The Black Mercy is a special Kryptonian device used by Brainiac that grants him the ability to interact with the person who wears it and their memories in the mindscape, as well as the formidable ability to alter said memories to his liking. He can even manipulate the people within the person's memories to act differently by using his consciousness to enact these transitions.
History[]
After Superman had been abducted by Kara, she applied a Black Mercy to herself to show her cousin what Krypton had been like during its golden age. Superman then used the device to show her his life on the Kent Farm. Kara's disdain for what she saw led Clark's mind to wander to his last argument with Lois Lane, removing the Mercy.[1]
When Brainiac sought to take Superman's body for himself, he subjected Clark to a Black Mercy, reviewing his memories for emotional weaknesses. After finding that Clark feared discrimination due to his non-human heritage, Brainiac trapped Superman in a simulated life on Krypton, allowing him to take control. When Clark's friends found him in this state, Lois subjected herself to the Black Mercy to try and free him.[2]
Within the simulation, Lois eventually managed to rouse Clark's true memories. Combined with the shock of pain from his physical body enduring Kryptonite blasts, Clark broke free of the Black Mercy, forcing Brainiac back to his robotic body. Insulted and enraged, Brainiac swore to take everything from Clark.[3]
Usage[]
- Telepathy: Upon making contact with the person who wears it, the Black Mercy will create a telepathic link between users.
- Mnemokinesis: The Black Mercy can enable one to manipulate memories.
- Oneirokinesis
Gallery[]
Black Mercy/Gallery
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- Ater Clementia, more commonly known as the Black Mercy, was created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons and first appeared in Superman Annual Vol 1 11 in April, 1987. It is an alien species of plant that induces a vision of an individual's ideal existence by stimulating the brain's pleasure centers. It was used by Mongul to immobilize Superman - who, like in the show, was trapped in a fantasy where he was allowed to grow up on Krypton - in an attempt to take over Earth before briefly being applied to Batman and ultimately to Mongul himself after Jason Todd drops it on him.
- This story would later be adapted into the Justice League Unlimited episode "For the Man Who Has Everything" in 2004.
- The story would receive a much looser adaptation in the Supergirl episode "For the Girl Who Has Everything" in 2015 where, like Lois in Pierce the Heavens, Superman!, Alex Danvers enters the Black Mercy to break Supergirl free from the false Krypton.
- Unlike its depiction in the comics and other adaptations, this Black Mercy is a technological device rather than a biological plant.
References[]
- ↑ The Machine Who Would Be Empire, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (June 23, 2024)
- ↑ The Death of Clark Kent, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (July 7, 2024)
- ↑ Pierce the Heavens, Superman!, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (July 14, 2024)
