History
John Corben was a mercenary working for Lex Luthor, during a smuggling campaign to Kaznia. Superman stopped him. In prison, Corben was diagnosed with a virus that would kill him. Luthor proposed to a plan to rescue him, but left out the details. And so, Corben woke up with his mind transplanted in an android body. He first sought revenge on Superman, but the Man of Steel revealed the origin of the virus: it was made by Luthor for the sole purpose of making a puppet out of Corben.
Corben struck out on his own, battling with an identity crisis and amnesia. He eventually found his way to Grodd's Legion of Doom. During a mission to Skartaris, he was captured by John Stewart and STRIPE. Before he could be questioned, something shut down his mind, and he was rendered in an inactive state.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Android Physiology: After being infected with a virus, Corben's mind was placed in an android. An artificial skin was placed around the metal body and his eyes glowed green because of his kryptonite power source.
- Superhuman Strength
- Superhuman Durability
- Superhuman Stamina
- Self-Sustenance: Due to his android body, Metallo can survive environments that would be lethal to a normal human. He can walk along the ocean floor, or be encased in lava, with no ill effects.
Weaknesses
- Morozco's Retrovirus: In order to sway Corben to his side, Luthor infected him with a violent strain of Morozco's Retrovirus, for which no cure existed. The only alternative was to become a cyborg.
- Kryptonite Removal: Metallo is powered by the lump of kryptonite in his chest. Removing the kryptonite will cause him to power down.
Paraphernalia
Weapons
- Kryptonite Cannon: Metallo could channel the radiation of the lump of kryptonite in his chest into a beam.
Notes
- This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of the DC Animated Universe and is an adaptation of John Corben?Metallo. The original character was created by Robert Bernstein and Al Plastino and first appeared in Action Comics #252.
- John Corben was voiced by Malcolm McDowell for all appearances in the animated series Superman and the Justice League Unlimited episode "Chaos at the Earth's Core". Corey Burton voiced the character for the Justice League episode "Hereafter, Part I".
Trivia
- Corben is also known as Steelman and/or Superior-Man.
Recommended Reading
Related
- 26 Appearances of John Corben (DCAU)
- 5 Images featuring John Corben (DCAU)
- 2 Quotations by or about John Corben (DCAU)
- Character Gallery: John Corben (DCAU)
External Links
Footnotes
Superman Villain(s) This character has been primarily an enemy of Superman in any of his various incarnations, or members of the Superman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Superman Villains category." |
Legion of Doom member |