Origin
A scientist working at STAR Labs, Curtis Engstrom decided to steal the Philosopher’s Stone that had recently belonged to the now-reformed Doctor Alchemy, along with a computer that was designed to use the Stone to cure blood disease. He tried to ransom them, but was caught and imprisoned.
Creation
The Alchemist was created by Mark Waid and Greg LaRocque. He made his first appearance in The Flash #71.
Major Story Arcs
The Alchemist
Engstrom attempts to use the location of the stolen microchip as leverage to get out of jail. However, his lawyer, Moe “Mouthpiece” Migliani, double-crosses him and sets out to get the chip for himself. Engstrom escapes, and creates the identity of The Alchemist. Wielding the Philosopher’s Stone he attacks Migliani in a bank, and later at a television studio. He briefly stalls the Flash by turning the air around him to gold, but is ultimately defeated and sent to prison.
Powers and Abilities
Engstrom has no known superhuman powers or abilities. He is quite intelligent, and a skilled biochemist.
Equipment and Weapons
Engstrom wields the Philosopher’s Stone, which is capable of transmuting any element into any other element.