Chemo (character)
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
The character first appeared in Showcase #39 and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artists Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.Chemo debuted in a story called "The Deathless Doom" in Showcase #39-40, being the adversary for DC Comics' new superteam the Metal Men. The character returned in Metal Men #14 ; #25 and #46-47.
Chemo reappeared in DC Comics Presents #4 ; Superman #342 and #370 ; Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10 and Action Comics #590. Writer Len Wein said in a 2006 interview: "I realized after doing that first story that here was a villain that was a physical match against Superman, so I kept bringing him back".
The character was reimagined in Supergirl #5 and then appeared briefly during the Our Worlds At War storyline in The Adventures of Superman #593-594 and in Birds of Prey #36 and Joker: Last Laugh #2.
Chemo featured as a major villain in the limited series Infinite Crisis #1-7 and appeared in multiple forms in Superman #663. The character also appeared in Outsiders - Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Captain Boomerang ; Salvation Run #1-7 and in Booster Gold #13.
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?".
Fictional character biography
Chemo was originally the nickname given to a plastic vessel used by scientist Ramsey Norton to contain the chemical by-products from his failed experiments. When Norton places the remnants of a failed growth formula in the vessel as his latest contribution, it accidentally brings the vessel to life as Chemo. Chemo goes on to become a prominent enemy of Will Magnus' robot team, the Metal Men.During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, villains Brainiac and Lex Luthor use Chemo as a living weapon on Earth-4. Chemo destroys the alternate universe version of New York City and kills Aquagirl by releasing large quantities of toxic chemicals into the ocean. Chemo is dispersed and neutralized when Negative Woman shatters its plastic shell.
During the Infinite Crisis storyline, the Secret Society of Super Villains employs the Brotherhood of Evil to use Chemo as a living weapon. They drop Chemo onto the city of Blüdhaven, killing thousands of civilians, before Superman hurls it into deep space. While in space, Chemo is found by the Joker and Gorilla Grodd.
In The New 52 continuity reboot, Chemo was created when a thief threw Will Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals.
Powers and abilities
Chemo has very limited intelligence coupled with immense strength and durability. It can alter its mass, generate corrosive acid, and regenerate if destroyed. On one occasion, Chemo is augmented after absorbing Superman's DNA, gaining strength comparable to his.In other media
Television
- Chemo appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
- Chemo appears in the "Metal Men" segment of DC Nation Shorts.
- Chemo appears in the DC Super Hero Girls episode "#SuperWho?". This version was created by unlicensed toxic chemicals.
- Chemo makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Creature Commandos episode "Chasing Squirrels". This version is an inmate of Belle Reve Penitentiary.
Film
Chemo appears in Batman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants, voiced by Dave B. Mitchell.Video games
- Chemo appears in DC Universe Online.
- Chemo appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
- Chemo appears as a playable character in DC Legends.