Chemo is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character has appeared in both comic books and other DC Comics-related products such as animated television series and trading cards.

Publication history

The character first appeared in Showcase #39 (July–August 1962) and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artists Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. Chemo debuted in a story called "The Deathless Doom" in Showcase #39-40 (July–August & September–October 1962), being the adversary for DC Comics' new superteam the Metal Men. The character returned in Metal Men #14 (July 1965); #25 (May 1967) and #46-47 (July & September 1976). Chemo reappeared in DC Comics Presents #4 (December 1978); Superman #342 (December 1979) and #370 (April 1982); Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10 (December 1985-January 1986) and Action Comics #590 (July 1987). Writer Len Wein said in a 2006 interview: "I realized after doing that first story [with Chemo] that here was a villain that was a physical match against Superman, so I kept bringing him back". The character was reimagined in Supergirl (vol. 4) #5 (January 1997) and then appeared briefly during the Our Worlds At War storyline in The Adventures of Superman #593-594 (August–September 2001) and in Birds of Prey #36 (December 2001) and Joker: Last Laugh #2 (December 2001). Chemo featured as a major villain in the limited series Infinite Crisis #1-7 (December 2005-June 2006) and appeared in multiple forms in Superman #663 (July 2007). The character also appeared in Outsiders - Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Captain Boomerang (October 2007); Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007–June 2008) and in Booster Gold (vol. 2) #13 (December 2008). Writer Mike Conroy noted "where would comic books be without those flukes, those accidents of fate which, although inexplicable to science, result in innocuous materials having a far-reaching impact on the world outside the laboratory?".

Fictional character biography

Chemo is a plastic vessel used by scientist Ramsey Norton to contain chemical by-products from his experiments. When Norton places the remnants of a failed growth formula in the vessel, it accidentally brings the vessel to life as "Chemo". After killing Norton, Chemo becomes an enemy of the Metal Men. In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Brainiac and Lex Luthor unleash Chemo on Earth-4, where he destroys New York City and kills Aquagirl. It is defeated when Negative Woman shatters its plastic shell. In Infinite Crisis, Chemo assists the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Brotherhood of Evil in attacking Blüdhaven. It covers the city with toxic waste, killing hundreds of thousands of people, before being defeated by Superman. In Salvation Run, the Joker and Gorilla Grodd retrieve and weaponize Chemo while on a prison planet. Rogue New Gods visiting the city of Metropolis capture three miniature versions of Chemo. Superman follows the true Chemo and discovers it to be a LexCorp project. In The New 52 continuity reboot, Chemo is created when a thief throws Will Magnus' prototype responsometer into a vat of chemicals.

Powers and abilities

Chemo has very limited intelligence coupled with immense strength and durability. It can alter its mass, generate corrosive acid, and regenerate after being destroyed. On one occasion, Chemo is augmented after absorbing Superman's DNA, gaining strength comparable to his.

In other media

Television

Film

Chemo appears in Batman Unlimited: Mech vs. Mutants.

Video games

Merchandise

An action figure based on Chemo was released as part of the "Collect and Connect" line in Mattel's DC Universe Classics 6-inch line.