Kirt Niedrigh

Superherobox|
character_name= Kirt Niedrigh
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Superboy #218
alliances=Justice League of Earth
aliases=Absorbancy Boy, Zoras, Earth-Man
powers=Super-power absorbtion and duplication|

Kirt Niedrigh is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe.

Fictional Character Biography

Absorbancy Boy

Kirt Niedrigh first appeared in "Superboy" #218, trying out for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes. Calling himself Absorbancy Boy, and possessing the ability to absorb the energy residue of any super-powered being, gaining their powers himself, he was rejected on the grounds that his powers were too limited.

Incensed at his rejection, Niedrigh found the costume of "Zoras", a fake villain used as a final test for new Legionnaires. Attacking the Legion and defeating them, Niedrigh revealed himself, believing that he had earned his place on the team. The Legion did not see things this way, and Superboy attempted to confiscate the suit. Niedrigh used the suit to project red sun radiation, and, absorbing Superboy's powers, was able to defeat the Kryptonian. Niedrigh was then defeated by the Legion's new member Tyroc, who used an ultrasonic scream to blister his newly-acquired superhearing.

Five Years Later

In "Legion of Super-Heroes" #24 (vol.4), Kirt's name appeared on a list of Dominator test subjects. [ [http://lsh.0catch.com/lsh/lshfaq2.htm#question5] ]

Earth-Man

Niedrigh resurfaced in the Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes storyline [Action Comics #858-863] . Now calling himself Earth-Man, he claimed to have discovered a crystal tablet in the Arctic which proved that Superman was not an alien, but a human who was granted powers by Mother Earth to protect the Earth from alien invaders. Using this knowledge, Earth-Man was able to sow distrust and hatred of aliens among the people of Earth, resulting in its seceding from the United Planets, and all aliens on Earth being violently captured and deported. Earth-Man gathered a group of fellow earth-born Legion rejects, (Tusker, Radiation Roy, Eyeful Ethel, Storm Boy, Golden Boy and Spider Girl) and formed the Justice League of Earth, upholding Superman's "ideals". Earth-Man captured many Legion members, absorbing their powers for their own, and using the Legionnaire Sun Boy to turn much of the suns in the galaxy red.

In desperation, the remaining members of the Legion bring Superman to the 31st century, and together they storm the JLE's satellite headquarters. Earth-Man takes Superman on personally, almost defeating him until Brainiac 5 frees Sun Boy. With Earth's sun yellow, Superman is able to fight Earth-Man on equal terms. The return of Superman's powers, coupled with Earth-Man's indiscriminate attacks, convince the people of New Metropolis that they had been lied to. Earth-Man manages to hold his own against Superman, until the freed Legion members arrive, and he is defeated by their combined numbers. Earth-Man and his JLE are taken to the prison planet Takron-Galtos.

It was later revealed in Action Comics #864 that the crystal tablet Earth-Man found had been planted in the Arctic by the Time Trapper in an attempt to separate Superman from the Legion.

Powers and abilities

Niedrigh had the ability to absorb the residual energy of super-powered beings, and use their powers as his own. There seems to be no upper limit to the amount of people he can absorb powers from at once, but the absorbed powers only last for twelve hours at a time.

References