Java (DC)
Java is a male comic character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Java is the Neanderthal servant of Simon Stagg. He was first discovered by fortune hunter Rex Mason and revived by the scientific wizardry of Stagg Enterprises. Java was present the day that Mason discovered the Orb of Ra inside the pyramid of Ahk-Ton in Egypt. The Orb was responsible for transforming Rex Mason into the metamorphae known as Metamorpho the Element Man after Java knocked out Rex Mason in the presence of it.
For years, Java lusted after Simon's daughter Sapphire Stagg, but was unable to win her heart because she was in love with Metamorpho. This bred a bitter rivalry between the two; one that persisted for many years. Java even risked his life once to save Sapphire from a melting skyscraper, and was transformed into a petrified fossil for his actions. Stagg's scientific prowess saved his life and returned him to normal.
During a time when Metamorpho was believed to be dead, Sapphire relented to Java's persistent advances and married him. Java became the father figure to Sapphire and Rex's mutant son, Joey. Java was not an inherently evil individual, but his moral base had been compromised due to his constant exposure to the unscrupulous Simon Stagg. He was also extremely selfish when it came to his wants and desires. When Rex abducted Joey from Stagg Mansion, Java flew into a rage and was determined to kill him. Even Simon's command over him could not quell Java's emotions. Frustrated by the Neanderthal's rare act of defiance, Simon Stagg shot him in the head, seemingly killing him.
Java did not remain dead for long however. The means behind his resurrection are unknown, but he was seen once again several years later attending the funeral of Metamorpho (who at the time was believed to be dead).
During the Brightest Day, Java was with Simon Stagg at his Canadian estate at the time when Metamorpho persuaded him to help him and the Outsiders get back into the United States. Later that night, Java pays Metamorpho a visit while he was sleeping. For some reason, Java still had the Orb of Ra in his possession. Java uses the orb to knock Metamorpho around until Metamorpho becomes unconscious.[5] Java then takes Metamorpho's body down to Simon Stagg's lab where he plans to merge him with Chemo. It doesn't go well as Java calls in Simon Stagg's servant Freight Train to help stop it. Freight Train manages to use an electrical wire which causes Chemo to vomit out Metamorpho.
Java later agreed to take part in an experiment where Simon Stagg placed his mind into the body of the Shaggy Man. He was then sent to deal with Freight Train when the former Stagg employee turned against Simon to stop his experiments in leeching the Black Lantern energies from Black Lightning which was being used to revive Sapphire Stagg. Despite Java's new power, he was ultimately defeated by Freight Train and the experiments were shut down. (Outsiders v4 #35)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Java's history with Simon Stagg and Rex Mason remains the same. Sapphire was present when Simon Stagg had opened a portal to the Dark Multiverse and is trying to close it with Metamorpho who was transmuted to Nth Metal. He is present when Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, Metamorpho, and Phantom Girl return from the Dark Multiverse.
As part of a new scheme, Java decided to adopt the masked guise of a supervillain in secret who he named Doc Dread that was part of his machinations to eliminate Rex Mason and thus secure Sapphire Stagg as a love interest. (The Terrifics v1 #10)
During the attack, he was defeated by Mr. Terrific along with Mrs. Terrific who had analysed the weaknesses in his armor. This occurred at the same time as the Dreadfuls were defeated whereupon Java was imprisoned in the House of Heroes under the watch of Justice Incarnate. (The Terrifics v1 #14)
Overview
Personality and attributes
For a time, he adopted a masked supervillain identity where he took the name of Doc Dread. (The Terrifics v1 #10)
He hated it when people made fun of him and mocked him. (Outsiders v4 #35)
Java claimed to had hated Freight Train as much as he hated Rex Mason. (Outsiders v4 #35)
After Sapphire's seeming death, Java claimed that a part of him died as well. (Outsiders v4 #35)
Powers and abilities
Java possesses super-strength.
He once went experiments that transformed him into a new incarnation of the Shaggy Man. (Outsiders v4 #35)
Notes
- Java was created by Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon where he made his first appearance in the Brave and the Bold v1 #57 (January, 1965).
Alternate Versions
- In The Terrifics v1 #14 (2019), alternate versions of Java was shown to exist within the Multiverse. It was shown that on several alternate universes that one of them ended up as a villain whose danger forced the Justice Incarnate to intervene and imprison them in the House of Heroes.
In other media
Television
- In Justice League, Java appeared in the DC Animated Universe television series in the episode "Metamorphosis" where he was voiced by actor Richard Moll. He served as Stagg's assistant where after an unsuccessful presentation of his new 'Metamorpho' project, Stagg ordered Java to transport valuable mutagen samples by train. He was told not to let the briefcase out of his sight, but one of the attendants checked it into the luggage compartment, citing regulations. One of the vials broke, damaging the carriage and causing it to derail until the train was stopped by Green Lantern. Stagg reprimanded Java for this failure, as it drew unwarranted attention to his operations. True enough, Stagg hadn't finished when Rex Mason inquired about Java's presence on the train. This and the fact that Mason was seeing Stagg's daughter Sapphire led him to test out the Metamorpho project on Mason. The morning after, Java accompanied Stagg to Mason's hospital room. After learning what had happened, Rex went mad, but Java could not stop him. He was knocked out with a bed pan. Following Mason's trail, Stagg was eager to get pictures of everything. He used it to pit Mason against his old friend John Stewart. After reviewing the success of his designs in battle, he sat back to consider the military applications. But Mason caught on to him and easily dispatched Java. Down but not out, Java reached for a canister of liquid nitrogen and froze him. Java oversaw Stagg's attempts to refine the Metamorpho mutagen when Metamorpho barged into the lab. This time, Mason went straight for the nitrogen. He knocked Java into a cabinet. In Mason's fight with Stagg, a giant synthetic creature was released, which destroyed half the laboratory. Java was able to get out before Green Lantern and Batman investigated the place.
- In The Flash, Java appeared in the live-action television series set in the Arrowverse in the episode "Fastest Man Alive" where he was portrayed by actor Michasha Armstrong. This version is an African-American who is the head of security for Stagg Enterprises. Danton Black paid him off so that he can attack Simon Stagg at a university gathering that was honoring him. Later on, Danton Black tried to get Java to grant him access to Simon Stagg's house. Java refused and punched Danton when he threatened him. In retaliation, Danton multiplies and beats Java to death.
Appearances
- The Brave and the Bold v1: (1965)
- Metamorpho v1:
- Metamorpho: Year One v1:
- Outsiders v4:
- Legends of Tomorrow v1:
- The Terrifics v1:
External Links
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