Wade Eiling (DCAU)

In this world, power is the only thing that matters. You and those other no-name heroes, you're just people. In the great scheme of things, nothing you do has the least bit of significance. I'll waste you and a billion like you before I let any power rival America's. It's my duty.

— Wade Eiling ^src

Wade Eiling was a corrupt U.S. general who was a central figure in the Cadmus organization and an enemy of the Justice League.

History

General Eiling was in charge of the U.S. military response to the Dark Heart invasion. At first, he cooperated with the Justice League, agreeing to let the heroes handle the threat while his men saw to civilian evacuation. However, upon learning the League's Watchtower had a binary fusion weapon, Eiling became extremely alarmed. After the alien threat was defeated, Eiling quickly took control of the remains of the Dark Heart technology, stating that his scientists could learn a lot from the alien weaponry. As he left, he coldly warned the heroes about having a weapon of mass destruction in orbit, pointing directly at the Earth.^[1]

Eiling was left greatly disturbed by the revelation of the fusion weapon and believed there was little stopping the League from using it against Earth. Therefore, Eiling began to focus most of his time and resources in a plan to defeat the Justice League. He soon became a key member of Project Cadmus, a top-secret division of the United States government. Similar to Eiling himself, Cadmus was not above using illegal and immoral methods to obtain the power that could rival the Justice League. In his time with Cadmus, Eiling began to show what kind of person he truly was. He believes everything he does is in service to his country and wishes for America to be the most powerful force on earth. However, he shows little interest in democracy and considers the lives and liberties of ordinary citizens insignificant.

When the creature Doomsday escaped Cadmus and attempted to kill Superman, Amanda Waller ordered Eiling to stop him. The general ordered a missile with a Kryptonite warhead fired at the beast, coldly indifferent that civilians were still in the area, shrugging off Waller's objections at the murderous overkill. To Eiling, this was a golden opportunity to destroy a notorious drug-trafficking point, Superman, and Doomsday all in one shot. Thankfully, Batman intercepted the missile while Superman defeated Doomsday after a vicious battle, exiling the creature into the Phantom Zone.^[2]

Seeking a way to co-opt the League, Eiling had Captain Atom's Air Force commission reactivated and assigned him to Cadmus. Though Atom protested that he was part of the League now, Eiling appealed to his sense of duty and oath of service. Eiling's gamble paid off, with Captain Atom attacking Superman and Huntress when the two broke into Cadmus to rescue the Question.^[3] After the Watchtower's cannon was fired on the abandoned Cadmus headquarters, Eiling retaliated by goading Waller to send Galatea and the Ultimen clones to attack the Justice League.^[4] Eiling was watching the battle in Cadmus's new facility when Batman broke in, looking to confront Waller about Lex Luthor. Eiling attempted to attack Batman but was quickly punched out, regaining consciousness only when the Dark Knight left.^[5]

Soon after this, Lex Luthor's involvement was revealed and the true intentions for Cadmus came to light. As such, the organization quickly changed its operational focus and Eiling was reassigned to administrative duty. Waller was grateful that they were not sent to prison and had even learned to be more accepting and understanding toward the Justice League. Eiling however was now even more irrational with paranoia, going as far as to blame all metahumans for the current state of the world. Eiling was openly unconvinced that the Justice League had dismantled their space weapon and believe humanity was being backed into a corner. The hateful man wanted to show the world that the League wasn't the only superpower on Earth and hatched a bold plan to do so. Eiling broke into a research facility and stole a highly classified body enhancement chemical created by Nazi scientists during World War II. Injecting himself with the concoction, he transformed into a hulking monster gifted with superhuman strength.

Now more than capable of battling metahumans, Eiling proceeded to attack a parade in Metropolis, hoping to call out Superman. Unfortunately, the Man of Steel was on a mission off-planet, and seven non-metahuman Justice Leaguers were taking his place: Crimson Avenger, Green Arrow, Shining Knight, Speedy, Stargirl, S.T.R.I.P.E., and Vigilante. The heroes bravely attempt to fight Eiling but are easily and viciously overpowered. During the brawl, Eiling willingly endangers many innocent lives, brushing them off as "acceptable losses", all while rambling about his patriotism. After a long and destructive battle, the human bystanders courageously confront him and his twisted 'Patriot Act'. Eiling persisted that metahumans were the real threat to the people, only to be confronted with the fact that he was the only one there with superpowers. Eiling begrudgingly admitted that he had become what he hated, but stubbornly insisted that he was still right about the League. He then leaves the battle, swearing that he would return one day because he believes America still needs him.^[6]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Transformation
- Superhuman Durability
- Superhuman Strength
- Superhuman Speed
- Invulnerability
- Super-Leaping

Abilities

Other Characteristics

Irrational Hatred: Eiling started to hate all meta-humans after witnessing the destructive firepower that the Justice League possess. He was so blinded by his hatred that he didn't noticed his own hypocrisy when he himself turned into meta-human or didn't care if other innocent lives were at stake.

Notes

This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of the television series Justice League Unlimited and is an adaptation of General Eining. The original character was created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko and first appeared in Space Adventures (Volume 2) #33.
The General was voiced by J.K. Simmons.