Nuclear Family (DC)
The Nuclear Family are a supervillain team who feature in DC Comics.
Contents |
History
The Nuclear Family were a group of androids that were the creation of Dr. Eric Shanner who was an early nuclear science researcher. During his work, he made a careless mistake in his research that resulted in his family being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. This caused the death of his family whilst he was suffered from radiation poisoning that left him extremely ill and slowly dying. The experience led to Dr. Shanner vowing to teach the world about the dangers of radiation and he began creating a group of androids that were modelled on him as well as his family. Each of the machines were equipped with a power-set that matched the various effects of nuclear weaponry. He then set his Nuclear Family forth to destroy Los Angeles leading to them damaging the Esperanza Canyon Nuclear Power Plant on its opening day. (Outsiders v1 #1) They returned the next day in order to detonate the plant, but The Outsiders confronted the Nuclear Family, foiled their plan, and destroyed the robots. Dr. Shanner finally lost the will to live after seeing his Nuclear Family destroyed, and expired from his radiation-induced illness. (Outsiders v1 #2)
During the Infinite Crisis, the Nuclear Family were shown to had been rebuilt and having joined the Secret Society of Super Villains. They were seen taking part in the Battle of Blüdhaven. (Battle for Blüdhaven v1 #4) They were joined by the Nuclear Legion that were a sub-grouping of nuclear-powered supervillains that worked for the Society. The two fought in an all-out battle between the Atomic Knights, the Teen Titans, and S.H.A.D.E.. In the end, the Legion failed in their efforts in capturing Captain Atom after said superhero annihilated Blüdhaven a second time. (Battle for Blüdhaven v1 #5)
Overview
In appearance, the Nuclear Family were a group of human-shaped robots built by humans. Each member of the Nuclear Family possessed powers similar to one of the five states of a nuclear explosion. (Outsiders v1 #1)
Members
- Dad : patriarch of the Nuclear Family who could fly and emit immense amounts of radiation from his body.
- Mom : matriarch of the Nuclear Family who could fly and project an electromagnetic pulse which disabled all electronic equipment around her.
- Biff : the older son who could fly and emit a thermal pulse that gives off the same heat found in a nuclear explosion.
- Sis : daughter who could fly and create a blast wave that can take down entire buildings.
- Brat : the younger son who could fly and transform himself into radioactive fallout.
- Dog : pet of the Nuclear Family who could fly and transform itself into radioactive fallout.
Notes
- The Nuclear Family were created by Jim Aparo and Mike W. Barr where they made their first appearance in Outsiders v1 #1 (November, 1985).
Alternate Versions
- In Wildcats Version 3.0 v1 #3 (2002), an alternate version of the Nuclear Family appeared in the Wildstorm Universe. A specialized training initiative workshopped by the Federal Bureau of Investigation dubbed the Nuclear Family Program. It featured an active team of spies, comprising two adults and a duo of young children taking after late 1950s suburban family sitcom roles of doting parents and their rambunctious kids. In truth they were the beta test phase of a new breed of government sponsored superhuman operatives, all of whom are vastly enhanced sleeper agents disguised as a modern middle class household. Designated to act as a safehouse observatory unit and sensitive package/asset caterers till their senior operators wire intel to act otherwise, they are highly adept in various deadly martial arts and weapon forms. On top of being well equipped with heavy ordinance, special combat training is further complemented by a host of cybernetic augmentations and chemical enhancements to increase field performance. As if a testament to their incredible practice regimens, just two of said unit managed to clip a small armed force headed by an infamous criminal data launderer's minute men and leave The Grifter horrendously crippled in a tense encounter, their firefight shattering both his legs during the fracas.
In other media
Television
- In Justice League Action, the Nuclear Family appeared as antagonists in the animated television series in the episode "Nuclear Family Values". This version of the group were originally built by Dr. Eric Shanner during the Cold War to show people the side effects of using nuclear weapons. While the Nuclear Family were programmed to behave like a real family, they were unaware that they were androids. Upon gaining sentience and their powers, they escaped to find a place that they can call home and go on a rampage, intending to destroy a nuclear power plant. They run afoul of Firestorm, who eventually restrains and places them in a small replica of a family house to stop them from causing more trouble and damage.
- In Titans, the Family appeared as antagonists in the setting of the live-action television series with this version being a team of brainwashed assassins. They were a group of humans brainwashed by Dr. Adamson to become assassins under Trigon and use a serum to enhance their abilities. In the present, Adamson tasks the Family with locating and capturing Rachel Roth, only to be foiled by Kory Anders, who kills Dad. After being joined by Stepdad, the Family find Roth once more, only to be defeated and captured by her, Anders, Dick Grayson, and Garfield Logan. Upon learning of this, Adamson detonates planted explosives in the Family's heads.
Appearances
- Outsiders v1: (1985)
- Adventures of the Outsiders v1:
- Battle for Blüdhaven v1:
External Links
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