I made an android to take my place and the ring that gave me super-powers, not knowing that I was really Nor-Kann... 
- — Nor-Kann src
Nor-Kann was one of Jor-El's friends.
History
Nor-Kann first met Jor-El as a fellow student at the Kandor Advanced Learning Centre, and was among the first to hear about the cataclysm awaiting Krypton. Initially skeptical; Nor-Kann came to be a believer before being abducted and bottled with the City of Kandor.[1] When he was introduced to Superman decades later, Nor-Kann was the same age as Jor-El would be, and acts as a supportive father figure to Superman while he's in Kandor.
After Superman retrieved the bottled city from Brainiac, he became a hero to the Kandorians, but only until the villain Than-Ol spread false rumours that Superman was withholding 'Enlarging Ray' technology. Suddenly, Superman found himself being pelted with rocks and rotten food and needed an ally. That ally was Nor-Kann; who took in Superman and expressed his support; based on his old friendship with Jor-El and Lara.
Because Superman couldn't show his face in Kandor, Nor-Kann provides Kal and Jimmy Olsen with costumes, a secret headquarters, and Anti-Gravity Belts. Nor-Kann's own car became the Nightmobile. They were Nightwing and Flamebird! The trio first stole and examined Than-Ol's Enlarging Ray technology, which Nor-Kann concluded was fatally flawed, before being proved right when the newly enlarged Kandor began to disintegrate.[2]
Nor-Kann maintained the pretence and infrastructure for Nightwing and Flamebird; whose identity changed occasionally. Van-Zee and Ak-Var took the role, in order to fight crime from Nor-Kann's basement. Batman and Robin were once called upon, by Nor-Kann, to be Nightwing and Flamebird;[3]. When a thief began stealing Kryptonian Relics, Nor-Kann called for the original Dynamic Duo of Kandor -- Superman and Jimmy -- to return.
The relic thief not only appeared to be a masked Superman, but actually wielded super-powers under the artificial red light of Kandor. Nightwing, Flamebird and "Nor-Kann" realize that the thief wears an Energizer ring which amplifies yellow sunlight. The thief's identity? Nor-Kann! He has been Super-Hypnotized by the Superman Revenge Squad and replaced by a robot; all in order to trap Superman. In the end, Nor-Kann retains that yellow Energizer Jewel, as a token of Superman's trust in him.[4]
In addition to creating Nightwing and Flamebird; Nor-Kann prosecuted the Kandorian trial of Brainiac[5]; saved Superman's life on at least three occasions; created a unique elixir that cured all ills; and nearly perfected the enlarging ray. It was during this final labor that Nor-Kann was exposed to a lethal dose of radiation from Illium 349, and died under the watchful eye of Superman.[6]. Later his grave was the site of a pilgrimage by Supergirl in order to find the yellow Energizer Jewel and the miraculous cure.[7]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Kryptonian Physiology: Under the effects of a "yellow" sun, Nor-Kann possesses the same potential powers as an average Kryptonian. These include:
- Solar Energy Absorption: Under optimal conditions, this is the main source of Nor-Kann'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: Nor-Kann 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: Nor-Kann'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: Nor-Kann'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: Nor-Kann 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. Nor-Kanns 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: Nor-Kann can see with better acuity in darkness, and to a degree in total darkness.
- Flight: Nor-Kann 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, Nor-Kann is nigh-invulnerable to extreme energy forces. In addition, his extends this protection against toxins and diseases.
- Superhuman Stamina: Nor-Kann 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: Nor-Kann'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: Nor-Kann 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: Nor-Kann 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: Nor-Kann can live longer than regular humans, remaining at his prime as long as he was under the exposure of the "yellow" sun.
Abilities
Weaknesses
- Kryptonian Physiology: Under the effects of a "yellow" sun, Nor-Kann possesses the same potential weaknesses as an average Kryptonian. These include:
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Yellow Energizer Jewel
- Enlarging Ray
Transportation
- Nightmobile
Notes
- This version of Nor-Kann, 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.
- Nor-Kann possesses superpowers within the bottled city of Kandor while wearing his Yellow Energizer Ring, which magnifies the background yellow sunlight a million times.
- "Nor-Kann" is also spelled "Nor-Kan".
Related
- 12 Appearances of Nor-Kann (Earth-One)
- 1 Images featuring Nor-Kann (Earth-One)
- 1 Quotations by or about Nor-Kann (Earth-One)
- Character Gallery: Nor-Kann (Earth-One)
Footnotes