Matter Master

Matter Master
Matter Master
	Matter Master as seen in Hawkman #23 (March 2004).
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961)
Created by	Gardner Fox ; Joe Kubert
In-story information
Alter ego	Mark Mandrill
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Secret Society of Super Villains; The Society; Injustice Society
Abilities	Matter manipulation via "Mentachem" wand; Genius intelligence

The Matter Master is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe of Hawkman. Created by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert, he first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961).^[1]

Fictional character history

Scientist turned alchemist Mark Mandrill is trying to turn lead into gold when the compound he is working on explodes. Instinctively shouting "Stay away from me!", he is amazed when the compound obeys his commands.^[2] Dubbing the material "Mentachem", he makes a wand out of it and uses it to begin a life of crime.^[3] He fights against Hawkman for many years, as well as the Justice League of America.^[4] He is also a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.^[5]

Matter Master later resurfaces in St. Roch, kidnapping rich people to draw Hawkman into a confrontation. The battle lasts only a few seconds, ending when Hawkman severs Matter Master's right arm with his axe.^[6] Mandrill later returns to the league with a team of other villains who had been victims of mind-wipes by the JLA.^[7]

Powers and abilities

Matter Master has no innate superpowers, but using his "Mentachem" wand can reshape, transmute, or levitate any matter. The effect vanishes over time or as soon as he loses contact with the wand. He also has a genius level intellect.

Other versions

A heroic Earth-Three version of Mandrill exists as Matter Mage and a member of the Justice Society All Stars.^[8]

In other media

Matter Master appears in Justice League Unlimited #31.
An original incarnation of the Matter Master, Carson Jatts, appears in the Batman Beyond comics. This version is a metahuman control officer who developed cancer from continuous exposure to their energy. Seeking revenge, Jatts tries to steal the Metachem wand but accidentally absorbs its energy, giving him the power to transmute elements by touch and accelerating his condition.^[9] After being injured in an altercation with the Justice League Unlimited, Jatts uses his powers to restore his body, dubbing himself the new Matter Master.^[10]
Matter Master makes a cameo appearance in The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold issue #9.

References

^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 211. ISBN 0-8160-1899-5.
^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 211. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
^ The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961)
^ Zawisza, Doug (July 2017). "Hawkman in the Bronze Age". Back Issue (#97): 6.
^ The Secret Society of Super-Villains #7 (May–June 1977)
^ Hawkman (vol. 4) #23 (March 2004)
^ JLA #115–117 (August–October 2005)
^ Hawkman (Vol. 5) #18
^ Batman Beyond #1 (January 2011)
^ Batman Beyond #2 (February 2011)

External links

Matter Master at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe

[1] Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 211. ISBN 0-8160-1899-5.

[2] Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 211. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.

[3] The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961)

[4] Zawisza, Doug (July 2017). "Hawkman in the Bronze Age". Back Issue (#97): 6.

[5] The Secret Society of Super-Villains #7 (May–June 1977)

[6] Hawkman (vol. 4) #23 (March 2004)

[7] JLA #115–117 (August–October 2005)

[8] Hawkman (Vol. 5) #18

[9] Batman Beyond #1 (January 2011)

[10] Batman Beyond #2 (February 2011)

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