Charles M McNider

This page is the original Dr. Mid-Nite, Charles McNider.

For the second Dr. Mid-Nite, Beth Chapel, see: Doctor Midnight.

For the the current Dr. Mid-Nite, see: Pieter Cross.

Origin

In early 1941 while working on a new anti-viral serum Doctor McNider was asked by the police to treat an important witness who was testifying against mobster “Killer” Maroni. The witness had been shot in the back. While McNider was operating on his back a thug threw a hand grenade into the operating room. McNider was blinded from the incident and the witness died from his initial injury. The injury propelled him to pick up a second career as a magazine writer to expose criminals and expose crime. McNider thrust himself into an intense therapy program during which he found he gained more energy during the night hours. His coworker, Nurse Myra Mason stayed with him every moment and the two began to fall in love.

After realizing he could no longer continue on as a Doctor Charles began to turn towards a writing career. He wrote a newspaper column trying to expose the city’s underworld, more specifically “Killer” Maroni. As he was blind he would tell Myra what to write and she would type it for him.

Creation

Dr. Mid-Nite was created by Charles Reizenstein and Stanley Josephs Aschmeier.

Character Evolution

Golden Age

McNider found that he could see in the dark but blinded by light, much like an owl. He found that he could see in total darkness and in light he was blind. An owl flew through his window (reminiscent of the bat that flew through Bruce Wayne’s window in his mansion). He adopted the owl and named him Hooty. He developed special “infrared glasses” that would enable him to see in the daylight. McNider adopted the costumed identity of Doctor Mid-Nite and captured Maroni. He kept his identity secret by wearing the infrared glasses as Doctor Mid-Nite and pretended to be completely blind as physician Doctor McNider. The experience was a revelation to Charles. Because of his new found night vision he would now be able to strike back at the criminals who took his eyes from him. In his spare time he created specially modified infrared goggles that would allow him to see during the day. Another one his inventions were blackout bombs that when used created a thick black smoke that only he could see through. To top it off he bought a red and black costume from a costume shop and so Doctor Mid-Nite was born.

Starman II

He mainly kept a low profile during the 1950’s but rumors circulated that he was now an intelligence officer with the federal government, the rumors were never proven true or false. In reality he was still secretly active as a Mystery Man but not as Doctor Mid-Nite but instead as Starman. Ted Knight, the original Starman, suffered a breakdown from his involvement with the creation of the atomic bomb. McNider was briefly Starman but then handed it over to David Knight, Ted Knight’s son from a different time period. In 1953, Myra Mason was murdered by The Shadower, a long time foe of Charles from when he was Doctor Mid-Nite. He would spend the next decade hunting The Shadower but ultimately was unsuccessful.

Major Story Arcs

All-Star Squadron

Doctor Mid-Nite was a member of the All-Star Squadron and a founding member of the Justice Society of America. In 1951 Vandal Savage had accused them of aiding foreign enemy governments. The government called a congressional meeting to address the matter. The government asked them to reveal their secret identities to the public or disband. Knowing they couldn’t do that the JSA disbanded. He returned to active status when the JSA was revived.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

During the events of Crisis on Infinite earths McNider rejoined his old allies in the JSA and fought to protect their from the cosmic entity known as the Anti-Monitor threatened to destroy the entire Multiverse. Following the Crisis, the JSA embarked on an adventure that would place them in a limbo like dimension where they found themselves stuck fighting the Nordic gods for an eternity.

Return to JSA

Many years had passed since the disbanding of The JSA and no one had heard anything from the original members of the team . Also during that time a new generation of heroes arose. Together they would join together and form a team but they wouldn’t call themselves the Justice Society of America, but instead they would name themselves the Justice League of America. These events inspired the older members of The JSA to come out once again, occasionally aiding the newly founded Justice League.

Zero Hour

McNider dies during the events of Zero Hour alongside of The Atom at the hands of Extant. Extant reverted them to their correct ages and they succumbed to old age.The mantle of doctor Mid-Nite was passed on to Beth Chapel who called herself Doctor Midnight (Notice the difference in the spelling of the names). Beth later passed it on to Pieter Cross who is the current Doctor Mid-Nite.

Blackest Night

McNider was revived in the Blackest Night as a black lantern. He, along with the previous Sandman and Mr. Terrific begin the attack on the JSA headquarters.

Powers & Abilities

Super Sight

Doctor Mid-Nite could see perfectly clear in total darkness without the aid of artificial enhancements, despite the fact that he was blind. Doctor Mid-Nite also became more physically active, and energetic during the nighttime hours. This lends credence to the notion that McNider may have in fact been a latent Metahuman.

Unarmed Combat

He is extremely skilled in Gymnastics and weight training. Charles McNider is skilled at Hand-to-hand combat but is not comparable to the likes of Batman.

Strength Level

In darkness his strength levels are of a man of his age, size and weight but of a man who trains and exercises regularly.

Skills

Doctor Mid-Nite was a qualified surgeon and medical researcher. He was also an experienced journalist with an acute knowledge of criminal subculture.

Equipment

Although he was blind he was able to see in complete darkness without enhancements or tools.He is able to more energetic during the night hours. McNider also used “blackout bombs”, which would release pitch-black gas that blinded villains and allowed him to see. For a while McNider used a weapon called a “Cryotuber” which allowed him to either control the nervous system of an opponent, or fire bursts of heat or cold. McNider was also a superb athlete and fighter, in addition to being a gifted physician and author.

As Starman II, McNider used many different star-themed gadgets, which included an airship designed by the Red Torpedo.

Weaknesses

He is unable to see during the day without of his special goggles.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 179 lbs.
• Eyes: Blue
• Hair: Blond