Doctor Phosphorus (Alexander James Sartorius) is asupervillain who has appeared in variouscomic book series published byDC Comics. Primarily an enemy ofBatman, the villain exists in DC's main shared universe, known as theDC Universe.[1]
Alexander Sartorius was a member of the Tobacconists' Club who wanted to build a nuclear power plant inGotham City with help from chairmanRupert Thorne.[4] However, he was forced to build elsewhere following public opposition and was transformed into a metahuman during a meltdown at the plant, gaining transparent, burning skin and the ability to generate harmful radiation.[5] He then battled Batman before falling into a nuclear reactor and being presumed dead.[6][7]
During theUnderworld Unleashed storyline, Phosphorus sells his soul to the demonNeron to gain increased control over his powers.[3]
InJames Robinson's seriesStarman, Phosphorus battlesStarman and douses him with radiation that will soon kill him. In response, Starman uses his cosmic rod to bury Phosphorus deep underground, apparently killing him.[3]
Phosphorus returns inDetective Comics #825, where he is being held inCadmus Research laboratories. Cadmus scientists discover that he is no longer human and has had his organs replaced by energy.[8] He eventually escapes before being defeated by Batman and imprisoned inArkham Asylum.[3]
Doctor Phosphorus has the ability to manipulate radiation for various effects, such as burning skin andtoxic fume emissions. His body's majororgans are not present, but he produces an endless source of energy for himself.[17] When he sold his soul to Neron, Sartorius was granted greater powers, as well as temperature control.[18]
Doctor Phosphorus was used as inspiration forThe Batman's incarnation ofFirefly (voiced byJason Marsden).[citation needed] In the episode "White Heat", Firefly and his girlfriend, Dr. Jane Blazedale attempts to steal a phosphorus isotope so he can upgrade his arsenal. However, an accident occurs that turns Firefly intoPhosphorus, granting him volcanic physiology, fiery skin, and a burning touch. As he slowly goes insane, he attempts to destroy Gotham in retaliation for no one being able to remember his name, only to be defeated by Batman.
Alexander "Alex" Sartorius / Doctor Phosphorus appears inCreature Commandos,[21][22] voiced byAlan Tudyk.[23] This version is an inmate ofBelle Reve Penitentiary's Non-Human Internment Division, former scientist turned crime boss, widower to an immigrant woman named Parvin, and member of theeponymous group. In flashbacks, Alex sought out industrialist and crime lordRupert Thorne's help in funding research to cure cancer via nuclear fusion while secretly giving Thorne falsified data due to the latter's involvement with the fascist nation ofBialya. Upon discovering this, Thorne had Parvin and the Sartoriuses' son killed, framed Alex for it, and attempted to kill him with his nuclear equipment. Following his transformation, Alex went insane, killed Thorne and his family, and took over his criminal empire until he was defeated by Batman and sent to Belle Reve.
Dr. Alex Sartorius appears inBatman: Arkham Knight viaSimon Stagg's audiotapes. This version was raised as aCatholic, but chose science over faith and became an employee at Stagg Industries. He later discovers that Stagg is collaborating with theScarecrow to develop the Cloudburst technology and is exposed to the latter's fear toxin, causing him to developpyrophobia.
^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 94.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
