Vartox

Vartox
Vartox' first appearance in Superman #281, art by Nick Cardy.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperman #281 (November 1974)
Created byCary Bates (writer)
Curt Swan (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoVartox
SpeciesValeronian
Place of originValeron
Notable aliasesVernon O'Valeron
Abilities"Psychic by nature", possession of Hyper-powers grants him:
  • Hyper strength
  • Hyper speed
  • Supersonic flight
  • Hyper-invulnerability
  • Hyper-senses
  • Hyper hearing
  • Hyper breath
  • Hyper freezing
  • Hyper-vision
    • Heat vision
    • Telescopic vision
    • Electromagnetic spectrum vision
    • Microscopic vision
    • X-ray vision
    • Night vision
  • Body possession
  • Power augmentation
  • Mind control
  • Hyper hypnotism
  • Telepathy
  • Telekinesis
  • Teleportation
  • Techno-empathy
  • Intangibility
  • Energy projection
  • Astral projection
  • Prognostication
  • Self-transmutation into pure hyper-energy
  • Magnetic powers
  • Matter transmutation
  • Energy transmutation

Skills:

  • Has a device on his thighboots which emits various gases like paralysis causing gas
  • An accomplished inventor and a scientific genius

Vartox is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics.

Publication history

He first appeared in Superman #281 (November 1974) and was created by Cary Bates and Curt Swan.[1] When asked if the character was inspired by the 1974 film Zardoz, Bates stated "Absolutely, I remember giving Curt a bunch of Zardoz stills as swipes".[2]

Fictional character biography

Vartox is a Valeronian, a humanoid alien from the planet Valeron in the Sombrero Galaxy.[3] After Valeron is destroyed, Vartox adopts a new world which he is sworn to protect. He is older and more experienced than Superman, serving as a rival to him and vying for Lana Lang's affection.

Vartox's wife is later killed after her "psychic twin" on Earth is murdered. He pursues the killer, Frank Sykes, to Valeron, ultimately capturing him and subjecting him to rapid aging.

Vartox from Superman vol. 1, #375, artist Gil Kane.

Vartox later comes into conflict with his former lover Syreena, who he had previously arrested. She later accidentally petrifies herself and Lana before being cured when Lana is.

Vartox from Superman vol. 2, #148, artist Steve Epting.

Post-Crisis

Main article: Crisis on Infinite Earths

In 1999 a post-Crisis version of Vartox was introduced by Dan Jurgens and Steve Epting. He makes his debut in Superman vol. 2 #148, alongside two other aliens named Vestion and Paz. This version has significantly reduced powers, apparently slightly less than the post-Crisis Superman, and a revised costume. After Valeron's champion Ontor dies, Vartox becomes his self-proclaimed successor.

Current status

Vartox returns in Power Girl (vol. 2). After a "contraceptive bomb" renders every female Valeronian sterile, Vartox comes to Earth in search of a new wife, selecting Power Girl as the prime candidate. The two battle an Ix Negaspike, a dragon-like alien, before combining their powers to restore the Valeronians' fertility, impregnating all of them in the process.[4][5]

In other media

Television

Vartox appears in the Supergirl episode "Pilot", portrayed by Owain Yeoman.[6] This version is an escapee from the Phantom Zone prison Fort Rozz. After Supergirl defeats him, he commits suicide to avoid capture.

Miscellaneous

Vartox appears in the audio drama Death From A Distant Galaxy, based on Superman #373 - #375.

References

  1. ^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 97. ISBN 9781893905610.
  2. ^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton companion : a historical exploration of Superman comic books of 1958-1986. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. 97. ISBN 978-1893905610.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 459–461. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  4. ^ Power Girl (vol. 2) #7
  5. ^ Power Girl (vol. 2) #8
  6. ^ Whitbrook, James (March 17, 2015). "Major Scoops For Supergirl, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Flash And Arrow". io9. Archived from the original on 2015-03-18.