Time Commander (comics)
| Time Commander | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance |
The Brave and the Bold #59 (April–May 1965) |
| Created by |
Bob Haney Ramona Fradon |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | John Starr |
| Abilities | Is able to control, manipulate, and travel through time using a special hourglass |
The Time Commander is the name of two DC Comics supervillains. The first appeared in Brave and the Bold #59 (April–May 1965). He was created by Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon. The second appeared in JSA Classified #34 (2008).
John Starr was a brilliant scientist who turned to crime after the demise of the artificial humanoid project which employed him. He was soon imprisoned, and while incarcerated perfected the Hourglass, which harnessed electricity and gave control over time itself.
Calling himself the Time Commander, the “Modern Monte Cristo,” Starr’s criminal career focused on rewriting his past: making himself appear “railroaded” into prison, and killing his former employer. These early schemes were foiled by Batman and Green Lantern.
Years later, Starr’s agenda then took a turn for the grandiose, as he began resurrecting the dead by reversing time’s flow, with the goal of returning humanity literally to Eden. Elongated Man, Metamorpho and Rocket Red join up with Animal Man and they track down Time Commander. It is revealed, however, that Starr is reversing time in positive ways, such as granting one woman youth and bringing back a dead man. Regardless, Time Commander swiftly defeats most of them, even destroying Rocket Red's armor. Animal Man notices the positive effects but is not sure if it is a good idea in the long run. Time Commander notes he is making life more interesting in general; furthermore that Animal Man doesn't seem like a bad person, just that Starr doesn't want any more psychiatric help. Metamorpho, recovered, smashes Time Commander's hourglass and knocks Starr out with one punch; not noticing that his positive time reversals are now no more.
Starr is freed from prison by the Calendar Man with the intent to join with the Clock King and Chronos as the Time Foes. The villains aimed to recover Starr's hourglass, but were confronted by the Team Titans. Calendar Man asks Starr to use his hourglass in battle. He claims he cannot do it, as it is an instrument for good (despite him having used it to smack around the heroine Redwing moments earlier); and also, the hourglass is broken. Starr is not seen actually fighting in the resulting battle, he is admonished later by his captured allies for just having surrendered. Starr explains he is misunderstood, at heart he is a peaceful man.
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