Condo Arlik (Pre-Zero Hour)
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Contents |
History
Condo Arlik on the planet Phlon. He is a mutant with power to act as a human catalyst; he can slow down or speed up chemical reactions.
Chemical King's name is first mentioned in an Adult Legion story in where it is engraved on a memorial statue. The actual statue is not seen. It was said in this story that Chemical King had died sacrificing his life to prevent World War VII. The adult Legion stories were believed to be true glimpses of the Legion's future, but it is revealed years later that they belong to a different possible timeline.
In Chemical King's full debut, he is a member of the Legion Academy and works undercover to infiltrate the Legion of Super-Villains. After graduating alongside Timber Wolf, he becomes a full Legion member. Chemical King appears in few subsequent stories afterwards. Plagued with self-doubts over the relative usefulness of his powers, he dies when he sacrifices his life to stop Deregon, a Dark Circle agent and the governor of Australia, from starting World War VII, thus fulfilling the prophecy of his first posthumous appearance.
Later the sorcerer Mordru resurrected Chemical King along with millions of other corpses as part of a plan to conquer the universe. The "zombie" Chemical King displayed limited imagination with his abilities, igniting pockets of methane gas and starting fires. He was readily disposed of.
Post Zero Hour
In post-Zero Hour continuity, he is not a Legionnaire, but instead works as a reporter. He is in a homosexual relationship with Invisible Kid. This version of the character has dark skin, instead of the Caucasian skin of the pre-Zero Hour version.
Post-Infinite Crisis
The events of Infinite Crisis have apparently restored a close analogue of the Pre-Crisis Legion to continuity, as seen in "The Lightning Saga," and in "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes." However, a series of Legionnaire statues shown in Justice Society of America did not include Chemical King, and his membership in this version of the team has yet to be confirmed.
In Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds, an image of Condo alongside Invisible Kid and Ferro Lad can be seen in the Superman Museum, indicating that he is still dead.Powers and Abilities
Powers
Chemical-Reaction Control: Chem possesses the ability to act as a catalyst, that is, speed up, slow down, or otherwise alter chemical reactions. For example, he can increase the speed of oxidization from a slow rust to a burst of flame. His powers can affect the chemical reactions in the human body, rendering an opponent unconscious from shock, but take several seconds and can only focus on a single opponent at a time. Late in his career, Chemical King displayed the ability to change energy reaction rates as well, causing batteries to drain of power and force fields to decay. As the final act before his death, he used his powers to alter and absorb vast amounts of radiation capable of paralyzing Superboy.Weaknesses
Indestructible Limitation: Chem's power cannot speed up the disintegration process of indestructible material, which lasts indefinitely.
Paraphernalia
Equipment
Legion Flight Ring, Legion Telepathic Plug
See Also
- Discuss Condo Arlik (Pre-Zero Hour) on the forums
- Appearances of Condo Arlik (Pre-Zero Hour)
- Character Gallery: Condo Arlik (Pre-Zero Hour)
- Images featuring Condo Arlik (Pre-Zero Hour)
Links and References
- Chemical King at Wikipedia
- A Hero History Of Chemical King
- Chemical King at Legion of Super-heroes fan site
Footnotes
  Legion of Super-Heroes member |
