Glossary:A
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Absorbascon
An Absorbascon is a Thanagarian device that enables its user to telepathically read the minds of other sentient life forms. An Absorbascon is only effective against non-Thanagarians. A Thanagarian can also use this device to interpret the vocal patterns of lower order animals such as birds. Used primarily as an educational tool, it can also be used as a weapon or a tool of espionage. Hawkman and Hawkwoman used the Absorbascon to learn about Earth's cultures and languages. This device is also the reason why the Hawks can communicate with birds.
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Absorption Cells
Created by the mad scientist Professor Anthony Ives, Absorption cells are devices that he implanted within the robot known as Amazo. These cells enable Amazo to replicate the superhuman abilities of any individual within scanning proximity.
AK-47
The AK-47 is a 7.62 mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov.Design work on the AK began in 1944. In 1946 the rifle was presented for official military trials, a year later the fixed stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Red Army. It was also used by U.S. marines such as Captain Phillip Hunter and his brother Nick Hunter during the Vietnam war.
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Alien
An alien is a being or animal who originates from another planet, or dimension. The term also applies to people living in a country that is not their place of birth. Lex Luthor uses the term in a derogatory manner when referring to Superman.
(See Also: Extraterrestrial, The Aliens Category)
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Altered Egos
Full title Altered Egos: The Mystery Men of World War II was a book written by Jonathan Law, published sometime in the 1970's.
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Alternate Earth
A world resembling Earth in physical characteristics, natural phenomena, life forms, and, to some extent, history, which exists in the equivalent space to Earth's in another dimension. An alternate Earth may either be a divergent Earth or a parallel Earth.
(See Also: Hypertime; Multiverse)
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Alternate Future
One of the possible future realities deriving from the present reality through a specific sequence of events. One cannot tell which alternate future will become one's present reality until the point of divergence has been passed. At that point, one's reality diverges into more than one, and versions of one's self will exist in each resulting alternate future. Hence, one's divergent self will experience one of the alternate futures as his present reality, while another of his divergent selves will experience a different alternate future as his.
Amazonia
In the Pre-Crisis Golden Age period, Amazonia was the name of the original Greek Island home of the Amazons. After their subjugation by the God, Hercules, the Amazons relocated to Paradise Island.
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Amazonium
In the Pre-Crisis Golden Age period, Amazonium was the name of a mineral used for the construction of various wondrous artifacts on Paradise Island. The winged Sandals of Hermes worn by Wonder Woman were reputed to be made by this material.
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American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. From 1966 to 1968, ABC aired the popular live-action Batman television series. During the 1970s, ABC also aired the Super Friends, a campy, yet popular animated series featuring a core roster of DC's more infamous super-heroes. Note: ABC is not to be confused with America's Best Comics, which has also been identified by the acronym, ABC.
(See Also: ABC)
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Android
An artificial being designed to resemble a human being in as many ways as possible, and whose physiology and life functions replicate and mimic those of human beings as closely as possible. An android has all the same organs, tissue, bone, flesh, and blood as a human being, except they are synthetic. Compare with clone, cyborg, robot, and synthozoid.
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Ankh
The Ankh is an Egyptian hieroglyphic symbolizing life. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their chest. Ironically, it is also the chosen sigil for the essence of Death. Sorcerer Doctor Fate often projects mystic blasts which take the form of flying ankhs.
Anti-Hero
An anti-hero has widely come to mean a character who has some characteristics that are antithetical to those of the traditional hero. An anti-hero in today's comic books will perform acts generally deemed "heroic," but will do so with methods, manners, or intentions that may not be heroic.
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Anti-Kryptonite Belt
Lex Luthor once tricked Superman into wearing a specially designed belt that leaked Kryptonite.
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Antimatter
Antimatter is an alternate form of matter comprised of antiparticles. It functions in direct opposition to positive matter and contact between the two will ultimately destroy the particles of both. In terms of dimensional reality, an entire universe composed of Antimatter exists and is the birth place of the Anti-Monitor and the Thunderers of Qward.
(See Also: Antimatter Universe)
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Arctic Breath
Also known as Super-Breath, this is a super-power usually attributed to Superman. It involves not only being able to generate hurricane level winds through the act of blowing, but can also lower the temperature of said winds to below zero.
Armstrong
In the continuity of New Earth (Atari Force), the Armstrong was a space shuttle that transported personnel from Space Station One to the Atari Institute.
(See Also: Atari Force)
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Astral Plane
An alternate universe in an equivalent space to our own where all matter is composed of ectoplasm. On the astral plane, the life energies and consciousnesses of other beings are discernible to adepts. Adepts can reach the astral plane by psionic or magical means. The astral plane is also sometimes called astral dimension, astral realm, or spirit world.
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Atomic Krypton Ray
In Earth-One continuity, Professor Egglehead once created an atomic Krypton ray, which briefly transformed a field mouse named Fuzzy into the super-powered Krypto Mouse. The device was only used once and was never seen again.
(See Also: Superboy (Earth-One))
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