Doctor Phosphorus

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In DC Comics' universe, Dr. Phosphorus is an enemy of Batman who has radioactive powers. He first appeared in the popular Steve Englehart run (issue #496 of Detective Comics) during the 1970s, but never became famous. The former physicist's name was Dr. Sartorius before he was transformed into his alter ego by a crack in a reactor core, from where he got "five million slivers of (radioactive) red-hot sand" into his body. At this moment, Dr. Phosophorus was born. Burning forever, he started a quest for revenge against the people he blamed for his terrible fate.

During the Underworld Unleashed storyline he was one of many villains to sell his soul to the demon Neron. In exchange for his soul he was granted greater power and more control; for example he could now wear normal clothing without it bursting into flame.

In James Robinson's series Starman he was initially hired by the Mist to kill the original Starman, Ted Knight, but was defeated by the retired hero. However they would face each other a second time; this time Phosphorus gave Knight a significant dose of radiation, giving him terminal cancer. In a third and final confrontation Knight was determined to ensure that Phoshorus would harm no-one else, apparently killing him.

Though mentioned as having been killed in subsequent issues of Starman, Dr. Phosphorus was mentioned as being active during the Identity Crisis mini-series. Whether this is the original somehow returned from the dead or a successor is unknown.

Dr. Phosphorus is scheduled to appear in the upcoming Superman/Batman story arc written by Mark Verheiden and drawn by Ethan Van Sciver. (Wizard #177)

Depictions in other media

The character Blight from the animated series Batman Beyond seems to be based on Dr. Phosphorus.

The Captain Planet villain Duke Nukem also shares the same powers, and possibly origin.

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