Conduit (character)

{{Infobox comics character

|image=ConduitKB.jpg

|imagesize=200

|caption=Conduit as depicted in Adventures of Superman #0 (October 1994). Art by Barry Kitson (penciler) and Glenn Whitmore (colorist).

|character_name=Conduit

|real_name=Kenny Braverman

|publisher=DC Comics

|debut= Superman: The Man of Steel #0 (October 1994)

|creators=Dan Jurgens
Louise Simonson

|species=Human

|alliances=

|aliases=

|powers=Kryptonite-based energy manipulation

}}

Conduit (Kenny Braverman) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=60–61}}

Publication history

Conduit first appeared in Superman: The Man of Steel #0 and was created by Dan Jurgens and Louise Simonson. In the 1995 story arc "Death of Clark Kent" spanning four Superman titles, Conduit tried to murder everyone important to Kent.{{cite news |last1=Consoli |first1=Jim |title=Ma and Pa Kent in hiding |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/498393664/?terms=superman%2Bconduit |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=The Hackensack Record |date=April 7, 1995 |page=13}}

Fictional character biography

Kenny Braverman is born on route to a hospital as the infant Kal-El's starship lands on Earth, exposing him to Kryptonite radiation that alters his biology. As a teenager, he becomes an athlete at Smallville High School, but always comes in second place to Clark Kent.Superman: The Man of Steel #0, DC Comics.

To learn how to manage his body's changes, Kenny volunteers to be examined by the CIA.Superman: The Man of Steel #38, DC Comics. Afterward, he is recruited to partake in a covert operation in France, but is defeated by Clark. This, coupled with years of being outdone by him in their youth, causes Kenny to grow to despise Clark. He battles Superman several times before being killed in battle with him.Superman: The Man of Steel #39 - #43. DC Comics.Superman: The Man of Steel #46, DC Comics.

In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. Kenny Braverman appears in a flashback when Psycho-Pirate uses his Medusa Mask to make Superman relive his history.Action Comics (vol. 2) #24, DC Comics.

Powers and abilities

Conduit wears body armor that provides some protection from energy and physical attacks. His powered exo-frame allows him to fly. He has two extendable cables with which he can ensnare an opponent as well as fire blasts of Kryptonite radiation. Conduit also learned how to channel this energy he gave off back into his body to enhance his strength to a point where he could physically compete with Superman.

In other media

A young Kenny Braverman appears in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "New Kids in Town", voiced by Scott Menville.{{cite web |title=Kenny Braverman Voice - Superman: The Animated Series (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Superman-The-Animated-Series/Kenny-Braverman/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version is a bully at Smallville High School.
A young Kenny Braverman appears in Man of Steel, portrayed by Rowen Kahn.{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Tom |date=May 29, 2017 |title=15 Wasted Cameos In DC Movies |url=https://screenrant.com/useless-waster-cameos-dc-movies-robin/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} This version is a bully at Smallville High School.
Conduit appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}
Conduit received a figure in Kenner Products' Man of Steel toy line.