Chemo (character)

For the recurring character in novels by Carl Hiaasen, see Blondell Wayne Tatum.

Chemo
Chemo as depicted in Infinite Crisis #4 (March 2006). Art by Phil 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	Superhuman strength and durability Self-magnification Regeneration Toxikinesis Power mimicry

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 (July–August 1962) and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artists Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.^[1]

Chemo debuted in a story called "The Deathless Doom" in Showcase #39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962), being the adversary for DC Comics' new superteam the Metal Men. The character returned in Metal Men #14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976).

Chemo reappeared in DC Comics Presents #4 (December 1978); Superman #342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982); Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10 (December 1985-January 1986) and Action Comics #590 (July 1987). Writer Len Wein said 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 in Supergirl (vol. 4) #5 (January 1997) and then appeared briefly during the Our Worlds At War storyline in The Adventures of Superman #593-594 (August–September 2001) and in Birds of Prey #36 (December 2001) and Joker: Last Laugh #2 (December 2001).

Chemo featured as a major villain in the limited series Infinite Crisis #1-7 (December 2005-June 2006) and appeared in multiple forms in Superman #663 (July 2007). The character also appeared in Outsiders - Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Captain Boomerang (October 2007); Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007–June 2008) and in Booster Gold (vol. 2) #13 (December 2008).

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?".^[3]

Fictional character biography

Chemo 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 the Metal Men.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Brainiac and Lex Luthor unleash Chemo on Earth-4, where he destroys New York City and kills Aquagirl. It is defeated when Negative Woman shatters its plastic shell.^[10]

In Infinite Crisis, Chemo assists the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Brotherhood of Evil in attacking Blüdhaven.^[11] It covers the city with toxic waste, killing hundreds of thousands of people, before being defeated by Superman.^[12]

In Salvation Run, the Joker and Gorilla Grodd retrieve and weaponize Chemo while on a prison planet.^[13] Rogue New Gods visiting the city of Metropolis capture three miniature versions of Chemo. Superman follows the true Chemo and discovers it to be a LexCorp project.^[14]

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Chemo is created when a thief throws Will Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals.^[15]

Powers and abilities

Chemo 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's DNA, gaining strength comparable to his.^[17]

In other media

Television

• Chemo appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.^[18]
• 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".^[19] This version is an inmate of Belle Reve Penitentiary.

Film

Chemo as it appears in Batman Unlimited

Chemo appears in Batman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants.^[18]

Video games

• Chemo appears in DC Universe Online.
• Chemo appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[20]
• Chemo appears as a playable character in DC Legends.

Merchandise

An action figure based on Chemo was released as part of the "Collect and Connect" line in Mattel's DC Universe Classics 6-inch line.

References

1. 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. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
2. Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 9781893905610.
3. Conroy, Mike (2004). 500 Comicbook Villains. Collins & Brown. p. 250. ISBN 184340205X. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
4. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
5. Metal Men #39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962)
6. Metal Men #14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976)
7. Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
8. DC Comics Presents #4 (December 1978)
9. Superman #342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982)
10. Crisis on Infinite Earth #9-10 (December 1985-January 1986)
11. Batman #649 (January 2006),
12. Infinite Crisis #1-7 (December 2005-June 2006)
13. Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007–June 2008)
14. Superman #663 (July 2007)
15. Justice League (vol. 2) #28 (April 2014)
16. Showcase #39 (July 1962)
17. Action Comics #590 (July 1987)
18. "Chemo Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 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.
19. Erdmann, Kevin (December 19, 2024). "Creature Commandos Episode 4 Easter Eggs And DC References Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
20. Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

External links

• Chemo at Comic Vine