Charles McNider
Charles McNider | |
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Charles McNider (the original
Like many Golden Age heroes, the original Doctor Mid-Nite appeared as a member of DC's Justice Society of America.
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.
Dr. Mid-Nite made his live appearance on the
Fictional character biography
Charles McNider is a surgeon who was called one night to remove a bullet from a witness set to testify against mobsters. A mobster named "Killer" Maroni threw a grenade into the room, killing the witness and blinding McNider, with the injury causing him to believe his career as a surgeon was over.[2] One evening, as he was recovering, an owl crashed through his window. Removing the bandages covering his eyes, McNider discovered that he could still see, but only in perfect darkness. McNider developed a special visor allowing him to see in the light and "blackout bombs" capable of blocking out all light, becoming a costumed crime fighter. He adopted the owl, naming it 'Hooty', and it became his sidekick. Upon becoming Doctor Mid-Nite, his first outing had him bringing "Killer" Maroni to justice.[3]
He later joined the
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "his opponents include the minstrel the Baleful Banshee, the hypnosis-wielding
McNider suffered a devastating event in 1953, when the woman he loved, Myra Mason, was murdered by the Shadower, a foe who had learned Doctor Mid-Nite's secret identity.[2] McNider's later romantic history is unrevealed, but another "old friend" of McNider, Miss Alice King, made an appearance in All-American Comics #90 (October 1947). McNider apparently had no children, but at one point McNider rescued a pregnant woman from attack in Sogndal, Norway and delivered her baby, Pieter Cross, who later became the third Doctor Mid-Nite. McNider was also one of the JSA members captured and placed in suspended animation by the Immortal villain Vandal Savage, before being freed by the Flash.
Charles McNider eventually met his end as one of the casualties of
Powers, equipment, and abilities
McNider possesses the metahuman ability to see perfectly in the dark. Utilizing special
Other versions
- In wraithis said to be the vengeful spirit of Dr. Charles McNider.
- Another version of the character was shown in Dan Jolley and Tony Harris' JSA: The Liberty Fileas a World War II-era United States intelligence agent code-named the Owl. This character, though presented as a rich playboy, resembles other versions of Doctor Mid-Nite. Though derided for his dalliances with the ladies, McNider was trusted as a valued field operative.
- In the Elseworlds novel Batman: Holy Terror - set in a world where Oliver Cromwell lived long enough to extend his rule to America, which is now run by a corrupt theocracy - Doctor Charles McNider was a friend of Thomas and Martha Wayne before their deaths, losing his eyes and his wife for his defiance of the state. When Bruce comes to visit him, he warns Bruce against fighting the system, but also confirms that the Waynes were killed by the ruling Privy Council for providing medical services to those the council has deemed undesirable, such as Jews or homosexuals.
Collected editions
The original Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider) is one of seven JSA-related heroes whose solo appearances are collected in an anthology entry in the DC Archive Editions series:
Title | Material collected |
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JSA All-Stars Archives Vol. 1 HC (2007) | All-American Comics (1939 series) #25-29 |
In other media
Television
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Smallville two-part episode "Absolute Justice" via a painting that depicts him as a member of the Justice Society of America (JSA)
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Justice League Unlimited as a member of the eponymous team.
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Corey Burton. This version is a member and resident doctor of the Justice Society of America (JSA).
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the Mad segment "That's What Super Friends Are For", voiced by Kevin Shinick.
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the Rip Hunter, who steals his spear fragment for the Legion of Doom.[11]
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite appears in Cindy Burman after Eclipsosent them to the Shadowlands. Once Shade uses his abilities to free the trio, McNider and Chapel work to find Eclipso so their allies can defeat him. Afterward, McNider gives Chapel his blessing to continue operating as Doctor Mid-Nite before she informs him that his wife has settled in Melody Hills, where she now has a son.
Film
Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite makes a cameo appearance in the opening credits of Justice League: The New Frontier as a member of the Justice Society of America.
Miscellaneous
Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite appears in Injustice 2 #40. This version isolated himself to Norway, with Ted Grant being the only one who knows of this. Grant brings Batman to McNider to recruit the latter to perform a heart transplant on Superboy using General Zod's heart so the former can leave the Phantom Zone.[13]
Merchandise
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite and Hooty received an action figure in wave twelve of the DC Universe Classics line.
- Charles McNider as Doctor Mid-Nite and Hooty received an action figure from DC Direct in 2001.[14]
- The Justice League Unlimited incarnation of Charles McNider / Doctor Mid-Nite received an action figure in Mattel's Justice League Unlimited toy line in November 2011.
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ OCLC 213309017
- ISBN 978-1605490892.
- ^ All-Star Comics #11 (June–July 2012)
- ^ Starman (vol. 2) #77
- ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
- OCLC 213309017
- ^ Blackest Night #4
- ^ Blackest Night: JSA #1–3 (February–April 2010)
- ^ 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.
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (July 23, 2016). "Comic-Con: 'Legends of Tomorrow' to Tackle Legion of Doom Villain Team In Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 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.
- ^ Injustice 2 #40
- ^ St-Louis, Hervé. "Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite Action Figure". ComicBookBin.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
External links
- JSA Fact File: Doctor Mid-Nite I
- Doctor Mid-Nite at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016.