Albert Desmond (New Earth)

From DC Database

Doctor Alchemy

Gallery

Real Name

Albert Desmond

Current Alias

Doctor Alchemy

Aliases

Mister Element

Affiliation

Rogues

Relatives

Alvin Desmond (brother)

Universe

New Earth

Base Of Operations

Central City

Characteristics

Gender

Male

Height

5' 11"

Weight

171 lbs (78 kg)

Eyes

Green

Hair

Red

Status

Citizenship

American

Occupation

Adventurer

First appearance

Showcase #13
(April, 1958)

History

Albert Desmond suffered from multiple personality disorder where, like Two-Face, one side was a harmless citizen, the other personality was a dark criminal. Utilizing his knowledge of chemistry, Desmond began his criminal debut under the guise of Mister Element. After being sent to jail by Flash, Desmond somehow found the Philosopher's Stone, which had the ability to transmute one element to another. After using the Stone to escape, Desmond restarted his criminal career under the new moniker of Doctor Alchemy and clashed with Flash many times, but was defeated every time.

Eventually, Desmond's good personality resurfaced and he quit crime and hid the Stone. However, a new Doctor Alchemy appeared, who turned out to be Alvin Desmond, Albert's identical twin whom he shares a psychic link with. It was later revealed that the "twin" was a construct of Albert's evil by the Stone itself. The construct was eliminated, though Albert became Doctor Alchemy again and joined the rogues.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

None known.

Abilities

None known.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: Philosopher's Stone
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: None known.

Notes

• Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-One era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985-86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
• Other characters have also utilized Desmond's gimmick. A S.T.A.R. Labs scientist named Dr. Curtis Engstrom briefly used the Philosopher's Stone as The Alchemist during the period Desmond was cured. More recently, Alexander Petrov, a Central City police scientist, became the new Mr. Element. Although he used Desmond's original element-gun, and a variant of the costume, he attempted to confuse things by using the gun to freeze things, thereby implicating Captain Cold. He was killed by the real Cold.

• Doctor Alchemy and Mr. Element have appeared in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance" as two different background characters at the bar where the Flash's enemies hang out.
  

Trivia

• No trivia.

See Also

• Discuss Albert Desmond (New Earth) on the forums
• Appearances of Albert Desmond (New Earth) (Chronological)
• Appearances of Albert Desmond (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Albert Desmond (New Earth)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Albert Desmond (New Earth)
• Quotations by Albert Desmond (New Earth)
  
• Images featuring Albert Desmond (New Earth)

Recommended Reading

• None.

Links and References

• at Wikipedia.org
  
• Alan Kistler's Profile On: THE FLASH - A detailed analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Alan Kistler. Covers infromation all the way from Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to today, as well as discussions on the various villains and Rogues who fought the Flash. Various art scans.

• Doctor Alchemy at Wikipedia
• Dr. Alchemy/Mr. Element at Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning
  

Footnotes

Flash Villain(s) This character, team, or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of any or all of the various incarnations of The Flash. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Flash Villains."