| Brimstone | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Legends #1 (November 1986) |
| Created by | John Ostrander John Byrne Len Wein |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unknown |
Brimstone is an alias used by several unrelated characters appearing in American comic books published byDC Comics.[1] The first is a fiery, humanoid creature created byDarkseid to serve him during theLegends event. The second is an identity ofChris King, a boy who can transform into various superheroes. The third,Nicholas Lucien, is apyrokinetic criminal fromEarth-Two. The fourth,Joseph Chamberlain, is a man who gained pyrokinetic abilities after making a deal with an entity known as the Salesman to assist his small town.
The construct incarnation of Brimstone was created byJohn Ostrander,John Byrne, andLen Wein, and first appeared inLegends #1 (November 1986).
TheChris King incarnation of Brimstone first appeared inLegion of Super-Heroes (vol. 2) #272 (February 1981), and was created byMarv Wolfman andCarmine Infantino.
The Nicholas Lucien incarnation of Brimstone first appeared inThe Brave and the Bold #200 (July 1983), and was created byMike W. Barr andDave Gibbons.
The Joseph Chamberlain incarnation of Brimstone first appeared inThe Curse of Brimstone #1 (June 2018), and was created byJustin Jordan andPhilip Tan.
Brimstone is an artificial construct created byDarkseid during theLegends event as a part of his plot to turn the population of Earth against theirsuperheroes.[2][3] Darkseid created Brimstone by implanting a nuclear reactor with a "techno-seed" which modifies it to create a giant, Brimstone. The heroes speculate that it is composed of superheatedplasma.[4] Brimstone is destroyed by Deadshot, who shoots it in the heart, but returns on several occasions afterward.[5]
Brimstone is one of many identities used byChris King, a wielder of the H-Dial who can transform into various heroes. In one mission, he uses the name Brimstone who has the powers of possession and gadgetry.[6]
Nicholas Lucien is a criminal who lives onEarth-Two and has the ability to sense hisEarth-One counterpart. His resentment of this unseen counterpart leads Lucien to a life of crime. By 1955, Lucien establishes himself as "Brimstone the Modern Mephistopheles", a criminal themed afterSatan who possessespyrokinesis. A fight with Earth-Two'sBatman leaves Lucien in a coma for 28 years. While Lucien is comatose, he is imprisoned inGotham State Penitentiary and his body atrophies. After awakening in 1983, Lucien possesses his Earth-One counterpart, who is a respected businessman, in a bid to kill the Earth-OneBatman. After Batman defeats Lucien, he is forced back into his own body and paralyzed as a side effect of his mental projection across the dimensional barrier.[7]
Joseph Chamberlain originates from York Hills, a small but semi-prosperous town profiting from coal mining. Eventually, the coal mines of York Hills dry up and many of its residents leave. Joseph leaves town, but his car breaks down and he is picked up by agood Samaritan. The Samaritan introduces himself as "the Salesman" and tells Joseph that he intends to help him renovate York Hills. Joseph agrees and shakes the Salesman's hand in agreement. However, he is transformed into a fiery creature known as Brimstone. The Salesman reveals that he is a powerful entity from theDark Multiverse who plans to put York Hills on the map by killing all of its inhabitants, an act that Brimstone will carry out. Joseph attempts to battle the Salesman and prevent him from destroying York Hills, but loses control of his powers after the Salesman kills his father, destroying York Hills in a burst of fire. Joseph and his sister Annie obtain a ledger containing the Salesman's plans and go on a road trip to stop him from committing further destruction.[8][9]
The artificial construct incarnation of Brimstone makes a non-speaking cameo appearance inSuperman/Batman: Public Enemies.[11]
