman's history, Joker, Riddler, Catwoman, Scarecrow, and the Imposter Mad Hatter trap Batman and Robin in a torture device that they had Carter Nichols make. In the present, Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin investigate Carter Nichols' lab and find him dead. Although Dick notices that Carter Nichols is in his eighties, he states that he should be in his sixties. At some point in the future, Damian Wayne as Batman is investigating Nichols' death.[44]

Carter Nichols in other media

Nighthawk

Nightmaster

Nightrider

Nightrunner

Nightshade

Nightslayer

Nightwing

Nite Owl

Nite-Wing

Nocturna

Nocturna (/nɒkˈtɜːrnə/) is a fictional supervillainess character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, created by Doug Moench and Gene Colan. The storyline involving her began in Detective Comics #529 (August 1983), and her first appearance was in Batman #363 (September 1983).[45]

The pre-Crisis incarnation of Nocturna appeared in the first season of the live-action Arrowverse series Batwoman, portrayed by Kayla Ewell.

Biography of Nocturna

Pre-Crisis

Natalia Knight had a hard childhood. She grew up on the streets as a beggar. She was eventually found and taken in by Charles Knight, who adopted her and provided her with a life of luxury.

She has a passion for astronomy and the night and eventually found a job at Gotham City Observatory. While working there one night, she became victim to a radioactive laser, which drained her skin of all pigment. It also rendered her sensitive to light.

After Charles Knight was murdered, she discovered that her lifestyle was funded by criminal activity. It was then that she met Charles' son, Anton Knight, who fell in love with her. They both decided to keep the inheritance and took it upon themselves to keep them in their accustomed lifestyle through burglary, since Natalia needed expensive medical equipment to treat her hypopigmentation.

Anton, having spent much time in Asia, proved to be a highly capable martial artist. He and Natalia entered a life of crime together, he as the Thief of Night, and she as Nocturna, Mistress of the Night. Their burglary soon brought them into conflict with Batman.[46]

After several clashes with Batman, Anton was captured and sent to prison. Nocturna remained free and continued her life of crime along with a new ally, Nightshade. Nocturna would conceive the plans of robbery and theft, Nightshade and his people would carry out the crimes. Once the scheme had run its course, Nocturna called it quits. During this time, she became an intimate friend of both Bruce Wayne and the Batman, something that made both lives more complicated, especially after they had slept together after Bruce lost custody of Jason. She also became a surrogate mother to Jason Todd, the second Robin, and even adopted him. Not wanting Bruce out of Jason's life she proposed that there was only one sensible solution: she and Bruce must get married at once. Although this seemed to be for his wealth, it is later revealed to be because she is in love with him.

Anton Knight finally escaped and, after being rejected by his beloved Nocturna, changed his style and became the murderous Night-Slayer. He killed Nightshade and traded identities with a delirious Batman. After being betrayed one time too many by Nocturna, Anton vowed to kill her. Before he could do so, Night-Slayer was captured by Catwoman. Nocturna, having been stabbed, was last seen being put into a hot air balloon by Jason Todd.

Post-Crisis

Natalie Metternich (who also used the alias of Natalia Mitternacht) is introduced in Robin (vol. 2) #100. She is a former astronomer that encounters Robin and Spoiler in a storyline that ran through Robin (vol. 2) #101-105.

Natalia Mitternacht on the cover of Robin (vol. 2) #103 (August 2002), by Michael Lopez.

She first encounters Spoiler after leaving a theater where she had been playing the piano. Her music caused everyone in the theater, including Robin, to cry; with the exception of the Spoiler (who was recovering from a cold[47]). Outside the theater, she is attacked by an unknown man, but rescued by the Spoiler.[48] She refuses to share her name with Stephanie to provide to the police. This causes the Spoiler to become suspicious of her, and eventually the Spoiler and Robin perform a stakeout at the theater where she performs. During her performance, the Spoiler cries but Robin (who has his nose plugged) is unmoved by Natalia's music. The Spoiler later track Natalia to her apartment and helps her save her scientific research papers when it is discovered that her apartment is on fire.[49]

While Natalia stays at the Spoiler's house, Robin and the Spoiler learn that Natalia secretes a pheromone that causes those around her to become emotional and lose their inhibitions.[50] They deduce that the pheromones caused her attacker, a former schizophrenic patient named Dylan Arthur Prescott, to relapse and attack her. When confronted with this information, Natalia denies any knowledge of her powers. She had been an aspiring scientist that eventually quit the scientific field once she contracted her powers, which caused her to lose her inhibitions and pursue other interests (including playing the piano, acquiring a medieval sense of fashion, and other unconventional choices). Robin and the Spoiler convince her to visit S.T.A.R. Labs to have her powers examined.

Nocturna battles her former friend the Spoiler in Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? #1 (July 2009), art by Guy Major.

The Spoiler and Natalia developed a friendship and the Spoiler shared a great amount of personal information with Natalia while her nose was not plugged. When her nose was plugged, she was able to control what she said and how she behaved around Natalia. After the Spoiler contacted Natalia's estranged mother, Natalia fled from her. Robin and the Spoiler eventually found her as she was being confronted by Prescott. After a mental showdown, Prescott flees from Robin and the Spoiler and dies from electrocution on an underground railway. The Spoiler then convinced Natalia to return to S.T.A.R. Labs for further testing; otherwise, she would contact her mother again.[51]

Although she does not assume the Nocturna identity during this storyline, the title the story in Robin (vol. 2) #105 is "Exit Natalia, Enter... Nocturna?". Series writer Jon Lewis, who was reintroducing characters that had encountered various versions of Robin, confirmed that she is a "rebuild of Nocturna".[52]

One Year Later, Nocturna appears in the Black Canary/Green Arrow Wedding Special #1 as a member of the Injustice League. She is next seen in Salvation Run as a member of Vandal Savage's camp, her appearance in this title borrowing from Bruce Timm's unused Batman: The Animated Series concept artwork.

Recently, she appeared in Trinity as an opponent to Hawkman, appearing in an updated version of her classic appearance and using a hot-air balloons as transportation. She then had cameos in the Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? and Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? one-shots, where she battles her former friend the Spoiler (who comments that Nocturna has given up on hot air balloons) and uses stealth technology to turn invisible during their fight.

The New 52

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, Nocturna is re-introduced as an inmate of Arkham Asylum during the Batman: Night of the Owls storyline. Her true identity here is Natalie Mitternacht.[53] Later in the Forever Evil storyline, Nocturna is among the villains recruited by the Crime Syndicate of America to join the Secret Society of Super Villains.[54]

Nocturna goes on to be the primary antagonist of the Batwoman storylines "Webs" and "The Unknowns", in which she manipulates her way into dating Kate Kane while secretly continuing her life of crime. She hypnotises Kate into believing that she is a vampire, and that her bite has turned Kate into one as well, but Kate is snapped out of it by her sister Beth Kane.[55]

Infinite Frontier

In DC's Infinite Frontier relaunch, a slightly younger Nocturna (now using the name Natalia Metternich) is made a member of the Suicide Squad alongside Peacemaker, Superboy, Puerto Rican "Culebra", and the William Cobb incarnation of Talon. This version is later revealed to be from an alternate reality.

Nocturna in other media

Television

  • Nocturna was scheduled to appear in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series as a vampire. However, the episode was canceled after Fox Network censors objected to the storyline, which would have involved Batman being turned into a vampire and craving human blood. While recounting the events, producer Alan Burnett stated, "We also wanted to do a Nocturna story – Bruce had drawn a hot model of her - but she's a vampire, which would've involved bloodletting, which was a huge no-no for kids TV".[56]
  • The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna appears in the Batwoman episode "Drink Me", portrayed by Kayla Ewell.[58] This version suffers from a unique form of porphyria which makes her photosensitive. When her adoptive father Charles died of a heart attack two weeks prior, Natalia had to obtain blood on her own. This led to her take on a vampiric persona, receiving fang-like dental implants, and utilizing ketamine to stun her targets. After attacking Batwoman and Alice, the former eventually defeats Nocturna with her phone's UV light before leaving her for the Crows security agency.

Miscellaneous

An unidentified Nocturna makes a cameo appearance in The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12. This version's design borrows from Bruce Timm's unused concept for Batman: The Animated Series.

Non

Noose

Noose is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

In the 1940s, Noose was a member of Moxie Mannheim's Intergang branch. After his arrest, he committed suicide in prison. By the present day, Moxie Mannheim had Dabney Donovan clone him into a younger body and had his henchmen cloned into new bodies with superpowers where Noose can extend his fingers into tentacles. Noose was the one who killed Vincent Edge after an older clone of Moxie blew up near the other gang leaders upon its death.[59]

In the pages of "52", Noose and Rough House visit Kahndaq on behalf of Intergang. They present gold and Isis and some African gold to Black Adam where they congratulate him for opening the Kahndaq embassy in New York and to tell him that Intergang says hello. When Noose and Rough House want him to open a way for Intergang's smuggling operation between Africa and the Middle-East, Black Adam says "no" and kills Noose by crushing his head.[60]

Northwind

Nuklon

Albert Rothstein

Gerome McKenna

Gerome McKenna is one of the first official subjects for Lex Luthor's "Everyman Project". Luthor's project grants super-powers to McKenna, who is given the codename Nuklon after Luthor buys the rights to Infinity Inc. from the Pemberton Estate.[61]

After Luthor shut down his Metagene, Gerome went into a deep state of depression and self-absorption. Gerome discovered that he has gained a new power, the ability to create a fully functional, independently thinking duplicate of himself, seemingly without control. As the series progressed, he managed to create another copy. However this version is dark and amoral, wishing to replace the original.[62] Infinity Inc. was presented with new costumes and names with Gerome being given the codename Double Trouble. Gerome's dark double was later captured by Dr. Bud Fogel and conditioned to be a fighter in The Dark Side Club.[63] Double Trouble's dark double killed the original, gaining autonomy. However, Fogel then activated a machine that stripped all but three of the remaining Everyman subjects of their powers. As a result, Double Trouble's dark double simply faded out of existence.[64]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 The DC comics encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe. Matthew K. Manning, Stephen Wiacek, Melanie Scott, Nick Jones, Landry Q. Walker, Alan Cowsill (New ed.). New York, New York: DK Publishing. 2021. ISBN 978-0-7440-2056-4. OCLC 1253363543.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. 1 2 3 The Spectre (vol. 3) #14 (January 1994)
  3. ↑ Time Masters: Vanishing Point #6
  4. 1 2 Doctor Fate #1–4 (July–October 1987)
  5. ↑ Doctor Fate (vol. 2) #2 (December 1988)
  6. ↑ Doctor Fate (vol. 2) #12 (December 1989)
  7. ↑ Doctor Fate (vol. 2) #24 (January 1991)
  8. 1 2 Levitz, Paul (2016). Blood price. Sonny Liew, Lee Loughridge, Nick Napolitano, Steve Wands. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-6121-4. OCLC 933580456.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ↑ Tynion, James IV (2019). The last age of magic. Alvaro Martinez, Daniel Sampere, Raul Fernandez, Juan Albarran, Brad Anderson, Adriano Lucas. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-8811-2. OCLC 1080251699.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ↑ Levitz, Paul (2016). Prisoners of the past. Sonny Liew, Ibrahim Moustafa, Lee Loughridge, Saida Temofonte. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-6492-5. OCLC 945719105.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ↑ Levitz, Paul (2017). Doctor Fate. Volume 3, Fateful threads. Sonny Liew, Brendan McCarthy, Ibrahim Moustafa, Inaki Miranda, Breno Tamura, Lee Loughridge. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-7241-8. OCLC 956957419.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ↑ Griffin, Keith (January 2, 2018). Blue Beetle Vol. 2: Hard Choices (Rebirth). DC Comics.
  13. ↑ Tynion, James IV (2019). The last age of magic. Alvaro Martinez, Daniel Sampere, Raul Fernandez, Juan Albarran, Brad Anderson, Adriano Lucas. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-8811-2. OCLC 1080251699.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ↑ Tynion, James IV (2020). Justice League Dark. Vol. 3, The witching war. Alvaro Martinez, Fernando Blanco, Javi Fernandez, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson, John Kalisz. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77950-034-2. OCLC 1133663808.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  15. ↑ V, Ram (2021). A costly trick of magic. James, IV Tynion, Amancay Nahuelpan, Kyle Hotz, Álvaro Martínez Bueno, Raul Fernandez, June Chung. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77950-714-3. OCLC 1198086664.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (2021). Superman: Mythological. Ivan Reis, Kevin Maguire, John Timms, Danny Miki, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77950-572-9. OCLC 1238130236.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (2022). Justice League #72-74 "Leagues of Chaos Part 1-3". DC Comics.
  18. ↑ JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK THE GREAT WICKEDNESS. [S.l.]: DC COMICS. 2022. ISBN 978-1-77951-551-3. OCLC 1269618795.
  19. ↑ Altbacker, E. J. (2021). Future state: Justice League. Ryan Cady, Josie Campbell, Will Conrad, Sami Basri, Dale Eaglesham, Daniel Henriques. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77951-065-5. OCLC 1240265473.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  20. ↑ Giffen, Keith (2017). Hard choices. J. M. DeMatteis, Scott Kolins, Romulo Fajardo, Josh Reed. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-7507-5. OCLC 837140933.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  21. ↑ Tynion, James IV (2019). The last age of magic. Alvaro Martinez, Daniel Sampere, Raul Fernandez, Juan Albarran, Brad Anderson, Adriano Lucas. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-4012-8811-2. OCLC 1080251699.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  22. ↑ Beatty, Scott; Wallace, Dan (2008). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. New York: DK Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  23. ↑ Secret Origins (vol. 3) #5. DC Comics
  24. 1 2 Aquaman (vol. 7) #21. DC Comics
  25. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #23. DC Comics
  26. ↑ Aquaman (vol. 7) #25. DC Comics
  27. ↑ Kit, Borys (April 12, 2017). "Dolph Lundgren Joins Jason Momoa in 'Aquaman' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  28. ↑ As seen in Batman #24 (August 1944)
  29. ↑ Batman #24
  30. ↑ Batman #32
  31. ↑ Batman #36
  32. ↑ Batman #38
  33. ↑ Batman #44
  34. ↑ Batman #46
  35. ↑ Detective Comics #135
  36. ↑ Detective Comics #136
  37. ↑ Batman #49
  38. ↑ Batman #52
  39. ↑ Batman #58
  40. ↑ Batman #59
  41. ↑ World's Finest Comics #42
  42. ↑ The Brave and the Bold #171 (February 1981)
  43. ↑ Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5
  44. ↑ Batman #700
  45. ↑ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 274–276. ISBN 9780345501066.
  46. ↑ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 247–248. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  47. ↑ "Robin (vol. 2) #101". Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  48. ↑ "Robin (vol. 2) #102". Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  49. ↑ "Robin (vol. 2) #103". Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  50. ↑ "Robin (vol. 2) #104". Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  51. ↑ "Robin (vol. 2) #105". Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  52. ↑ "The Nocturna storyline: should it be collected?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  53. ↑ Detective Comics (vol. 2) #9. DC Comics.
  54. ↑ Forever Evil #1. DC Comics.
  55. ↑ Batwoman (vol. 2) #40. DC Comics.
  56. ↑ "The World's Finest - Batman: The Animated Series". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  57. ↑ "The World's Finest - Backstage - Unused Villains Database - Nocturna". www.worldsfinestonline.com.
  58. ↑ Agard, Chancellor (February 7, 2020). "Vampire Diaries favorite Kayla Ewell to play vampiric Batwoman villain Nocturna". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  59. ↑ Adventures of Superman #544. DC Comics.
  60. ↑ 52 #3. DC Comics.
  61. ↑ 52 Week 17 (August 2006)
  62. ↑ Infinity Inc. Vol. 2 #1 (September 2007)
  63. ↑ Infinity Inc #8 (June 2008)
  64. ↑ Infinity Inc. Vol. 2 #12 (October 2008)
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