Charles McNider
Charles McNider is a fictional superhero in DC Comics. The character appeared for the first time in All-American Comics #25.
Like many Golden Age heroic characters, the original Doctor Mid-Nite appeared as a member of DC's Justice Society of America.
As a blind character, Doctor Mid-Nite is widely regarded as the first superhero in comics to exhibit a physical impairment, pre-dating the creation of Daredevil of Marvel Comics by more than twenty years.
Dr. Mid-Nite made his live appearance on the second season of DC's Legends of Tomorrow played by Kwesi Ameyaw. Doctor Mid-Nite appears in the DC Universe series Stargirl portrayed by Henry Thomas along with the rest of the JSA.
Fictional character biography
Charles McNider is a surgeon who was called one night to remove a bullet from a witness set to testify against mobsters. A mobster named "Killer" Maroni threw a grenade into the room, killing the witness and blinding McNider, with the injury causing him to believe his career as a surgeon was over. One evening, as he was recovering, an owl crashed through his window. Removing the bandages covering his eyes, McNider discovered that he could still see, but only in perfect darkness. McNider developed a special visor allowing him to see in the light and "blackout bombs" capable of blocking out all light, becoming a costumed crime fighter. He adopted the owl, naming it 'Hooty', and it became his sidekick. Upon becoming Doctor Mid-Nite, his first outing had him bringing "Killer" Maroni to justice.He later joined the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron. In 1942, McNider enlisted in the U.S. Medical Corps as a physician during World War II, rising to the rank of Captain. Ten years after his debut, McNider briefly assumed the role of Starman after the JSA disbanded when Ted Knight, the original Starman, suffered a nervous breakdown as a result of his participation in the development of the atomic bomb.
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "His opponents include the minstrel the Baleful Banshee, the hypnosis-wielding Doctor Light, the angling-themed Fisherman, and the gang lord Tarantula."
McNider suffered a devastating event in 1953, when the girl he loved, Myra Mason, was murdered by the Shadower, a foe who had learned Doctor Mid-Nite's secret identity. McNider's later romantic history is unrevealed, but another "old friend" of McNider, Miss Alice King, made an appearance in All-American Comics #90. McNider apparently had no children, but at one point McNider rescued a pregnant woman from attack in Sogndal, Norway and delivered her baby, Pieter Cross, who later became the third Doctor Mid-Nite. McNider was also one of the JSA members captured and placed in suspended animation by the Immortal villain Vandal Savage, before being freed by the Flash.
Charles McNider eventually met his end as one of the casualties of Zero Hour, when he and fellow JSA member Hourman were aged to death by Extant. He was briefly reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps during the Blackest Night event, only to be destroyed by Mr. Terrific.
Powers, equipment, and abilities
McNider possesses the metahuman ability to see perfectly in the dark. Utilizing special infrared lenses, McNider can see in light; later in his life, his lenses become more ineffective as his eyesight continues to deteriorate even further, inhibiting his daylight vision. McNider also employs "blackout bombs" which release pitch-black gas that blinds villains yet allowing McNider to see. For a time, he used a weapon called a "cryotuber" which can either control the nervous system of an opponent or fire bursts of heat or cold. He is also a brilliant doctor and a mathematician. In All-Star Comics #13, he is able to communicate with a Neptunian using mathematical equations. As Starman, McNider uses various star-themed gadgets, including an airship designed by the Red Torpedo. McNider is also a superb athlete and fighter, as well as a gifted physician and author.Other versions
In Kingdom Come, Alex Ross portrays Doctor Mid-Nite as a disembodied cowl amid thick black smoke reminiscent of his "blackout bombs". The wraith is said to be the vengeful spirit of Dr. Charles McNider.Another version of the character was shown in Dan Jolley and Tony Harris' ' as a World War II-era United States intelligence agent code-named the Owl. This character, though presented as a rich playboy, resembles other versions of Doctor Mid-Nite. Though derided for his dalliances with the ladies, McNider was trusted as a valued field operative.
In the Elseworlds novel ' - set in a world where Oliver Cromwell lived long enough to extend his rule to America, which is now run by a corrupt theocracy - Doctor Charles McNider was a friend of Thomas and Martha Wayne before their deaths, losing his eyes and his wife for his defiance of the state. When Bruce comes to visit him, he warns Bruce against fighting the system, but also confirms that the Waynes were killed by the ruling Privy Council for providing medical services to those the council has deemed undesirable, such as Jews or homosexuals.
Charles McNider appears in the prequel comic to Injustice 2. Charles isolated himself from society on Longyearbyen in Norway's Svalbard Archipelago, with only Ted Grant knowing of his location. Ted brings Batman to Charles' location as Bruce needs Doctor Mid-Nite's help to perform an open heart surgery on Superboy by transplanting the deceased General Zod's heart into the Kryptonian's body.
Collected editions
The original Dr. Mid-Nite is one of seven JSA-related heroes whose solo appearances are collected in an anthology entry in the DC Archive Editions series:| Title | Material collected |
| JSA All-Stars Archives Vol. 1 HC | All-American Comics #25-29 |
In other media
Television
Live-action
- McNider appears in Legends of Tomorrows second season portrayed by Kwesi Ameyaw. He appears as a member of a 1940s version of the Justice Society of America. This version is legally blind, but possesses the metahuman ability to see perfectly in the dark. According to his former teammate Obsidian, he was presumed dead after going missing on a mission in 1956. However, the Legends later learned that he was placed in the distant future of 3000 where he used futuristic technology to restore his eyesight and became a researcher. McNider was later murdered by a brainwashed Rip Hunter as he was protecting a fragment of the Spear of Destiny.
- McNider appears in the DC Universe series Stargirl portrayed by Henry Thomas. In the pilot episode, McNider was with the Justice Society when the Injustice Society attacked their headquarters; during which he was attacked by Shade. While he was among the casualties, his mantle was later taken up by the show's version of Beth Chapel after she discovered his special googles, which are programmed with an A.I. modeled on the deceased McNider, including his voice and memories.
Animation
- McNider makes brief non-speaking appearances in the Justice League Unlimited episodes "Dark Heart", "Divided We Fall", and "Destroyer".
- McNider appears in the episodes "The Golden Age of Justice" and "Crisis 23,000 Miles Above the Earth", voiced by Corey Burton. He is shown as a member of the Justice Society of America and the team's resident doctor.
- Doctor Mid-Nite appears in episode 46 of Mad, voiced by Kevin Shinick.
Toys
- Dr. Mid-Nite was featured as an action figure in the twelfth wave of the DC Universe Classics line. His accessory was his owl, Hooty, who rested on his arm.
- Mattel released an action figure of the Justice League Unlimited version of Dr. Mid-Nite in its line in November 2011.
- DC Direct released two action figures of Dr. Mid-Nite. The Charles McNider version was released in 2001 and had exchangeable right wrists. One wrist came with Dr. Mid-Nite's pet owl, Hooty.