Neutron (DC Comics)


Neutron is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of Superman.

Publication history

Neutron first appeared in Action Comics #525, and was created by Marv Wolfman and Joe Staton. Wolfman commented about the character's creation, stating: "...With Neutron it was a matter of coming up with someone potentially more powerful and deadly than Superman had ever faced."

Fictional character biography

Nathaniel Tryon is a petty thug who teams up with two others as the TNT Trio. While on a caper at a nuclear power plant at which he works as a security guard, Tryon is caught in the meltdown of a nuclear reactor, turning his body into sentient nuclear energy that can only be contained with a special containment suit. After learning how to control his energy, and learning that the accident was allegedly caused and covered up by the U.S. government, Tryon kills those responsible for the accident and takes up a criminal career as Neutron.
Eventually, he battles Superman, and is defeated and imprisoned. He is later released by the manipulations of Abraxas Industries as part of an apparent work release program, which was part of a propaganda campaign against Superman led by Vandal Savage. Neutron is told to engage in seemingly random acts of destruction. Savage's schemes are later revealed to the public, and Neutron is imprisoned. Neutron is held at S.T.A.R. Labs, but is freed when the facility is attacked by mercenaries hired by the Fearsome Five. Neutron and Jinx temporarily join the Fearsome Five, but later leave.
Neutron joins Warp and Plasmus on a mission from Conduit to assassinate Jonathan and Martha Kent, the adoptive parents of Superman. Superman intervenes and the clash ends with Plasmus and Neutron colliding in a blast that apparently kills them both. Both later appear alive, with Neutron being imprisoned in the Slabside Island prison. Neutron and several other villains are manipulated by Manchester Black into threatening Clark Kent's loved ones. The ensuing confrontation with Superman ends with Neutron disappearing in an atomic blast.

"One Year Later"

After the 2006 crossover miniseries Infinite Crisis, Neutron is working as a villain for hire. He and another radiation-powered villain, Radion, are hired by Intergang to kill Clark Kent. After Kent is hit by a commuter train, Neutron and Radion leave, believing him to be to him dead. However, the accident actually caused Kent to regain his powers.
Neutron is also a member of the Nuclear Legion alongside Professor Radium, Geiger, Nuclear, Mister Nitro and Reactron. The Nuclear Legion is hired by the Secret Society of Super Villains to invade Blüdhaven and assist the Nuclear Family in recovering the source of a radiation leak. While there, the group battles the new Atomic Knights.
In The New 52 reboot, Neutron is a mercenary sent to kill Lex Luthor. However, he accidentally releases Luthor's Amazo virus on Metropolis and is infected, disabling his abilities and afflicting him with cancer.

Powers and abilities

Neutron's body is composed of nuclear energy that grants him superhuman physical abilities and the ability to manipulate nuclear energy. However, he is forced to wear a special suit to maintain a physical form and prevent his radiation from harming others.

In other media

Television

Video games

Neutron appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.

Miscellaneous

Neutron appears in the audio drama Superman & The Neutron Nightmare.