Doctor Mid-Nite

File:Doctor Mid-Nite I] Doctor Mid-Nite I]|thumb]] Doctor Mid-Nite is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character has appeared in various incarnations, with three different individuals taking up the mantle of Doctor Mid-Nite over the years. The original Doctor Mid-Nite was created by writer Charles Reizenstein and artist Stanley Josephs Aschmeier. The character first appeared in All-American Comics #25 in April 1941. Doctor Mid-Nite is notable for being one of the first superheroes depicted as having a disability, as all incarnations of the character are blind.

Publication History

The first Doctor Mid-Nite, Dr. Charles McNider, was a surgeon who was blinded by a grenade during a mob attack. However, he discovered that he could see perfectly in complete darkness. He adopted the alias of Doctor Mid-Nite and used his unique vision, along with smoke grenades that create darkness, to fight crime. McNider was a member of the original Justice Society of America (JSA) and served as a medic for the team.

The second Doctor Mid-Nite, Dr. Beth Chapel, was introduced in Infinity Inc. #19 in October 1985. Chapel was a physician who gained night vision after being blinded in an explosion. She took up the mantle of Doctor Mid-Nite after being inspired by McNider, whom she had worked alongside. Chapel's tenure as Doctor Mid-Nite was relatively short-lived, as the character was killed off in the early 1990s.

The third and current Doctor Mid-Nite, Dr. Pieter Cross, made his first appearance in Doctor Mid-Nite #1 in 1999. Like his predecessors, Cross is a physician who was blinded, in his case due to a drug overdose. He developed the ability to see in the dark following the accident. Cross uses his abilities to fight crime and has served as a member of the modern incarnation of the JSA.

Powers and Abilities

All three incarnations of Doctor Mid-Nite possess the ability to see in complete darkness. They also have expertise in medicine and surgery, using their medical knowledge to aid their superhero activities. The characters use a variety of gadgets, including blackout bombs that create artificial darkness, to gain an advantage over their enemies. Additionally, Doctor Mid-Nite is skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

Cultural Impact

Doctor Mid-Nite is considered a pioneering character in comic books for the portrayal of a superhero with a disability. The character has been featured in various comic book series, television shows, and video games. Doctor Mid-Nite's inclusion in the Justice Society of America and his role as a physician have made him an enduring figure in the DC Comics universe.

In Other Media

Doctor Mid-Nite has appeared in several animated television series, including Justice League Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The character has also been featured in the live-action television series Stargirl, where the role of Doctor Mid-Nite is taken up by a new character, Beth Chapel, inspired by the second Doctor Mid-Nite of the comics.

See Also

• Justice Society of America
• Superhero
• List of DC Comics characters