Unleashing the Fiery Origins of Doctor Phosphorus
Doctor Phosphorus is a radioactive villain with the power to manipulate nuclear energy He first appeared in DC Comics and is a featured character in the Creature Commandos In the series, Doctor Phosphorus is played by an unknown actor
Of all the projects James Gunn could have chosen to kick off his leadership of the DC Universe, the selection of Creature Commandos is both surprising and logical. These characters are not well-known and come from the deepest corners of DC's archives, yet even the original members of the team were not enough for Gunn. For the upcoming Max adaptation, new characters like Doctor Phosphorus will be introduced.
Batman's rogues gallery is arguably the most beloved among any superhero. While Spider-Man and Superman also have iconic villains, those who challenge the Dark Knight have the strongest claim to fame. While the likes of Joker and Bane are obvious fan favorites, even lesser-known characters like Doctor Phosphorus deserve their moment in the spotlight.
Who is Doctor Phosphorus?
Dr. Alexander James Sartorius, a prominent nuclear scientist and member of Gotham City's esteemed Tobacconists' Club, had a vision to construct a nuclear power plant within the city. Seeking assistance from corrupt city councilman Robert Thorne, Sartorius faced opposition from the locals and was forced to relocate his project outside of the city limits. However, a crack in the reactor core caused the sand surrounding the plant to become irradiated and gain a proton, resulting in Sartorius being exposed to red-hot phosphorus sand that left his body constantly burning and skeletal structure visible. Renaming himself Doctor Phosphorus, he swore vengeance against the citizens of Gotham City and their refusal to accept his groundbreaking project.
Doctor Phosphorus is an incredibly hazardous character, with a highly radioactive body that poses a fatal threat to anyone without the appropriate protective gear. He inflicts severe burns on anyone who comes in contact with him and can release toxic fumes on command. Despite sustaining damage, his radioactive body can generate an endless supply of energy to keep him going. Following his debut, Doctor Phosphorus struck a deal with the demonic entity Neron, which granted him the power to control his abilities. This allowed him to regulate his body's temperature and lead a more comfortable life, even being able to wear clothing without fear of combustion.
When did Doctor Phosphorus First Appear in DC Comics?
In 1977, Doctor Phosphorus was brought to life by Steve Englehart for Detective Comics #469. The villain's first act of terror involved releasing toxic gas at a concert, but it was later discovered that he had poisoned Gotham City's water supply a day before. Batman was alerted to the outbreak when his trusted butler, Alfred, became ill from the chemical agent. The Caped Crusader quickly identified the water as the source of the problem and went to the local reservoir to investigate. There, he encountered Doctor Phosphorus, whose burning flesh inflicted severe injuries on Batman. However, the hero bounced back and developed a new radiation-proof Batsuit to track down Dr. Sartorius's power plant. After finding Doctor Phosphorus there, Batman defeated him by throwing him into the reactor core. Despite his defeat, Doctor Phosphorus has made subsequent appearances in other comic book stories, and he was portrayed accurately in The Lego Batman Movie.
Beloved character actor Alan Tudyk will bring Doctor Phosphorus to life in his most notable on-screen appearance yet. Tudyk, known for his incredible performances in cult hits such as Firefly and Tucker and Dale Versus Evil, has a long history with DC properties. He's lent his voice to Green Arrow in Young Justice since 2010, portrayed the Joker and Clayface in Harley Quinn, and even voiced Superman in Justice League: War. However, Tudyk's most notable role in the DC universe is as Eric Morden, AKA Mr. Nobody, in Doom Patrol. Fans can't wait to see Tudyk's return and his take on Doctor Phosphorus, a minor Batman villain who could easily become a fan favorite with the right treatment. James Gunn's ability to make unknown characters feel iconic in Guardians of the Galaxy bodes well for Creature Commandos and Doctor Phosphorus's potential rise to popularity. With an engaging story, striking appearance, and visually compelling powers, Doctor Phosphorus could easily become the breakout star of the series.
