DC's upcoming Stargirl series is set to introduce not just one but two new live-action iterations of the Justice Society of America. Among the group's members will be both the Charles McNider and Beth Chapel versions of Doctor Mid-Nite. Here's everything you need to know about both in advance of the upcoming show.
Charles McNider/Doctor Mid-Nite
Created by Charles Reizenstein and Stan Aschmeier, the McNider version of Doctor Mid-Nite first appeared in 1941's All-American Comics #25 and will be played by Henry Thomas (E.T. The Extra Terrestrial) in Stargirl. McNider's debut issue introduced him as a renowned doctor who lost his sight in an explosion orchestrated by "Killer" Maroni to take out a witness in an upcoming trial. Although rendered blind and unable to perform surgery, McNider's fate changed when he adopted an owl -- later named Hooty -- that crashed through his window.
Around that time, McNider realized he was able to see in the dark, and he then set about developing a set of infrared goggles to help him see during the day. Combining his already considerable physical prowess with his "Blackout Bombs," which created the darkness he needed to see while blinding his enemies, McNider set about fighting crime. He eventually joined the Golden Age's Justice Society of America and, later, the All-Star Squadron.
After the Justice Society of America disbanded in 1951 due to Vandal Savage's manipulating the US Government into demanding the group's members reveal their identities, McNider took on the role of Starman. However, the murder of McNider's beloved nurse/assistant Myra Mason by the Shadower prompted the hero to hunt the villain down. He drifted in and out of retirement for the next few decades before finally dying during 1994's Zero Hour event.
Beth Chapel/Doctor Midnight
Beth Chapel, who generally uses the slightly different spelling of Doctor Midnight and will be played by Anjelika Washington in Stargirl, was created by Roy Thomas and Todd McFarlane, having first appeared in 1985's Infinity Inc. #19. Chapel is the second character to use the name and was McNider's student. Chapel's origin has some similarities to her predecessors, as she was a doctor who lost her sight due to an explosion. Later, with the help of a special formula, she developed the ability to see in the dark and joined up with Rick Tyler, the son of the original Hourman, to fight crime.
Chapel and Tyler eventually joined Infinity Inc., but the group disbanded soon afterwards. Chapel later died fighting the villainous Eclipso, though she returned in 2020's Doomsday Clock. Her status following the end of that book isn't entirely clear at this time.
The Stargirl iteration of the character seems to be skewing somewhat younger than Chapel has traditionally appeared in the comic, so it's likely this adaptation of her will be somewhat looser, though just what that might entail isn't clear right now. Still, these kind of changes have been pretty common when DC adapts its comics for TV, and many shows have succeeded when providing a twist on their source material.
DC Universe's Stargirl stars Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl), Joel McHale as Sylvester Pemberton (Starman), Brian Stapf as Ted Grant (Wildcat), Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Rex Tyler (Hourman) and Meg DeLacy as Cindy Burman. The series will premiere Monday, May 18 on DC Universe and Tuesday, May 19 on The CW.