DC Database
Register
m (→‎top: adding overview field)
(update synopsis. add refs and weaknesses)
Line 10: Line 10:
 
| Relatives =
 
| Relatives =
 
| Universe = Earth-One
 
| Universe = Earth-One
| BaseOfOperations = [[Phantom Zone]]
+
| BaseOfOperations = [[Xan City]]<!--Superman 282--> [[Phantom Zone]]
   
 
| Gender = Male
 
| Gender = Male
Line 29: Line 29:
 
| Last = DC Comics Presents #97
 
| Last = DC Comics Presents #97
   
  +
| Overview = '''Nam-Ek''' was a Kryptonian scientist obsessed with quantifying the healing power of the Rondor horn, but got too involved in his own research and ''became'' a human-Rondor.
| Overview =
 
| HistoryText = Nam-Ek was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], and following a non-descript childhood there, entered a career in the healing arts. Realizing, as did all Kryptonian healers, that a good portion of what they did revolved around the capture and use of a native Kryptonian beast called the Rondor, whose horn gave off a unique radiation that healed all injuries and sicknesses in seconds, Nam-Ek felt that the prolonged study of a Rondor's horn would be an invaluable boon to science. However, Krypton had strict laws governing the care of the Rondor, and removal of the horn was considered to be a crime severe enough to warrant the harshest penalties Kryptonian law allowed. In earlier times, this meant the death penalty; in Nam-Ek's time, incarceration in the [[Phantom Zone]].
 
   
 
| HistoryText = Nam-Ek was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], and following a non-descript childhood there, entered a career in the healing arts. Realizing, as did all Kryptonian healers, that a good portion of what they did revolved around the capture and use of a native Kryptonian beast called the Rondor, whose horn gave off a unique radiation that healed all injuries and sicknesses in seconds, Nam-Ek felt that the prolonged study of a Rondor's horn would be an invaluable boon to science. However, Krypton had strict laws governing the care of the Rondor, and removal of the horn was considered to be a crime severe enough to warrant the harshest penalties Kryptonian law allowed. In earlier times, this meant the death penalty; in Nam-Ek's time, incarceration in the [[Phantom Zone]].<ref name="SUP282">{{c|Superman Vol 1 282}}</ref>
Nam-Ek ignored these warnings, feeling that the potential benefit outweighed the risks. He captured a Rondor, surgically removed its horn (accidentally killing the beast in the process), and studied it until he had concocted a serum from the horn that would, he anticipated, produce the same effect. He then foolishly tested the serum on himself, drinking it to see what would happen. The result was a mutagenic change within Nam-Ek's entire body. His skin became purple in color and leathery, like the Rondor, and he grew a Rondor-like horn from the middle of his forehead. This horn had the same healing properties as those in the Rondors themselves.
 
   
 
Nam-Ek ignored these warnings, feeling that the potential benefit outweighed the risks. He captured a Rondor, surgically removed its horn (accidentally killing the beast in the process), and studied it until he had concocted a serum from the horn that would, he anticipated, produce the same effect. He then foolishly tested the serum on himself, drinking it to see what would happen. The result was a mutagenic change within Nam-Ek's entire body. His skin became purple in color and leathery, like the Rondor, and he grew a Rondor-like horn from the middle of his forehead. This horn had the same healing properties as those in the Rondors themselves.<ref name="SUP312">{{c|Superman Vol 1 312}}</ref>
Thanks to his freakish appearance, it was impossible for Nam-Ek to cover up his crime, and he was swiftly captured, convicted, and sentenced to eternity in the Phantom Zone. Because of his presence there, Nam-Ek was able to survive the later destruction of Krypton, as did the other Zone inmates. Nam-Ek found that he was shunned by the other Zone criminals, and his isolation from all types of social contact had a negative effect on his mind.
 
   
  +
Superman told a folk-tale version of Nam-Ek's origin to [[Kara Zor-El (Earth-One)|Supergirl]], where Nam-Ek was isolated in the ancient city of [[Xan City|Xan]] for 500 years, cured [[Virus X]], and was blown into the vacuum of space as an immortal by the destruction of Krypton; though later appearances contradicted this.<ref name="SUP282"/><ref name="DCCP97">{{c|DC Comics Presents Vol 1 97}}</ref>
He was finally freed many years later by the space pirate [[Amalak (Earth-One)|Amalak]]. Although Amalak had a deep-seated hatred of all things Kryptonian, he pretended to befriend Nam-Ek, giving him the nickname of the "Antibiotic Man." Amalak then enlisted Nam-Ek's aid in a plot to mentally torment [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]] before finally killing him. The plot very nearly succeeded, but ultimately, Superman was able to best both villains. Amalak apparently died of an accidentally-self-inflicted wound, while Nam-Ek was returned to the Phantom Zone.
 
   
 
Thanks to his freakish appearance, it was impossible for Nam-Ek to cover up his crime, and he was swiftly captured, convicted, and sentenced to eternity in the Phantom Zone. Because of his presence there, Nam-Ek was able to survive the later destruction of Krypton, as did the other Zone inmates. Nam-Ek found that he was shunned by the other Zone criminals, and his isolation from all types of social contact had a negative effect on his mind.<ref name="SUP312"/>
Nam-Ek later escaped the Zone again when a dimensional disaster, related to the events of the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]], tore open the barrier separating the Zone from the material dimension. As Superman struggled to repair the damage, and to contain the Kryptonian criminals who had escaped (all of whom had super-powers, as Superman does, under Earth's yellow sun), he was also beset upon by [[Bizarro (Earth-One)|Bizarro]], [[Mister Mxyzptlk (Earth-One)|Mr. Mxyzptlk]], and a mysterious being called [[Aethyr (Earth-One)|Aethyr]], who claimed to be the Zone in sentient humanoid form. Following a fierce (and sometimes tinged with insanity) battle, Mxyzptlk was able to convince Aethyr that tormenting Kryptonians was fun, and Aethyr re-absorbed the Kryptonian villains--including Nam-Ek--into himself and went off into space to enjoy himself. Neither he, nor any of the Zone villains, has been seen since. Currently, it is presumed that Nam-Ek is still a prisoner within Aethyr.
 
  +
 
He was finally freed many years later by the space pirate [[Amalak (Earth-One)|Amalak]]. Although Amalak had a deep-seated hatred of all things Kryptonian, he pretended to befriend Nam-Ek, giving him the nickname of the "Antibiotic Man." Amalak then enlisted Nam-Ek's aid in a plot to mentally torment [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]] before finally killing him. The plot very nearly succeeded, but ultimately, Superman was able to best both villains. Amalak apparently died of an accidentally-self-inflicted wound, while Nam-Ek was returned to the Phantom Zone.<ref>{{c|Superman Vol 1 315}}</ref>
  +
  +
Nam-Ek later escaped the Zone again when the Kryptonian wizard [[Thul-Kar (Earth-One)|Thul-Kar]] oversaw the destruction of [[Htrae]], which tore open the barrier separating the Zone from the material dimension. As Superman struggled to repair the damage, and to contain the super-powered Kryptonian criminals, Nam-Ek was content to sit with Thul-Kar and wait-out the conflict.<ref name="DCCP97"/>
  +
  +
The Phantom Zone's god [[Aethyr (Earth-One)|Aethyr]] merged with [[Mister Mxyzptlk (Earth-One)|Mister Mxyzptlk]] so as to exist in the [[Earth|Earth's]] dimension and re-absorbed the Kryptonian villains--including Nam-Ek--into himself and went off into space.
   
 
During the times that Nam-Ek was free of the Zone/Aethyr and operating on Earth, he had all of the same super-human powers possessed by Superman himself, as well as his Rondor-related abilities.
 
During the times that Nam-Ek was free of the Zone/Aethyr and operating on Earth, he had all of the same super-human powers possessed by Superman himself, as well as his Rondor-related abilities.
   
 
| Powers =
 
| Powers =
{{Kryptonian Physiology}}
+
{{Kryptonian Physiology|Character=Nam-Ek|gender=m}}
 
* {{Healing}}
 
* {{Healing}}
| Abilities =
+
| Abilities = {{Science}}
| Weaknesses =
+
| Weaknesses = {{Kryptonian Physiology|Character=Nam-Ek|weak=y}}
   
 
| Equipment =
 
| Equipment =

Revision as of 19:21, 4 May 2020

Nam-Ek was a Kryptonian scientist obsessed with quantifying the healing power of the Rondor horn, but got too involved in his own research and became a human-Rondor.

Nam-Ek was born on the distant planet Krypton, and following a non-descript childhood there, entered a career in the healing arts. Realizing, as did all Kryptonian healers, that a good portion of what they did revolved around the capture and use of a native Kryptonian beast called the Rondor, whose horn gave off a unique radiation that healed all injuries and sicknesses in seconds, Nam-Ek felt that the prolonged study of a Rondor's horn would be an invaluable boon to science. However, Krypton had strict laws governing the care of the Rondor, and removal of the horn was considered to be a crime severe enough to warrant the harshest penalties Kryptonian law allowed. In earlier times, this meant the death penalty; in Nam-Ek's time, incarceration in the Phantom Zone.[1]

Nam-Ek ignored these warnings, feeling that the potential benefit outweighed the risks. He captured a Rondor, surgically removed its horn (accidentally killing the beast in the process), and studied it until he had concocted a serum from the horn that would, he anticipated, produce the same effect. He then foolishly tested the serum on himself, drinking it to see what would happen. The result was a mutagenic change within Nam-Ek's entire body. His skin became purple in color and leathery, like the Rondor, and he grew a Rondor-like horn from the middle of his forehead. This horn had the same healing properties as those in the Rondors themselves.[2]

Superman told a folk-tale version of Nam-Ek's origin to Supergirl, where Nam-Ek was isolated in the ancient city of Xan for 500 years, cured Virus X, and was blown into the vacuum of space as an immortal by the destruction of Krypton; though later appearances contradicted this.[1][3]

Thanks to his freakish appearance, it was impossible for Nam-Ek to cover up his crime, and he was swiftly captured, convicted, and sentenced to eternity in the Phantom Zone. Because of his presence there, Nam-Ek was able to survive the later destruction of Krypton, as did the other Zone inmates. Nam-Ek found that he was shunned by the other Zone criminals, and his isolation from all types of social contact had a negative effect on his mind.[2]

He was finally freed many years later by the space pirate Amalak. Although Amalak had a deep-seated hatred of all things Kryptonian, he pretended to befriend Nam-Ek, giving him the nickname of the "Antibiotic Man." Amalak then enlisted Nam-Ek's aid in a plot to mentally torment Superman before finally killing him. The plot very nearly succeeded, but ultimately, Superman was able to best both villains. Amalak apparently died of an accidentally-self-inflicted wound, while Nam-Ek was returned to the Phantom Zone.[4]

Nam-Ek later escaped the Zone again when the Kryptonian wizard Thul-Kar oversaw the destruction of Htrae, which tore open the barrier separating the Zone from the material dimension. As Superman struggled to repair the damage, and to contain the super-powered Kryptonian criminals, Nam-Ek was content to sit with Thul-Kar and wait-out the conflict.[3]

The Phantom Zone's god Aethyr merged with Mister Mxyzptlk so as to exist in the Earth's dimension and re-absorbed the Kryptonian villains--including Nam-Ek--into himself and went off into space.

During the times that Nam-Ek was free of the Zone/Aethyr and operating on Earth, he had all of the same super-human powers possessed by Superman himself, as well as his Rondor-related abilities.

Powers

  • Kryptonian Physiology: Under the effects of a "yellow" sun, Nam-Ek possesses the same potential powers as an average Kryptonian. These include:
    • Solar Energy Absorption: Under optimal conditions, this is the main source of Nam-Ek's super powers as they are contingent upon exposure to solar radiation from a yellow sun star system. His biological make up includes a number of organs which lack analogues in humans and whose functions are unknown. It is believed that between one or more of these and his bio-cellular matrix, "yellow" solar energy is stored for later use. This allows for the use of these powers to fade when yellow solar radiation is not available instead of immediate failure.
    • Heat Vision: Nam-Ek can, as a conscious act, fire beams of intense heat at a target by looking at it. He can vary the heat and area affected.
    • Super-Hearing: Nam-Ek's hearing is sensitive enough to hear any sound at any volume or pitch. With skill and concentration, he can block out ambient sounds to focus on a specific source or frequency.
    • Enhanced Vision: Nam-Ek's vision processes the entire electromagnetic spectrum as well as allowing vast control over selective perception and focus.
      This umbrella ability includes the following:
      • Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision: Nam-Ek can see well into most of the electromagnetic spectrum. He can see and identify radio and television signals as well as all other broadcast or transmitted frequencies. Using this ability, he can avoid detection by radar or satellite monitoring methods. This also allows him to see the aura generated by living thing.
      • Telescopic Vision: This is the ability to see something at a great distance, without violating the laws of physics. Though limited, the exact extent of the ability is undetermined. In function, it is similar to the zoom lens on a camera.
      • X-Ray Vision: This is the ability to see through any volume of matter except lead. Nam-Eks can see things behind a solid, opaque object as if it were not there. He can focus this ability to "peel back" layers of an object, allowing hidden image or inner workings to be observed. The exact type of energy perceived—such as x-rays, cosmic rays, or some other energy invisible to normal humans—is unclear. This ability perceives an ambient energy source though, it does not involve the eye projecting a concentrated, possibly toxic, beam to be reflected back from objects.
      • Microscopic Vision: This is the ability to see extremely small objects and images down to the atomic level.
      • Infrared Vision: Nam-Ek can see with better acuity in darkness, and to a degree in total darkness.
    • Flight: Nam-Ek is able to manipulate graviton particles to defy the forces of gravity and achieve flight. This ranges from hovering to moving in any posture, in any direction.
    • Invulnerability: Due to the interaction of his dense molecular structure and supercharged bio-electric aura, Nam-Ek is nigh-invulnerable to extreme energy forces. In addition, his extends this protection against toxins and diseases.
    • Superhuman Stamina: Nam-Ek is able to maintain continuous strenuous physical action for an indefinite period of time. This based on his body converting yellow solar radiation directly to energy, but is limited by physiological and psychological needs to eat, drink, and sleep.
    • Superhuman Strength: Nam-Ek's strength is augmented by yellow solar radiation interacting with the greater than human density, resilience and biological efficiency of his musculature. His strength is more an act of conscious will on energy fields than actual physical strength. It is this act of conscious will that enables him to perform physical feats that are beyond the mere application force, such as moving a mountain top without said rock crumbling under its own mass.
    • Superhuman Speed: Nam-Ek is able to move at incredible speed by sheer force of will. This extends to his perceptions and allows for feats such as catching bullets in mid flight as well as covering vast distances in little or no time.
      This also confers:
    • Super-Breath: Nam-Ek is able to create hurricane force winds by exhaling air from his lungs. He can chill the air as it leaves his lungs to freeze targets. He can also reverse the process to pull large volumes of air or vapor into his lungs.
    • Longevity: Nam-Ek can live longer than regular humans, remaining at his prime as long as he was under the exposure of the "yellow" sun.

Abilities

Science

Weaknesses


  • This version of Nam-Ek, including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022-2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.

Related

Footnotes


Villains-secret-files
Superman Villain(s)
DC Rebirth Logo

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."