Nth metal is a material Thanagarians use as technology. The material can have mutagenic, radioactive, and energy generating properties. The gemstones, also called sun crystals, on the Staff of Horus and the Amon Dagger that was used to kill Khufu and Chay-Ara were made of this element. It is said that radiation from the meteorite is what caused Khufu and Chay-Ara's reincarnations and abilities. Nth metal meteorite are also what caused Vandal Savage's immortality. Savage succeeded in using concentrated doses of the Nth metal meteorite compound to turn people into monstrous, bird-like humanoids reminiscent of the physical manifestation of Hawkgirl's and Hawkman's abilities, while Savage is the only one who received immortality from it.[1] It is believed the bird like traits of the Manhawks and both Kendra and Carter are traits exhibited by the Thanagarians.
When two or more pieces of the mineral are in proximity of each other, they glow and can even be used to counteract each other. Its properties allowed the Staff of Horus to project blue energy capable of incinerating a target and causing explosions.[2] It also was able to temporarily neutralize someone given immortality by Nth meteorite, such as Vandal Savage.[3] Cisco's gloves infused with the material, could allow a wearer to touch the staff and use the staff's energy, though the design had to be right, or else the energy's aura would drain life from and eventually kill the user, as well as prevent them from being able to burn targets with the blue energy.[1] The Amon Dagger also developed the ability to fire the same blue energy as the staff, as well as permanently kill Vandal Savage if an incarnation of Chay-Ara were to stab him with it.[4] Chay-Ara's bracelet was later melted down over Carter's mace and gained the ability to kill Savage, causing a blast of blue energy to emit from the mace whenever it struck and harmed Savage, causing a hit from it to send him flying through the air and give him great pain.[5]
It was later revealed that the Nth metal is Thanagarian technology, which could be manipulated by the blood of beings given bird like traits by it, such as Carter and Kendra. Savage would use it to control the Nth meteorites that landed on Earth throughout time and detonate them, causing a massive paradox that would allow him to undo much of time and remake it how he saw fit.[3]
History
The Staff of Horus and the Amon Dagger are imbued with Nth metal
On the day Chay-Ara and Khufu were assassinated by Hath-Set, Thanagar and Earth were aligned, causing the meteors of Nth Metal to come down on Earth. The three Egyptians were mutated by this substance. The two lovers gaining reincarnation and bird like qualities and Hath-Set gaining immortality.[3] It also allowed the Staff of Horus and the Amon Dagger to gain energetic properties.[4]
In the 1950s, another meteor fell in Earth, Hath-Set, now known as Vandal Savage, used this to mutate a large group of teenagers into monstrous winged like creatures to test its capabilities.[6]
In late 2015, Vandal found the Staff and attempted to destroy Central City.[2] Unfortunately, the combined forces of Green Arrow and The Flash countered his immortality and destroyed him although Vandal was revived due to his death not by Chay-Ara's reincarnation.[1]
Vandal in 2166, after being captured by Rip Hunter, escaped with Kendra and Scythian to take their blood, planning to destroy the world and the timeline by finding every meteor throughout time to remake the world and the timeline in his own image. Unfortunately for Savage, Rip Hunter's team managed to kill him and destroy the meteors.[3]
On Earth Thirty-Eight, Cadmus captured Mon-El and Supergirl and imprisoned them in Nth metal cages that could withstand Daxamite and Kryptonian strength.[7]
Appearances
The Flash
Season 2
Arrow
Season 4
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Season 1
Supergirl
Season 2
Behind the scenes
- In the DC comic books, the metal is native to Thanagar, the home planet of Katar Hol/Hawkman and Shayera Thal/Hawkwoman. The Egyptian priest Hath-Set used a cursed dagger forged from the metal to kill Khufu and Chay-ara, forcing them into a cycle of reincarnation. In the 20th century, the couple's reincarnations Carter Hall and Shiera Sanders wear Nth metal belts as Hawkman and Hawkgirl that allow them to fly, among other effects.
- In the DC comics, Deathstroke's armor is made out of "Nth metal" and has even had battles with Hawkman over it.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Legends of Yesterday"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Legends of Today"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Legendary"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Blood Ties"
- ↑ "Leviathan"
- ↑ "Night of the Hawk"
- ↑ "The Darkest Place"