CODEX OMNIVERSA

Flashback: Rex Tyler

On a summer day in 1919 In Ithaca, New York, a mysterious stranger paid 6-year-old Rex Tyler a visit and gave him an hourglass…

The memory haunted him until, as an adult, he realized the stranger was his adult self, although he had no explanation for how that could be.

Hourman

In 1939, Rex Tyler became “Hourman”…

Rex Tyler, a young chemist, discovers Miraclo, a powerful chemical that transforms him from a meek, mild scientist to the underworld’s most formidable foe… with Miraclo, he has for one hour the power of chained lightning – speed almost as swift as thought… but unless her performs his deeds of strength and daring within one hour, the effects of Miraclo wear off and the Hour-Man becomes his former meek self…

Tyler used his abilities to help those in need, using a costume he found in an abandoned shop. He became noted for helping the common man (and battling weird menaces.)

Flashback: Kent Nelson

In 1920 (or thereabouts), Sven Nelson took his son, Kent, on an expedition to the Valley of Ur in Mesopotamia. Venturing on his own, Kent discovered the body of a man in suspended animation, “buried so long ago – yet he looks recent!” He felt compelled to swing a lever…

He had released Nabu the Wise, who (when we last saw him) had gone into the tomb and put himself in a trance to heal following a battle with Wotan.

Unfortunately, the gas was poisonous and killed Kent’s father. Nabu said he would try to repay the boy by teaching him the secrets of the universe.

Kent Nelson grew from childhood to adulthood with Nabu…

…then Nabu commanded him to unleash his full power against him.

A lifetime of apprenticeship could not have prepared Nelson from what happened next– an apparently human form, splitting apart like a ripe pea pod…

Nabu left Dr. Fate with one final command:

Hie you to Alexandria, in Egypt, Doctor Fate! For though its arcane library was burned in the days of Julius Caesar, you shall find there the single secret worth having for a life – time unending!

There, he found a doorless, windowless tower that Wotan had built in the desert. Inside, Nabu’s enemy held captive a young college student named Inza Cramer. During battle, Wotan rendered Dr. Fate unconscious…

Dr. Fate was revived, in fuller possession of his powers than before, and defeated Wotan. However, he was mistaken in believing Inza was “the single secret” to which Nabu referred.

Nabu had been corrupted by his desire for control… as he could do only when Dr. Fate was one person. 

Thus he did not tell Nelson that “Dr. Fate” was always meant to be two people – not one. 

Thus, this Dr. Fate’s power, though great, would never achieve its true potential.

Wotan returned for revenge and again captured Inza. He held her in flames and told Dr. Fate unless he surrendered his helmet, he would kill her. He did it, but…

Inza asked if it would really hold Wotan for all eternity. Dr. Fate responded:

Few are the things which endure forever, Inza Cramer.

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Two long-lasting characters first appeared in DC publications with cover dates of April 1940:

Action Comics #23 (Feb. 22, 1940) saw the debut of Lex Luthor…

…and Detective Comics #38 (March 5, 1940) featured the debut of Robin, the Boy Wonder…