Calamity King
Encyclopedia
Calamity King, is a comic book
superhero
in the 30th century of DC Comics
universe
. He has the superhuman
ability to cause bad luck
wherever he goes. He was a supporting character of the pre-Zero Hour
Legion of Super-Heroes
, one of the Legion Rejects. He was briefly a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, though his tenure with the team was during the undepicted Five-Year Gap.
-based school system to break down regularly, resulting in frequent vacations for his class-mates. Soon, the novelty wore off, however, and E. Davis's power began to be viewed more as a nuisance than anything else. Despite his intention of only using his abilities for good-natured practical jokes, more often than not he'd end up breaking random things unintentionally. Hearing that Legion of Super-Heroes, headquartered on Earth
, frequently held open tryouts for superhuman teens to join their ranks, E. Davis figured he would offer his services to them. Calling himself "Calamity King", he boarded a ship to Earth in 2977 to show off his stuff. Due to his lack of control over his abilities, however, he was quickly rejected as being as great a danger to his potential teammates as he would be to his enemies.
, an applicant rejected at the same time, and Star Boy
, a Legionnaire whom he befriended during his tryout, both soon became members of the latter team.
Star Boy briefly considered Calamity King responsible for the unfortunate series of events that led to his expulsion from the Legion, so perhaps that soured his chances with the Subs. Apparently he wandered from job to job, unable to maintain any occupation for long because of his tendency to cause spontaneous equipment failure. Eventually, in the early 2990s, he heard that the Legion of Super-Heroes was desperate for members, and was inviting for rejects to join. So he decided to try-out once again and was quickly accepted.
a mere two months after he joined.
in which he existed disappeared during Zero Hour
, it is unlikely that his fate will ever be revealed.
, appeared briefly during the Legion auditions in the season 2 episode of Legion of Super Heroes
titled "The Karate Kid." He showed off his bad luck power, but was rejected.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the 30th century of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
. He has the superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
ability to cause bad luck
Bad Luck
Bad Luck may refer to:* Harmful or negative luck* Bad Luck , a 1960 film directed by Andrzej Munk* "Bad Luck" * "Bad Luck" * Bad Luck, an album by Trophy Scars...
wherever he goes. He was a supporting character of the pre-Zero Hour
Zero Hour (comics)
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. In it, the former hero Hal Jordan, who had until then been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, mad with grief after the destruction of...
Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
, one of the Legion Rejects. He was briefly a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, though his tenure with the team was during the undepicted Five-Year Gap.
Early Life/Try-Out For the Legion
Little is known of the origin or early life of E. Davis Ester. He grew up on the planet Touston, where his ability to cause accidents apparently manifested itself at an early age. At first it made him rather popular with his school-mates, as his power caused the computerComputer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
-based school system to break down regularly, resulting in frequent vacations for his class-mates. Soon, the novelty wore off, however, and E. Davis's power began to be viewed more as a nuisance than anything else. Despite his intention of only using his abilities for good-natured practical jokes, more often than not he'd end up breaking random things unintentionally. Hearing that Legion of Super-Heroes, headquartered on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, frequently held open tryouts for superhuman teens to join their ranks, E. Davis figured he would offer his services to them. Calling himself "Calamity King", he boarded a ship to Earth in 2977 to show off his stuff. Due to his lack of control over his abilities, however, he was quickly rejected as being as great a danger to his potential teammates as he would be to his enemies.
Post-Tryout
Most of Calamity King's activities between being rejected by the Legion and eventually joining the team are unrevealed. It is somewhat mysterious that he never applied to join the Legion of Substitute-Heroes, a team for Legion rejects, despite the fact that Color KidColor Kid
Color Kid is a DC Comics superhero, and a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes in the 30th century.-Original continuity:...
, an applicant rejected at the same time, and Star Boy
Star Boy
Thom Kallor is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, spanning many incarnations, all connected to the various incarnations of the Legion of Super-Heroes...
, a Legionnaire whom he befriended during his tryout, both soon became members of the latter team.
Star Boy briefly considered Calamity King responsible for the unfortunate series of events that led to his expulsion from the Legion, so perhaps that soured his chances with the Subs. Apparently he wandered from job to job, unable to maintain any occupation for long because of his tendency to cause spontaneous equipment failure. Eventually, in the early 2990s, he heard that the Legion of Super-Heroes was desperate for members, and was inviting for rejects to join. So he decided to try-out once again and was quickly accepted.
Legion Membership
Calamity King was the last member to join the pre-ZH Legion of Super-Heroes before its dissolution during the Five Year Gap. Little is known about his brief tenure of the team, which ceased to exist due to interference by a hostile Earthgov secretly controlled by the alien DominatorsDominators
The Dominators, collectively known as the Dominion, are a fictional alien race from the outer cosmos of the DC Universe. They are highly technologically advanced, and live in a rigid hierarchical society, in which one's caste is determined by the size of a red circle on one's forehead...
a mere two months after he joined.
Earthgov Resistance
Calamity King followed a number of his former Legionnaires in joining the Earthgov Resistance. He became a double agent, working for Earthgov but secretly using his powers to interfere with their plans. Eventually, however, he was discovered and became a subject for the Dominators' genetic experiments. Whether he survived the destruction of the underground chambers housing the Dominion's research subjects, or the subsequent destruction of the Earth, is unknown. As the entire Legion continuityContinuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
in which he existed disappeared during Zero Hour
Zero Hour (comics)
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. In it, the former hero Hal Jordan, who had until then been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, mad with grief after the destruction of...
, it is unlikely that his fate will ever be revealed.
Powers and abilities
Calamity King can exploit tiny stress fractures in material objects, causing them to spontaneously fracture and break. He seems to have limited control over this ability. It is suggested that he has the ability to "curse" others with bad luck, but it is not clear whether this is a genuine power, or simply superstition.Later continuities
During the post-ZH ("reboot") era of the Legion, which was published from 1994–2004, Calamity King made no appearances, and so, if he existed in that continuity, his career remains unrevealed. A young boy named Doro, dressed in an outfit somewhat similar to Calamity King's and with a reputation for being a jinx, did appear along with other young people on a tour of the LSH HQ during the Legends of the Legion mini-series. Calamity King also made no appearances in the "threeboot" version of the Legion (2004–2009). The first version of Calamity King appeared at the end of time in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5.In other media
Calamity King, voiced by Alexander PolinskyAlexander Polinsky
Alexander Polinsky is an American actor, voice actor, and singer who is perhaps best known for his role as Adam Powell on Charles in Charge. After the show ended, he has made TV, voice, and movie appearances, as well as working as a mold-maker at a movie prop design studio...
, appeared briefly during the Legion auditions in the season 2 episode of Legion of Super Heroes
Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)
Legion of Super Heroes is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation that debuted on September 23, 2006, based on characters appearing in the DC Comics comic book series. The series centers on the young Superman's adventures in the 31st century, fighting alongside a...
titled "The Karate Kid." He showed off his bad luck power, but was rejected.