Professor Hamilton

Emil Hamilton
Emil Hamilton as seen in Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987).
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	As Professor Hamilton: Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987) As Ruin: Adventures of Superman #630 (September 2004)
Created by	Marv Wolfman (Writer) Jerry Ordway (Artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Emil Hamilton
Team affiliations	S.T.A.R. Labs Enginehead Society
Notable aliases	Ruin
Abilities	Genius-level Intelligence Skilled scientist

Professor Emil Hamilton is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as a supporting character in stories featuring Superman.

Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Jerry Ordway, Professor Emil Hamilton first appeared in Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987). His depictions in various incarnations range from that of a trusted ally to Superman and his colleagues to one who is cautious and mistrustful of Superman and his power, to an unambiguous villain. The character was named after Edmond Hamilton, who wrote stories about Superman and other characters from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Emil Hamilton first appeared in Adventures of Superman #424 (January 1987), as an apparent villain, using his gadgets to attack Superman in an attempt to gain funding by proving that they worked. A former employee of S.T.A.R. Labs and the US Government, it transpired he had been driven insane when all his research was bought up by Lex Luthor, who took credit for the inventions. He was placed in a mental health facility and responded well to treatment. On his release, he set up a laboratory in Suicide Slum and quickly became Superman's "scientific advisor", eking out a general living as a technical consultant. He was responsible for creating many devices that aided Superman, including the Phantom Zone Projector and early Superman Robots, as well as helping Superman during such problems as the 'Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite', when red kryptonite created by Mister Mxyzptlk shut down Superman's powers; until Superman's powers were restored, Hamilton provided him with various machinery such as a force field belt and an armoured suit to allow him to continue as a hero. Later, another force field belt Emil provides allows Superman to get around the power-blocking talents of the artificial life forms 'Psi-Phon' and 'Dreadnaught'.

Emil's first time turning evil is when the immortal 'Mister Z' brainwashes him into assisting in an attack on Superman.