Doctor Mid-Nite (Pieter Cross)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2020) |
Doctor Mid-Nite | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Doctor Mid-Nite #1 (September 1999) |
Created by | Matt Wagner John K. Snyder III |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Dr. Pieter Anton Cross |
Species | Metahuman |
Team affiliations | Justice Society of America Justice League |
Notable aliases | Doctor Midnight |
Abilities | Perfect night vision Ability to see in the dark via infrared lenses Great physician and scientist Employs special ultrasonic lenses and "blackout bombs" |
Doctor Mid-Nite (Pieter Cross) (also Doctor Midnight) is a fictional superhero in DC Comics, the third character named Doctor Mid-Nite, first appearing in Doctor Mid-Nite #1.[1][2]
Much like the original version of Doctor Mid-Nite, he has exhibited the same basic features: a cowled costume featuring a crescent moon symbol, keen ability to see in the darkness at the cost of near or total blindness in sunlight, the use of special visors and "blackout" smoke bombs to gain tactical advantage in combat, a high degree of skill in martial arts, and jobs as physicians serving both normal human beings and "metahuman" superheroes. Additionally, two of the doctors have been accompanied by sidekick owls.
Fictional character biography
The third Doctor Mid-Nite (and the second to use the original spelling) is Pieter Anton Cross. Cross makes his first appearance in the 3-issue
Cross is the Norwegian-born son of a noted scientist, the late Theodoric Cross.[2] Pieter was delivered as a baby by the original Doctor Mid-Nite, Charles McNider, who had just rescued his mother from vagrants. As an adult Pieter is later unable to save his mother from Chagas disease, which she catches in Brazil while visiting him. Cross otherwise has no known relatives.
Cross's crime-fighting career begins as he runs a free clinic in Portsmouth, Washington. His work leads him to investigate a new street drug called A39, an accidental derivative of the steroid-like Venom. The drug, he soon learns, is produced by an evil corporation named Praeda Industries, run by the Terrible Trio (former foes of the Batman). Cross is drugged by company enforcers and soon involved in a car accident. The accident takes the life of a young woman named Katherine Blythe. After the accident, he finds that he can only see in pitch darkness via infrared vision (he can also employ ultrasonic vision). Stripped of his licence to officially practise medicine, he takes the name Doctor Mid-Nite and resolves to fight crime.[2] Cross joins the newest incarnation of the Justice Society of America,[3] and enjoys a brief romance with teammate Black Canary.
Cross is usually portrayed as being a physician first and vigilante second, setting up a clinic to help him treat patients who cannot afford conventional health care. Scanners in his cowl-lenses identify health risks as well as threats. He is a vegetarian and practices yoga (JSA). Cross carries high-tech medical equipment in addition to weapons (including blackout bombs). Some individuals whom Cross assists eventually come to aid him in his work as both crime fighter and community surgeon. Allies gained in this way include reformed street kids "Nite Lite" and "Ice Sickle"[a] and writer Camilla Marlowe. Dr. Mid-Nite also serves as a wise and kind mentor to young Jaime Reyes, the latest Blue Beetle.[5]
Cross's Doctor Mid-Nite is one of the most prominent physicians in the DCU. He and his JSA colleague Mr. Terrific function as "go-to" scientists for the superhero set. Among Cross' notable achievements: the discovery that
Cross is also called upon by medical agencies such as
Batman conducts covert research on Cross's abilities and concludes that the full extent of his enhanced vision has not yet been reached (JSA 31). Batman has apparently not revealed this information to Cross.
When the Justice Society encounters
After being contacted by current
In the pages of "
Powers and abilities
Doctor Mid-Nite has perfect night vision.
Equipment
Doctor Mid-Nite uses special infrared goggles to help him see in the dark and makes use of "blackout bombs".
Collected editions
The introductory mini-series of the modern Dr. Mid-Nite (Pieter Cross) has been collected in a trade paperback.
Title | Material collected | Writers/Pencillers | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Doctor Mid-Nite TPB (2000) | Doctor Mid-Nite #1-3 | Matt Wagner, John K. Snyder III | ISBN 1-56389-607-9
|
In other media
Television
- Pieter Cross / Doctor Mid-Nite makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Justice League Unlimited as a member of an expanded Justice League.
- Pieter Cross appears in Karen Beecher.
Merchandise
Pieter Cross / Doctor Mid-Nite received an action figure from DC Direct.[14]
Notes
- ^ Ice Sickle is later killed by the vengeful Spirit King.[4]
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ OCLC 213309017
- ^ JSA #11. DC Comics.
- ^ JSA #60. DC Comics.
- ISBN 978-1-4012-2162-1
- ^ Birds of Prey #85. DC Comics.
- ^ Terra #3 (2009). DC Comics.
- ^ JSA: Classified #19-20, 2007
- ^ Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #17. DC Comics.
- ^ Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #18. DC Comics.
- ^ Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #21. DC Comics.
- ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #75. DC Comics.
- ^ Jay Garrick: The Flash #5. DC Comics.
- ^ 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.