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Prometheus (comics)
Encyclopedia
Prometheus is the name of three fictional character
s appearing in comic book
s published by DC Comics
.
The first Prometheus debuted in New Teen Titans vol. 2, #24 (Oct. 1986) and was created by Marv Wolfman
(writer) and Eduardo Barreto
(pencils). The second version debuted in New Year's Evil: Prometheus (Feb. 1998), and was created by Grant Morrison
(writer) and Arnie Jorgensen (pencils). The third and final version first appears in Batman: Gotham Knights
#52 (June 2004), and was created by A.J. Lieberman (writer) and Al Barrionuevo (pencils).
In 2009, the second Prometheus was ranked as IGN
's 80th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.
#3 (Aug. 1986), followed by appearances in issues #4 (Sept. 1986); #6 (Nov. 1986); #8-9 (Jan.-Feb. 1987) and #11-13 (April–June 1987). The character returned in New Teen Titans #34 (Aug. 1987), and was apparently referenced as being deceased in JSA
#28 (Nov. 2001).
The second Prometheus debuted in New Year's Evil: Prometheus (Feb. 1998) and returned in JLA
#16-17 (March–April 1998) and #36-41 (Dec. 1999 - May 2000). The character was then impersonated for a time by Chad Graham, but returned in Faces of Evil: Prometheus #1 (March 2009). Prometheus starred as the villain in the limited series
Justice League: Cry for Justice #1-7 (Sept. 2009 – April 2010), and was apparently killed at the conclusion of the story.
Writer Mike Conroy noted "...with his technologically advanced armor and weapons arsenal, which can download the fighting techniques of the world's top martial artists...he (Prometheus) turned out to be a formidable foe, as the JLA found out."
The third Prometheus, Chad Graham, debuted in Batman: Gotham Knights
#52 (June 2004), being part of the "Pushback" storyline from issues #50-55 (April-Sept. 2004). The villain reappeared in Batman: Gotham Knights #66 (Aug. 2005); Villains United
#1 - 6 (July-Sept. 2005); Infinite Crisis
#1 - 7 (Dec. 2005 - June 2006); Birds of Prey #94 (June-Aug. 2006); Teen Titans vol. 3, #51 - 54 (Nov. 2007 - Feb. 2008) and Final Crisis
#1-7 (July 2008 - March 2009) before being killed in Faces of Evil: Prometheus #1 (March 2009).
from KORD Inc., an organization owned by Ted Kord
(secretly the Blue Beetle). Although successful, both Calhoun and Dr. Alchemy are captured by Kord's alter ego
, the Beetle. On release from prison, Calhoun aids the Blue Beetle against the villain the Calculator
, and is offered a position as a foreman at KORD Inc. by Kord. While saving Kord from an industrial accident, Calhoun is covered with metals laced with promethium. En route to the hospital, Calhoun's ambulance is attacked by members of the supervillain team Hybrid
. The leader Mento
transformed the metal covering Calhoun into a permanent metallic shell. Assuming the alias "Prometheus", the relucant Calhoun fights alongside Hybrid in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the New Teen Titans.
Although Mento eventually directs Hybrid against the Titans once again, they rebel and Mento is apparently cured of his insanity by Titans member Raven
. Calhoun is never seen again, until superhero team the JSA
learn that Hybrid died in the gladiatorial games staged by villainess Roulette
.
for a day, with the alias "Retro" and a matching costume. The unnamed son of two hippie
criminals who committed murder and theft, Prometheus travelled across the United States
with them until they were cornered and shot by local law enforcement. Prometheus' hair turns white from the traumatic experience, and he makes a silent vow to "annihilate the forces of justice" in revenge for the death of his parents.
Using his parents' hidden caches of money, Prometheus travels the world and develops his skills, becoming an underground pit-fighter in Brazil
; a mercenary in Africa
and joining terrorist
groups in the Middle East
. After avenging his parents' deaths by murdering the police officer who shot them, Prometheus went to college and ultimately located the Himalayan
city of Shambhala
, inhabited by a sect of evil monks. Prometheus discovers the monastery has been built on an alien
spaceship, and the leader of the sect was one of the creatures from the vessel. He kills the alien and obtains the "Ghost Key", which opens a portal to the "Ghost Zone", a hyperspace
void that allows interstellar
travel.
Prometheus builds a house in the void as his headquarters, which is warped by the dimensional effects to become "crooked," and it is revealed that this is the setting for the story he now relates to Retro. Prometheus kills Retro, and courtesy of his advanced helmet copies the young man's mannerisms, intending to masquerade as Retro to gain access to the JLA Watchtower.
Although the plan is successful and Prometheus temporarily defeats seven of the JLA (including Batman
), he is caught off guard by the anti-hero Catwoman
. Thanks to her efforts, the heroes manage to recover, and Prometheus retreats.
Prometheus appears briefly during an encounter between the JLA and alternate universe
superhero team the Avengers
, and skirmishes with Captain America
.
Prometheus returns as a member of Lex Luthor
's second Injustice Gang. During the confusion caused by the arrival of the weapon Mageddon
, Prometheus is able to utilize a White Martian
space vessel abandoned in the Ghost Zone to infiltrate the Justice League Watchtower
and attack team aide Oracle
. Oracle escapes, with Prometheus' helmet damaged in the process. The villain retrieves his original helmet (lost during the first battle with the JLA) and battles Batman once again. Prometheus is neutralized when Batman sabotages his helmet, loading it with the physical skills and coordination of Professor Stephen Hawking
, who due to a motor neuron disease can barely move. Batman prevents fellow member Huntress
from killing Prometheus, before firing her from the JLA. Batman and Martian Manhunter took Prometheus into custody and arranged to reduce Prometheus' brain to a mentally disabled state in order to permanently end his threat. Upon Martian Manhunter's death at the hands of Libra, Prometheus' mind was restored and he began tracking down his would-be protege, culminating in him killing Graham and maiming/murdering members of the Blood Pack super-hero team.
; Gloss
and Tasmanian Devil
) and attacks on others (Barry Allen
; Batwoman
and Crimson Avenger
) is revealed to be the work of the true Prometheus. The villain impersonates Freddy Freeman
, though it is not revealed how he gained superstrength and was able to fly. He gains access to the JLA satellite, which in turns allows Prometheus to place teleportation
devices in the home cities of various heroes which will "strand" the city in various places in the past and future, as revenge for the years that he spent with his mind damaged. Prometheus also maims Roy Harper
after he realizes his foe is not Freddy Freeman. While defeating the JLA and their allies the Teen Titans and the reformed villain Shade
using files on them, though he does not kill any of them, Prometheus is captured by Donna Troy
and beaten brutally, until she is stopped by Shade. The villain offers to reveal the location of the devices in exchanges for his release, after his devices malfunction and begin destroying the cities. With Star City suffering massive casualties, Prometheus' ultimatum is met and returns to his lair, but is killed by Green Arrow
, who shoots an arrow through the villain's head.
, battling hero Green Arrow
and local law enforcement. Although almost killed, Prometheus is saved by Hush
. Hush forms an alliance with Prometheus but abandons him due to his apparent incompetence. The daughter of warlord
Ra's Al Ghul
, Talia al Ghul
, leads the evil Cobra Cult in search of Prometheus in a bid to secure his Ghost Key. Although Prometheus is found, he is again saved by Hush, having been poisoned by one of the creations of villainess Poison Ivy. Prometheus is then recruited to join another version (numbering in the hundreds) of the Secret Society of Super Villains
and participates in a massive attack by the Society on the city of Metropolis
. During the battle Prometheus kills the hero Peacemaker
.
This Prometheus also has an encounter with the superheroine group Birds of Prey, and defeats the mercenary
Lady Shiva
in seconds. The villain eventually falls under the control of the alien
Starro
, and is used as a foot soldier. Prometheus, however, is defeated by an alternate future version of Robin
, and freed once Starro is defeated.
Graham is murdered when Prometheus regains his mind and kills him.
.
The second Prometheus possesses no superhuman abilities, but like the hero Batman
has undergone intense physical and mental training and utilizes an extensive range of equipment and technology. Common tools include body armor; gauntlets that fire various projectiles; a tonfa
with several technological features; and a helmet that in addition to emitting strobe lighting capable of disorientation and hypnotism, can via a compact disc
allow a download of the knowledge and physical skills of others directly into his brain. Where Prometheus obtains this information is not known. The 'battlesuit'/helmet combination is also equipped with an Artificial Intelligence
that can rapidly calculate and deploy a variety of strategies and countermeasures that have allowed Prometheus at various times to incapacitate entire groups of Justice Leaguers singlehandedly and simultaneously. Finally, the second Prometheus possesses the "Ghost Key," which allows the villain to teleport himself and other objects and persons to and from a dimension called the "Ghost Zone." It can also be used to inflict total molecular disintegration on a target, but Prometheus only employed this function once, when he eliminated an unsuspecting Retro.
The third Prometheus relies on the use of two pistol
s.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s appearing in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s published by DC Comics
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...
.
The first Prometheus debuted in New Teen Titans vol. 2, #24 (Oct. 1986) and was created by Marv Wolfman
Marv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
(writer) and Eduardo Barreto
Eduardo Barreto
-References:...
(pencils). The second version debuted in New Year's Evil: Prometheus (Feb. 1998), and was created by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
(writer) and Arnie Jorgensen (pencils). The third and final version first appears in Batman: Gotham Knights
Batman: Gotham Knights
Batman: Gotham Knights was a monthly, fictional comic book series published by DC Comics. The original intent of this book was to feature the exploits of Batman and his extended family - Alfred Pennyworth, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, Catwoman, etc...
#52 (June 2004), and was created by A.J. Lieberman (writer) and Al Barrionuevo (pencils).
In 2009, the second Prometheus was ranked as IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's 80th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.
Publication history
The original Prometheus, Curt Calhourn, debuted in Blue BeetleBlue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939.-Publication history:...
#3 (Aug. 1986), followed by appearances in issues #4 (Sept. 1986); #6 (Nov. 1986); #8-9 (Jan.-Feb. 1987) and #11-13 (April–June 1987). The character returned in New Teen Titans #34 (Aug. 1987), and was apparently referenced as being deceased in JSA
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
#28 (Nov. 2001).
The second Prometheus debuted in New Year's Evil: Prometheus (Feb. 1998) and returned in JLA
JLA (comic book)
JLA was a monthly comic book published by DC Comics from January 1997 to April 2006 featuring the Justice League.-Publication history:The low sales of the various Justice League spinoff books by the mid-1990s prompted DC to revamp the League as a single team on a single title...
#16-17 (March–April 1998) and #36-41 (Dec. 1999 - May 2000). The character was then impersonated for a time by Chad Graham, but returned in Faces of Evil: Prometheus #1 (March 2009). Prometheus starred as the villain in the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Justice League: Cry for Justice #1-7 (Sept. 2009 – April 2010), and was apparently killed at the conclusion of the story.
Writer Mike Conroy noted "...with his technologically advanced armor and weapons arsenal, which can download the fighting techniques of the world's top martial artists...he (Prometheus) turned out to be a formidable foe, as the JLA found out."
The third Prometheus, Chad Graham, debuted in Batman: Gotham Knights
Batman: Gotham Knights
Batman: Gotham Knights was a monthly, fictional comic book series published by DC Comics. The original intent of this book was to feature the exploits of Batman and his extended family - Alfred Pennyworth, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, Catwoman, etc...
#52 (June 2004), being part of the "Pushback" storyline from issues #50-55 (April-Sept. 2004). The villain reappeared in Batman: Gotham Knights #66 (Aug. 2005); Villains United
Villains United
Villains United is a six-issue comic book limited series, written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham and Wade Von Grawbadger, published by DC Comics in 2005...
#1 - 6 (July-Sept. 2005); Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
#1 - 7 (Dec. 2005 - June 2006); Birds of Prey #94 (June-Aug. 2006); Teen Titans vol. 3, #51 - 54 (Nov. 2007 - Feb. 2008) and Final Crisis
Final Crisis
Final Crisis is a crossover storyline that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics in 2008, primarily the seven-issue miniseries of the same name written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and...
#1-7 (July 2008 - March 2009) before being killed in Faces of Evil: Prometheus #1 (March 2009).
Curt Calhoun
Curt Calhoun is a small-time criminal working for supervillain Doctor Alchemy, and is hired to steal a quantity of the metal promethiumPromethium
Promethium is a chemical element with the symbol Pm and atomic number 61. It is notable for being the only exclusively radioactive element besides technetium that is followed by chemical elements with stable isotopes.- Prediction :...
from KORD Inc., an organization owned by Ted Kord
Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)
Blue Beetle is the second Blue Beetle, a superhero who was originally published by Charlton Comics and later picked up by DC Comics...
(secretly the Blue Beetle). Although successful, both Calhoun and Dr. Alchemy are captured by Kord's alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
, the Beetle. On release from prison, Calhoun aids the Blue Beetle against the villain the Calculator
Calculator (comics)
The Calculator is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Detective Comics #463 , and he was created by Bob Rozakis and Mike Grell.-Publication history:...
, and is offered a position as a foreman at KORD Inc. by Kord. While saving Kord from an industrial accident, Calhoun is covered with metals laced with promethium. En route to the hospital, Calhoun's ambulance is attacked by members of the supervillain team Hybrid
Hybrid (DC Comics)
The Hybrid are a fictional group of supervillains appearing in DC Comics. Their first appearance as a group was in New Teen Titans vol. 2, #24, which was marketed in October 1986...
. The leader Mento
Mento (comics)
Mento is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Doom Patrol #91 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani.-Fictional character biography:...
transformed the metal covering Calhoun into a permanent metallic shell. Assuming the alias "Prometheus", the relucant Calhoun fights alongside Hybrid in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the New Teen Titans.
Although Mento eventually directs Hybrid against the Titans once again, they rebel and Mento is apparently cured of his insanity by Titans member Raven
Raven (comics)
Raven is a fictional superheroine who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a special insert in DC Comics Presents #26 , and was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez...
. Calhoun is never seen again, until superhero team the JSA
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
learn that Hybrid died in the gladiatorial games staged by villainess Roulette
Roulette (comics)
Roulette, in comics, May refer to:* Roulette , a Marvel Comics character who is a member of the Hellions* Roulette , a female DC Comics character who runs a metahuman fighting place called The House...
.
Prometheus
The second Prometheus relates his origin to a young man who has won a competition to be part of the JLAJustice 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....
for a day, with the alias "Retro" and a matching costume. The unnamed son of two hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
criminals who committed murder and theft, Prometheus travelled across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with them until they were cornered and shot by local law enforcement. Prometheus' hair turns white from the traumatic experience, and he makes a silent vow to "annihilate the forces of justice" in revenge for the death of his parents.
Using his parents' hidden caches of money, Prometheus travels the world and develops his skills, becoming an underground pit-fighter in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
; a mercenary in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and joining terrorist
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
groups in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. After avenging his parents' deaths by murdering the police officer who shot them, Prometheus went to college and ultimately located the Himalayan
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
city of Shambhala
Shambhala
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala or Shangri-la is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia...
, inhabited by a sect of evil monks. Prometheus discovers the monastery has been built on an alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
spaceship, and the leader of the sect was one of the creatures from the vessel. He kills the alien and obtains the "Ghost Key", which opens a portal to the "Ghost Zone", a hyperspace
Hyperspace (science fiction)
Hyperspace is a plot device sometimes used in science fiction. It is typically described as an alternative region of space co-existing with our own universe which may be entered using an energy field or other device...
void that allows interstellar
Interstellar medium
In astronomy, the interstellar medium is the matter that exists in the space between the star systems in a galaxy. This matter includes gas in ionic, atomic, and molecular form, dust, and cosmic rays. It fills interstellar space and blends smoothly into the surrounding intergalactic space...
travel.
Prometheus builds a house in the void as his headquarters, which is warped by the dimensional effects to become "crooked," and it is revealed that this is the setting for the story he now relates to Retro. Prometheus kills Retro, and courtesy of his advanced helmet copies the young man's mannerisms, intending to masquerade as Retro to gain access to the JLA Watchtower.
Although the plan is successful and Prometheus temporarily defeats seven of the JLA (including 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...
), he is caught off guard by the anti-hero Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
. Thanks to her efforts, the heroes manage to recover, and Prometheus retreats.
Prometheus appears briefly during an encounter between the JLA and alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
superhero team the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, and skirmishes with Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
.
Prometheus returns as a member of Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
's second Injustice Gang. During the confusion caused by the arrival of the weapon Mageddon
Mageddon
Mageddon is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in JLA #37 and was created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter.-Publication history:...
, Prometheus is able to utilize a White Martian
White Martian
The White Martians are one of three fictional extraterrestrial races native to Mars in the DC Comics' shared universe. White Martians, also known as Pale Martians, appear in the comics of the DC Universe, chiefly JLA, Martian Manhunter, and Son of Vulcan.-History:As a race of shapeshifters,...
space vessel abandoned in the Ghost Zone to infiltrate the Justice League Watchtower
Justice League Watchtower
The Watchtower is the name of various bases used by the Justice League of America in DC Comics and various other media. It has been portrayed in DC comics as a building on Earth's moon, and as a space-station in orbit in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.The Watchtower debuted in JLA #4 during...
and attack team aide Oracle
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
. Oracle escapes, with Prometheus' helmet damaged in the process. The villain retrieves his original helmet (lost during the first battle with the JLA) and battles Batman once again. Prometheus is neutralized when Batman sabotages his helmet, loading it with the physical skills and coordination of Professor Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking
Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA is an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, whose scientific books and public appearances have made him an academic celebrity...
, who due to a motor neuron disease can barely move. Batman prevents fellow member Huntress
Huntress (comics)
The Huntress is a name used by several characters in DC Comics.The Golden Age Huntress is a supervillainess, while the Bronze Age and Modern Age Huntresses are superheroines....
from killing Prometheus, before firing her from the JLA. Batman and Martian Manhunter took Prometheus into custody and arranged to reduce Prometheus' brain to a mentally disabled state in order to permanently end his threat. Upon Martian Manhunter's death at the hands of Libra, Prometheus' mind was restored and he began tracking down his would-be protege, culminating in him killing Graham and maiming/murdering members of the Blood Pack super-hero team.
Cry for Justice
A spate of superhero deaths (Freedom BeastFreedom Beast
Freedom Beast is a fictional comic book character in the DC Universe.-Fictional character biography:A South African by birth, Freedom Beast was born Dominic Mndawe. His first appearance was in Animal Man #13...
; Gloss
Gloss (comics)
Gloss is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Millennium #2 , and was created by Steve Engelhart and Joe Staton.-Fictional character biography:...
and Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devil (comics)
Tasmanian Devil is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is unrelated to the Looney Tunes character, although both characters are owned by Time Warner. He first appeared in Super Friends #7...
) and attacks on others (Barry Allen
Barry Allen
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is the second character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 , created by writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome and penciler Carmine Infantino. His name combines talk show hosts Barry Gray...
; Batwoman
Batwoman
Batwoman is the name of several fictional characters, female counterparts to the superhero Batman. The original version was created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff. Her alter ego is Kathy Kane. This character appears in publications produced by DC Comics and related media beginning in Detective...
and Crimson Avenger
Crimson Avenger
The Crimson Avenger is the name of three separate fictional characters, superheroes who exist in the DC Comics universe.-Lee Walter Travis:The original Crimson Avenger made his first published appearance in Detective Comics #20...
) is revealed to be the work of the true Prometheus. The villain impersonates Freddy Freeman
Captain Marvel Jr.
Captain Marvel Jr. is a fictional character, a superhero originally published by Fawcett Comics and currently in the . A member of the Marvel Family team of superheroes, he was created by Ed Herron and Mac Raboy, and first appeared in Whiz Comics #25 in December 1941.Captain Marvel Jr.'s...
, though it is not revealed how he gained superstrength and was able to fly. He gains access to the JLA satellite, which in turns allows Prometheus to place teleportation
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
devices in the home cities of various heroes which will "strand" the city in various places in the past and future, as revenge for the years that he spent with his mind damaged. Prometheus also maims Roy Harper
Roy Harper (comics)
Roy Harper is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics Universe. He was known for over fifty years as Green Arrow's teenage sidekick Speedy. He first appeared alongside his mentor in More Fun Comics #73...
after he realizes his foe is not Freddy Freeman. While defeating the JLA and their allies the Teen Titans and the reformed villain Shade
Shade (comics)
The Shade is a comic book character developed in the 1940's for National Comics. Debuting as a villain, the Shade was best known for fighting against two generations of superheroes, most notably the Golden Age and Silver Age versions of the Flash...
using files on them, though he does not kill any of them, Prometheus is captured by Donna Troy
Donna Troy
Donna Troy is a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. She first appeared in The Brave and the Bold vol. 1 #60 , and was created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani...
and beaten brutally, until she is stopped by Shade. The villain offers to reveal the location of the devices in exchanges for his release, after his devices malfunction and begin destroying the cities. With Star City suffering massive casualties, Prometheus' ultimatum is met and returns to his lair, but is killed by Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
, who shoots an arrow through the villain's head.
Impostor Prometheus
After Prometheus went into a mentally disabled state, an impostor took his mantle. Chad Graham, was taken in by Prometheus to serve as his evil sidekick, but Graham proved too impulsive and ended up (under unknown circumstances) leaving Prometheus and taking the identity once he went missing following his second battle with the Justice League. The villain appears in Star CityStar City (comics)
Star City is a fictional city that appears in stories published by DC Comics, best known as the traditional home of the superheroes known by, or affiliated with, the shared alias of the Green Arrow...
, battling hero Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
and local law enforcement. Although almost killed, Prometheus is saved by Hush
Hush (comics)
Hush is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Batman #609 , as part of the 12-issue storyline, Batman: Hush...
. Hush forms an alliance with Prometheus but abandons him due to his apparent incompetence. The daughter of warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
Ra's Al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
, Talia al Ghul
Talia al Ghul
Talia al Ghul is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe, the now-estranged daughter of the supervillain Ra's al Ghul, a love interest of Batman, and the mother of his son Damian Wayne, the fifth Robin...
, leads the evil Cobra Cult in search of Prometheus in a bid to secure his Ghost Key. Although Prometheus is found, he is again saved by Hush, having been poisoned by one of the creations of villainess Poison Ivy. Prometheus is then recruited to join another version (numbering in the hundreds) of the Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
and participates in a massive attack by the Society on the city of 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 ....
. During the battle Prometheus kills the hero Peacemaker
Peacemaker (comics)
The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. The original Peacemaker first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 The Peacemaker is the name of a series of superheroes originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC...
.
This Prometheus also has an encounter with the superheroine group Birds of Prey, and defeats the mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva is a fictional comic book character co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter as an antagonist of Richard Dragon...
in seconds. The villain eventually falls under the control of the alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Starro
Starro
Starro is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Brave and the Bold #28 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky....
, and is used as a foot soldier. Prometheus, however, is defeated by an alternate future version of Robin
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...
, and freed once Starro is defeated.
Graham is murdered when Prometheus regains his mind and kills him.
Powers and abilities
Curt Calhoun, the original Prometheus, possesses a metal epidermis, which confers superior strength and durability. Calhoun is also capable of raising the temperature of his armored form to several hundred degrees CelsiusCelsius
Celsius is a scale and unit of measurement for temperature. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius , who developed a similar temperature scale two years before his death...
.
The second Prometheus possesses no superhuman abilities, but like the hero 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...
has undergone intense physical and mental training and utilizes an extensive range of equipment and technology. Common tools include body armor; gauntlets that fire various projectiles; a tonfa
Tonfa
The tonfa , also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon. It is a stick with a handle, and is about 15-20 inches long. It was traditionally made from red oak and wielded in pairs...
with several technological features; and a helmet that in addition to emitting strobe lighting capable of disorientation and hypnotism, can via a compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
allow a download of the knowledge and physical skills of others directly into his brain. Where Prometheus obtains this information is not known. The 'battlesuit'/helmet combination is also equipped with an Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
that can rapidly calculate and deploy a variety of strategies and countermeasures that have allowed Prometheus at various times to incapacitate entire groups of Justice Leaguers singlehandedly and simultaneously. Finally, the second Prometheus possesses the "Ghost Key," which allows the villain to teleport himself and other objects and persons to and from a dimension called the "Ghost Zone." It can also be used to inflict total molecular disintegration on a target, but Prometheus only employed this function once, when he eliminated an unsuspecting Retro.
The third Prometheus relies on the use of two pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
s.
Video games
- Prometheus appears in the DS version of Justice League HeroesJustice League HeroesJustice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and published and distributed by Warner Bros...
. - Prometheus makes a cameo appearanceCameo 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 Batman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
. His wanted poster is featured in the Penitentiary's Guard Room and can be scanned as the answer to one of Riddler's riddles.
External links
- Prometheus (Curt Calhoun) at the DCU Guide
- Prometheus (Morrison) at the DCU Guide