Real
Name: Chris Kelly
Ultiman (Earth A)
Real
Name: Chris Kelly
Identity/Class: Human mutate
Occupation: Astronaut
Affiliations: Round Table of America; Lori Lake; Knight Watchman
Enemies: Dexter Cortex (a bald scientist with a computer linked brain); Reverso (Ultiman's mirror world duplicate).
Known Relatives: Carl (brother, deceased), Arlene (wife), Christine (daughter, Ultragirl)
Aliases: Carl
Base of Operations: Earth A
First Appearance: Megaton # 1 (March 1983)
Powers/Abilities: Ultrastrength, invulnerability. Fluoroscopic vision, laser vision and ultra-hearing. Able to fly, possesses ultraspeed.
History: (Earth A Ultiman) Chris Kelly was an astronaut aboard a Gemini space capsule which was struck by an radioactive meteor of unknown origin. The radiation proved fatal to his fellow astronaut (as it would to most people), but it filled Kelly with energy, turning him into the ultimate human being!
As Ultiman, he became an agent for the US government, operating out of an office in the Pentagon and being given a love interest in the form of his secretary, Lori Lake. Tiring of his lack of a private life (his identity was public knowledge) he took advantage of the death of his obnoxious, mustachioed twin brother Carl, to establish a secret identity.
Ultiman's main weakness is that he must periodically use the meteor to recharge his powers. Each time he does this, he must expose himself to a larger dose, risking radiation poisoning in the process. He has a secret citadel in an extinct volcano, as well as an army of robot doubles. His best friend is the Knight Watchman, and is a founder member of the Round Table of America.
In the 1980's Ultiman retired to a secret citadel in the arctic, with his wife Arlene, his daughter Christine and his robot doubles. Upon coming out of retirement, his wife left him. He apparently dies when an experiment to recharge his powers transfers them to his teenage daughter, who becomes Ultragirl as a result. She travels to the 30th century and joins the Pantheon of Heroes.
Comments: Thanks to Chris Adams for information on both the Earth A and Earth B Ultimans (Ultimen?). He notes "On Earth A, he has gloves but no belt. He first appeared in the Ultragirl strip in Megaton # 1 in March 1983. This was reprinted, together with the origin of the Earth B Ultiman, in Berzerker #2 (May 1993.) Though he is Superman in all but name, his "triple identity" is reminiscent of Daredevils "Mike Murdock" identity in the 1960's. Recommended reading: The "Timebomber" storyline in BB 12, 14 & 18"
Ultiman (Earth B)
Real Name:
Chris Kelly
Identity/Class: Human mutate
Occupation: Unknown (rejected by the army)
Affiliations: Knights of Justice
Enemies: Unknown
Known Relatives: Unknown
Aliases: Unknown
Base of Operations: Earth B
First Appearance: Berzerker #2 (May 1993)
Powers/Abilities: Ultrastrength, invulnerability. Able to fly, possesses ultraspeed.
History: (Earth A Ultiman) Chris Kelly was a 4F reject driving home from his draft board, whose car was hit by a radioactive meteor. The exposure should have proved fatal, but instead it filled Kelly with energy, turning him into the ultimate human being!
He has a base atop the highest building in Empire City, where he listens out for trouble on his radio. He is a founder member of the Knights of Justice.
Ultiman's main weakness is that he must periodically use the meteor to recharge his powers. Each time he does this, he must expose himself to a larger dose, risking radiation poisoning in the process.
Comments: Thanks to Chris Adams for the above information. He notes "On Earth B, he has a belt but no gloves"
CLARIFICATIONS: None.
Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.
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