View source for Amazing-Man (DC Comics)

{{Distinguish|'Mazing Man}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image = [[Image:AllStarSquadron 23.jpg|250px]]
|caption = Will Everett from ''All-Star Squadron'' #23, <br>artist [[Jerry Ordway]].
|character_name = Amazing-Man
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut = '''(1940s)'''<br> ''[[All-Star Squadron]]''  (later appeared in "The Flash vs Arrow" #23 (July 1983))<br> '''(1990s)'''<br>''[[Justice League|Justice League America]]'' #86 (March 1994)<br> '''(2000s)'''<br>''[[Justice Society of America]]'' vol. 3 #12 (March 2008)<br>'''(2010s)'''<br>''[[OMAC (comics)|OMAC]]'' #2 vol. 3 (December 2011)
|creators = '''(1940s)'''<br> [[Roy Thomas]] (writer)<br>[[Jerry Ordway]] (artist)<br> '''(1990s)'''<br> Dan Vado (writer)<br>Marc Campos (artist)<br> '''(2000s)'''<br> [[Geoff Johns]] (writer)<br>[[Dale Eaglesham]] (artist)<br>'''(2010s)'''<br>[[Dan DiDio]] (writer)<br>[[Keith Giffen]] (artist)
|real_name = '''(1940s)'''<br> William Blake "Will" Everett<br> '''(1990s)'''<br> William Blake "Will" Everett III<br> '''(2000s)'''<br> Markus Clay<br>'''(2010s)'''<br>Rocker Bonn
|species = [[Metahuman]]
|homeworld = <!-- optional -->
|alliances = '''(1940s)'''<br> [[All-Star Squadron]]<br>'''(1990s)'''<br> [[Justice League International#Expansion|Justice League America]]<br/>[[Extreme Justice]]<br/>[[Justice League]]<br>'''(2000s)'''<br> [[Justice Society of America]]<br>'''(2010s)'''<br>[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]
|aliases =
|supports = <!--optional-->
|powers = '''(All)'''<br> Ability to duplicate the properties of matter and energy via physical contact<br>'''(Will Everett)'''<br>Magnetic powers<br>'''(Will Everett III)'''<br>Energy absorption and duplication 
}}

'''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|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 (comics)|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 of comic books|Golden Age]] superheroes. The character was created by Roy Thomas as a tribute to [[Bill Everett]]'s [[Amazing-Man (Centaur Publications)|Amazing-Man]], a character he created for [[Centaur Publications]] during the so-called [[Golden Age of Comic Books]].<ref>{{Google books|aXqPtKhc4IMC|The All-Star Companion|page=76|keywords=amazing+man|text=|plainurl=}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
===Will Everett===
Will Everett was a promising young [[African-American]] [[Olympic Games|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 [[Cyclotron (character)|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">{{Cite book |last=Jimenez |first=Phil |author-link=Phil Jimenez |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 |editor-last=Dougall |editor-first=Alastair |place=London |pages=12 |contribution=Amazing Man I}}</ref>

Everett is initially employed by the Ultra-Humanite as a henchman along with Curtis (as Cyclotron) and [[Deathbolt]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=July 1983 |title=[[All-Star Squadron]] |story=The Secret Origin of...Amazing-Man! |issue=23 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Thomas, Roy]] |penciller=[[Rick Hoberg|Hoberg, Rick]] |inker=Machlan, Mike |colorist=}}</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>{{cite comic |date=September 1983 |title=[[All-Star Squadron]] |story=The Infinity Syndrome! |issue=25 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Thomas, Roy]] |penciller=[[Jerry Ordway|Ordway, Jerry]] |inker=Machlan, Mike |colorist=D'Angelo, Gene}}</ref>

During ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', Amazing-Man is among the heroes chosen by the [[Monitor (Mar Novu)|Monitor]] to stop the [[Anti-Monitor]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=August 1985 |title=[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] |story=Worlds in Limbo |issue=5 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Marv Wolfman|Wolfman, Marv]] |penciller=[[Pérez, George]] |inker=[[Jerry Ordway|Ordway, Jerry]] |colorist=Tollin, Anthony}}</ref> He loses his original abilities and gains the ability to manipulate [[magnetism]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=January 1986 |title=[[All-Star Squadron]] |story=Worlds in Turmoil |issue=53 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Thomas, Roy]]; [[Dann Thomas|Thomas, Dann]] |penciller=Clark, Mike; [[Arvell Jones|Jones, Avrell]] |inker=[[Colletta, Vince]]; [[Tony DeZuniga|DeZuniga, Tony]] |colorist=[[Carl Gafford|Gafford, Carl]]}}</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">{{cite comic |date=March 2008 |title=[[Justice Society of America]] |story=Thy Kingdom Come (Part III) - New Recruits |issue=12 |volume=3 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]]; [[Ross, Alex]] |penciller=[[Eaglesham, Dale]] |inker=José, Ruy |colorist=Leigh, Rob}}</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>{{cite comic |date=April 1994 |title=[[Justice League America]] |story=Cult of the Machine, Part Two: God in the Machine |issue=87 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Dan Vado|Vado, Dan]] |penciller=Campos, Marc |inker=Branch, Ken |colorist=D'Angelo, Gene}}</ref>

===Will Everett III===
[[Image:ExtremeJustice 16.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Will Everett III and [[Maxima (DC Comics)|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">{{Cite book |last=Jimenez |first=Phil |author-link=Phil Jimenez |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 |editor-last=Dougall |editor-first=Alastair |place=London |pages=12 |contribution=Amazing Man II}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic |date=March 1994 |title=[[Justice League America]] |story=Cult of the Machine, Part One |issue=86 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Dan Vado|Vado, Dan]] |penciller=Campos, Marc |inker=Branch, Ken; Conrad, Kevin |colorist=D'Angelo, Gene}}</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 (comics)|Cadre]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=July 1994 |title=[[Justice League International]] |story=Judgment Day, Part 6: All Out of Time |issue=66 |volume=2 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Gerard Jones|Jones, Gerard]] |penciller=Wojtkiewicz, Chuck |inker=Dvorak, Bob |colorist=D'Angelo, Gene}}</ref> Soon after this, [[Captain Atom]] forms a splinter group of the JLA nicknamed [[Extreme Justice]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=January 1995 |title=[[Extreme Justice]] |story=With a Bang |issue=0 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Dan Vado|Vado, Dan]] |penciller=Campos, Marc |inker=Branch, Ken |colorist=[[Lee Loughridge|Loughridge, Lee]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=252}}</ref> Will remains with the team until it disbands.<ref name="dc-extr2">{{Cite book |last=Beatty |first=Scott |author-link=Scott Beatty |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 |editor-last=Dougall |editor-first=Alastair |place=New York |pages=117 |contribution=Extreme Justice |oclc=213309017}}</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 (comics)#Nash|Mist]], who tricks him into mimicking glass and shatters his body.<ref>{{cite comic |date=January 1998 |title=[[Starman (Jack Knight)|Starman]] |story=...La Fraternite De Justice Et Liberte! |issue=38 |volume=2 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[James Robinson (writer)|Robinson, James]] |penciller=Abell, Dusty |inker=[[Vines, Dexter]]; Lee, Norman |colorist=Giddings, Noelle}}</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 (DC Comics)|Gog]]. After Gog's defeat, Markus returns to New Orleans and considers forming a team of his own.<ref>{{cite comic |date=March 2009 |title=[[Justice Society of America]] |story=Between a Rock and Hard Place (Part I) - The Power of Shazam! |issue=23 |volume=3 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]]; [[Jerry Ordway|Ordway, Jerry]] |penciller=Ordway, Jerry |inker=[[Wiacek, Bob]] |colorist=Hi-Fi Design}}</ref>

===Rocker Bonn===
A new Amazing-Man, '''Rocker Bonn''', is introduced following the events of ''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'' and the subsequent relaunch ''[[The New 52]]''. He is a former agent of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]] who was given [[metahuman]] abilities by [[Project Cadmus]].<ref name="Guide2">{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=11}}</ref> After going into hiding in Texas, Bonn is attacked by Kevin Kho, the new [[OMAC (comics)|OMAC]]. Bonn is defeated by Kho and subsequently absorbed by [[Brother Eye]], who states that he may prove useful at a later date.<ref>{{cite comic |date=December 2011 |title=[[OMAC (comics)|OMAC]] |story=Odd Meals Assure Confrontation |issue=2 |volume=4 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Dan DiDio|DiDio, Dan]]; [[Giffen, Keith]] |penciller=Giffen, Keith |inker=[[Scott Koblish|Koblish, Scott]] |colorist=Hi-Fi Design}}</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>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=December 5, 2023 |title="Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One" Arrives January 2024, Press Details |url=https://dcanimated.com/2023/12/justice-league-crisis-on-infinite-earths-part-one-arrives-january-2024/ |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=The World's Finest |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://worldofblackheroes.com/2010/08/26/the-amazing-man-i-will-everett/ World of Black Heroes: Amazing man 1 Biography]
* [http://worldofblackheroes.com/2010/08/27/amazing-man-ii-will-everett-iii/ World of Black Heroes: Amazing Man 2 Biography]
* [http://worldofblackheroes.com/2010/07/10/amazing-man-markus-clay/ World of Black Heroes: Amazing Man 3 Biography]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=amazingman DCU Guide: Amazing-Man]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=amazingman2 DCU Guide: Amazing-Man]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/7393/wwamazing.html Who's Who in the DC Universe: Amazing-Man] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20091019200050/http://geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/7393/wwamazing.html Archived] 2009-10-25)

{{Roy Thomas}}
{{All-Star Squadron}}
{{Justice League characters}}
[[Category:African-American superheroes]]
[[Category:Characters created by Geoff Johns]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jerry Ordway]]
[[Category:Characters created by Keith Giffen]]
[[Category:Characters created by Roy Thomas]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1983]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2011]]
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics metahumans]]
[[Category:DC Comics shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Earth-Two]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional janitors]]
[[Category:Groups of fictional characters]]
[[Category:Justice League characters]]