Professor Night is a

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

appearing in comic books published by

Image Comics Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry in both unit and market share. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-ow ...

. Although his name is derivative of Doctor Mid-Nite, the character is otherwise clearly intended be a counterpart of

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...

. Professor Night works with Supreme both in a semi-regular partnership (a la ''

World's Finest Comics ''World's Finest Comics'' was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled ''World's Best Comics'' for its first issue; issue #2 (Summer 1941) switched to the more familiar name. Michael ...

)'' and as fellow founding members of the Allied Supermen of America, and its successor, the Allies (counterparts to the Justice Society of America and Justice League). He was created by Alan Moore and first appeared in '' Supreme'' vol. 3 #43.

Fictional character biography

Professor Night's secret identity is Taylor Kendall, and he lives in Kendall Manor, just outside Star City, with his

Sikh Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism, Sikhism (Sikhi), a Monotheism, monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Gu ...

butler, Pratrap, and his adopted daughter and biological niece, Linda Kendall, a.k.a. Twilight, the Girl Marvel, who partners him in crimefighting. Beneath Kendall Manor are the Halls of Night, Professor Night's secret base, where he keeps his advanced computer system, trophies of past cases, and his car, the Night-Wagon. The Halls of Night are also linked to the mythical underworld. The Professor and Twilight are afflicted with Porphyria's Complaint, which reportedly makes them less effective during the day but more alert and athletic at night, although they have nevertheless functioned well in daytime scenarios. Professor Night's villains include Jack-A-Dandy, Lounge Lizard, Evening Primrose, Fake-Face and the Walrus and the Carpenter. Most of his enemies are criminally insane, and locked in the Miskatonic Mental Institution (a play on

Arkham Asylum The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane (), commonly referred to as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital/prison, named after the city of Arkham which appeared first in the stories of H. P. Lovecraft, and later appear ...

, and H. P. Lovecraft's Miskatonic University in the city of Arkham). While Professor Night has been active as a hero since the 1930s, he and Twilight spent almost thirty years in suspended animation when their souls were stolen by one of their supernatural foes, explaining why they appear younger than their history with Supreme would suggest. Professor Night and Supreme have long enjoyed a professional partnership and are also close friends, fully aware of each other's secret identity. When visiting the Prism World of Amalynth, Supreme sometimes takes the Professor Night-inspired identity of Doctor Dark (a reference to

Superman Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book ''Action Comics'' #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and publi ...

's Batman-like identity of

Nightwing Nightwing is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character has appeared in various incarnations; the identity was adopted by Dick Grayson when he left his role as Batman's vigilante partner Robin. Although ...

). If accompanied by a partner, such as Diana Dane, Supreme assigns them the Twilight-inspired identity of Duskwing (referring to the Robin-like identity of

Flamebird Flamebird is the name used by six different fictional comic book characters who have appeared in books published by DC Comics, specifically from the ''Superman'' and ''Batman'' mythos. The primary character to use the Flamebird name is Bette Kane, ...

)

Fictional character biography

See also