Samuel Scudder (New Earth)

By the time I got my face free of that cocoon, Mirror Master's mirrors were already activated... With his uncanny knowledge of reflective surfaces, he could have teleported the two of them anywhere in the world... Or across the universe! No matter how many times I fight that man, he's always got a new angle...

— Flash ^src

Mirror Master was a Rogue who used mirrors to commit crimes.

History

Sam Scudder 002 — Sam Scudder before becoming Mirror Master.

Samuel Joseph Scudder was a burglar who, during the course of a home invasion, murdered a woman by smashing her to death with a one-way mirror. He was eventually arrested and convicted thanks to the work of CCPD forensic scientist Barry Allen.^[1] As a convict, Scudder worked at the prison's mirror factory, where he accidentally mixed in the wrong chemical in a mirror. Even though his foreman told him to throw it out, Scudder discovered the mirror seemed to have developed special properties. He studied the mirror and learned how to create mirrors that could create a variety of effects.^[2]

Scudder devised a costume and named himself Mirror Master. He used a mirror to create duplicates of other people to commit crimes for him. The Flash investigated these crimes and defeated the Mirror Master.

Through his research, Scudder discovered the existence of a Mirror World, accessible only by being reflected through several mirror aligned at particular angles. He escaped prison by traveling there, where he met the telepathic Orinocas, who were fascinated by his ability to create mirrors. Unhappy because they gave him everything he wanted rather than stealing it, he lured the Flash to the dimension, hoping the speedster could transport him home. His plan was successful, but the Flash just put him right back in prison.^[3]

During his trial, Scudder used mirrors to control the mind of his lawyer, Paul Barrett. He had the man make appearances throughout Central City dressed as several Rogues, all of whom were currently imprisoned. This intrigued of the Flash, who began his investigations by questioning Barrett. The lawyer captured the speedster, and, dressed in a Flash costume, went to the prison to question Scudder. In his cell, Barrett and Scudder switched clothes, and so he was able to walk out of prison dressed as his enemy. His freedom didn't last for long, for as soon as the Flash freed himself, Scudder was captured again.^[4]

The Mirror Master became one of the Flash's most persistent and formidable foes. He frequently teamed up with other members of the Flash's Rogues gallery, especially Captain Cold. In one encounter with the Flash, Mirror Master managed to capture Kid Flash. Flash came to rescue his sidekick but it appeared that Mirror Master had killed him. Kid Flash went nuts and broke free then starting to savagely beat Mirror Master. However, it turned out that Flash had used his speed to escape Mirror Master's ambush. The speedster calmed Kid Flash down and the unconscious Mirror Master was turned over to the police.

In addition to his solo efforts and his work with the Rogues gallery, Mirror Master was also a member of the first group to be called the Injustice Gang of the World. The group battled the Justice League of America and were eventually defeated. Mirror Master was also a founding member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains alongside fellow Flash rogues Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd, and Captain Boomerang. Later, Mirror Master led another grouping of the SSSV in an effort to aid the Silver Ghost in a plot to destroy the Freedom Fighters.

Crisis Deaths 01 — Death of Mirror Master, along with Icicle I and Maaldor.

Mirror Master and several other rogues ended up teaming with the Flash against Abra Kadabra after the evil magician tried to kill them all. Mirror Master then took part in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. He was present at the mass meeting of heroes and villains held abroad the Monitor's satellite. He later became a part of the massive army of villains organized by Lex Luthor and Brainiac and helped in taking over Earth-S, the home of Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family. When the heroes and villains declared a truce to deal with the threat of the Anti-Monitor, Mirror Master joined the mission led by Luthor to journey to Oa's distant past and prevent Krona from peering into the Dawn of Time. Mirror Master, Icicle and Maaldor the Darklord reached Krona's lab but began to argue as to who should destroy Krona's time viewing equipment. Before any agreement could be reached, a booby trap activated and all three villains were killed by a powerful explosion.^[5]

After Scudder's death, fellow rogue Captain Boomerang impersonated him in an attempt to commit crimes behind the backs of his teammates in the Suicide Squad. Later, the Scottish mercenary Evan McCulloch took over the Mirror Master role.

Scudder was later resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps during the events of Blackest Night, and attacked his former Rogue colleagues ^[6].

Powers and Abilities

Abilities

Genius Level Intellect: Mirror Master managed to focalized cosmic energy through the buffed mirror surfaces of his shoes. He even managed to re-assemble the components of his automated electric shaver and mirrored shoes into teleporter units. Even the Flash acknowledges how diabolically cunning and deadly he is, and must remain on guard against him.^[7]
Disguise: Mirror Master has altered his appearance through use of his gimmick mirrors to fool others on multiple occasions.^[2]
Hypnosis^[8]^[9]
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic): Sam was only a fair hand-to-hand combatant.^[10]
Thievery

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Mirror Pack

Weapons

Black Lantern Ring (Formerly)
Mirror Gun

Notes

Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-One era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
Scudder's middle name, Joseph, was given in The Flash #255.

Trivia

Mirror Master likes figs.^[2]
Mirror Master smokes cigars.^[11]
Sam is confirmed ranked to be the Flash's second most dangerous opponent, alongside Captain Cold.^[12]

External Links

Mirror Master at Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning

Footnotes

Rogues Gallery
This character is or was a member of the Rogues, a loose collection of enemies to the Flash, in any of its various incarnations. They are a team of highly effective super-villains with their own internal code that prevents them from killing speedsters.
This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Rogues Gallery members category."

Flash Villain(s)
This character, team, or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of any or all of the various incarnations of the Flash. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Flash Villains."

Secret Society of Super-Villains member
This character is or was a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, a cadre of super-villains who band together to accomplish feats no one super-villain can do alone, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Secret Society of Super-Villains members" category.

Black Lantern Corps member
This character is or was a member of the Black Lantern Corps. Those who have died may wield the Black Power Ring, symbolizing their lack of both life and emotion.
This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Black Lantern Corps members category."

[1] The Flash: Rebirth #2

[FL105-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 The Flash #105

[3] The Flash #126

[4] The Flash #130

[5] Crisis on Infinite Earths #10

[6] Blackest Night: The Flash #1

[7] The Flash #219

[8] The Flash #238

[9] The Flash #241

[10] Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #15

[11] Secret Society of Super-Villains #15

[12] DC Special Series #11

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