Reactron
Encyclopedia
Reactron is a fictional supervillain
in the DC Comics
Universe, who has appeared in at least two versions. He originally appeared in The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983), in a story written by Paul Kupperberg
and drawn by Carmine Infantino
.
, alongside future Doom Patrol
member Joshua Clay
(Tempest). When Krullen massacred the inhabitants of a Vietnamese village, the shock triggered the activation of Clay's mutant powers. Clay seemingly destroyed Krullen with his energy blasts, then went AWOL.
Krullen, instead of being killed, is transformed into a being capable of generating radioactive energy and concussive blasts. Calling himself Reactron, the Living Reactor, he surfaces years later and attacks the Doom Patrol, then later fights Supergirl.
limited series. Now known as Benjamin Martin Krull, he faces the Doom Patrol and Power Girl
in his first appearance. Most of his pre-Crisis continuity seems intact, but it is now said that his previous battles involved Power Girl instead of Supergirl.
Seemingly destroyed after overloading on Negative Woman's
energy, he resurfaces unharmed and as a member of the Suicide Squad
. Reactron is once again seemingly destroyed when Deadshot
shoots holes in his containment suit, causing him to go critical.
Reactron appears during the "Superman: New Krypton
" storyline with a new costume and a new ability. Recruited by General Sam Lane as part of his Project 7734, Reactron is equipped with a heart made of gold kryptonite
and partnered with Metallo
(who has a heart of green kryptonite). Reactron and Metallo attack the city of New Krypton
, where Reactron kills Zor-El, the father of Supergirl
. As part of his participation in Project 7734, Lex Luthor
sends a robot double of himself with Brainiac
on an mission to attack New Krypton, a new planet in Earth's solar system populated by the survivors of the Kryptonian
city of Kandor
. While there, the Luthor robot tampers with the body chemistry of the previously-captured Reactron. Shortly thereafter, Reactron kills himself, initiating a chain reaction which ultimately destroys New Krypton and all but a handful of its 100,000 inhabitants. Supergirl's mother Alura (who had assumed leadership of the planet) is among the casualties.
During the "Blackest Night" storyline, Scarecrow
drugs Supergirl with his fear toxin, which causes her to believe she is fighting Reactron, reanimated as a Black Lantern
.
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
in the 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...
Universe, who has appeared in at least two versions. He originally appeared in The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983), in a story written by Paul Kupperberg
Paul Kupperberg
Paul Kupperberg is a former editor for DC Comics, and a prolific writer of comic books and newspaper strips.-Biography:Kupperberg entered the comics field from comics fandom, as had his brother, writer/artist Alan Kupperberg...
and drawn by Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books...
.
Pre-Crisis
Ben Krullen was a sergeant serving in the US Army during the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, alongside future Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
member Joshua Clay
Joshua Clay
Joshua Clay is a fictional character, a member of the superhero team Doom Patrol in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Kupperberg and Joe Staton, he first appears as the hero Tempest in Showcase #94 ....
(Tempest). When Krullen massacred the inhabitants of a Vietnamese village, the shock triggered the activation of Clay's mutant powers. Clay seemingly destroyed Krullen with his energy blasts, then went AWOL.
Krullen, instead of being killed, is transformed into a being capable of generating radioactive energy and concussive blasts. Calling himself Reactron, the Living Reactor, he surfaces years later and attacks the Doom Patrol, then later fights Supergirl.
Post Crisis
Reactron's origin and background were changed for his appearances after the Crisis on Infinite EarthsCrisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
limited series. Now known as Benjamin Martin Krull, he faces the Doom Patrol and Power Girl
Power Girl
Power Girl is a DC Comics superheroine, making her first appearance in All Star Comics #58 ....
in his first appearance. Most of his pre-Crisis continuity seems intact, but it is now said that his previous battles involved Power Girl instead of Supergirl.
Seemingly destroyed after overloading on Negative Woman's
Valentina Vostok
Valentina Vostok is a fictional character by DC Comics. She first appeared in Showcase #94, , and was created by Paul Kupperberg and Jim Aparo.-Fictional character biography:...
energy, he resurfaces unharmed and as a member of the Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
. Reactron is once again seemingly destroyed when Deadshot
Deadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
shoots holes in his containment suit, causing him to go critical.
Reactron appears during the "Superman: New Krypton
Superman: New Krypton
"New Krypton" is a Superman story arc written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates with art by Gary Frank, Alex Ross, Renato Guedes, Jamal Igle and Pete Woods and published by DC Comics...
" storyline with a new costume and a new ability. Recruited by General Sam Lane as part of his Project 7734, Reactron is equipped with a heart made of gold kryptonite
Kryptonite
Kryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman mythos —the ore form of a radioactive element from Superman's home planet of Krypton. It is famous for being the ultimate physical weakness of Superman, and the word kryptonite has since become synonymous with an Achilles' heel —the one weakness...
and partnered with Metallo
Metallo
Metallo is a comic book supervillain and cyborg who appears in Superman stories published by DC Comics. Metallo's trademark is his kryptonite power source, which he often uses as a weapon against Superman. His traditional identity is John Corben...
(who has a heart of green kryptonite). Reactron and Metallo attack the city of New Krypton
Kandor
Kandor is the name of the former capital city of the fictional planet Krypton in the DC Universe. It is best known for being stolen and miniaturized by the supervillain Brainiac...
, where Reactron kills Zor-El, the father of Supergirl
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Kara Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and related media, created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. As Supergirl, Kara Zor-El serves as the biological cousin and female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Superman, created...
. As part of his participation in Project 7734, 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...
sends a robot double of himself with Brainiac
Brainiac (comics)
Brainiac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #242 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
on an mission to attack New Krypton, a new planet in Earth's solar system populated by the survivors of the Kryptonian
Kryptonian
Kryptonians are a fictional extraterrestrial race of the DC Comics universe who hail from the planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman...
city of Kandor
Kandor
Kandor is the name of the former capital city of the fictional planet Krypton in the DC Universe. It is best known for being stolen and miniaturized by the supervillain Brainiac...
. While there, the Luthor robot tampers with the body chemistry of the previously-captured Reactron. Shortly thereafter, Reactron kills himself, initiating a chain reaction which ultimately destroys New Krypton and all but a handful of its 100,000 inhabitants. Supergirl's mother Alura (who had assumed leadership of the planet) is among the casualties.
During the "Blackest Night" storyline, Scarecrow
Scarecrow (comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
drugs Supergirl with his fear toxin, which causes her to believe she is fighting Reactron, reanimated as a Black Lantern
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
.