Doctor Phosphorus
| Doctor Phosphorus | |
|---|---|
Doctor Phosphorus as depicted in Batman: Eternal #6 (May 2014). Art by Trevor McCarthy. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #469 (May 1977) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Alexander James Sartorius |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Abilities |
|
Doctor Phosphorus (Alexander James Sartorius) is a supervillain who appears in American comic book published by DC Comics. Primarily an enemy of Batman, the villain exists in DC's main shared universe, known as the DC Universe.[1]
Doctor Phosphorus appears in the DC Universe series Creature Commandos, voiced by Alan Tudyk.[2]
Publication history
Doctor Phosphorus first appeared in Detective Comics #469 (May 1977), and was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Walt Simonson.[3]
Fictional character biography
Dr. Alex Sartorius was a member of the Tobacconists' Club who intended to build a nuclear power plant in Gotham City with help from the Club's chairman, Rupert Thorne.[4] However, the people of Gotham refused the construction of the plant and he was forced to take the project far from the city. Eventually, Sartorius was transformed by sand irradiated during the nuclear plant's meltdown, driven up one element on the chemical table, from silicon to phosphorus. His body was changed as his skin would burn at any contact and his skeleton showed through his flesh similar to x-ray. For his mutation, he swore to make Gotham pay by poisoning the water supply.[5] This plan is foiled by Batman, but Phosphorus escapes and contacts Thorne to eliminate Batman.[6] Batman continues his search for Phosphorus and they eventually clash in the nuclear power plant. Phosphorus falls into the nuclear reactor and is presumed dead in the resulting explosion.[7]
During the Underworld Unleashed storyline, Phosphorus sells his soul to the demon Neron to gain increased control over his powers. He becomes able to wear normal clothing without it bursting into flame.[3]
In the series Starman, Phosphorus is hired by Mist to kill the original Starman, Ted Knight, but is defeated by the retired hero. They face each other a second time; this time, Phosphorus has given Knight a significant dose of radiation, which gave him terminal disease. In a third and final confrontation, Knight is determined to ensure that Phosphorus would harm no one else. During the battle, he uses his cosmic rod to tear the pavement from beneath Phosphorus and drive him into the earth, apparently killing him.[3]
Phosphorus returns in Detective Comics #825, where he is being held in Cadmus Research laboratories. Cadmus scientists discover that he is no longer human and has had his organs replaced by energy.[8] He eventually escapes, but is defeated by Batman and imprisoned in Arkham Asylum.[3]
During Batman's absence after his presumed death, Phosphorus escapes custody and kidnaps Kirk Langstrom and his wife Francine for information about their research. However, Kirk stops him after transforming into Man-Bat.
In 2011, The New 52 rebooted the DC Comics universe. In this new continuity, Phosphorus appears as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.[9]
Powers and abilities
Doctor Phosphorus has the ability to manipulate radiation for various effects, such as burning skin and toxic fume emissions. His body's major organs are not present, but he produces an endless source of energy for himself.[10] When he sold his soul to Neron, Sartorius was granted greater powers, as well as temperature control.[11]
Other versions
An alternate universe version of Doctor Phosphorus appears in Flashpoint.[12]
In other media
Television
- Doctor Phosphorus was used as inspiration for The Batman's incarnation of Firefly (voiced by Jason Marsden). In the episode "White Heat", Firefly and his girlfriend, Dr. Jane Blazedale attempts to steal a phosphorus isotope so he can upgrade his arsenal. However, an accident occurs that turns Firefly into Phosphorus, granting him fiery skin and a burning touch.
- Alexander "Alex" Sartorius / Doctor Phosphorus appears in Creature Commandos,[13][14] voiced by Alan Tudyk.[15] This version is an inmate of Belle Reve Penitentiary, former scientist turned crime boss, widower to an immigrant woman named Parvin, and member of the eponymous group. In flashbacks, Alex sought out industrialist and crime lord Rupert Thorne's help in funding research to cure cancer via nuclear fusion while secretly giving Thorne falsified data due to the latter's involvement with the fascist country Bialya. Upon discovering this, Thorne had Parvin and the Sartoriuses' son killed, framed Alex for it, and attempted to kill him with his nuclear equipment. Following his transformation, Alex went insane, killed Thorne and his family, and took over his criminal empire until he was defeated by Batman and sent to Belle Reve.
Film
Doctor Phosphorus appears in The Lego Batman Movie.
Video games
- Doctor Phosphorus appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[16]
- Dr. Alex Sartorius appears in Batman: Arkham Knight via Simon Stagg's audiotapes. This version was raised as a Catholic, but chose science over faith and became an employee at Stagg Industries. He later discovers that Stagg is collaborating with the Scarecrow to develop the Cloudburst technology and is exposed to the latter's fear toxin, causing him to develop pyrophobia.
Miscellaneous
Doctor Phosphorus appears in Smallville Season 11: Titans.[17]
Appears as part of the Lego minifigure series for the Batman Movie Series 2.[18]
Further reading
- Dr. Phosphorus: Walter Simonson recalls the real origin of the brilliant bad guy in Comic Book Artist Collection: Volume 2 by Jon Cooke, TwoMorrows Publishing (2002) page 20-22
See also
References
- ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ Petski, Denise (October 19, 2024). "'Creature Commandos' Trailer: First Look At James Gunn's DC Adult Animated Series". Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Wallace, Dan (2008), "Doctor Phosphorus", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 105, ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC 213309017
- ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 115–116. ISBN 9780345501066.
- ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 102. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ^ Detective Comics #469 (May 1977)
- ^ Detective Comics #470 (June 1977)
- ^ Detective Comics #825 (January 2007)
- ^ Forever Evil #1 (November 2013)
- ^ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #6 (August 1985)
- ^ Underworld Unleashed #1 (November 1995)
- ^ Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2 (July 2011)
- ^ Kit, Borys (January 31, 2023). "DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ "The Next Generation of DC Movies and TV Has Arrived..." January 31, 2023.
- ^ Oddo, Marco (April 12, 2023). "Here's the Full Cast of DC's 'Creatures Commandos' [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Smallville Special Titans
- ^ Cardona, Ian (December 5, 2017). "LEGO Batman Movie Reveals Second Wave of Minifigs". cbr.com. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
External links
- Doctor Phosphorus at Comic Vine