Doctor Polaris is an alias used by twosupervillains appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics.[1] The first and most prominent isNeal Emerson, a scientist who can manipulate magnetism.
| Doctor Polaris | |
|---|---|
.png) The Neal Emerson incarnation of Doctor Polaris as depicted inThe Flash vol. 2 #114 (June 1996). Art byOscar Jimenez. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | (Emerson): Green Lantern vol. 2 #21 (June 1963) (Nichol): Justice League of America vol. 2 #17 (March 2008) |
| Created by | (Emerson): John Broome (writer) Gil Kane (artist) (Nichol): Brad Meltzer (writer) Gil Kane (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Neal Emerson John Nichol |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Place of origin | New Earth |
| Team affiliations | Cadre Secret Society of Super Villains Black Lantern Corps Suicide Squad |
| Notable aliases | Baxter Timmons Butcher of the Board Room Repulse |
| Abilities | (Both):
(Emerson):
(Nichol):
|
Created byJohn Broome andGil Kane, the first Doctor Polaris, Neal Emerson, made his first appearance inGreen Lantern #21 (August 1963).[2]
The second Doctor Polaris, John Nichol, first appeared off-panel inJustice League of America vol. 2 #11 (September 2007), before receiving a full introduction inJustice League of America vol. 2 #17 (March 2008). Nichol's origins in this issue were developed byLilah Sturges and Andre Coelho.
Neal Emerson and his brother John were raised by an abusive father (although a later flashback shows him raised by an abusive aunt). This apparently drove Neal Emerson within himself and led to the creation of the personification of his own dark side.[3] Emerson left the United States for a year and returned to find he was an uncle. His brother John and sister-in-law Katherine had adopted a baby and named himGrant. Emerson is not around much for his nephew over the years, but is fond of him.
After time Emerson came to believe he had absorbed too much magnetic energy, and unsuccessfully tries to drain off the excess energy. In desperation, Emerson tries to make a public appeal at a charity event toGreen Lantern (Hal Jordan), believing Green Lantern'spower ring can help him. However, Emerson's evil personality takes over and robs the box office of the proceeds instead.[3] Polaris tries to draw a magnetic gun on Green Lantern, but is knocked unconscious. At the hospital, Green Lantern probes Polaris' mind, and learns of his evil side. Shortly thereafter, Polaris recovers and attacks Green Lantern with girders and other metal objects. Green Lantern draws Polaris out into the open and defeat him. Doctor Polaris is remanded to police custody, where his "good self" resurfaces.[4]
Years later, Emerson's dark side returns. Returning to his old costume, Polaris takes the name of Baxter Timmons and moves toMetropolis' Suicide Slum, where he steals advanced technology from warehouses throughout the city. Polaris integrates the new magnetic circuits into his costume, as part of an attempt to gain revenge on Green Lantern. Polaris' plans are stopped byBlack Lightning.
In "Underworld Unleashed", the Polaris personality sells Emerson's soul toNeron in exchange for increased powers. He serves as Neron's lieutenant before being betrayed byLex Luthor and theJoker.[5]
Shortly thereafter, Polaris appears in San Francisco, allied with theCadre. Convinced that civilization and humanity's free will are obstacles for creating a better Earth, he plans to use theControllers' power and stolenS.T.A.R. Labs equipment to focus his powers and "cleanse the world". ThePower Company defeat Polaris by turning Black Mass against his master and using him to drain Polaris' power.
Shortly before "Infinite Crisis", Polaris appears inMetropolis, seekingSuperman's help in battling a more powerful and ruthless magnetism manipulator called Repulse. Repulse is later revealed to be a manifestation of his personality disorder and is defeated after Polaris accepts that she is not real.
During "Villains United", Polaris joinsLex Luthor'sSecret Society of Super Villains. He is among the villains who ambush theFreedom Fighters in a warehouse south of Metropolis. WhenPhantom Lady is impaled byDeathstroke, theHuman Bomb becomes enraged. After Polaris taunts the Human Bomb, he is blown to pieces by him.[6]
InBlackest Night, Emerson is temporarily revived as aBlack Lantern.
Following "The New 52" and "DC Rebirth" relaunches, Neal Emerson appears as a member ofMaxwell Lord's supervillain team and a former member of theSuicide Squad.[7][8]
John Nichol, a businessman and associate ofIntergang, becomes the second Doctor Polaris after the death of Neal Emerson. He battlesBlue Beetle, holding a definitive advantage until he is shot in the shoulder by his daughter.[9] During the "Final Crisis" storyline, Polaris appears as a member ofLibra's Secret Society.[10] InBlackest Night, Polaris is killed by Neal Emerson, who has returned as a Black Lantern.[11]
Both versions of Doctor Polaris possess the power to generate and channelelectromagnetism naturally or artificially. They can lift heavy metallic objects, control ferrous particles in the atmosphere, alter Earth's electromagnetic field, fly at subsonic speeds, and project forms of energy related to magnetism. They are able to manipulate the metals within the Earth to create earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or other disasters. They can also sense metals around them, determine on the distance.[12][13] The John Nichol incarnation can create localized magnetic storms in people's brains, killing them instantly.[9]
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