Matter Master | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961) |
Created by | Gardner Fox Joe Kubert |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Mark Mandrill |
Species | Human |
Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains The Society Injustice Society |
Abilities | Matter manipulation via "Mentachem" wand Genius intelligence |
The Matter Master is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe of Hawkman. Created by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert, he first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #35 (April–May 1961).[1]
Scientist turned alchemist Mark Mandrill is trying to turn lead into gold when the compound he is working on explodes. Instinctively shouting "Stay away from me!", he is amazed when the compound obeys his commands.[2] Dubbing the material "Mentachem", he makes a wand out of it and uses it to begin a life of crime.[3] He fights against Hawkman for many years, as well as the Justice League of America.[4] He is also a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.[5]
Matter Master later resurfaces in St. Roch, kidnapping rich people to draw Hawkman into a confrontation. The battle lasts only a few seconds, ending when Hawkman severs Matter Master's right arm with his axe.[6] Mandrill later returns to the league with a team of other villains who had been victims of mind-wipes by the JLA.[7]
Matter Master has no innate superpowers, but using his "Mentachem" wand can reshape, transmute, or levitate any matter. The effect vanishes over time or as soon as he loses contact with the wand. He also has a genius level intellect.
A heroic Earth-Three version of Mandrill exists as Matter Mage and a member of the Justice Society All Stars.[8]