Java (DC Comics)
| Java | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | The Brave and the Bold #57 (January 1965) |
| Created by |
Bob Haney Ramona Fradon |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Neanderthal |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Notable aliases | Shaggy Man |
| Abilities | Super-Strength |
Java is a fictional DC Comics supervillain.
Publication history
Java first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #57 and was created by Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon.
Fictional character biography
Java is the Neanderthal servant of Simon Stagg. He was first discovered by fortune hunter Rex Mason and revived by the scientific wizardry of Stagg Enterprises. Java was present the day that Mason discovered the Orb of Ra inside the pyramid of Ahk-Ton in Egypt. The Orb was responsible for transforming Rex Mason into the metamorphae known as Metamorpho the Element Man after Java knocked out Rex Mason in the presence of it.[1]
For years, Java lusted after Simon's daughter Sapphire Stagg, but was unable to win her heart because she was in love with Metamorpho. This bred a bitter rivalry between the two; one that persisted for many years. Java even risked his life once to save Sapphire from a melting skyscraper, and was transformed into a petrified fossil for his actions. Stagg's scientific prowess saved his life and returned him to normal.[2]
During a time when Metamorpho was believed to be dead, Sapphire relented to Java's persistent advances and married him. Java became the father figure to Sapphire and Rex's mutant son, Joey. Java was not an inherently evil individual, but his moral base had been compromised due to his constant exposure to the unscrupulous Simon Stagg. He was also extremely selfish when it came to his wants and desires. When Rex abducted Joey from Stagg Mansion, Java flew into a rage and was determined to kill him. Even Simon's command over him could not quell Java's emotions. Frustrated by the Neanderthal's rare act of defiance, Simon Stagg shot him in the head, seemingly killing him.[3]
Java did not remain dead for long however. The means behind his resurrection are unknown, but he was seen once again several years later attending the funeral of Metamorpho (who at the time was believed to be dead).[4]
During the Brightest Day storyline, Java was with Simon Stagg at his Canadian estate at the time when Metamorpho persuaded him to help him and the Outsiders get back into the United States. Later that night, Java pays Metamorpho a visit while he was sleeping. For some reason, Java still had the Orb of Ra in his possession. Java uses the orb to knock Metamorpho around until Metamorpho becomes unconscious.[5] Java then takes Metamorpho's body down to Simon Stagg's lab where he plans to merge him with Chemo. It doesn't go well as Java calls in Simon Stagg's servant Freight Train to help stop it. Freight Train manages to use an electrical wire which causes Chemo to vomit out Metamorpho.[6] Simon Stagg later placed Java's mind into the body of a Shaggy Man which was defeated by Freight Train.[7]
Powers and abilities
Java possesses super-strength.
In other media
Television
- Java makes appearance in the two-part Justice League episode "Metamorphosis," voiced by Richard Moll. Like the comics, Java serves as Stagg's assistant. After an unsuccessful presentation of his new "Metamorpho" project, Stagg ordered Java to transport valuable mutagen samples by train. He was told not to let the briefcase out of his sight, but one of the attendants checked it into the luggage compartment, citing regulations. One of the vials broke, damaging the carriage and causing it to derail until the train was stopped by Green Lantern. Stagg reprimanded Java for this failure, as it drew unwarranted attention to his operations. True enough, Stagg hadn't finished when Rex Mason inquired about Java's presence on the train. This and the fact that Mason was seeing Stagg's daughter Sapphire led him to test out the Metamorpho project on Mason. The morning after, Java accompanied Stagg to Mason's hospital room. After learning what had happened, Rex went mad, but Java could not stop him. He was knocked out with a bed pan. Following Mason's trail, Stagg was eager to get pictures of everything. He used it to pit Mason against his old friend John Stewart. After reviewing the success of his designs in battle, he sat back to consider the military applications. But Mason caught on to him and easily dispatched Java. Down but not out, Java reached for a canister of liquid nitrogen and froze him. Java oversaw Stagg's attempts to refine the Metamorpho mutagen when Metamorpho barged into the lab. This time, Mason went straight for the nitrogen. He knocked Java into a cabinet. In Mason's fight with Stagg, a giant synthetic creature was released, which destroyed half the laboratory. Java was able to get out before Green Lantern and Batman investigated the place.
- Java appears in the The Flash episode "Fastest Man Alive," played by actor Michasha Armstrong. This version is an African-American who is the head of security for Stagg Enterprises. Danton Black paid him off so that he can attack Simon Stagg at a university gathering that was honoring him. Later on, Danton Black tried to get Java to grant him access to Simon Stagg's house. Java refused and punched Danton when he threatened him. In retaliation, Danton multiplies and beats Java to death.