| Midnighter | |
|---|---|
 Cover of Midnighter and Apollo #4 (2016), drawn by Aco. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Wildstorm (DC Comics) |
| First appearance | Stormwatch (vol. 2) #4 (February 1998) |
| Created by | Warren Ellis Bryan Hitch |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unknown |
| Species | Human with artificial enhancements (Wildstorm universe) Metahuman (DC universe) |
| Team affiliations | The Authority Stormwatch Spyral Justice League Queer |
| Partnerships | Apollo |
| Notable aliases | Lucas Trent |
| Abilities |
|
Midnighter is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books first published by WildStorm and later DC Comics once it absorbed the former. The character was created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch. The character made his first appearance in Stormwatch (vol. 2) #4, titled "A Finer World (Part 1 of 3)" (February 1998).[1] He went on to appear in various Authority books and other series, as well as his own eponymous ongoing series.
Midnighter is best known as a member of the rogue superhero team the Authority. He and his husband, Apollo, have also been interpreted as a parallel of the Batman/Superman World's Finest partnership.[2]
In an interview for Comic Values Annual (1999), edited by Alex G. Malloy, Warren Ellis described Midnighter as "The Shadow by way of John Woo". Midnighter is rarely seen without his costume and mask.[3] Recurring themes in Midnighter's adventures are his love of violence and killing, as well as comments on his sexuality.
In 2011, DC chose to integrate the characters from the Wildstorm Universe with its mainstream DC Universe setting. Since then, Midnighter has appeared in a solo series, plus the team-up books Midnighter and Apollo,[4] The Authority, and Superman and the Authority.[5] The character has also been featured as part of the supporting cast for the superhero Nightwing, Batman's protégé Dick Grayson, with whom he becomes good friends. Although until 2021 Midnighter and Batman had never met on-panel, the character has become increasingly integrated with the wider Batman supporting cast.[6]
- ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ Lendrum, Rob. "Queering Super-Manhood: The Gay Superhero in Contemporary Mainstream Comic Books" (PDF). Concordia University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
When Batman and Superman team up they are called "the World's Finest." Midnighter and Apollo are constructed with this bit of comic history in mind.
- ^ One instance was in his first appearance, in Stormwatch (vol. 2) #4.
- ^ Andersen, Brian (5 October 2016). "8 Questions With DC Comics' Bi Mastermind". The Advocate. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "The Authority: Who's Who on Superman's Next Team?". Comic Book Resources. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Have Batman and the Midnighter Really Never Met?". Comic Book Resources. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.