- "I was so close. Until Stagg stole my research. So he could reap the glory. And I got to bury my best friend. Now... I'm alone."
- —Danton Black to the Flash[src]
Danton Black (died October 12, 2014), nicknamed Captain Clone and later Multiplex by Cisco Ramon, was a bio-geneticist who specialized in therapeutic cloning at Stagg Industries. He became a meta-human affected by the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator with the power to replicate himself. Danton is also the husband of the late Elizabeth Black.
Biography[]
Working at Stagg Industries[]
Danton Black's file at Stagg Industries.
- "You think this is about my job. This is about Elizabeth. She was my wife. She had a degenerative coronary disease. She'd been on the transplant list for years, but... time was running out. So if I couldn't get her a new heart..."
"You were gonna grow her one." - —Danton Black and the Flash[src]
Danton Black was employed by Stagg Industries as a bio-geneticist specializing in therapeutic cloning for the purpose of creating fully-functional organs to save anybody suffering from organ failyure of any kind. At some point, he began conducting research on cellular regeneration in an attempt to save his dying wife, Elizabeth, going as far as to test it on himself. However, CEO Simon Stagg ended up firing Danton and taking credit for his work. When the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator exploded, Danton was infected by the dark matter released, awakening his ability to duplicate himself.[1]
Revenge[]
- "What the hell are you gonna do to me without your army?"
"I am an army." - —Java and Danton Black[src]
Wanting revenge on Simon for his wife's death, Danton robbed Hex's Gun Shop, killing the clerk in the process. Paying off Stagg's chief of security, Java, Danton attacked Stagg during a university gathering honoring him. However, he missed Stagg by a few minutes. When Danton and his copies attempted to gun down a responding security guard, the latter was rescued by the Flash, allowing Danton to escape.
Later, Danton talked to Java in an attempt to get him access to Stagg's house. However, Java refused and punched Black when he threatened him. In anger, Black multiplied himself and beat him to death.
Later, Danton tried to kill Stagg again at one of his factories but was once again foiled by the Flash. As the two engaged, Black brutally beat the Flash, prompting the speedster to escape.
Danton tried to kill Stagg at his office, but he was confronted by the Flash again who managed to defeat him after discovering his prime self, whom he ran him into a wall and knocked out. Danton got up and attempted to attacked the Flash again, only to crash through a window. The Flash managed to catch him by the arm but Danton refused to be saved, and grew an extra arm to squeeze the Flash's arm, forcing the speedster to let him go. Danton subsequently fell to his death despite the Flash's efforts to save him.[1]
Personality[]
- "What do you want, Black?"
"The only thing I still want in life... your boss dead." - —Java and Danton Black[src]
Black was once a man who loved his wife and his job as a clinical researcher. He became bitter after Stagg stole his research and fired him before he could safe his wife from heart failure, willing to kill others to get his revenge. He was also not willing to be saved by the Flash before falling to his death.
Powers and abilities[]
Powers[]
- "I saw Black create duplicates from his own body."
- —Barry Allen[src]
- Meta-human physiology: After Danton was struck by the energy of the Particle Accelerator explosion, this altered his DNA and supercharged his cells, enabling him to manipulate his cells.
- Cellular replication: Danton could replicate his cells at superhuman speeds, allowing him to create life-sized clones of himself. He could also use this power to create multiple limbs on his body. Danton can also use cellular replication to rapidly regenerate damaged tissue, missing organs, or severed limbs.
- Molecular replication: Danton also could replicate the molecules of anything he was wearing or carrying, however was unable to replicate more complex tools like automatic weapons.
Abilities[]
- "He's a bio-geneticist specialized in therapeutic cloning. Growing new organs to replace failing ones."
- —Harrison Wells[src]
- Genius-level intellect/Master scientist: Danton was a brilliant scientist, having conducted ground-breaking research in cellular regeneration and cloning. He was nearly successful in replicating human organs, such as hearts. Danton's research was so coveted that Simon Stagg stole it for himself.[1]
- "An armed gunman is shooting up Stagg Industries."
- —David Singh to Barry Allen[src]
- Skilled marksman/Firearms: While attacking Stagg, Danton and his clones were proficient in the use of firearms.[1]
- "Whoever you are, give yourself up."
"Sorry. We are not going anywhere. Until Simon Stagg is dead." - —Flash and Danton Black[src]
- Indomitable will: With Danton's new-found powers requiring him to split his attention, he displayed an incredible ability to multitask, able to effectively coordinate all his copies for his group attacks. Likewise, Danton was shown to be able to create hundreds of clones before feeling the stress.[1]
Weaknesses[]
- "Black has limits, just like you. Controlling all of those clones must require a tremendous amount of physical strength. So, look for the one showing signs of weakness or fatigue. He's the prime."
- —Caitlin Snow to Barry Allen[src]
- Fatigue: Despite the ability to create large amounts of duplicates of himself, it results in Danton's body becoming over-stressed, which will exhaust him.
- "The clones are an empty shell without Black. Shut down the real Black, and you might shut them all down."
- —Caitlin Snow to Barry Allen[src]
- Hive mind: If Danton is incapacitated, distracted, or is too far away from his clones, his copies become inactive, falling unconscious, as Danton cannot focus his mind on them to give them commands.
Equipment[]
- "Perp made off with a bunch of handguns, at least six Glock 19s fitted with extra ammunition magazines. Somebody's looking to do a whole lot of bad."
- —Joe West to David Singh[src]
- Glock 17: Danton stole six pistols, misidentified as Glock 19s, from Hex's Gun Shop and modified them to fire in full auto.[1]
Appearances[]
The Flash[]
Season 1[]
- "Fastest Man Alive"
- "Things You Can't Outrun" (mentioned)
- "Out of Time" (mentioned)
Season 2[]
- "Flash Back" (pictured)
Season 3[]
- "Flashpoint" (flashbacks)
Arrow[]
Season 3[]
- "The Brave and the Bold" (mentioned)
Gallery[]
Concept artwork[]
Trivia[]
- Danton's shoe size is a men's 10.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
- In the DC Comics, Danton Black/Multiplex is a supervillain and one of the main enemies of Firestorm, specifically Martin Stein. Danton was Professor Stein's research assistant until being fired for stealing his superior's plans. Afterwards, Danton gained powers in the same explosion that created Firestorm and turned to a life of crime.
- The Arrowverse version of Danton seems to have a reverse origin story to that in the comics; Danton's research was stolen by a superior, who fired him to cover his tracks.