Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Vile Menagerie: THE SATURNIAN CRIMINAL



Alter Ego: Unknown
Occupation: Criminal
Marital Status: Presumed single
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Saturn
First Appearance: Detective Comics #314 (April, 1963)
Height: Approx. 6'7"
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black

History:
Unarmed and fleeing lawmen from his own world, a Saturnian Criminal landed his small spaceship on the banks of a river near Middletown, U.S.A. Camouflaging the craft, the Saturnian sought to next conceal himself, preferably as an Earthling in a position of authority. This led the sinister alien to Detective John Jones, whom he knocked unconscious and disposed of before assuming his identity. Unbeknownst to the Saturnian, Jones was himself an extraterrestrial pretending to be human, with extraordinary associates who immediately determined something was amiss about the false Jones. However, the criminal was able to convince Jones' Police Captain, who assigned the fraud to assist newly arrived Saturnian lawmen on their mission of apprehension. Instead, the imposter Jones led his pursuers into a trap.

The real John Jones had by this point regained his memory with the help of his otherdimensional pet Zook, who then led the Manhunter from Mars to the criminal who had stolen his human identity. J'onn J'onzz and the Saturnian appeared evenly matched in combat, but the Martian Manhunter was able to deduce the criminal's vulnerability to oil from the trap that he had set for the lawmen. J'onzz doused the criminal, then rescued the lawmen so that the Saturnians could return home, one in chains.



Powers & Weapons:
The Saturnian Criminal is possessed of an array of abilities that appear to be uncommon amongst his people, making him a formidable opponent. His strength level is comparable to the foremost metahumans, with durability to match. He can spin at speeds so incredible that he can drill himself through the earth. The Saturnian's vision and hearing are superhuman, including the ability to see through objects, and he has undefined energy projection powers. Finally, the Saturnian can assume the form of other beings, duplicating them well enough to fool his own people, if not the tracking abilities of Zook.

Weaknesses:
While assuming the forms of other beings, the Saturnian's powers are diminished, although he is still capable of incredible feats. Saturnians of the same race as the criminal experience an immediate toxic reaction to oil in the slightest amount, rendering them powerless and eventually causing death if left untreated.

Quote: "*HA, HA,* With this badge-- and the information contained in these papers, it should be easy to take his place!"

Created by Jack Miller and Joe Certa

2 comments:

will_in_chicago said...

I know that this character had nothing to do with J'emm, but if this story somehow becomes part of canon, maybe it the criminal was a Red or White Saturnian who was either a leap forward or a throwback to Martian ancestors.

Diabolu Frank said...

I don't see why the Criminal couldn't be a mutant or highly adept Red Saturnian. I don't recall the lawmen demonstrating any powers, so the Criminal's could be unique. They're all in the Martian/Saturnian spectrum.