Reactron
{{Infobox comics character
|character_name = Reactron
|image = x300px
|caption =Reactron as depicted in Supergirl vol. 5 #26 (April 2008). Art by Drew Johnson and Lee Ferguson (pencillers), Ray Snyder and Marc Deering (inkers), and Brad Anderson (colorist).
|publisher = DC Comics
|debut = The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983)
|creators = Paul Kupperberg (writer)
Carmine Infantino (artist)
|real_name = Benjamin Martin Krull
|species = Metahuman
|homeworld = Earth
|alliances = (Krull) Suicide Squad
Nuclear Legion
|aliases =
|supports =
|powers = Superhuman strength, stamina and durability
Flight
Nuclear blasts
Body generates lethal radiation
|cat = super
|subcat = DC Comics
|hero = n
|sortkey =
}}
Reactron is a fictional supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, usually as an adversary of Supergirl.
Publication history
Reactron first appears in The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983), in a story written by Paul Kupperberg and drawn by Carmine Infantino.{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=293}}
Fictional character biography
=Pre-Crisis=
Ben Krullen is a sergeant serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War, alongside Joshua Clay. Krullen later massacres the inhabitants of a Vietnamese village, with the shock triggering Clay's metahuman powers.{{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 |page=334}} Clay seemingly destroys Krullen with his energy blasts, transforming him into a metahuman capable of generating radioactive energy. blasts. Calling himself Reactron, he surfaces years later and attacks the Doom Patrol,The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #8 (June 1983). DC Comics. as well as Supergirl.The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #9 (July 1983). DC Comics.
=Post-Crisis=
Reactron's origin and background are changed for his appearances after the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot. Now known as Benjamin Krull, he faces the Doom Patrol and Power Girl in his first appearance.Doom Patrol (vol. 2) #10 (July 1988). DC Comics Most of his pre-Crisis continuity seems intact, but it is now said that his previous battles involved Power Girl instead of Supergirl.Secret Origins Annual #1 (1987) and Who's Who Update '87 #5 (December 1987). DC Comics.
Seemingly destroyed after overloading on Negative Woman's energy,Doom Patrol (vol. 2) #11 (August 1988) he resurfaces unharmed and as a member of the Suicide Squad.Suicide Squad (vol. 2) #6 (April 2002). DC Comics Reactron is destroyed when Deadshot punctures his containment suit, causing him to go critical.Suicide Squad (vol. 2) #8 (June 2002). DC Comics.
Reactron, Mister Nitro, Geiger, Nuclear, Professor Radium, and Neutron form the Nuclear Legion in the 2006 miniseries The Battle for Blüdhaven, working for the Society. They battle Freedom's Ring, who apparently kills Reactron.Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Bludhaven #1. DC Comics
Reactron reappears in the Superman: New Krypton storyline with a new costume and abilities. Recruited by General Sam Lane as part of his Project 7734, Reactron is equipped with a heart made of gold kryptonite and partnered with Metallo. Reactron and Metallo attack the city of New Krypton, where Reactron kills Zor-El, the father of Supergirl. As part of his participation in Project 7734, Lex Luthor sends a robot double of himself with Brainiac on a mission to attack New Krypton, a new planet in Earth's solar system populated by the survivors of the Kryptonian city of Kandor. While there, the Luthor robot tampers with Reactron's body chemistry.Supergirl (vol. 5) #52 (June 2010). DC Comics. Shortly thereafter, Reactron kills himself, causing a chain reaction that destroys New Krypton.Superman: War of the Supermen #1 (July 2010). DC Comics.
In Blackest Night, Scarecrow drugs Supergirl with his fear toxin, causing her to believe she is fighting Reactron reanimated as a Black Lantern.Superman/Batman #77. DC Comics.
Powers and abilities
Reactron is a metahuman with the ability to generate nuclear radiation and concussive blasts. Reactron is also equipped with a gold Kryptonite heart, which allows him to briefly depower Kryptonians.Action Comics #872 (February 2009). DC Comics.
In other media
The Ben Krull incarnation of Reactron appears in the Supergirl episode "Fight or Flight",{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/supergirl-preview-season-1-reactron/|title=New 'Supergirl' Preview; Reactron Will Be A Season 1 Villain|publisher=Screen Rant|last=Cureton|first=Sean|date=July 22, 2015}} portrayed by Chris Browning.Damore, Meagan (July 29, 2015). [http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbs-supergirl-adds-chris-browning-as-reactron "CBS' 'Supergirl' Adds Chris Browning as Reactron"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310035305/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbs-supergirl-adds-chris-browning-as-reactron |date=2016-03-10 }}. Comic Book Resources. This version is a former nuclear engineer who was exposed to radiation amidst a terrorist attack that Superman thwarted, during which Ben's wife Alyssa died. Blaming Superman for her death, Ben built an advanced biomedical exo-suit that grants super-strength, the ability to fly, and fire energy blasts. In pursuit of his revenge, he attacks Supergirl, only to be defeated by her and arrested.{{cite episode|title=Fight or Flight|series=Supergirl|season=1|number=3|network=CBS|airdate=November 9, 2015}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Reactron_(Earth-One) "Pre-Crisis Reactron"] DC Comics Database
- [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Benjamin_Krullen_(New_Earth) "Post-Crisis Reactron"] DC Comics Database
{{Superman}}
{{Supergirl}}
{{Suicide Squad}}
Category:Characters created by Carmine Infantino
Category:Comics characters introduced in 1983
Category:Characters created by Paul Kupperberg
Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability
Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength
Category:DC Comics supervillains
Category:Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities
Category:Fictional characters with nuclear or radiation abilities
Category:Fictional mass murderers
Category:Fictional military sergeants