| Emil Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 Emil Hamilton as depicted inThe Adventures of Superman #425 (February 1987). Art by Jerry Ordway (penciler/inker) and Tom Ziuko (colorist). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | As Professor Hamilton:The Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987) As Ruin:Adventures of Superman #630 (September 2004) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman (writer) Jerry Ordway (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Emil Hamilton |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | S.T.A.R. Labs Enginehead Society |
| Notable aliases | Ruin |
| Abilities | Genius-level intelligence Expert scientist |
Professor Emil Hamilton is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published byDC Comics, usually as a supporting character in stories featuringSuperman.[1]
The character was portrayed byRichard Schiff inMan of Steel. Additionally,Victor Brandt andRobert Foxworth voice Hamilton in theDC Animated Universe (DCAU) seriesSuperman: The Animated Series andJustice League Unlimited.
Created by writerMarv Wolfman and artistJerry Ordway, Professor Emil Hamilton first appeared inThe Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987). His depictions in various incarnations range from that of a trusted ally to Superman and his colleagues to one who is cautious and mistrustful of Superman and his power, to an unambiguous villain. The character was named afterEdmond Hamilton, who wrote stories about Superman and other characters from the 1940s to the 1960s.[citation needed]
Emil Hamilton is introduced as a villain, using his gadgets to attack Superman in an attempt to gain funding by proving that they work. A former employee ofS.T.A.R. Labs, Hamilton was driven insane whenLex Luthor bought his research and took credit for his inventions. After being treated and released, Hamilton sets up a laboratory inMetropolis and becomes Superman's "scientific advisor" and technical consultant. He creates many devices to aid Superman, including thePhantom Zone projector and early versions of theSuperman robots.[2]
During "The Death of Superman" storyline, Hamilton attempts to assist Superman in battling the alien monsterDoomsday.[3] When Doomsday mortally wounds Superman, Hamilton attempts to save his life, but is unsuccessful and Superman is declared dead.[4][5] Hamilton loses an arm during the "Fall of Metropolis" storyline, but replaces it with a self-designed cyberneticprosthesis.
Following Superman's resurrection, Hamilton assists him in restoring theFortress of Solitude and saving the citizens of the bottled city ofKandor.[6] Hamilton also providesSuperboy, Superman's clone, with a visor that replicates the X-ray and heat vision he lacks.[7]
Many years later, whenJohn Henry Irons returns to Metropolis, Hamilton feels that he is being sidelined, as Superman now has access to a scientific genius who is also a fellow superhero. He disappears during the arrival ofBrainiac 13, only to resurface as theOvermind, the leader of a gang plotting Brainiac's return. Hamilton is partially controlled by Brainiac's technology infecting his arm.
In a 2005 storyline, Hamilton becomes the villainRuin, seeking to prevent Superman from destroying Earth's sun.[8] Ruin claims that Superman is draining the Sun's energy, accelerating thedeath of the Sun by 500 million years. Hamilton frames Superman's friendPete Ross, making him appear to be Ruin.[9] Hamilton confronts Superman and reveals his identity as Ruin to him, only to be imprisoned after Superman clears Ross' name.[10][11]
Following "The New 52" reboot and the "DC Rebirth" relaunch, Hamilton is reintroduced in theTitans: Beast World storyline. He assistsBibbo Bibbowski in curingJimmy Olsen ofBeast Boy's spores which transformed him into a mutant turtle.[12]
Emil Hamilton is a normal human being and thus, has no inherent powers, though he is a brilliant scientist and inventor, having designed and built devices such as a force-field generator. As Ruin, he wields a powered suit that enables him to teleport and generate red sunlight.
Hamilton has designed various prosthetic arms with unusual abilities, including one that acted as a sunscreen dispenser.
TheSmallville incarnation of Emil Hamilton appears inSmallville Season 11. He helps the Watchtower Network construct an outpost on the moon, assists in transferringTess Mercer's consciousness from her half-brotherLex Luthor's body to theWatchtower's computer system, and acts as her psychiatrist.[19] After Mercer downloads herself into the "Red Tornado" android and joins the Justice League, she and Hamilton begin dating.[20]
