Composite Superman
Encyclopedia
The Composite Superman is a DC Comics
supervillain
, an enemy of Superman
and Batman
.
#142, June 1964, Joseph Meach was a diver
who had fallen on hard times. In an attempt to draw publicity to himself, Meach set up a water tank on a sidewalk in Metropolis
and dove off a building. Unbeknownst to Meach, the tank was leaking, and Meach would have died if not for the intervention of Superman. The Man of Steel, upon learning of Meach's misfortunes, obtained a job for him at the Superman Museum, where Meach was employed as a custodian. Meach's bitterness did not subside, and being surrounded by artifacts and mementos of Superman's career directed his anger towards Superman. One night, as Meach was sweeping in front of a series of statuettes depicting the Legion of Super-Heroes
, a bolt of lightning passed through an open window and struck the display. The statuettes, which were actually miniature lifeless duplicates of the Legionnaires, unleashed an energy blast that struck Meach. Meach discovered that he was endowed with the combined powers of the Legion members. Determined to defeat Superman, Batman and Robin
, Meach used his shape-shifting power to turn his skin green and form a costume that was half Superman's, half Batman's. Calling himself the Composite Superman, Meach left the message in both heroes' bases to meet him on a mountain and told the heroes that if he was not allowed to join their team, he would expose their secret identities, which he learned via telepathy
. The Composite Superman then created situations for Superman or Batman to handle, but which he intentionally sabotaged to humiliate the heroes. When Superman and Batman deduced Meach's evil intentions, the Composite Superman forced the team to retire or he would expose their identities. They faked their deaths while hiding in a lead chamber using robots, with which they also intended to see if the Composite Superman was prepared to let them die, but Meach found out about this as he had hidden in the Bat-Cave using his shape-shifting ability to impersonate a Joker
statue. The World's Finest heroes soon discovered that the Composite Superman's intent was to rule the world after they looked through a museum of himself he had made. Although they were unable to defeat Meach, who used his vast array of powers to keep the duo at bay, impersonating a statue of himself and striking Batman with lightining, and after imprisoning Superman in a kryptonite ring, he tried to reveal their identities, the Composite Superman was defeated when his charge of powers turned out to be temporary. Meach reverted to human form with no knowledge of his activities as the Composite Superman, and Batman freed Superman from the ring as they were dropped, allowing Superman to save him and Robin. Meach tried to write down the secret of his powers, but his memory faded before he could finish, though he managed to write down about the lightning striking the statues, but nothing more.
Composite Superman re-appeared a few years later, in World's Finest Comics #168 (August 1967). An alien
villain named Xan came to Earth to avenge his dead father, a criminal who was captured and imprisoned by Superman and Batman, and who asked his son to avenge him before dying of a disease. Xan studied the Composite Superman and decided to restore Meach's powers by recreating the accident that endowed him with superpowers. Meach's memories returned, and he used the powers of Sun Boy and Lightning Lad to destroy the statues of Superman and Batman. This time the duo were able to deduce their enemy's identity, as they checked the museum employees who were not around when the Composite Superman was sighted. The Composite Superman soon captured Superman and Batman by impersonating a captured and chained Robin, and then the Batmobile, despite Superman destroying the statues with his heat vision, and after using his super-intelligence to find a fitting way to kill them he tried to kill the team by using his powers simultaneously turning half of their bodies to anti-matter, which would soon annihilate them. Meach's powers wore off before he could accomplish this though, and soon Xan appeared explaining why he wanted Superman and Batman to die. Xan then fired a lethal energy blast at the heroes with his Magna-Gun, but a remorseful Meach intercepted the blast, killing him instantly. A statue was made to honor him, saying he lived a villain, but died a hero.
's to duplicate the Justice League
's powers. Believing it to be a failure, Ivo buried his creature in a field, but it later revived, and stole Superman and Batman outfits from a store, sewing half of each together. Acting as both Superman/Batman and their alter egos of Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne, the Composite creature kidnapped Lois Lane
and Tim Drake
in an attempt to live the lives of both of its counterparts. Outmatched by the creature's sheer power, Superman and Batman inundate its already confused mind with false emergencies. Unable to decide which to respond to first, the creature rips itself in half.
This version was shown to possess the powers of Superman, Batman, The Atom, Elongated Man
, Firestorm and Red Tornado
. It was only ever referred to as "Composite".
reboot of Legion history, Composite Superman was removed from continuity. Legion of Super-Heroes Vol 4, #68 introduced a new "Composite Man", a Durlan
who had the ability to duplicate any Legionnaire's powers and appearance. Rather than the clean, split-down-the-middle appearance of Composite Superman, Composite Man had a shifting mixture of costume elements from all the Legion members. Both he and his sister had been given these abilities by the Durlan government to be weapons, and resented this. However, while she chose to make her own destiny, he joined the Dark Circle
to gain revenge on Durla.
When they lost their grip on power, the Secularists found their program deemed sinful by the theocratic government and the test subjects were imprisoned in crystals, denying them their ability. During regular maintenance to keep the living weapons contained, one of the crystals is damaged and an unnamed Durlan mutant breaks free, killing the entire priest class of Durla. His quest for revenge unquenched, the living weapon goes in search of Durlan priest and Legionnaire, Reep Daggle. When battling the Legion of Super-Heroes
the living weapon not only imitates the Legionnaires' abilities, but also parts of their respective appearances. Composite Man meets his end when Saturn Girl
uses her telepathy to shut down his mind, leaving her in a catatonic
state.
and the similarly-powered Mon-El
and Ultra Boy
. The Composite Superman also possessed numerous special powers, derived from various Legion members:
's archenemy Inertia
, accesses Young Justice
's files and uses information on Robin and Superboy
to become a "composite Superboy", with the half-and-half, green-skinned appearance of the original. Crayd'l intended to access information on the other members of Young Justice, but Impulse tricked him into downloading a music CD instead, turning him into Superboy's favourite rap artist.
In Superman/Batman
#6, Hiro Okamura creates a spaceship in the form of a mecha
version of the Composite Superman. In a more recent arc in Superman/Batman, a new Composite Superman Batman was created when Mister Mxyzptlk
merged the Supermen and Batmen of several alternate realities together. Startled to be joined together, Batman mentally exclaimed to Superman, "Clark, your mind races, I never knew"; Superman replies, "And yours Bruce, is so dark". This ends at the battle's conclusion, and all the Batmen and Supermen who did not "need to be here" were sent away (Leaving only the normal DCU Superman and Batman).
In Superman and Batman: World's Funnest
(2000), Mister Mxyzptlk join Superman and Batman in a black and white comic strip
.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
, an enemy of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
.
Joseph Meach version
First appearing in World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
#142, June 1964, Joseph Meach was a diver
Underwater diving
Underwater diving is the practice of going underwater, either with breathing apparatus or by breath-holding .Recreational diving is a popular activity...
who had fallen on hard times. In an attempt to draw publicity to himself, Meach set up a water tank on a sidewalk in Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
and dove off a building. Unbeknownst to Meach, the tank was leaking, and Meach would have died if not for the intervention of Superman. The Man of Steel, upon learning of Meach's misfortunes, obtained a job for him at the Superman Museum, where Meach was employed as a custodian. Meach's bitterness did not subside, and being surrounded by artifacts and mementos of Superman's career directed his anger towards Superman. One night, as Meach was sweeping in front of a series of statuettes depicting the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
, a bolt of lightning passed through an open window and struck the display. The statuettes, which were actually miniature lifeless duplicates of the Legionnaires, unleashed an energy blast that struck Meach. Meach discovered that he was endowed with the combined powers of the Legion members. Determined to defeat Superman, Batman and Robin
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, Meach used his shape-shifting power to turn his skin green and form a costume that was half Superman's, half Batman's. Calling himself the Composite Superman, Meach left the message in both heroes' bases to meet him on a mountain and told the heroes that if he was not allowed to join their team, he would expose their secret identities, which he learned via telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
. The Composite Superman then created situations for Superman or Batman to handle, but which he intentionally sabotaged to humiliate the heroes. When Superman and Batman deduced Meach's evil intentions, the Composite Superman forced the team to retire or he would expose their identities. They faked their deaths while hiding in a lead chamber using robots, with which they also intended to see if the Composite Superman was prepared to let them die, but Meach found out about this as he had hidden in the Bat-Cave using his shape-shifting ability to impersonate a Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
statue. The World's Finest heroes soon discovered that the Composite Superman's intent was to rule the world after they looked through a museum of himself he had made. Although they were unable to defeat Meach, who used his vast array of powers to keep the duo at bay, impersonating a statue of himself and striking Batman with lightining, and after imprisoning Superman in a kryptonite ring, he tried to reveal their identities, the Composite Superman was defeated when his charge of powers turned out to be temporary. Meach reverted to human form with no knowledge of his activities as the Composite Superman, and Batman freed Superman from the ring as they were dropped, allowing Superman to save him and Robin. Meach tried to write down the secret of his powers, but his memory faded before he could finish, though he managed to write down about the lightning striking the statues, but nothing more.
Composite Superman re-appeared a few years later, in World's Finest Comics #168 (August 1967). An alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
villain named Xan came to Earth to avenge his dead father, a criminal who was captured and imprisoned by Superman and Batman, and who asked his son to avenge him before dying of a disease. Xan studied the Composite Superman and decided to restore Meach's powers by recreating the accident that endowed him with superpowers. Meach's memories returned, and he used the powers of Sun Boy and Lightning Lad to destroy the statues of Superman and Batman. This time the duo were able to deduce their enemy's identity, as they checked the museum employees who were not around when the Composite Superman was sighted. The Composite Superman soon captured Superman and Batman by impersonating a captured and chained Robin, and then the Batmobile, despite Superman destroying the statues with his heat vision, and after using his super-intelligence to find a fitting way to kill them he tried to kill the team by using his powers simultaneously turning half of their bodies to anti-matter, which would soon annihilate them. Meach's powers wore off before he could accomplish this though, and soon Xan appeared explaining why he wanted Superman and Batman to die. Xan then fired a lethal energy blast at the heroes with his Magna-Gun, but a remorseful Meach intercepted the blast, killing him instantly. A statue was made to honor him, saying he lived a villain, but died a hero.
Xan version
A new Composite Superman appeared in World's Finest Comics #283 (September 1982). Xan escaped from prison and traveled back in time to recreate the event that endowed Meach with his powers, but with himself obtaining the powers. A still-vengeful Xan assumed the identity of the Composite Superman and displayed greater control over his powers and understanding over his weaknesses, such as timing his needed restorations of energy to maintain his power. Xan soon discarded the Composite Superman identity and created an original costume, with the new name Amalgamax. Superman traveled to the 30th century to ask the Legion of Super-Heroes for assistance. Superman, Batman, and the Legion defeated Amalgamax by making him believe that the disease that killed his father had developed in him and that his excessive power was causing the disease to develop rapidly.Superman/Batman
The Superman/Batman Annual #3 (March 2009) re-imagined the Composite Superman's origin, depicting it as an early attempt of Professor IvoProfessor Ivo
Professor Anthony Ivo is a fictional character, a mad scientist in the DC universe and is the creator of the androids Amazo, Kid Amazo, Tomorrow Woman and Composite Superman in his retconned origin.-Fictional character biography:...
's to duplicate the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
's powers. Believing it to be a failure, Ivo buried his creature in a field, but it later revived, and stole Superman and Batman outfits from a store, sewing half of each together. Acting as both Superman/Batman and their alter egos of Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne, the Composite creature kidnapped Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
and Tim Drake
Tim Drake
Timothy "Tim" Drake is a superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick. From 1989 to 2009, he was known as Robin in the Batman comics, becoming the third character to take up the identity...
in an attempt to live the lives of both of its counterparts. Outmatched by the creature's sheer power, Superman and Batman inundate its already confused mind with false emergencies. Unable to decide which to respond to first, the creature rips itself in half.
This version was shown to possess the powers of Superman, Batman, The Atom, Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
, Firestorm and Red Tornado
Red Tornado
Red Tornado is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Justice League of America #64 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin.-Publication history:...
. It was only ever referred to as "Composite".
Composite Man
Following the Zero HourZero Hour (comics)
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. In it, the former hero Hal Jordan, who had until then been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, mad with grief after the destruction of...
reboot of Legion history, Composite Superman was removed from continuity. Legion of Super-Heroes Vol 4, #68 introduced a new "Composite Man", a Durlan
Durlan (DC Comics)
The Durlans are a fictional extraterrestrial species, a race of shapeshifting beings from the planet Durla, as depicted in DC Comics.-Fictional history:...
who had the ability to duplicate any Legionnaire's powers and appearance. Rather than the clean, split-down-the-middle appearance of Composite Superman, Composite Man had a shifting mixture of costume elements from all the Legion members. Both he and his sister had been given these abilities by the Durlan government to be weapons, and resented this. However, while she chose to make her own destiny, he joined the Dark Circle
Dark Circle
The Dark Circle is a fictional criminal organization in publications from DC Comics.-Fictional history:The Dark Circle first appeared in Adventure Comics #367 as an insurgent group planning to conquer the United Planets in the 30th century. It was composed of only five people and armies of clones...
to gain revenge on Durla.
Fictional character biography
On the planet Durla, there was a long cultural struggle between secular and religious movements. Before the formation of the United Planets, the Secularists of Durla created a program to produce living weapons through mutation. The goal was to acquire soldiers capable of not only mimicking the appearance but also the function of any species.When they lost their grip on power, the Secularists found their program deemed sinful by the theocratic government and the test subjects were imprisoned in crystals, denying them their ability. During regular maintenance to keep the living weapons contained, one of the crystals is damaged and an unnamed Durlan mutant breaks free, killing the entire priest class of Durla. His quest for revenge unquenched, the living weapon goes in search of Durlan priest and Legionnaire, Reep Daggle. When battling the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
the living weapon not only imitates the Legionnaires' abilities, but also parts of their respective appearances. Composite Man meets his end when Saturn Girl
Saturn Girl
Saturn Girl is a fictional character appearing in DC comic books. A talented telepath from the 30th century, Imra first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 as a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes...
uses her telepathy to shut down his mind, leaving her in a catatonic
Catatonia
Catatonia is a state of neurogenic motor immobility, and behavioral abnormality manifested by stupor. It was first described in 1874: Die Katatonie oder das Spannungsirresein ....
state.
Powers & Abilities
In terms of abilities and raw power, the Composite Superman was one of the most powerful enemies Superman and Batman ever faced. He had all of Superman's powers, but to a far greater degree, derived from SupergirlSupergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
and the similarly-powered Mon-El
Lar Gand
Lar Gand, known primarily as Mon-El , is a fictional character in DC Comics' universe who is associated with the Legion of Super-Heroes, Superboy, and Superman...
and Ultra Boy
Ultra Boy
Ultra Boy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in DC Comics. He is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Universe. Ultra Boy gained these powers when the space-speedster he was flying was swallowed by an ultra-energy beast , exposing him to...
. The Composite Superman also possessed numerous special powers, derived from various Legion members:
- The ability to grow to giant size (Colossal BoyGim AllonColossal Boy , also known as Leviathan and Micro Lad, is a fictional character in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics universe who has gone by a variety of superhero names over the past several decades, although originally Colossal Boy. He is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He...
) - The ability to shrink (Shrinking Violet)
- The ability to divide into 3 people (Triplicate Girl)
- The ability to fire lightning bolts (Lightning LadGarth RanzzLightning Lad , also known as Live Wire, is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He has the superhuman ability to generate electricity, usually in the form of lightning bolts. He is a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries...
) - The ability to generate heat and light (Sun BoySun BoySun Boy is a fictional character, a superhero in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics universe. Sun Boy is a Legion of Super-Heroes member with the ability to unleash internal solar energy to whatever degree he wishes, from enough to light a single candle to enough to melt nearly any...
) - The ability to make things super-lightweight (Light Lass)
- The ability to make things super-heavy (Star Boy)
- The ability to consume absolutely anything (Matter-Eater LadMatter-Eater LadMatter-Eater Lad is a superhero in the DC Universe. He is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes and possesses the power to eat matter in all forms, as do all natives of his home planet, Bismoll...
) - The ability to turn invisible (Invisible KidInvisible KidLyle Norg is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe, and a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries. He was the first to assume the name Invisible Kid.-Lyle Norg:...
) - The ability to inflate into a large ball (Bouncing BoyBouncing Boy-Fictional character biography:Bouncing Boy is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th century. He is Chuck Taine of Earth, and he has the power to inflate like a ball and bounce. He received his powers when he accidentally drank a super...
) - The ability to stretch any part of his body (Elastic Lad)
- The ability to shapeshift (Chameleon Boy)
- Telepathy (Saturn GirlSaturn GirlSaturn Girl is a fictional character appearing in DC comic books. A talented telepath from the 30th century, Imra first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 as a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes...
) - 12th level intelligence (Brainiac 5Brainiac 5Brainiac 5 is a fictional character who exists in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Universe. He is a long standing member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Brainiac 5 is from the planet Colu...
) - Magnetic powers (Cosmic Boy)
- X-ray vision that could see through anything, even lead (Ultra BoyUltra BoyUltra Boy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in DC Comics. He is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Universe. Ultra Boy gained these powers when the space-speedster he was flying was swallowed by an ultra-energy beast , exposing him to...
) - The ability to transmute elements (Element LadElement LadElement Lad is a fictional character in the 30th and 31st centuries of the , a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. A native of the planet Trom, he has the power to transmute chemical elements.-Pre-Zero Hour:...
) - The ability to phase through solid matter (Phantom GirlPhantom GirlPhantom Girl is a fictional comic book superhero who appears in books published by DC Comics. In the Post-Zero Hour continuity, she is known as Apparition, and is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries...
)
Other versions
In Impulse #56, Crayd'l, a nanotech computer belonging to Bart AllenBart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...
's archenemy Inertia
Inertia (DC Comics)
Inertia or Kid Zoom is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics universe.-Creation:When questioned as to who created Inertia, Ethan van Sciver wrote that he could only accept five percent of the credit. The rest was offered to Mike Wieringo , Grant Morrison , and Todd Dezago...
, accesses Young Justice
Young Justice
Young Justice is a fictional DC Comics superhero team consisting of teenaged heroes. The team first appeared in Young Justice: The Secret , before graduating to their ongoing monthly series...
's files and uses information on Robin and Superboy
Superboy (Kon-El)
Superboy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. A modern update of the original Superboy, who is a younger version of Superman, the character first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 , and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.Originally...
to become a "composite Superboy", with the half-and-half, green-skinned appearance of the original. Crayd'l intended to access information on the other members of Young Justice, but Impulse tricked him into downloading a music CD instead, turning him into Superboy's favourite rap artist.
In Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman was a monthly comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular characters: Batman and Superman...
#6, Hiro Okamura creates a spaceship in the form of a mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
version of the Composite Superman. In a more recent arc in Superman/Batman, a new Composite Superman Batman was created when Mister Mxyzptlk
Mister Mxyzptlk
Mr. Mxyzptlk , sometimes called Mxy, is a fictional impish supervillain who appears in DC Comics' Superman comic books.He was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and first appeared in Superman #30 . He is usually presented as a trickster, in the classical mythological sense, in that he enjoys...
merged the Supermen and Batmen of several alternate realities together. Startled to be joined together, Batman mentally exclaimed to Superman, "Clark, your mind races, I never knew"; Superman replies, "And yours Bruce, is so dark". This ends at the battle's conclusion, and all the Batmen and Supermen who did not "need to be here" were sent away (Leaving only the normal DCU Superman and Batman).
In Superman and Batman: World's Funnest
Superman and Batman: World's Funnest
Superman and Batman: World's Funnest is an American single issue prestige format comic book published in 2000 by DC Comics. It was written by Evan Dorkin and illustrated by numerous artists. The issue still takes place in New Earth, which makes it canon to the main continuity of DC Universe...
(2000), Mister Mxyzptlk join Superman and Batman in a black and white comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
.
Television
- Composite Superman made a cameoCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
in an episode called "The Greatest Story Never Told". Unlike the comic, this "Composite Superman" is the product of a battle with the dark lord MordruMordruMordru is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics' main shared universe.Mordru is the most prominent Lord of Chaos who is fated to survive even after the end of the universe, although he is usually shown as a powerful wizard...
. It's actually a fusion of Superman, Batman, and Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
with the appearance of Composite Superman, but Wonder Woman's voice, resulting from some twisted spell used in the intense magical conflict. The spell was undone by the time Mordru was defeated.
Film
- In the animated film Superman/Batman: Public EnemiesSuperman/Batman: Public Enemies# "Markets Crash"# "Main Titles"# "Freeway Chase"# "Admit Something"# "Meteor"# "Metallo"# "High Voltage"# "Framed"# "Luthor talks to Power Girl"# "S.T.A.R...
, the Japanese ToymanToymanThe Toyman is the name of three comic book supervillains and one adolescent superhero in the DC Comics universe. They mostly appear in Superman stories. The first Toyman appeared in Action Comics #64 . His real name is Winslow Schott.The Toyman uses toy-based or toy-themed devices and gimmicks in...
built a MechaMechaA mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
/ship to destroy the incoming kryptoniteKryptoniteKryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman mythos —the ore form of a radioactive element from Superman's home planet of Krypton. It is famous for being the ultimate physical weakness of Superman, and the word kryptonite has since become synonymous with an Achilles' heel —the one weakness...
meteor. The ship's design (as in the comic) bears a striking resemblance to Composite Superman.
Toys
- DC Direct released a Composite Superman action figure in 2005, and a second one (based on the Superman/Batman vengance 5 version) in 2008.
Parodies
- In the Robot ChickenRobot ChickenRobot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...
episode "Easter Basket," there was a Christmas sketch featuring Dragon Ball Z characters and one of the villains in the sketch was called Composite Santa Claus (voiced by Christian SlaterChristian SlaterChristian Michael Leonard Slater is an American actor. He made his film debut with a small role in The Postman Always Rings Twice before playing a leading role in the 1985 film The Legend of Billie Jean...
): a creature who is half-Santa ClausSanta ClausSanta Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
and half-Frosty the SnowmanFrosty the Snowman"Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written after the success of Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the...
. When GokuSon Goku (Dragon Ball)Goku, known as in the English-language manga and original Japanese-language version, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is loosely based on Sun Wukong, a central character in Journey to the West...
was asked what Composite Santa's powers were, he said he did not know but its appearance freaked him out. Composite Santa was beaten when his snowman half was melted by the intense heat from an energy ball that destroyed the Nutcracker, making the Santa half vulnerable due to the loss of the missing half which instantly melted away. In the episode "In a DVD Factory," his origin is explained as a mad scientist (voiced by Seth MacFarlaneSeth MacFarlaneSeth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, comedian, producer, actor, singer, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, for which he also voices many of the shows' various characters.A native of Kent,...
) had his henchmen gather the DNA samples of Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman to create Composite Santa Claus. Composite Santa Claus then shoots the mad scientist and his henchmen. After drinking milk and eating cookies, Composite Santa Claus goes on a rampage on Christmas. An anchorman reports that Composite Santa Claus has been apprehended and is standing trial before a United Nations Tribunal. In "Saving Private Gigli," Composite Santa Claus is among the Robot Chicken characters assembled by Seth GreenSeth GreenSeth Benjamin Green is an American actor, comedian, voice actor, and television producer. He is well known for his role as Daniel "Oz" Osbourne in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as Dr. Evil's son Scott in the Austin Powers series of comedy films, Mitch Miller in That '70s Show, and the voice of Chris...
and Matthew SenreichMatthew SenreichMatthew Ian "Matt" Senreich is an American screenwriter, television producer and director, best known for his work with animated television series Robot Chicken, which he co-created with business partner Seth Green. Senreich and Green together run the production company Stoopid Monkey...
to fight for Season 5 in the opening Saving Private RyanSaving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
parody of this episode. Composite Santa Claus' snowman half dissolved in the water while the Santa Claus half was bombarded by bullets.