Dr. Mid-Nite

Dr. Mid-Nite
Dr. Pieter Cross
Appearances: JSA 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25; Wonder Woman 4, Annual 1
From: DC Comics, New Earth
Appearing: Justice Society of America; Former: JSA
First Appearance: Dr. Mid-Nite LS #1
Created by: Matt Wagner (writer), John K. Snyder (artist)
Headshot by: Stephen Sadowski
Status: Active
Affiliation: Justice Society of America
Family: None Known
Lover: Former: Black Canary
Significant Relationships: Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider), inspiration; Mr. Terrific, best friend; Charlie, pet owl; Carmille Marlowe, friend; Nite Lite, ally; Ice Sickle, ally (deceased)

Powers: Dr. Mid-Nite is a human that was blinded in an accident but can now see in the lower spectrums of light, including in pitch black darkness. Using specially-designed goggles, Dr. Mid-Nite sees in infrared and/or sonic vision, enabling him to see things others can't. He has developed some themed weapons, including crescent-shapped darts and blackout bombs. He is a fair hand-to-hand fighter, but his other true talent is his gift as a surgeon. Dr. Mid-Nite's skills, and experience with superhuman patients, has made him the most respected surgeon in the superhero community.

Personality: With an unwavering towards what is good, Dr. Pieter Cross was a brilliant surgeon long before donning a costume to become Dr. Mid-Nite. A Catholic with a deep belief in God and goodness, Dr. Mid-Nite strives to help those around him, which quickly made him the go-to physician in the superhero community. He has lended his expertise to many of his friends and allies, making him an invaluable part of the Justice Society and their fight against evil.

History: The original Dr. Mid-Nite, Charles McNider, saved Pieter's mother from a group of vandals and helped deliver Pieter into this world. Pieter never forgot McNider's selfishness, even after he became a world reknown doctor, following in his own father's footsteps. Eventually finding himself in Washington, Dr. Cross came across a lab testing a derivative of Venom called A39.
Villains called the Terrible Trio kidnapped Dr. Cross, drugged him, and put him behind the wheel of a car. The car slammed into another, killing an innocent woman and blinding Dr. Cross. But the poison had given him the ability to see in darkness, so donning a costume, he claimed the title of Dr. Mid-Nite for himself. He developed fighting equipment, and befriended a local writer named Carmilla Marlowe and a few street kids named Nite Lite and Ice Sickle. His heroic career was on the way.
But it wasn't until he helped the Justice Society defeat one of their own (Green Lantern's son Obsidian) did Dr. Mid-Nite reach his true potential. Invited to join the team and take the place of his predecessor, Dr. Mid-Nite flourished. He dated his teammate Black Canary and befriended Mr. Terrific, the other new hero among the Society's ranks.
Though his relationship with the Canary didn't last, his friendship with Mr. Terrific blossomed into one of the closest and smartest friendships. Dr. Mid-Nite became the go-to doctor in the superhero world, including saving Green Lantern's life, helping Oracle with Brainiac, and sadly, doing Sue Dibney's, wife of the Elongated Man, autopsy.
Dr. Mid-Nite has remained with the Society since he joined their ranks, although it hasn't always been his easy. His ally Ice Sickle was killed the Spirit King, and when he faced the god Gog, his sight was restored, only to find that his skill at normal surgery has plummeted. Gog's rescinded his gifts, including Dr. Mid-Nite's sight, but how this affects the hero remains to be seen.

Alternate Counterparts: The original Dr. Mid-Nite was a hero on Earth-2, a member of the original Justice Society there. McNider died during the events known as Zero Hero, facing Extant. McNider's student, Beth Chapel, took up McNider's legacy before Cross did, becoming the heroine Dr. Midnight. She joined Infinity Inc., but perished when facing Eclipso. A version of her continues to live on post-Infinite Crisis Earth-2, where she is a part of the Justice Society Infinity. In the future known as Kingdom Come, Dr. Mid-Nite is no longer human, but a mass of black smoke, believed to be the spirit of McNider. In the JSA: Liberty File universe, a World War II hero named the Owl is based Dr. Mid-Nite, with similar powers and personality. Dr. Mid-Nite, either Cross or McNider, has appeared in several versions of the JLA and JSA cartoons.

Last Seen: Justice Society of America #21: Dr. Mid-Nite's sight is violently returned to him by Gog. He joins the battle against Gog, when the Society realizes Gog will force mankind into subservience.

Similar Characters:
Disabled: Jericho, M, Nocturne
Legacies: Batwoman, Kate Bishop, Chris Bradley, Black Canary, Liberty Belle, Marvel Girl, Quasar, Red Arrow, Stargirl, Donna Troy, Wonder Girl
Smart People: Beast