Doctor Mid-Nite: Difference between revisions
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|species = [[Metahuman]] |
|species = [[Metahuman]] |
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|publisher = [[DC Comics]] |
|publisher = [[DC Comics]] |
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|debut='''McNider:'''<br> ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #25 (April 1941)<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>''[[Infinity Inc.]]'' #19 (October 1985)<br>As Doctor Midnight:<br>''Infinity Inc.'' |
|debut='''McNider:'''<br> ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #25 (April 1941)<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>''[[Infinity Inc.]]'' #19 (October 1985)<br>As Doctor Midnight:<br>''Infinity Inc.'' #21 (December 1985)<br>'''Cross:'''<br>''Doctor Mid-Nite'' #1 (September 1999) |
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|creators = '''McNider:'''<br> Charles Reizenstein<br>Stanley Josephs Aschmeier<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>[[Roy Thomas]]<br>[[Todd McFarlane]]<br>'''Cross:'''<br>[[Matt Wagner]]<br>[[John K. Snyder III]] |
|creators = '''McNider:'''<br> Charles Reizenstein<br>Stanley Josephs Aschmeier<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>[[Roy Thomas]]<br>[[Todd McFarlane]]<br>'''Cross:'''<br>[[Matt Wagner]]<br>[[John K. Snyder III]] |
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|alliances = '''All:'''<br>[[Justice Society of America]]<br>'''McNider:'''<br>[[All-Star Squadron]]<br>[[Medical Corps (United States Army)|U.S. Medical Corps]]<br>[[Black Lantern Corps]]<br>[[Justice League]]<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>[[Infinity, Inc.]]<br>[[Shadow Fighters (comics)|Shadow Fighters]] |
|alliances = '''All:'''<br>[[Justice Society of America]]<br>'''McNider:'''<br>[[All-Star Squadron]]<br>[[Medical Corps (United States Army)|U.S. Medical Corps]]<br>[[Black Lantern Corps]]<br>[[Justice League]]<br>'''Chapel:'''<br>[[Infinity, Inc.]]<br>[[Shadow Fighters (comics)|Shadow Fighters]] |
Revision as of 21:39, 15 February 2023
Doctor Mid-Nite | |
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![]() Cover to JSA: All-Stars #6. Art by John Cassaday and Mark Lewis. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | McNider: All-American Comics #25 (April 1941) Chapel: Infinity Inc. #19 (October 1985) As Doctor Midnight: Infinity Inc. #21 (December 1985) Cross: Doctor Mid-Nite #1 (September 1999) |
Created by | McNider: Charles Reizenstein Stanley Josephs Aschmeier Chapel: Roy Thomas Todd McFarlane Cross: Matt Wagner John K. Snyder III |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Dr. Charles McNider Dr. Elizabeth Chapel Dr. Pieter Anton Cross |
Species | Metahuman |
Team affiliations | All: Justice Society of America McNider: All-Star Squadron U.S. Medical Corps Black Lantern Corps Justice League Chapel: Infinity, Inc. Shadow Fighters |
Notable aliases | McNider: Starman Chapel: Doctor Midnight |
Abilities | All: Perfect night vision Ability to see in the dark via infrared lenses McNider: Brilliant doctor and mathematician Gifted physician and author Superb athlete and hand to hand combatant Employs "blackout bombs" Cross: Great physician and scientist Employs special ultrasonic lenses and "blackout bombs" |
Doctor Mid-Nite or Doctor Midnight is the name of multiple fictional superheroes in DC Comics.[1] The figure has been represented in the comics by three different individuals, Charles McNider, Beth Chapel, and Pieter Anton Cross. Dr. Mid-Nite was originally created by writer Charles Reizenstein and artist Stanley Josephs Aschmeier in 1941. The hero, represented first by Charles McNider, appeared for the first time in All-American Comics #25 (April 1941).[2] He continued in All-American Comics until issue #102 (Oct 1948).[3]
Like many Golden Age heroic characters, the original Doctor Mid-Nite appeared as a member of DC's Justice Society of America. His two successors were also represented as members of the group or an offshoot. Doctor Mid-Nite has never appeared as the solo protagonist of a regular title magazine, but the figure has been the subject of an anthology and a mini-series.
All three versions of Doctor Mid-Nite have exhibited the same basic features: a cowled costume featuring a crescent moon symbol, keen ability to see in the darkness at the cost of near or total blindness in sunlight, the use of special visors and “blackout” smoke bombs to gain tactical advantage in combat, a high degree of skill in martial arts, and jobs as physicians serving both normal human beings and "metahuman" superheroes. Additionally, two of the doctors have been accompanied by sidekick owls.
As a blind character, Doctor Mid-Nite is widely regarded as the first superhero in comics to exhibit a physical impairment, pre-dating the creation of Daredevil of Marvel Comics by more than twenty years.
Charles McNider made his live-action debut in the second season of Legends of Tomorrow played by Kwesi Ameyaw. Charles McNider also appears in Stargirl, portrayed by Henry Thomas in season one and Alex Collins in season two, alongside Beth Chapel, portrayed by Anjelika Washington.
Fictional character biographies
Charles McNider
Charles McNider is the original Doctor Mid-Nite appearing in All American Comics #25 (April 1941) in the Golden Age of Comic Books and is a common member of the Justice Society of America.[1] McNider, a young surgeon, was blinded when a grenade went off in front of him caused by gangster "Killer" Maroni, but he found that he could see in the dark. He made special goggles that allowed him to see in the daylight, and decided to use his special power to fight crime. In his civilian identity, he pretends to be a helpless blind man.[4]
Beth Chapel
As the aging McNider spent less time in action, Beth Chapel, a medical doctor, stepped into the role of Doctor Midnight. She was an occasionally a member of Infinity, Inc.[5]
Pieter Cross
Pieter Cross first appeared in Doctor Mid-Nite #1. He is a doctor who develops the same abilities as Charles McNider after being drugged by enforcers from Praeda Industries and being in a car accident.
Owls of Doctor Mid-Nite
Both Charles McNider and Pieter Anton Cross train owls as sidekicks.
McNider trains the same owl which crashes through his window, an event that leads to the discovery of his powers. This owl named "Hooty" (sometimes "Hootie") shares many adventures during the Golden Age.
Cross keeps company with an owl named "Charlie". The bird is named after the original Doctor Mid-Nite Charles McNider. Charlie keeps a mini-camera around his neck that can feed video directly to a display in Cross's goggles.
Enemies
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2020) |
Each incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite has fought different enemies:
- "Gallows" Gallagher - A gangster who had his brother take his place in prison with help from a corrupt prison warden.[6]
- "Hands" Hannigan - A gangster who wanted to take advantage of Regis Morgan's telescopic vision and make him a lookout for his gang.[7]
- "Killer" Maroni - A gangster who was responsible for the grenade that blinded Charles McNider and became Doctor Mid-Nite's first opponent.[8]
- Banshee - [9]
- Big Mouth - The leader of a gang who worked with Jasper to set up hallucinations to frighten Japser's aunt Martha Yates and his uncle Ambrose Yates.[10]
- Doctor Light - A villain who uses light technology.[11]
- Dr. Gamwell - A man who used a home for the blind as a front for his criminal activities.[12]
- Fisherman - Kurt Hartmann is a fisherman-themed criminal.[13]
- Hans - A Nazi demolition diver.[14]
- Herman Gherkin - A Nazi general.[15]
- Ice Ingram - [16]
- King Cobra - A hooded gangster.[17]
- Madame Zara - A criminal who operated as a psychic.[18]
- Malcolm Mumm - An inventor who invented a sound-nullifying device and operated as the self-proclaimed Master of Silence. He used his invention to cover up the sounds related to his bank vault robberies.[19]
- Mister Nitro - [20]
- Slim - A mobster that planned to sabotage the games of the Yellow Jackets football team.[21]
- Tarantula - A crime lord whose minion Logger suspected that Charles McNider and Doctor Mid-Nite are the same people.[22]
- Terrible Trio - The members in the aliases of Fisk, Shackley, and Volper run Praeda Industries.[23]
Other versions
In 1965, DC Comics had no plans to revive Doctor Mid-Nite. DC editor Julius Schwartz gave M.I.T. student and comic book letterhack Rick Norwood permission to publish a Dr. Midnite story in his fanzine, Five. The story written by Norwood and illustrated by Steve Sabo features a doctor named Tom Benson who is blinded in battle. He discovers that his other senses are super-sensitive and dons the Doctor Midnite costume to fight crime.[24][citation needed]
Another version of the character was shown in Dan Jolley and Tony Harris' JSA: The Liberty File as a World War II United States intelligence agent code-named the Owl. This character, though a playboy, resembles other Doctor Mid-Nite representations. Though derided for his dalliances with the ladies, McNider was trusted as a valued field operative.
In the Tangent: Superman's Reign series, a version of Doctor Mid-Nite his body completely covered by a black cloak is briefly seen.
In the new Earth-2 created in the wake of Infinite Crisis and 52, a version of Beth Chapel is shown to be a member of the Justice Society Infinity.[25]
In other media
Television
- An unidentified Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the Smallville two-part episode "Absolute Justice", in a painting depicting the Justice Society of America.
- The Charles McNider incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite makes brief non-speaking appearances in Justice League Unlimited.
- The Charles McNider incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Corey Burton.
- The Charles McNider incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite appears in Mad episode 46, voiced by Kevin Shinick.
- Pieter Cross appears in Young Justice voiced by Bruce Greenwood. This version is a surgeon and associate of Ray Palmer and Bumblebee.
- The Charles McNider incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the second season of The CW's Arrowverse series Legends of Tomorrow,[26] portrayed by Kwesi Ameyaw.[27] This version was active in the 1940s, is a member of the Justice Society of America, and is legally blind, but possesses the metahuman ability to see perfectly in the dark.
- Both the Charles McNider and Beth Chapel incarnations of Doctor Mid-Nite appear in the DC Universe series Stargirl, portrayed by Henry Thomas (season one) and Alex Collins (season two) and Anjelika Washington respectively.[28] The latter takes up the mantle after the former is killed in battle against the Injustice Society.
- Ahead of the series' premiere, Chapel made a cameo appearance in the Arrowverse crossover event, "Crisis on Infinite Earths".
Film
An unidentified Doctor Mid-Nite makes a cameo appearance in the opening credits of the animated film Justice League: The New Frontier. This version is a member of the Justice Society of America.
Toys
- Doctor Mid-Nite was featured as an action figure in the twelfth wave of the DC Universe Classics line. His accessory was his owl, Hooty, who rested on his arm.
- Mattel released an action figure of the Justice League Unlimited version of Doctor Mid-Nite in its DC Universe: Justice League Unlimited Fan Collection line in November 2011.
- DC Direct released two action figures of the Charles McNider and Peter Cross incarnations of Dr. Mid-Nite. The former was released in 2001 and had exchangeable right wrists, with one coming with his pet owl, Hooty.[29]
References
- ^ a b Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide pto the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Doctor Mid-Nite I & II", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 104, ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC 213309017
- ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 147. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-1605490892.
- ^ Infinity Inc. #21. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #27. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #76. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #25. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #65. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #74. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #82. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #48. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #69. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #53. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #42. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #79. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #29. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #31. DC Comics.
- ^ Adventure Comics #51. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #66. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #75. DC Comics.
- ^ All-American Comics #88. DC Comics.
- ^ Doctor Mid-Nite #1-3. DC Comics.
- ^ Five #5
- ^ Justice Society of America (vol. 3) Annual #1
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (July 23, 2016). "Comic-Con: 'Legends of Tomorrow' to Tackle Legion of Doom Villain Team In Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ Byrne, Craig (September 29, 2016). "Commander Steel, Obsidian, Dr. Mid-Nite, Vixen & Stargirl In New "Justice Society of America" Photos". DCLegendsTV. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ^ Agard, Chancellor (December 17, 2018). "DC Universe's Stargirl casts Haunting of Hill House star as the JSA's Dr. Mid-Nite". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- ^ St-Louis, Hervé. "Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite Action Figure". ComicBookBin.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
External links
- All-American Publications characters
- Characters created by Roy Thomas
- Characters created by Todd McFarlane
- Comics characters introduced in 1941
- Comics characters introduced in 1985
- Comics characters introduced in 1999
- DC Comics female superheroes
- DC Comics martial artists
- DC Comics metahumans
- DC Comics male superheroes
- DC Comics titles
- Earth-Two
- African-American superheroes
- Fictional characters from parallel universes
- Fictional blind characters
- Fictional physicians
- Fictional surgeons
- Golden Age superheroes