This page is for the original Dr. Polaris, Neal Emerson

For the second, Dr. Polaris, see John Nichol

Origin

Neal Emerson was abused as a child and as a result claimed this to be the reason why he turned to evil. He worked for the betterment of humanity and loved magnets and would constantly work with them throughout his life. He convinced himself that the more he was around magnets the more power he had. This eventually led him to rename himself Dr. Polaris after the famous northstar that all magnets point toward.

Creation

Neal Emersonwas created by John Broome and Gil Kane

Character Evolution

Silver Age: Earth-One

Neal eventually came to believe that his overzealousness has allowed him to absorb too much magnetic energy, and tried to drain off the excess energy without success. Out of options, he decided his best bet would be to make a public appeal at a charity event to Green Lantern. Neal believed that Green Lantern's Power Ring could help him, but his evil persona chose that moment to take over. He then proceeded to rob the charity event, and ended up getting into a confrontation with the Green Lantern. At the hospital, Green Lantern probed Neal's mind and learned of his split personality. When Neal recovered he attacked the Green Lantern with metal objects, but Green Lantern got the upper-hand and defeated him. Neal's good personality resurfaced and he was placed in police custody.

Modern Age: New Earth

After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, not much of Dr. Polaris history was not change. In Damage comics, Neal breaks out of prison and he creates a new Dr. Polaris costume. During The Joker's Last Laugh, Dr. Polaris attempted to take control of the South Pole. He is later seized by the Justice League. The criminal eventually developed a dual personality - one of who represented the scientist Neal Emerson and the other representing Doctor Polaris. The Doctor Polaris personality later sold Neal Emerson's soul to the demon Neron in exchange to permanently remove the Neal Emerson persona and gain an increase in his power. With this new upgrade, Dr. Polaris became a lieutenant for Neron during the Underworld Unleashed story line.

Major Story Arcs

Silver Age: Earth-One

The Demons Three

Neal returned to fight the Justice League with new associates Killer Moth, Dagon, the Mask and the Pied Piper, but it was revealed the Demons Three, Abnegazar, Rath and Ghast had made magical duplicates of the villians. In the end, the Justice League prevailed.

Killing Hal Jordan

After being released from prison, he tried to identify the source of Green Lantern's power by kidnapping his friend, Tom Kalmaku. He found that Green Lantern's power battery was hidden at Ferris Aircraft. Using his abilities, Neal placed a magnetic barrier around the battery, so that Hal couldn't recharge his ring to full power. After tracking down Neal, just as his ring ran out of power, Neal used his powers on Green Lantern, apparently killing him. Hal's body disappeared.

Modern Age: New Earth

Secret Society of Super Villains

Dr. Polaris joined Alexander Luthor's Secret Society of Super Villains. In the first issue of Infinite Crisis, Polaris and other villains were awaiting the arrival of the Freedom Fighters. As soon as they entered, the villians killed Black Condor, and soon did the same with Phantom Lady. The Human Bomb began to mourn. Polaris mocked him which angered the Human Bomb who used his powers and blew up Polaris, ultimately killing him.

Blackest Night

Doctor Polaris has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice. During Blackest Night, John Nichol was reported to have been killed by a Black Lantern version of Emerson according to the Calculator.

DC Rebirth

The original Doctor Polaris has joined with the original Lobo, Emerald Empress, Johnny Sorrow, and the original Rustam to form The Nightmare Army. The Nightmare Army is spearheaded by Maxwell Lord.

Powers and Abilities

Magnetism

Dr. Polaris is able to control magnetism to such magnitude that he once became the Earth's South Pole. He has also exhibited control fine enough to manipulate the blood cells inside a person.

Other Version

Paige Guthrie use her Dial H.U.S.K to turn into Polaris (Doctor Polaris/Polaris)

Other Media

Television

Justice League Unlimited

Dr. Polaris appeared in a starring role for two episodes of Justice League Unlimited and in flashbacks for two other episodes. He was mainly a foil to Luthor in his two starring appearances.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Dr. Polaris made a small appearance in eight episode: "Fall of the Blue Beetle!", he was fighting Batman. Meanwhile Blue Beetle distracts Batman. He is beaten when the Batman´s utility belt explodes in his face. Later, in Owlman mini saga episodes: "Deep Cover for Batman!" and "Game Over for Owlman!", he appears as silent character, first his alternative persona as hero, later in second episode he joined Owlman forces as a villain.