Amazing-Man (DC Comics)

Amazing-Man is the name used by four fictional characters published by DC Comics. The first three are African-American superheroes and are members of the same family. The first Amazing-Man debuted in All-Star Squadron #23 (July 1983), and was created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway. The second Amazing-Man debuted in Justice League America #86 (March 1994), and was created by Dan Vado and Marc Campos. The third Amazing-Man debuted in Justice Society of America vol. 3 #12 (March 2008), and was created by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. The fourth Amazing Man debuted in OMAC vol. 3 #2 (December 2011), and was created by Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen.

Publication history

Although a 1980s creation of writer Roy Thomas, the Amazing-Man published by DC Comics was placed in the 1940s and made a contemporary of various Golden Age superheroes. The character was created by Roy Thomas as a tribute to Bill Everett's Amazing-Man, a character he created for Centaur Publications during the so-called Golden Age of Comic Books.<ref>Template:Google books</ref>

Fictional character biography

Will Everett

Will Everett was a promising young African-American Olympian who had competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, but his post-Olympic career devolved into a janitorial profession at a laboratory owned by Terry Curtis. Following an accident involving the explosion of some equipment to which he was exposed (developed by the Ultra-Humanite), Everett quickly developed the ability to mimic whatever properties he touched.<ref name="dc-ency3">Template:Cite book</ref>

Everett is initially employed by the Ultra-Humanite as a henchman along with Curtis (as Cyclotron) and Deathbolt.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref> However, he forms after encountering the All-Star Squadron, whom he joins to stop the Ultra-Humanite. He then serves a lengthy stint as a member of the Squadron.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

During Crisis on Infinite Earths, Amazing-Man is among the heroes chosen by the Monitor to stop the Anti-Monitor.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref> He loses his original abilities and gains the ability to manipulate magnetism.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

In the 1950s, Everett's secret identity is made public by J. Edgar Hoover, endangering the lives of his wife and family. During the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Everett's nephew is murdered, spurring him to become involved in the civil rights movement. He leads marches against segregation across the United States, and also helps to quell riots in Detroit. Everett is also responsible for the capture of Martin Luther King Jr.'s murderer, James Earl Ray. In the DC Comics universe, he is considered the third most important advocate for African American rights, behind only King and Malcolm X.<ref name="jsa122">Template:Cite comic</ref>

It was later revealed that his grandson, Will Everett III (a.k.a. "Junior"), developed mimicry abilities similar to his own. Will Everett Sr. later dies from cancer, with his grandson succeeding him as Amazing-Man.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

Will Everett III

File:ExtremeJustice 16.jpg

Will Everett III and Maxima, artist Tom Morgan.

Will Everett III carries on his grandfather's heroic tradition, joining the Justice League at Wonder Woman's request.<ref name="dc-ency22">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite comic</ref> As a member of the Justice League, he is instrumental in defeating the Overmaster alongside the other members of the League and reformed members of the Cadre.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref> Soon after this, Captain Atom forms a splinter group of the JLA nicknamed Extreme Justice.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Will remains with the team until it disbands.<ref name="dc-extr2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Later, Will joins the Crimson Fox's unofficial re-grouping of Justice League Europe. In their single ill-fated adventure, Will is killed by Mist, who tricks him into mimicking glass and shatters his body.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

Markus Clay

The third Amazing-Man is Markus Clay, who operates out of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is Will Everett's other grandson, and the cousin of Will Everett III.<ref name="jsa122" /> A recent recruit of the Justice Society of America, he has helped the team communicate with Gog. After Gog's defeat, Markus returns to New Orleans and considers forming a team of his own.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

Rocker Bonn

A new Amazing-Man, Rocker Bonn, is introduced following the events of Flashpoint and the subsequent relaunch The New 52. He is a former agent of Checkmate who was given metahuman abilities by Project Cadmus.<ref name="Guide2">Template:Cite book</ref> After going into hiding in Texas, Bonn is attacked by Kevin Kho, the new OMAC. Bonn is defeated by Kho and subsequently absorbed by Brother Eye, who states that he may prove useful at a later date.<ref>Template:Cite comic</ref>

Powers and abilities

All versions of Amazing-Man can mimic the properties of materials via touch. The Will Everett Sr. incarnation later developed the ability to manipulate magnetism.

In other media

The Will Everett incarnation of Amazing-Man appears in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, voiced by Ike Amadi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• World of Black Heroes: Amazing man 1 Biography
• World of Black Heroes: Amazing Man 2 Biography
• World of Black Heroes: Amazing Man 3 Biography
• DCU Guide: Amazing-Man
• DCU Guide: Amazing-Man
• Who's Who in the DC Universe: Amazing-Man (Archived 2009-10-25)