Nite Owl

Real Name: Hollis J. Mason

Identity/Class: Normal human

Occupation: Retired; former author, auto shop owner, police officer

Affiliations: Minutemen, Dan Dreiberg

Enemies: Screaming Skull, Captain Axis

Known Relatives: Unidentified father (presumed deceased)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City

First Appearance: Watchmen #1 (DC Comics)

Powers/Abilities: Skilled detective and fighter. Wore a leather tunic to protect his chest, head and abdomen.

History: In 1938 New York cop Hollis Mason was inspired by Action Comics' new superhero, Superman, and the real life vigilante Hooded Justice, to follow in their footsteps as a costumed crimefighter, Nite Owl. A year later he joined other vigilantes to form the Minutemen, and during the war he battled foes such as the Screaming Skull and Captain Axis. He retired in 1962, opening a car repair business and writing his memoirs, which were published as Under the Hood. Shortly after his retirement he was tracked down by Dan Dreiberg, who asked Hollis' permission to adopt the Nite Owl identity. Hollis readily agreed. In 1985, after Dreiberg and Silk Spectre broke Rorschach out of prison, a gang called the Knot Tops invaded Hollis' home, mistakenly believing he was the Nite Owl mentioned in the news. Despite his age, Hollis' old skills allowed him to put up a good fight, but heavily outnumbered he was soon overpowered, and the Knot Tops leader Derf smashed his skull in with a statue given to Hollis in recognition for his crimefighting exploits.

Comments: Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, inspired by Charlton Comic's Blue Beetle.

He is played by Stephen McHattie in the 2009 movie version of Watchmen.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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