View source for Morgan Edge

{{short description|Fictional DC comics character}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character_name = Morgan Edge
|image          = Morgan Edge (circa 1970).png
|caption        = Morgan Edge as he first appeared.<br>Art by [[Jack Kirby]] and [[Vince Colletta]].
|publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
|debut          = ''[[Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen]]'' #133 (October 1970)
|creators       = [[Jack Kirby]] (writer & artist)
|real_name      = Morris Edelstein
|species        = [[Human]]
|homeworld      = <!-- optional -->
|alliances      = [[Intergang]]<br>[[Galaxy Communications (comics)|Galaxy Communications]]<br>[[Superman Revenge Squad]]
|aliases        = <!-- optional: actual identities the character uses, not nicknames -->
|supports       = <!-- optional -->
}}
'''Morgan Edge''' is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Originally a supporting character, he is a media mogul who acquires the ''[[Daily Planet]]'' and employs [[Clark Kent]] as a television journalist for his WGBS TV network. After the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earth]]'' continuity reboot, Edge is depicted as a member of [[Intergang]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |author-link=Robert Greenberger |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |author-link2=Martin Pasko |date=2010 |publisher=[[Del Rey Books]] |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |location=New York City |pages=81–83}}</ref>

Edge has been adapted into various media outside comics, with [[Rutger Hauer]] and [[Adrian Pasdar]] portraying him in ''[[Smallville]]'' and ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''. In ''[[Superman & Lois]]'', [[Adam Rayner]] played a version of the character who is also Superman's [[Kryptonian]] half-brother '''Tal-Rho'''.

==Publication history==
Morgan Edge first appeared in ''[[Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen]]'' #133 and was created by [[Jack Kirby]].<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=99}}</ref> Kirby based Edge's physical appearance on actor [[Kevin McCarthy (actor)|Kevin McCarthy]], while his personality was inspired by television executive [[James T. Aubrey]].<ref name=back91>{{cite journal|last=Wells|first=John |title=Bullies and Blowhards of the DC Bronze Age |journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#91|pages=15–16 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]| date=September 2016|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> According to Kirby's production assistant [[Mark Evanier]], Kirby "wanted to explore the theme of [[organized crime]] gaining a foothold in corporate America - particularly a giant media conglomerate. Given the shady background of the company that acquired [[Warner Bros.]] and [[DC Comics|DC]] [i.e. [[Kinney National Company]]], it was something of an inside joke."<ref name=back91/> However, under prodding from editorial staff who preferred Edge to be an ongoing supporting character rather than a villain who would ultimately have to be brought to justice and written out of the series, the Edge connected to [[Intergang]] was revealed to be an imposter.<ref name=back91/>

==Fictional character biography==
===Pre-Crisis===
In his original incarnation, Edge was the president of the [[Galaxy Communications (comics)|Galaxy Broadcasting System]] (owners of television station WGBS), a media corporation that eventually bought the ''[[Daily Planet]]''. Edge was in many ways a stereotype of a ruthless capitalist, intervening in the ''Planet''{{'}}s homey atmosphere and challenging the authority of the somewhat older [[Perry White]], but he was a decent man who had moments of good-heartedness and maintained reasonably friendly relationships with most of his employees, including [[Superman|Clark Kent]]. Following the takeover of the ''Planet'', Edge transferred Kent to the news division, making him a traveling correspondent and later anchorman on WGBS. This move added several TV co-workers to the ''Superman'' supporting cast, including producer Josh Coyle, sports broadcaster [[Steve Lombard]],<ref name="superman264">''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #264 (June 1973)</ref> weather forecaster Oscar Asherman, and co-anchor [[Lana Lang]], Clark's childhood friend.

As one of the wealthiest men in [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]], Edge was a major political figure in the city and frequently encountered [[Superman]], the subject of many of his network's news stories, whom he, like most others, failed to realize was also Clark Kent. Although rarely integral to a plotline, Edge was a supporting character in many Superman stories.

For a while, it appeared that Edge was connected to the [[Apokolips]]-sponsored crime organisation [[Intergang]], but this was revealed to be a clone created by the 'Evil Factory', a genetics laboratory working for [[Darkseid]].<ref>''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen]]'' #139 (August 1971)</ref><ref>''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #152 (September 1972)</ref>

It was later revealed that Morgan Edge is Jewish and was born '''Morris Edelstein''' before changing his name, as he was ashamed of his background and worked to keep it secret.<ref>''[[Action Comics]]'' #468 (February 1977)</ref>

===Post-Crisis===
When DC [[continuity (fiction)|continuity]] was rebooted after ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', Edge remained president of WGBS, but his ties to the ''Planet'' and friendship with Superman were [[retcon]]ned away, and he was genuinely connected to Intergang. He was eventually exposed by the ''Daily Planet'', in articles by Clark Kent and [[Cat Grant]], who was working for WGBS undercover. Edge was imprisoned, but even managed to cause trouble there by publishing his [[autobiography]] ''On the Edge'', which dumped upon his father [[Vincent Edge]] as well as Cat Grant, revealing that she slept her way into a scoop. After his release from jail, Edge returned as sponsor of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]].

===The New 52===
In 2011, "[[The New 52]]" rebooted the DC universe. Morgan Edge appears as an [[African-American]] media mogul and the new owner of the ''Daily Planet''.<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 3) #1 (October 2011)</ref> Although a tough businessman, Edge did recognize talent, and awarded [[Lois Lane]] the editorship of the ''Daily Planet''.

Edge's multiple media holdings become a benefit to Superman as Lois Lane, now director of Edge's Metropolis news station, has said building's security cameras "hacked" to provide vital intelligence on a rampaging villain.<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 3) #2 (December 2011)</ref>

Prior to ''[[DC Rebirth]]'', in the last issue of the 2011 Justice League series, it is mentioned that Lex Luthor bought the ''Daily Planet'' from Edge.<ref>''[[Justice League]]'' (vol. 2) #52 (August 2016)</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
*Morgan Edge appears in ''[[Smallville]]'', initially portrayed by [[Rutger Hauer]] and later by [[Patrick Bergin]]. This version is a [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] crime lord and old friend of [[Lionel Luthor]], who he grew up with in Suicide Slum. He later conspires with Lionel to break [[Lex Luthor (Smallville)|Lex Luthor]]'s psyche before being killed.
*Morgan Edge appears in the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' episode "Secret Society", voiced by an uncredited [[Brian George]]. This version is a collector of unique oddities and displays no moral qualms against collecting sentient beings, such as [[Clayface]], whom he kept in a jar for some time until the [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]] rescues him.
*Morgan Edge appears in the [[Supergirl season 3|third season]] of ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'', portrayed by [[Adrian Pasdar]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Swift |first1=Andy |date=July 22, 2017 |title=Supergirl Season 3 Adds Adrian Pasdar, Yael Grobglas and Alias' Carl Lumbly |url=http://tvline.com/2017/07/22/supergirl-season-3-spoilers-adrian-pasdar-yael-grobglas-cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723021953/http://tvline.com/2017/07/22/supergirl-season-3-spoilers-adrian-pasdar-yael-grobglas-cast/ |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |website=[[TVLine]]}}</ref> This version is an immoral real estate developer who runs Edge Global.
*Morgan Edge appears in ''[[Superman & Lois]]'', portrayed by [[Adam Rayner]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |date=December 17, 2020 |title='Superman & Lois' Adds 'Tyrant' Star Adam Rayner As Morgan Edge |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/superman-and-lois-adam-rayner-as-series-regular-morgan-edge-the-cw-1234658041/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217170205/https://deadline.com/2020/12/superman-and-lois-adam-rayner-as-series-regular-morgan-edge-the-cw-1234658041/ |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> This version is a Kryptonian named '''Tal-Rho''', the son of [[Lara (character)|Lara Lor-Van]] and Zeta-Rho and the maternal half-brother of [[Clark Kent (Superman & Lois)|Superman]]. Like Superman, Tal-Rho was also sent off of Krypton in an escape pod. After landing in England, he comes into conflict with the local townspeople and is captured and experimented on, developing a hatred of humanity in the process. After escaping, he develops the identity of "Morgan Edge", an intelligent, eloquent and impassioned self-made mogul and the head of EnerCorp and Galaxy Holdings. In the first season, he enacts a plot to resurrect Krypton on Earth by implanting Kryptonian consciousnesses into human hosts using X-Kryptonite and the [[Eradicator (DC Comics)|Eradicator]], only to be defeated by Superman and [[Steel (John Henry Irons)|John Henry Irons]], and remanded to a cell with red solar lighting. In the second season, Tal-Rho assists Superman in fighting [[Parasite (comics)|Ally Allston]] before relocating to the [[Bizarro World|Inverse World]].
**Tal-Rho's Inverse World counterpart appears in the episode "Bizarros in a Bizarro World", also portrayed by Rayner. He is married to his version of [[Lana Lang]] and is on good terms with [[Bizarro]] before being killed by Allston.

===Video games===
Morgan Edge appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011130702/https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Superman enemies]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/who/who-intro.php?topic=edge-morgan Superman Homepage: Morgan Edge]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedgeprec DCU Guide: Morgan Edge Pre-Crisis chronology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930045918/http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedgeprec |date=September 30, 2007 }}
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedgeclone DCU Guide: Morgan Edge Clone Pre-Crisis chronology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031612/http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedgeclone |date=September 30, 2007 }}
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedge DCU Guide: Morgan Edge Post-Crisis chronology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041134/http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=morganedge |date=September 30, 2007 }}
{{Clear}}

{{Superman characters}}
{{Darkseid}}
{{Jack Kirby}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edge, Morgan}}
[[Category:African-American characters in comics]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Clone characters in comics]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1970]]
[[Category:DC Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:Fictional American Jews]]
[[Category:Fictional businesspeople]]
[[Category:Fictional gangsters]]
[[Category:Superman characters]]
[[de:Nebenfiguren im Superman-Universum#Morgan Edge]]