g CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

How to use this eBook

Introduction

POWERS NOT REQUIRED

SUPERIOR TALENTS

Batman (Bruce Wayne)

Catwoman

Nightwing

Batgirl

Batman (Jace Fox)

Batwoman

Orphan

Spoiler

Batwing

Huntress

Bluebird

Robin

Alfred Pennyworth

Red Robin

Red Hood

G.C.P.D.

Lois Lane

Jimmy Olsen

Iris West

Lady Shiva

Captain Boomerang

Deadshot

Bronze Tiger

Cheshire

Cheshire Cat

Shado

Richard Dragon

Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)

Arsenal

Red Arrow

Green Arrow (Connor Hawke)

Amanda Waller

Peacemaker

Steve Trevor

Jonah Hex

Manhunter (Paul Kirk)

Manhunter (Mark Shaw)

Manhunter (Kate Spencer)

Rick Flag Jr.

AMAZING ARMOR AND WONDROUS WEAPONS

The Atom (Ryan Choi)

The Atom (Ray Palmer)

Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)

Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)

Steel (John Henry Irons)

Steel (Natasha Irons)

Starman (Jack Knight)

Stargirl

Booster Gold

Adam Strange

Sandman (Wesley Dodds)

Guardian

Katana

Captain Cold

Black Manta

Jervis Tetch

Black Mask

GENIUS INTELLIGENCE

Lex Luthor

The Penguin

The Scarecrow

The Riddler

Trickster

Hugo Strange

Professor Pyg

Mister Terrific

Rip Hunter

Will Magnus

Niles Caulder

Silas Stone

T. O. Morrow

Professor Ivo

Veronica Cale

ALIEN ORIGINS

KRYPTONIAN

Superman (Kal-El)

Supergirl

Superman (Jon Kent)

Mon-El

General Zod

Jor-El

Lara Lor-Van

Krypto

MARTIANS

Martian Manhunter

Miss Martian

Green Martians

White Martians

EXTRAORDINARY EXTRATERRESTRIALS

Legion of Super-Heroes

Starfire

Wonder Twins

Phantom Girl

Brainiac

Brainiac 5

Shade, the Changing Man

Shade, the Changing Girl

Ultra the Multi-Alien

Lobo

Starro

Mongul

Despero

Mister Mind

Jemm, Son of Saturn

Kanjar Ro

Jax-Ur

Lor-Zod

Queen Bee

ALIEN CIVILIZATIONS

Kryptonians

Thanagarians

Rannians

Daxamites

Dominators

The Reach

Durlans

Appellaxians

Gil’Dishpan

Khund

SPHERE OF THE GODS

DIVINE

Wonder Woman

Donna Troy

Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)

Wonder Girl (Yara Flor)

Hippolyta

Artemis of Bana-Mighdall

Nubia

MAGICAL

Shazam!

Zatanna

Black Adam

Shazam! Family

Constantine

Enchantress

Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)

Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour)

Madame Xanadu

Klarion the Witch Boy

Homo magi

Zatara

Traci 13

H-Dial

Dannyland

Hecate

Circe

Doctor Sivana

Felix Faust

Morgaine le Fey

Doctor Mist

Manitou Raven

NEW GODS

Darkseid

Mister Miracle

Big Barda

Highfather

Metron

Lightray

DeSaad

Steppenwolf

Orion

Granny Goodness and the Female Furies

Kalibak

Glorious Godfrey

Grail

DEMONIC

Raven

Etrigan the Demon

Blue Devil

Lucifer Morningstar

Trigon

Neron

Psimon

El Diablo

HIGHER POWERS

The Spectre

Deadman

Eclipso

The Phantom Stranger

Lords of Order and Chaos

Hawk and Dove

Dream

Rama Kushna

The Presence

FORCES OF THE UNIVERSE

SPEED FORCE

The Flash (Barry Allen)

The Flash (Wally West)

The Flash (Jay Garrick)

Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne)

Gorilla Grodd

Turtle

Negative Flash

Tornado Twins

Kid Flash

Impulse (Bart Allen)

Impulse (Irey West)

The Flash of China

Jesse Quick

XS

Jai West

Johnny Quick

Max Mercury

Lady Flash

Savitar

Zoom

Reverse-Flash (Daniel West)

Dark Flash

Godspeed

EMOTIONAL SPECTRUM

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

Green Lantern (John Stewart)

Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)

Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)

Green Lantern (Alan Scott)

Green Lantern (Simon Baz)

Green Lantern (Jessica Cruz)

Green Lantern (Jo Mullein)

Teen Lantern

Sinestro

Atrocitus

Parallax

Soranik Natu

Green Lantern Corps

Guardians of the Universe

Krona

Volthoom

Ganthet

Sayd

Scar

Star Sapphires

Larfleeze

Saint Walker

Indigo-1

Nekron

Umbrax

LIFE FORCE

Aquaman

Mera

Aqualad

Tempest

Ocean Master

Tula

Corum Rath

Nereus

Dolphin

Atlanna

Andy Curry

Nuidis Vulko

Murk

EARTH ELEMENTS

METALS

Cyborg

Hawkman

Hawkgirl

Metal Men

Rā’s al Ghūl

Deathstroke

The Signal

Sideways

Talia al Ghūl

Talons

Task Force Z

NATURAL WORLD

Swamp Thing (Alec Holland)

Poison Ivy

The Cheetah

Animal Man

Animal Girl

Vixen

Floronic Man

Detective Chimp

Swamp Thing (Levi Kamei)

Black Orchid

Parliament of Trees

Parliament of Limbs

Parliament of Decay

Solomon Grundy

King Shark

Anton Arcane

Abby Arcane

Orca

Black Hand

Brother Blood

ENERGIES—NUCLEAR/RADIOACTIVE

Firestorm

Captain Atom

Bumblebee

Negative Man (Larry Trainor)

Multiplex

Parasite

Doctor Phosphorus

ENERGIES—LIGHT

Ray (Raymond Terrill)

Ray (Langford Happy Terrill)

Doctor Light

Solaris

ENERGIES—COSMIC

Starman (William Payton)

Cyborg Superman

Heat Wave

Imperiex

ENERGIES—ELECTRICAL

Black Lightning

Lightning

Jenny Sparks

Livewire

Deathbolt

Electrocutioner

Static

OTHER-DIMENSIONAL

ALTERNATE EARTHS

Crime Syndicate

Batman Beyond

Waverider

Kamandi

Justice Incarnate

Power Girl

Naomi

Superman (Val-Zod)

FIFTH DIMENSION

Mr. Mxyzptlk

Bat-Mite

Yz the Thunderbolt

SIXTH DIMENSION

Perpetua

Anti-Monitor

Over-Monitor

World Forger

Observer.io

DARK MULTIVERSE

Batman Who Laughs

Barbatos

Dark Monitor

The Upside-Down Man

The Drowned

Red Death

Red Son

Overman

TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCE

ACCIDENTAL

The Joker

Plastic Man

Metamorpho

Clayface

Mr. Freeze

Two-Face

Elasti-Girl

Element Woman

Flex Mentallo

Vandal Savage

Mirror Master

Killer Frost

Amazo (Armen Ikarus)

Weather Wizard

Golden Glider

Psycho Pirate

SYNTHETICALLY ENHANCED

Harley Quinn

LAB CREATED

Midnighter

Apollo

Damage

Gotham

Gotham Girl

Super-Man (Kong Kenan)

Cyclone

Jay Nakamura

Doomsday

Parademons

Key

Mr. Bloom

SERUM

Bane

Man-Bat

Beast Boy

Hourman

Doctor Mid-Nite

Elongated Man

Giganta

CLONES

Azrael

Kon-El

Bizarro

Bizarro II

H’El

Heretic

Vengeance

Inertia

CONSTRUCTED BEINGS

Red Tornado

Brother Eye

OMAC

Robotman

Tomorrow Woman

Stel

Eradicator

Metallo

Manhunters

Amazo

METAGENETIC MANIFESTATION

Black Canary

Atom Smasher

Captain Comet

Manchester Black

Killer Croc

Max Lord

Mister Bones

Terra

Jericho

Snapper Carr

Jade

Obsidian

Flatline

Acknowledgements

Copyright

g CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

The quest for scientific knowledge is a never-ending journey of exploration, constantly pushing at the edges of the possible. This real-world truth is seen in the pages of DC’s comics, in the stories and the remarkable characters who populate them. Science has always been at the heart of the DC universe as a mechanism for the advancement of wonder, making the incredible seem achievable and within reach.

As we take steps along the path of discovery, a Multiverse is revealed, where familiar yet strange versions of beloved characters play out their differing realities. And beyond the vast Multiverse there is more to explore, out into the wider Omniverse and in the dimensions outside of space and time.

The Multiverse itself functions because of the presence of hidden forces—all-powerful entities and manifestations of governing principles. The Speed Force represents and guides the forward motion of time and reality, while the Emotional Spectrum transforms the feelings of sentient beings into energies. Certain heroes like The Flash and Green Lantern are attuned to these energies and can harness them to do great things. Another type of Multiversal energy is that of the divine or magical, occupying a space in reality known as the Sphere of the Gods and populated by godlike and mystical beings such as Wonder Woman and Zatanna.

The science of DC has also discovered new elements. The powerful divine metals bestow many benefits including long life, resurrection, flight, or superhuman durability. These metals attract many seeking to utilize their powers, including heroes like Hawkman and Cyborg, but also numerous villains.

In laboratories, chemical concoctions are devised to augment the abilities of otherwise ordinary humans, and the mysteries of DNA are constantly being unlocked. The scientific term for those who exhibit powers and capabilities unknown in regular people is metahuman. While this can apply to aliens, like Superman, or those of different genotypes on Earth such as Aquaman’s Atlanteans, it can also relate to a human born with a metagene, like Black Canary. This means that they are naturally capable of doing extraordinary things.

Yet some of the most enduring and memorable characters are the regular—yet exceptional—humans. Batman fights for justice enhanced only with his advanced technology and peerless investigative mind.

While the entities of the DC Omniverse are a rich and varied tapestry of existence, the building blocks of their characteristics can be categorized just like the periodic table of elements. This allows us to appreciate that the unique qualities of seemingly differing characters does not preclude shared experiences and commonalities between them.

HOW TO EXPLORE THIS BOOK

The Periodic Table of DC looks at the exciting and enduring mythos of the DC universe in a completely new way. Whereas previous encylopedias have grouped characters by team affiliation or perhaps in order of appearance, this book presents them according to their most fundamental facets—the origin of their powers or abilities. Each chapter looks at a particular category, with subdivisions within it to make the taxonomy more focused. Within these chapters, each character featured has their own periodic table reference, comprising a unique symbol code and an atomic number reflecting their first appearance in relation to others within that chapter. They are further classified according to their elemental properties, their dominant behavior classified as bonding agents, combustible, reactive, stable, toxic, or volatile.

g CONTENTS

POWERS NOT REQUIRED

While the science of metahumans is astonishing, there is nothing more courageous than those who try and match these powerful entities armed only with their intellect, technological know-how, ingenious armor, or special weapons.

St

SUPERIOR TALENTS

These humans are the peak of their species, honing their natural abilities to do great things.

Aw

AMAZING ARMOR AND WONDROUS WEAPONS

Some humans augment themselves with high-tech armored suits or unique weaponry.

Ge

GENIUS INTELLIGENCE

Those who are blessed with superior intellect have an advantage that can be used for good—or bad.

g POWERS NOT REQUIRED g CONTENTS

POWERS NOT REQUIRED: SUPERIOR TALENTS

BATMAN

REAL NAME: Bruce Wayne

POWERS/ABILITIES: Prodigious intellect; martial arts; peak human fitness

FIRST APPEARANCE: Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)

SUBSIDIARY CATEGORY: Amazing Armor and Wondrous Weapons, Genius Intelligence, Earth Elements

Bruce Wayne is not born with a metagene giving him extraordinary powers, but nevertheless his life’s path leads him to become one of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, commanding respect among his closest allies and fear among his enemies.

Born into privilege as a member of one of Gotham City’s elite families, young Bruce’s world is shattered when his parents are killed ina robbery gone wrong. A lonely child in the echoing Wayne Manor, he is brought up by devoted family retainer Alfred Pennyworth and develops an almost obsessive driveto bring criminals to justice, in order to prevent others from suffering the same tragedy as he has.

To this end, Bruce leaves Gotham City and travels the world, training under various masters to attain the absolute peak of human capability. He becomes skilled in a wide range of fighting techniques and martial arts, a master of disguise, a forensics expert, and a builder and designer of cutting-edge gadgetry. His natural flair for investigation—coupled with a photographic memory—later leads him to earn the epithet the World’s Greatest Detective.

He returns home, ready to use his formidable skill set to clean up the streets and protect the ordinary citizens of Gotham City. To inspire terror in those who would harm the innocent, he harnesses one of his own fears—stemming from a traumatic experience as a child with the bats living in the caves under Wayne Manor—to create a dark alter ego: Batman.

In his mission to become the ultimate crime fighter, Batman hones his body to combat-ready perfection and uses his genius intellect to invent equipment which can aid him against the deadliest villains. His Batsuit armor is made from bulletproof material, while the cowl that hides his true identity is fitted with various add-ons to shield him from toxins and sound weapons and aid his navigation in various environmental conditions. Batman’s Utility Belt can carry an array of useful mission items such as a grappling hook, breathing aids, and Batarangs, his signature bat-shaped throwing weapons.

As a man of science, Batman is most at home in the Batcave—equal parts garage, museum, research facility, surveillance hub, and laboratory.

METAL MAN

Batman discovers that he has been chosen as a conduit for the Dark Multiverse demon Barbatos to access Earth, a process that involves the Dark Knight being mantled with five so-called divine metals: Nth Metal, Promethium, Electrum, Dionesium, and Batmanium. The effect of Dionesium on Batman is dramatic, bringing him back to life after a fight with The Joker and erasing all of his old battle scars and even his memory.

Dedicated to science and reason, Batman has reluctantly learned to accept magic as a potential part of his arsenal in certain situations. This is part of his desire to be ready for any eventuality, including the prospect of his Justice League teammates going rogue. It comes as a shock to some of them that Batman has a contingency plan to stop each Justice League member if he has to—for instance, magic would be one of the few potential weapons that might stop his close friend and ally Superman. Batman is the living embodiment of the idiom Fail to prepare, prepare to fail ...

g POWERS NOT REQUIRED g CONTENTS

POWERS NOT REQUIRED: SUPERIOR TALENTS

CATWOMAN

REAL NAME: Selina Kyle

POWERS/ABILITIES: Martial arts; peak human reflexes and agility; master thief

FIRST APPEARANCE: Batman Vol 1 #1 (Mar 1940)

Selina Kyle is used to operating in the shadows. Formerly a master thief, when she switches to life as a hero she finds that a lot of her skills are extremely transferable. She is well-versed in the criminal mindset, and her experience planning daring heists gives her a good foundation for approaching missions in a practical way.

Growing up in a troubled home, Selina had to learn to look after herself at an early age, both physically and mentally. She loves cats, and when she is older she takes to wearing a feline-themed costume to create a new persona for herself. While Selina can sometimes struggle to cope with what life throws at her, Catwoman can take it all.

FELINE FIGHTER

Catwoman’s costume is not just a look— it also contains some very useful features. Clawed gloves can be used as weapons in close combat, as well as giving more purchase when scrambling around Gotham City’s buildings. She sometimes wears goggles that help her see at night and can detect security lasers—ideal for either stealing a diamond or breaking into a crimelord’s lair. Selina is also known for brandishing a whip, a multipurpose item that can be a weapon, a climbing aid, and a way of disarming opponents without having to get within arm’s reach of them.

Even without weapons, Selina is a highly skilled fighter with incredible reflexes and agility, much like the animal from which she takes inspiration. While she has a history of rule-breaking and stealing from the rich, she is also fiercely protective of the downtrodden folk of Gotham City, and she will always stand up to bullies.

Catwoman can traverse the city rooftops as easily and stealthily as any feline, her dark costume helping her blend into the shadows.

g POWERS NOT REQUIRED g CONTENTS

NIGHTWING

REAL NAME: Dick Grayson

POWERS/ABILITIES: Acrobatics; peak human fitness

FIRST APPEARANCE (AS NIGHTWING): Tales of the Teen Titans Vol 1 #44 (Jul 1984)

Mentored as a hero from an early age by Batman, who takes him in after his parents are killed, Dick Grayson learns everything there is to know about fighting crime without metahuman powers. Dick’s background is in the circus, where he was one of the star performers, an acrobat of outstanding natural talent. When he becomes Robin, fighting at Batman’s side, his incredible agility serves him well as he masters taking on opponents who might be physically bigger than him or armed with a weapon.

OWNING THE NIGHT

When Dick strikes out to forge his own identity, he takes the moniker Nightwing and adopts a new, darker suit, made of bulletproof material but still flexible enough for him to move freely. He also begins to carry his own weapons, intended for nonlethal combat as Batman has always taught. Nightwing favors escrima sticks, two short staffs that can be held one in each hand. These are more powerful than they appear. They can be electrified to produce a taser effect, they carry tranquilizer darts, and they fire out wires that Nightwing can use for swinging around the city. He also carries Wing Dings, his version of the Batarang.

As should be expected from a former protégé of Batman, Nightwing’s suit conceals a wide range of gadgetry enabling him to efficiently deal with different situations, such as advanced tracking devices and small explosives.

While Dick is a brilliant acrobat and fighter, as well a master detective, he is also a natural leader, one who cares deeply about those he fights with and for. His knack of bringing people together and his warm personality have made him a pivotal member of several Super Hero teams and someone who other heroes, even the most powerful, truly look up to.

Nightwing is one of the world’s finest acrobats, his supreme athleticism giving him the edge in fighting even against powerful opponents.

g POWERS NOT REQUIRED g CONTENTS

POWERS NOT REQUIRED: SUPERIOR TALENTS

BATGIRL

REAL NAME: Barbara Gordon

POWERS/ABILITIES: Martial arts; prodigious intellect; computer hacking

FIRST APPEARANCE: Detective Comics Vol 1 #359 (Jan 1967)

SUBSIDIARY CATEGORY: Genius Intelligence

Barbara Gordon may have taken up crime-fighting to emulate Batman and follow in the footsteps of her detective father, but she has forged her own unique identity in the world of costumed heroes. She is courageous, moral, and fiercely intelligent, and has faced innumerable challenges with determination.

Barbara studied ballet as a young girl, a discipline which contributes to her strength and agility as she grows. She also studies a variety of martial arts, enabling her to learn techniques for getting the better of larger and stronger opponents. However, Barbara’s world is shattered when she is shot and paralyzed by The Joker. Even this terrible trauma does not stop her from fighting crime; instead, she finds a different approach. As Oracle, Barbara is a hacker and information broker, at the center of a technological hub to give vital intel to her allies in the field.

ORACLE ON THE MOVE

After using cutting-edge medical technology to regain the use of her legs, Barbara returns to action as Batgirl, although she remains heavily involved in information-gathering. With the rest of the Batman Family to call on for the physical action, she often finds that her most important role is still as Oracle. Using her technical know-how, Barbara devises a mobile Oracle suit for herself, appearing to be civilian clothing but packed with tech for observation and more—she can even override traffic signals to speed up her journeys around the city.

Barbara Gordon’s dedication to fighting crime is beyond doubt, and she will do whatever it takes to support her friends and family, and protect those that need protecting. She is the perfect blend of a formidable intellectual and a skilled fighter.

Batgirl is the protector of her local neighborhood of Burnside in Gotham City, but her activities as