 | This articlerelies excessively onreferences toprimary sources. Please improve this article by addingsecondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Professor Potter" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(October 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Professor Potter | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #22 (August 1957) |
| Created by | Otto Binder (writer) Curt Swan (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Phineas Potter |
| Supporting character of | Superman Jimmy Olsen |
Professor Potter is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics, primarily in association withSuperman.
Phineas Potter first appeared inSuperman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #22 (August 1957) and was created byOtto Binder andCurt Swan.
The original incarnation of Professor Potter is the uncle ofLana Lang and first encounters the Man of Steel during his teenage years asSuperboy.[1] A professor andeccentric scientist, Potter often invents odd or fantastical devices for the betterment of humanity. However, he rarely considers the potential downsides of his inventions. While several of his devices are harmless, many others are not and cause chaos when activated.
Potter befriends three newspaper reporters from theDaily Planet:Lois Lane,Jimmy Olsen, and Clark Kent. Olsen is often the victim of Potter's inventions, being transformed into a variety of bizarre forms.[2][3][4][5] Potter later creates a serum that gives Olsen elasticity, enabling him to become the superhero Elastic Lad and an honorary member of theLegion of Super-Heroes.
FollowingCrisis on Infinite Earths, which reboots DC's continuity, Clark Kent's history is revised so that he does not become a superhero until adulthood, and thus never operates as Superboy. Potter appears as aS.T.A.R. Labs scientist uninvolved with Superman.[6]
| Superboy | |
|---|---|
| Supporting characters | |
| Enemies | |
| Publications | |
| In other media | |
