Nuke (Squadron Supreme)

Nuke
Squadron Supreme Nuke
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	(Squadron) Defenders #112 (Oct 1982) (Power) Supreme Power #18
Created by	(Squadron) J. M. DeMatteis (writer) Don Perlin (artist) (Power) J. Michael Straczynski (writer) Gary Frank (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Albert Gaines
Team affiliations	Squadron Supreme
Abilities	invulnerability, flight, superhuman strength, radiation projection

Nuke is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted as being from Earth-712, a member of the Squadron Supreme and later its rebooted equivalent, Supreme Power.

Albert Gaines was born in a suburb of Motor City, Wyandota (the Earth-712 equivalent of Detroit, Michigan), where his father and mother lived. Albert was a nuclear plant worker when he accidentally gained his superhuman powers. He became Nuke, an adventurer and member of the Squadron Supreme, and a super-powered hero who kept his identity a secret from even his own family.

Alongside the other Squadron members, he became mind-controlled by the Over-Mind. He was used along with the other members as pawns in the Over-Mind's conquest of "Other-Earth," until he was freed by the Defenders. He battled and defeated the Over-Mind and Null the Living Darkness alongside the Squadron and the Defenders.

Alongside the Squadron Supreme, Nuke assumed control of the government of the United States of "Other-Earth," and publicly revealed his true identity. Nuke then found out that his parents were dying from radiation poisoning, brought on by exposure to his own powers. Nuke turned to Tom Thumb to help find a cure for them; however, when Tom could not find a cure for cancer, Nuke vowed revenge on Tom. Nuke went insane with grief over his parents' death, and went on a rampage. Doctor Spectrum, however, tried to hold Nuke back and prevent him from murdering Tom Thumb, by encasing him in one of his energy bubble constructs, accidentally killing him when Nuke's use of his own powers burned up the oxygen supply inside the bubble and he suffocated.

Nuke is introduced as Mr. Al Gaines, a young, severely depressed man living underground in a fallout shelter alone because his body emits high levels of radiation he cannot control. He is near invulnerable, can fly, and apparently superhumanly strong. General Alexander offers him a suit that will control his radiation output in return for fighting Hyperion, whom General Alexander directs the blame for his condition.