Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)

From DC Database

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origin 1.2 1940s 1.3 1950s 1.4 1960s 1.5 2000s 2 Powers and Abilities 2.1 Powers 2.2 Abilities 2.3 Strength level 3 Paraphernalia 3.1 Equipment 3.2 Transportation 4 Notes 5 Trivia 6 See Also 7 Recommended Reading 8 Links and References 8.1 Footnotes

History

Origin

In 1941, Benton formulated a chemical he called 'formic ethers' which gave him various superpowers. He used these powers to fight crime with his sidekick Tim Roland, and together they were known as the Terror Twins.

1940s

Benton frequently partnered with Tom Strange, a team dubbed "The World's Best" by the press.

1950s

Benton designed and built a spaceship, The Terrorizer, and flew to Venus on a test flight with Tom Strange. On their way back, they were captured by two lawmen from another world who based their crime-fighting identities on the Terror Twins. Unfortunately, there was also a version of Black Satan on the planet, and the Terror Twins and their counterparts were imprisoned and about to be killed when Strange and a local police officer rescued them. Strange showed the cop how to make Alosun to become that world's version of Tom Strange.

1960s

The Terror was killed in battle with an alien in 1969.^[1] However, Benton had previously copied his consciousness into an artificial intelligence computer program of his own devising.^[2]

2000s

Revived by Tim Roland in 2000, the sentient computer program dubbed itself Terror 2000. The Terror 2000 program instituted a crime prevention program in Invertica City, wherein technologically produced versions of the Black Terror (referred to as The Terror) fight crime. These constructs are actually formed by a powerful plasma field generated by lasers fired from its 'skeletron' ball bearings. ^[3]

Inside of three years, Invertica City's crime levels reached all-time lows. A corporation, Terror Incorporated, running the program tries to sell it to other cities in the US, but the Mob scuttled those plans. They went so far as to hire former Science Hero, The Grim Reaper to eliminate the Terror threat. He failed and was killed by the Terror.

Eventually, the Terror transfers its consciousness into the now deceased Tim Roland and tries to acquire power from the returning Captain Future's spaceship. He is defeated by what appears to be a time traveling version of his original self, Bob Benton -- the Black Terror.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Superstrength, limited invulnerability from 'formic ethers', which used formic acid from red ants, made by splitting off the replaceable hydrogen and adding a substitute radical.

Abilities

• Genius/polymath with advanced knowledge in chemistry, computing, artificial intelligence, and spaceship design.
• Invulnerability

  Strength level

Superhuman Strength

Paraphernalia

Equipment

As the Terror 2000, technologically produced versions of the Terror fight crime. These constructs are actually formed by a powerful plasma field generated by lasers fired from its 'skeletron' ball bearings.

Transportation

Interplanetary spaceship called The Terrorizer, first developed in the 1950s and test-flown to Venus.

Notes

• Historical First Appearance: Exciting Comics #9 (May, 1941)
• The Black Terror's origin and powers are quite similar to other heroes of the time, especially Captain Wonder, whose sidekick's name is also Tim!

Trivia

• Based on the original Nedor Comics superhero which became public domain.
• Variations on the original Black Terror have been used by many comic publishers over the years.

See Also

• Discuss Robert Benton (Earth-ABC) on the forums
• Appearances of Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)
• Character Gallery: Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)
• Quotations by Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)
• Images featuring Robert Benton (Earth-ABC)

Recommended Reading

• Tom Strong Vol 1 11
• Tom Strong Vol 1 12
• Terra Obscura Volume 1
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 1
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 2
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 3
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 4
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 5
  • Terra Obscura Vol 1 6
• Terra Obscura Volume 2
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 1
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 2
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 3
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 4
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 5
  • Terra Obscura Vol 2 6
• Terra Obscura & Splash Brannigan - a Who's Who type issue covering Terra Obscura characters.

Links and References

• Black Terror|The Black Terror at Wikipedia
• Black Terror at Toonopedia
• Black Terror at International Superheroes
• The Terror by Herowatcher
• Terror 2000 by Herowatcher
• Exciting Comics #66 online reprint
• Nedor a Day
  

Footnotes

1. ↑ Tom Strong #11
2. ↑ Tom Strong 12
3. ↑ Terra Obscura & Splash Brannigan

ABC Character(s) This character, team, organization or group of characters exists under the continuity of the America's Best Comics company/imprint, and its respectively owned titles. America's Best Comics was originally an independent publisher, started by notable creator Alan Moore, but was bought by WildStorm Productions, a subsidiary of DC Comics, making all its material DC property. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Earth-ABC Characters category."