Fictional character biography
Charles McNider is a surgeon who is enlisted to remove a bullet from a witness set to testify against mobsters. Mobster Killer Maroni throws a grenade into the room, killing the witness and blinding McNider.[2] McNider later discovers that he can only see in darkness and develops a special visor to let him see in the light. He then becomes the superhero Doctor Mid-Nite and adopts an owl whom he names Hooty.[3]
McNider later joins the Justice Society of America (JSA) and the All-Star Squadron. In 1942, McNider enlists in the U.S. Medical Corps as a physician during World War II,[4] rising to the rank of captain. McNider briefly assumes the role of Starman when the original Starman, Ted Knight, has a nervous breakdown and the JSA disbands.[5]
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "his opponents include the minstrel the Baleful Banshee, the hypnosis-wielding Doctor Light, the angling-themed Fisherman, and the gang lord Tarantula".[6]
In 1953, McNider's lover Myra Mason is murdered by the Shadower, a foe who had learned Doctor Mid-Nite's secret identity.[2] McNider later rescues a pregnant woman from attack in Sogndal, Norway and delivers her baby, Pieter Cross, who becomes the third Doctor Mid-Nite as an adult. McNider is among the JSA members who are captured and placed in suspended animation by Vandal Savage before being freed by the Flash.
McNider is killed by Extant during the Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! event.[7][8] He has remained dead since, appearing as a spirit and in flashbacks.[9][10] Furthermore, McNider was temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern in the Blackest Night event.[11]
