Origin | Super-Power | Personal Data | Membership Record
Comments: There is no reference to Chemical King's origin during the Silver Age lore; it is not until Superboy No. 176 (July 1971) that Chemical King is revealed to be a mutant. Therefore, the true origin of his power remains unknown. Furthermore, there is no mention during the Silver Age as to what his home planet is. The first mention of any is not until Batman No. 238 (a 100-Page Super-Spectacular, DC-8) in January 1972, where it is said that he is from the planet "Valdow". The next time a home world is mentioned for the character is in Superboy No. 205 (also a 100-Page Super-Spectacular) in December 1974, but a different planet is given - "Phlon". Because both references came after the Silver Age, neither one can be considered applicable to the Silver Age Chemical King.
First Appearance: As a statue on the cover of Adventure Comics No. 354 (written by Jim Shooter, drawn by Curt Swan); chronologically, his first appearance is in Adventure Comics No. 371 (Aug. 1968) Chemical King possesses the ability to act as a catalyst, that is - to speed up, slow down, or otherwise alter chemical reactions (Adventure Comics No. 375 "The Legion Outpost"). For example, he can increase the speed of oxidization from a slow rust to a burst of flame (372), or speed up the process of metamorphosis and change limestone into hard, smooth marble (379). Since the biological processes of life itself are nothing more than chemical reactions, Chemical King is considered quite a formidable Legionnaire (375 "The Legion Outpost"), and is even able to speed up his metabolism and make himself a hundred time stronger (379). He also once sped up the rotting process in a tree limb so the branch would break off (375).
Limitations and Weaknesses: Chemical King can not make energetically unfavorable reactions possible - i.e. speed up the disintegration process of indestructible material, which lasts indefinitely (Adventure Comics No. 376 "The Legion Oupost"). It takes a high degree of concentration to use his power and so he can not use it if he is dizzy or otherwise not given a chance to think (Adventure Comics No. 372). By speeding up his metabolism, he can make himself a hundred times stronger, but unlike Superboy and Mon-El, he is not permanently charged with super-snergy, and at that rate will burn up his body's energy reserves in seconds (Adventure Comics No. 379). Speculative Explanation of Power: Chemical King can instinctively sense reaction kinetics all around him, then mentally project radiation out through his hands to surround the object (or person) he wishes to affect in a powerful field. By holding the constituent molecules in this telekinetic "vise", he is able to mentally steer their atoms into the proper orientation and guide them into the correct angles that will make electron sharing, and therefore chemical reaction, possible. In this way, Chemical King's power is able to make reactions not only one-hundred percent probable but also to occur millions of times faster than they normally would. Physical Description: Condo has black hair, brushed back from his forehead, which is long in the back. At the Academy, he wore his hair shorter and parted on the left but as soon as he was called in by the Legion to help out on an undercover mission, he no doubt used his power to speed-grow his hair into a "cooler" style. His nose is short and curves upward, with broad nostrils.
Condo owns an orange four-seater sky-car which he likes to show off by giving his team-mates rides home after meetings (Action Comics No. 381/2). Skills: In self-defense class at the Academy, Condo was partnered with Colossal Boy in an electro-jousting match, demonstrating his natural athletic ability and fighting prowess (Adventure Comics No. 371). Interests: Condo seems to enjoy a variety of mentally and physically challenging activities. Nicknames: "C.K." (Adventure Comics No. 377), "Chem" (Action Comics No. 387/2, 389/2) Relationships: Condo's closest Legion friend is Timber Wolf; the two went through Academy training as students and graduated together, becoming Legionnaires at the same time (Adventure Comics No. 371, 372). Known Relatives: None
Condo Arlik picked up the name Chemical King while training at the Academy (Adventure Comics No. 371); it is not in reference to him being royalty (376 "The Legion Outpost"). Induction: By performing outstandingly in all areas of study, Condo's abilities were brought to the attention of the Legionnaires, who were planning an undercover mission and needed a couple of "unknowns" to help them. Chemical King was part of the team that posed as Academy flunk-outs so that they would be approached by recruiters from Tarik the Mute's newly formed school for super-villains. After the successful completion of the mission, Chemical King and Timber Wolf were given diplomas and full membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes (Adventure Comics No. 372). The mission was like their final exam and they were deemed to have graduated from the Academy with honors (374 "The Legion Outpost"). Positions Held: Legion Academy trainee and graduate Aliases Used: None. Although he posed as a Legion Academy dropout, he could do so under his own name because he was an unknown. Career Highlights: Adventure Comics No. 371/372 (Aug./Sept. 1968) "The Colossal Failure" / "School For Super-Villains"
Adventure Comics No. 377 (Feb.1969) "Heroes For Hire"
Adventure Comics No. 379 (Apr. 1969) "Burial in Space"
For information concerning Chemical King after 2969, click here. |
Personality: Condo has a flare for
doing everything in a very confident way, almost to the
point of being called cocky. He has a dynamic,
extroverted personality that enables him to meet and talk
to people easily, and with a charm and self-assurance
that inspires confidence in others (Adventure
Comics No. 371, 372). He will
always rise to the challenge of standing toe-to-toe with
his more experienced teammates (375). Condo cares about
his public image, and the reputation of any group he's
associated with (377).
Chemical King was collected
from his space mission by Duo Damsel in time to
be an intergral part of "Operation
Nestegg." After his fellow members pretended
to turn mercenary and collected a number of
different kinds of money from around the universe
as bait for criminals to take to the planet Modo,
Chemical King started a reaction between all of
the various monies. The result was paralzying
rays which engulfed all of Modo, including
Modulus, the overlord of the planet, and resulted
in the biggest catch of crooks in history.