Desmond Powell was a vigilante known as Nightshade.
Biography
After returning home from the Korean War, Desmond Powell found his home of Central City caught between the mafia and a corrupt administration. The city needed a hero, and he intended to give it to them. Knowing he'd be a black man working outside the law, Desmond designed a costume and equipment and took to the streets as the masked mystery man, Nightshade. During his career, Nightshade faced all manner of criminals, ranging from mob bosses to modern-day pirates in divesuits scuttling ships in the city harbor, to costumed criminals like the Aviator and his greatest nemesis, the Ghost. Despite his vigilante status, Nightshade became a hero to the common people of his city.
In 1955, Nightshade had his last big showdown with the Ghost. The telecommunication terrorist had used his technology to turn the televisions across Central City into bombs with the intent to hold the city for a million dollar ransom. Nightshade broke into the Ghost's hideout and found himself in a showdown with his nemesis and well as the criminal's female accomplice, Belle. Using a signal jammer of his own invention, Nightshade destroyed the Ghost's plan and caused his equipment to explode! Dragging Belle out, Nightshade never saw the Ghost retreat to a secret bunker under his lab and slip into a cryogenic chamber, where he was frozen alive. Not long after, Desmond retired his costumed persona and Nightshade faded into obscurity.
Thirty-five years later, the Ghost returned and Desmond had no choice but to come out of retirement and team up with his spiritual successor, the Flash to end his enemy's reign of terror once and for all.
In 2018, The Monitor invaded Earth-90 and seemingly killed all of its residents. Because of that, Desmond's fate remains unknown.[1]
Abilities
- Psychiatry
Equipment
- Nightshade suit
- Nightshade's car
- Dart gun
Appearances
The Flash
Behind the scenes
- Desmond Powell uses elements of several DC comics characters including Clipper, Wesley Dodds/The Sandman, Spaulding/Mikado and Nightshade.