| Morgan Edge | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133 (October 1970) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer & artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Morris Edelstein |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Intergang Galaxy Communications Superman Revenge Squad |
Morgan Edge is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. Originally a supporting character, he is a media mogul who acquires theDaily Planet and employsClark Kent as a television journalist for his WGBS TV network. After theCrisis on Infinite Earth continuity reboot, Edge is depicted as a member ofIntergang.[1]
Edge has been adapted into various media outside comics, withRutger Hauer andAdrian Pasdar portraying him inSmallville andSupergirl. InSuperman & Lois,Adam Rayner played a version of the character who is also Superman'sKryptonian half-brotherTal-Rho.
Morgan Edge first appeared inSuperman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133 and was created byJack Kirby.[2] Kirby based Edge's physical appearance on actorKevin McCarthy, while his personality was inspired by television executiveJames T. Aubrey.[3] According to Kirby's production assistantMark Evanier, Kirby "wanted to explore the theme oforganized crime gaining a foothold in corporate America - particularly a giant media conglomerate. Given the shady background of the company that acquiredWarner Bros. andDC [i.e.Kinney National Company], it was something of an inside joke."[3] However, under prodding from editorial staff who preferred Edge to be an ongoing supporting character rather than a villain who would ultimately have to be brought to justice and written out of the series, the Edge connected toIntergang was revealed to be an imposter.[3]
In his original incarnation, Edge was the president of theGalaxy Broadcasting System (owners of television station WGBS), a media corporation that eventually bought theDaily Planet. Edge was in many ways a stereotype of a ruthless capitalist, intervening in thePlanet's homey atmosphere and challenging the authority of the somewhat olderPerry White, but he was a decent man who had moments of good-heartedness and maintained reasonably friendly relationships with most of his employees, includingClark Kent. Following the takeover of thePlanet, Edge transferred Kent to the news division, making him a traveling correspondent and later anchorman on WGBS. This move added several TV co-workers to theSuperman supporting cast, including producer Josh Coyle, sports broadcasterSteve Lombard,[4] weather forecaster Oscar Asherman, and co-anchorLana Lang, Clark's childhood friend.
As one of the wealthiest men inMetropolis, Edge was a major political figure in the city and frequently encounteredSuperman, the subject of many of his network's news stories, whom he, like most others, failed to realize was also Clark Kent. Although rarely integral to a plotline, Edge was a supporting character in many Superman stories.
For a while, it appeared that Edge was connected to theApokolips-sponsored crime organisationIntergang, but this was revealed to be a clone created by the 'Evil Factory', a genetics laboratory working forDarkseid.[5][6]
It was later revealed that Morgan Edge is Jewish and was bornMorris Edelstein before changing his name, as he was ashamed of his background and worked to keep it secret.[7]
When DCcontinuity was rebooted afterCrisis on Infinite Earths, Edge remained president of WGBS, but his ties to thePlanet and friendship with Superman wereretconned away, and he was genuinely connected to Intergang. He was eventually exposed by theDaily Planet, in articles by Clark Kent andCat Grant, who was working for WGBS undercover. Edge was imprisoned, but even managed to cause trouble there by publishing hisautobiographyOn the Edge, which dumped upon his fatherVincent Edge as well as Cat Grant, revealing that she slept her way into a scoop. After his release from jail, Edge returned as sponsor of theSuperman Revenge Squad.
In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. Morgan Edge appears as anAfrican-American media mogul and the new owner of theDaily Planet.[8] Although a tough businessman, Edge did recognize talent, and awardedLois Lane the editorship of theDaily Planet.
Edge's multiple media holdings become a benefit to Superman as Lois Lane, now director of Edge's Metropolis news station, has said building's security cameras "hacked" to provide vital intelligence on a rampaging villain.[9]
Prior toDC Rebirth, in the last issue of the 2011 Justice League series, it is mentioned that Lex Luthor bought theDaily Planet from Edge.[10]
Morgan Edge appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[13]
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