| Universo | |
|---|---|
 Universo, on the cover ofAdventure Comics #349, art byCurt Swan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Adventure Comics #349 (October 1966) |
| Created by | Jim Shooter (writer) Curt Swan (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Vidar |
| Species | Human Titanian (post-Zero Hour continuity) |
| Place of origin | Earth (31st century) |
| Team affiliations | Green Lantern Corps Legion of Super-Villains |
| Partnerships | Dark Circle Jacques Foccart Legion of Substitute Heroes |
| Notable aliases | Argus Oranx III, Earth President Kandro Boltax, Vid-Gupta |
| Abilities | Mind control throughhypnosis |
Universo is asupervillain appearing inDC Comics, primarily as an enemy of theLegion of Super-Heroes. He was created byJim Shooter andCurt Swan, and first appeared inAdventure Comics #349 (October 1966).[1]
In Universo's first appearance, he is depicted as a powerful hypnotist.[2] With his "Hypno Stone", he is able to control the head of the Time Institute, and lure the Legionnaires into a series of traps.[3] The Legion defeats him with the help of a Time Cube invented by scientist Rond Vidar, who is revealed to be Universo's son.
With his next scheme, Universo manages to take control of Earth by posing as the new president, Kandro Boltax, using his powers of hypnosis, augmented by a chemical placed in the world's water supply. He accomplishes this while most of the Legion is away from Earth on a mission, and they return to find the Legion outlawed. The Legion find refuge in one ofLex Luthor's abandoned hideouts and eventually, with the help of Rond Vidar, are able to thwart his plans.[4]
Years later, LegionnairesBlok andTimber Wolf view a file from the Legion Archives. Therein, it is revealed that Universo is a former member of theGreen Lantern Corps who was assigned to journey to the Time Institute on Earth and prevent the Legion from viewing the dawn of time. When Universo attempted to view the dawn of time himself, he was stripped of his ring by theGuardians of the Universe.[5]
Years later, theDominators seize control of Earth during its economic collapse, and Universo ends up as one of the primary leaders of the resistance movement. He is branded a terrorist by the Dominion-backed Earthgov, who accuse him of working with theKhund. He was in fact working with theDark Circle, though it is clear he is not working for them and has his own agenda.Jacques Foccart,Troy Stewart, and the former members of theLegion of Substitute Heroes work alongside him in resisting the Dominion control of Earth.
FollowingZero Hour: Crisis in Time!, which reboots the Legion's continuity, Universo is depicted asSarmon Ardeen,Saturn Girl's cousin. This version of Universo is erased from continuity followingInfinite Crisis, which further alters DC's timeline.[6]
InThe New 52, Universo disguises himself as president-elect Hiroshi Takaneda. After a precognitive terrorist attempts an assassination, he hypnotizes Saturn Girl into missing his true identity. It is revealed that within nine years, theUnited Planets will fall apart under Universo's rule.[7]
An alternate universe variant of Universo appears inSuperboy's Legion. This version is a benevolent supercomputer and leader of theScience Police who is later destroyed byLex Luthor and replaced by theEmerald Eye of Ekron.
Universo can manipulate the minds and memories of others. Furthermore, he wears a necklace that enhances his abilities.
Universo appears in the one-shotBatman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes. This version is the descendant ofEgghead.
