| Character Name: | Composite Superman |
| Real Name: | First - Joseph Meach Second - Xan |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | World's Finest Comics #142 (1964) |
| Creators: | Edmond Hamilton (writer) Curt Swan (artist) |
| Aliases: | Xan - Amalgamax |
| Powers: | Possesses the combined powers of Superman and many members of the Legion of Super-Heroes. |
The Composite Superman is a supervillain, an enemy of Superman and Batman. There have been several versions of the character; the original version first appeared in World's Finest Comics #142 (June 1964) and was created by Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan.[1]
Joseph Meach is a former diver who Superman employs at the Superman Museum after saving his life from a failed dive.[2] However, Meach continues to resent Superman and battles him after a freak accident where he is struck by lightning and gains the combined powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes.[3] Meach attempts to reveal Superman and Batman's secret identities, but his powers fade before he can do so.[4]
After regaining his powers from the alien villain Xan, Meach battles Superman and Batman before sacrificing himself to save them.[5] [6]
Xan later escapes prison and travels back in time to recreate the event that gave Meach his powers, taking the name Amalgamax. Superman, Batman, and the Legion defeat Amalgamax by making him believe that he has the same disease that killed his father.[7]
A third incarnation of Composite Superman appears in Superman/Batman Annual #3. This version is a clone created by Professor Ivo in an attempt to replicate the Justice League's powers. However, he becomes unstable after being unable to solve every crime at once and commits suicide.[8]
A fourth incarnation of Composite Superman appears following , which reboots the Legion's continuity. This version is a Durlan and a member of the Dark Circle. He battles the Legion of Super-Heroes before Saturn Girl shuts down his mind, leaving him catatonic.
In terms of abilities and raw power, the Joseph Meach version of the Composite Superman was one of the most powerful enemies Superman and Batman ever faced. He had all of Superman's powers, as well as those of Supergirl, Mon-El, and Ultra Boy. The Composite Superman also possessed numerous special powers, derived from various Legion members:
Professor Ivo's version of the character was shown to possess the powers of Superman, Batman, Atom, Elongated Man, and Red Tornado.
A mecha based on Composite Superman appears in .
DC Direct released a Composite Superman action figure in 2005, and a second one (based on the Superman/Batman Vengeance 5 version) in 2008.