Nightshade (comics)
|
|
Nightshade is a fictional character, a superheroine who was owned and published by Charlton Comics and was later acquired by DC Comics.
| Contents |
Charlton Comics
Nightshade was first introduced in Captain Atom #82, as a partner for Captain Atom. Her real name is Eve Eden. Her father is a U.S senator. She is blonde (unusual for a heroine with darkness-based powers) and wears a black wig as Nightshade. She was romantically involved with Captain Atom for a brief time.
She appeared several times in the main Captain Atom stories, before getting her own backup series in the last 3 published issues (#87-89). She also appeared in the last unpublished Captain Atom story that appeared in the Charlton Bullseye fanzine. In this series (with art by Jim Aparo), we learn that Tiger (Judomaster's now grown up sidekick), is her martial arts instructor. We would also learn the source of her powers. Her mother, Magda, was actually a visitor from another dimension, where they have the ability to transform into living 2-dimension shadows. These powers she passed on to her son and daughter. On a visit to this dimension, Magda and her children are attached. Mortally wounded, Magda is able to tranport her and Eve back to Earth. Eve promised to return and find her brother. This never occurs during the Charlton years.
In 1981, Nightshade would appear in issue #7 of the new Charlton Bullseye comic. Her last "Charlton" appearance would be in a story that teamed up all the Charlton "Action Heroes", and be published in a one-shot by AC Comics.
DC Comics
Once integrated into the DC Universe in Crisis on Infinite Earths, she became affiliated with the Suicide Squad. There, it was revealed that her powers came from an other-dimensional demon, the sibling of which had empowered Nightshade's teammate, the insane Enchantress. The twin demons were destroyed, causing the Enchantress to temporarily lose her powers; Nightshade was unaffected, although she did soon design herself a new costume.
Nightshade's powers consist of manipulating darkness to her advantage. She can also teleport, possibly by accessing the dark dimension from which the demon had drawn its power.
Nightshade would also be part of the L.A.W. mini-series, which would reunite all the Charlton Action Heroes owned by DC.
She was briefly shown in flashbacks in Alex Ross and Mark Waid's comic Kingdom Come as a member of Magog's Justice Battalion, along with the rest of the Charlton 'Action Heroes'. She was apparently killed with the other members when Captain Atom was killed.
Nifhtshade has most recently re-emerged as a member of the Shadowpact in the Day of Vengeance miniseries. She has been paired with the Detective Chimp, resulting in some good-natured bickering.
The Silk Spectre in Watchmen is often said to be based on Nightshade, much as many other heroes in that work are based on her fellow Charlton Action Heroes. However, Alan Moore has stated that he found Nightshade "boring," and that Silk Spectre was modeled on sexier characters such as the Phantom Lady.
Other Nightshades
Two female characters in Marvel Comics' universe are named Nightshade. One is an African American biochemistry-themed supervillain who has fought Luke Cage, Captain America, and the Black Panther. The other is a member of Marvel Comics' Imperial Guard, who is their analogue of Shadow Lass of the Legion of Super-Heroes; her name was later changed to Nightside to avoid confusion with the other Marvel character.
External Links
- International Catalogue of Superheroes entry on Nightshade (http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/n/niteshad.htm)