Editing Adam Strange

{{Short description|DC Comics fictional character}}
{{Infobox comics character
|character_name=Adam Strange
|image=Adam Strange.png
|caption=Adam Strange as depicted in ''DC Archive Editions: Adam Strange'', vol. 3 (April 2008). Art by [[Carmine Infantino]] (penciller) and Murphy Anderson (inker). 
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|debut=''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #17 (November 1958)
|creators=[[Julius Schwartz]]<br/>[[Murphy Anderson]]
|homeworld = Rann, <br>formerly [[The 52|Earth]]
|partners = [[Sardath]]<br>[[Hawkman (Katar Hol)|Hawkman]]
|alliances=[[Justice League]]<br/>[[Justice League United]]<br/>[[Seven Soldiers of Victory]]<br/>[[R.E.B.E.L.S.]]
|aliases=<!--optional-->
|supports=<!--optional-->
|powers=
*Wears a jet propulsion spacesuit that allows for sustained flight, interstellar travel and outer atmospheric survival
*Carries solid-light energy generated equipment; manifests energy guns via spacesuit
*Possesses an onboard zeta-beamer module for instantaneous intergalactic travel, a floating A.I. device recently integrated into his flight uniform.
*Advanced marksmanship
*Peak of human physical conditioning
*Cloned eyes can see into the whole [[electromagnetic spectrum]]
*Advanced hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist
*Genius-level intelligence
*[[Eidetic memory]]
'''New 52'''
*Omniscience
*Omnipresence
*Omnipotence
}}
'''Adam Strange''' is a [[superhero]] appearing in [[American comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]]. Created by editor [[Julius Schwartz]] and designed by [[Murphy Anderson]], he first appeared in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #17 (November 1958).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=289}}</ref>

Adam Strange made his live-action debut in the television series ''[[Krypton (TV series)|Krypton]]'', portrayed by [[Shaun Sipos]]. Additionally, [[Michael T. Weiss]], [[Michael Trucco]], and [[Brian Bloom]] have voiced him in animation.

==Creation==
In 1957, [[DC Comics]] editorial director [[Irwin Donenfeld]] held a meeting with editors [[Jack Schiff]] and [[Julius Schwartz]] in his office, asking them each to create a new science fiction hero, one from the present and one from the future. Given first pick Schiff chose to create one from the future, [[Space Ranger]]. Schwartz was happy with the pick feeling that readers would more readily identify with a hero from the present.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |title=Adam Strange |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/adamstr.htm |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> He conceived the idea of an Earth man repeatedly traveling to a planet in the [[Alpha Centauri]] star system by using a "Zeta-beam" altered by space radiation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schelly |first1=William |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s |date=2013 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=9781605490540 |pages=188–189}}</ref> Since Adam Strange was the first Earthman on another planet, he named his character Adam after the [[Adam|Biblical first man]].<ref name="Archive1">Amash, Jim (2003). "Foreword" in ''The Adam Strange Archives: Volume 1''. Pages 5–8.</ref> When asked about the inspiration behind the character, [[Gardner F. Fox|Gardner Fox]] stated "I suppose you could say that [[John Carter of Mars|John Carter]] was in my subconscious, you had to think of some interesting way to transfer him to from earth up to the planet Rann before you even got started in on a plot, but it was fun to do."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barr |first1=Mike W. |title=The silver age sci-fi companion |date=2007 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |isbn=978-1-893905-81-8 |page=28 |url=https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=565}}</ref>

==Publication history==

Adam Strange debuted in issues #17–19 of the tryout series ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'', published November 1958-March 1959. The first artwork of the character was a cover for ''Showcase'' #17 by [[Murphy Anderson]]. Schwartz rejected the drawing and commissioned a new one by [[Gil Kane]], though Anderson's costume design was retained.<ref name="Archive1"/> Schwartz then assigned the scribing of the stories to Gardner Fox and the penciling to [[Mike Sekowsky]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Irvine|first=Alex|author-link=Alexander C. Irvine|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Hannah|chapter= 1950s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 91 |quote = Adam Strange debuted in a three-issue trial starting with ''Showcase'' #17, which was written by Gardner Fox and featured art by Mike Sekowsky.}}</ref> Schwartz and Fox devised the plots for the stories in Schwartz's office and Fox would write the scripts at home. A science major, Schwartz specialized in giving Fox scientific pointers that gave the Adam Strange tales a plausibility that made them stand out from most science fiction comic books of the time.<ref name="Archive1"/>

Sales on the three-issue ''Showcase'' tryout were enough to justify giving Adam Strange a slot in ''[[Mystery in Space]]'', which ran in issues #53–100 and 102. Though Schwartz and Fox continued their work on the character, Schwartz gave the penciler assignment to [[Carmine Infantino]] instead of Sekowsky. Most issues were inked by [[Murphy Anderson]] (although Bernard Sachs, [[Joe Giella]] and [[Sid Greene]] did a few issues each). After his adventures in Mystery in Space were cancelled, Adam Strange continued to have guest appearances in several DC Comics titles. Perhaps the most notable is an adventure written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Murphy Anderson for ''Hawkman'' #18 (1967). In it, [[Hawkman]] fails to find his planet, Thanagar, and his search leads him to Rann, where he shares a adventure with Adam Strange. In ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'', the [[Barry Allen|Flash]] mentioned Adam Strange as a possible new member for the [[Justice League]]. When a letter to the editor pointed out the group had not met Adam Strange and could not have heard of him, as all his heroics took place on Rann, Schwartz and Fox wrote a story showing how the Justice League came to Rann and how Adam Strange saved them from [[Kanjar Ro]]. The story was published in ''Mystery in Space'' #75 and won the Alley Award for the "Best Book-Length Story" of 1962.

As of #92, Jack Schiff replaced Schwartz as editor of ''Mystery in Space'' and [[Lee Elias]] became the artist for Adam Strange. Following the discontinuation of the Adam Strange stories reprints were presented in ''[[Strange Adventures]]'' #217 through 244 (except for #222, which instead has a new story with Strange, written by [[Denny O'Neil]], while #226 has a new Strange text story by Fox, with illustrations by Anderson).

Adam Strange had stories written by Dave Wood, [[Jerry Siegel]], and [[Dennis O'Neil]], art by [[Lee Elias]] and inks by [[John Giunta]].<ref>''Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus''</ref>

Through the 1970s the character was a regular presence in the [[DC Universe]] despite having no series of his own. In September 1980 Adam Strange began as a back-up feature in ''Green Lantern'' (this lasted from #132 to #147). Later in the 1980s [[Alan Moore]] wrote a [[retcon]] of Adam Strange's reason for his visits to Rann. In this retcon the population of the planet, the majority of whom view the Terran with contempt, is sterile, and Adam Strange is there to be a breeding [[Stud (animal)|stud]]. In a 1990 [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], ''The Man of Two Worlds'', Adam learns of the population's opinion of him and [[Alanna (DC Comics)|Alanna]] dies giving birth to their daughter Aleea. In 1997, [[Grant Morrison]] revived the [[Justice League of America]] in the ''[[JLA (comic book)|JLA]]'' series. During this period, [[Mark Waid]] featured Adam Strange when he filled in for Morrison. In ''JLA'' #20 (July 1998), Alanna is revealed to be alive and is briefly reunited with her husband and daughter before Adam returns to Earth.

Adam appeared in stories set in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]]: ''Legends of the DC Universe 80-Page Giant'' #1 (1998); ''Silver Age: Showcase'' #1 (2000); ''DC Universe: Legacies'' #5 (2010); and ''[[DC Retroactive]]: Justice League - The '70s'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adam Strange |url=https://www.cosmicteams.com/profiles/adamstrange.htm |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.cosmicteams.com}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Jeff Lemire]] said he intended to introduce a [[The New 52|New 52]] incarnation of Adam Strange at some point in ''Justice League Canada'', a series scheduled to launch in Spring 2014.<ref name="starJLC">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2013/08/23/dc_comics_to_launch_justice_league_canada_in_2014.html|title=DC Comics to launch Justice League Canada in 2014|last=Mudhar|first=Raju|work=The Star|date=August 23, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref> Lemire's series was instead titled ''[[Justice League United]]'', featuring Adam and Alanna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jefflemire.blogspot.com/2014/01/justice-league-canada-becomes-justice.html?spref=tw|title=Justice League Canada becomes Justice League United A New Ongoing Series in April!|last=Lemire|first=Jeff|publisher=Jeff Lemire's Blog|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref>

The series ''Strange Adventures'' vol. 5, written by [[Tom King (writer)|Tom King]] and illustrated by Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner was launched in 2020, focusing on the character of Adam Strange.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Polo|first=Susana|date=2020-03-05|title=Strange Adventures #1 tries to recapture the magic of a comic book masterpiece|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/3/5/21164514/dc-comics-tom-king-adam-strange-strange-adventures-review-explained|access-date=2020-08-01|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Strange is an [[archaeology|archeologist]] suddenly teleported from Peru, Earth, to the planet Rann through a "Zeta-Beam".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Krypton: Who is Adam Strange? |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2018/03/20/krypton-who-is-adam-strange |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=DC |language=en-US}}</ref> Upon his arrival, he is attacked by one of the planet's predators and rescued by a dark-haired woman called Alanna. She takes him to her father [[Sardath]], who explains that the Zeta-Beam was transmitted to Earth in the hopes that whatever form of intelligent life lived there would trace it back to Rann, and he also theorizes that in the four years it took the Zeta-Beam to reach Earth, it was exposed to radiation and transformed into a transportation beam. Called on to protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats using Rann's technology, Strange grows to care for the planet and its inhabitants, especially Alanna. Eventually, the effects of the beam's transportation wear off, returning Strange to Earth at the exact point of departure. However, Sardath gives him a schedule of beam firings, allowing him to periodically return to the planet.<ref>''Showcase'' #17 in ''The Adam Strange Archives: Volume 1''. Pages 9–34.</ref>

Years later, during an exile in space, [[Swamp Thing]] arrives on Rann, where he meets Adam Strange. In this story it is revealed that centuries ago the planet's population suffered nuclear wars and left them not only with the loss of a large part of their ecosystem, but also with a genetic problem that made the majority of the population sterile. Alanna is among the last Rannians born before the event and maintains fertility.<ref>''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #57-58</ref>

Over time, Sardath perfected a beam he would call the "Mega Zeta-Beam" which would allow Adam to permanently transport himself to Rann. In those days, Adam learns that he was transported to Rann on purpose to serve as Alanna's husband and repopulate the planet. Eventually, Alanna gives birth to a girl named Aleea, but apparently dies in the process.<ref>''Adam Strange'' #1-3</ref>

[[Grayven]], [[Darkseid]]'s illegitimate son, tries to destroy Ranagar and take the Zeta-Beam. Adam Strange battles him with help from the [[Darkstars]] and [[Green Lantern]] [[Kyle Rayner]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |page=110}}</ref><ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 3) #74-75 (1996)</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Adam Strange |url=https://www.cosmicteams.com/profiles/adamstrange.htm |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.cosmicteams.com}}</ref>

[[Hyathis]] attempted to overthrow the government of Rann by using her telepathy to turn an alien race called the Zaredians against the Darkstars. The Zaredian attack created a diversion which allowed Hyathis to kidnap Aleea. Her plans were upset by the arrival of [[Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] and the [[Superboy and the Ravers|Ravers]].<ref>''Superboy and the Ravers'' #3-4 (1996)</ref><ref name=":0" />

Years later, Adam is on Rann raising Aleea and helping to restore the planet, when he learns that Alanna was placed in suspended animation and captured by the En'Taran Slavemasters. Adam convinces the conquerors that he must kidnap the Justice League to rebuild the planet more quickly, and thus, together with the group, he not only rebuilds Rann but defeats the En'tarang and frees Alanna. Unfortunately in the process, Adam loses all traces of the Mega Zeta Ray in his body and returns to Earth.<ref>''JLA'' ''#20-21'' (1998)</ref> Strange returned to Rann and reunited with his family shortly after.<ref>''JLA: Heaven's Ladder'' (2000)</ref>

===''Planet Heist''===
''Planet Heist'', a 2004 eight-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], written by [[Andy Diggle]], penciled by [[Pasqual Ferry]] and colored by [[Dave McCaig]], replaced Adam Strange's costume with a spacesuit that allows for interstellar travel. Adam is preparing to relocate to Rann permanently when he learns that Sardath transported the planet to another dimension to protect it from [[Starbreaker (comics)|Starbreaker]]. Adam, with the help of the [[Omega Men]] and the [[Darkstars]], among others, saves Rann and defeats Starbreaker.

===''Rann-Thanagar War''===
{{main|Rann-Thanagar War}}
When Rann was moved from [[Alpha Centauri]] to [[Polaris]], its orbit was believed to have pushed the planet Thanagar closer to its sun, destroying much of the surface.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darius |first=Julian |title=Your Guide to Infinite Crisis: The Rann-Thanagar War |url=http://sequart.org/magazine/1589/your-guide-to-infinite-crisis-the-rann-thanagar-war/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=[[Sequart Organization]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Many [[Thanagarian]]s relocate to Rann, but enmity between the two races results in a [[Rann–Thanagar War|war]]. Strange, working with [[Hawkman]], [[Hawkwoman]], [[Kyle Rayner]] and [[Kilowog]], ends the war after discovering [[Superboy-Prime]]'s role in Thanagar's relocation.

===''52''===
{{main|52 (comics)}}
In ''52'', Adam is stranded on another planet with [[Animal Man]] and [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]] and is blinded in a Zeta-Beam accident.<ref>''52'' Week Seven</ref> After being attacked by [[Devilance|Devilance the Pursuer]], the three escape and battle [[Lady Styx]], who is ravaging planets across the galaxy. With Styx presumably defeated and Animal Man seemingly killed, Strange and Starfire continue their journey back to Earth and Rann while Styx's followers pursue them. With Starfire wounded in one such battle, and their ship breaking apart and malfunctioning, Adam is rescued by [[Mogo]] and a rookie [[Green Lantern]]. He is then brought to Rann, where his vision is restored.

===''Countdown to Adventure''===
Adam Strange joined [[Animal Man]] and Starfire in the series ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown to Adventure]]'' written by [[Adam Beechen]] in August 2007.

In issue #1, Adam finds himself replaced as Rann's protector by former actor Champ Hazard. However, Hazard has no regard for any life and is responsible for ending his battles in a horrifically bloody way. It appears Champ was infected by a madness plague created by [[Lady Styx]] before leaving Earth, and has infected one-third of the people on Rann, causing them to riot and say "Believe in Her". Adam and his family escape to Earth, where he enlists the aid of Animal Man and Starfire, eventually discovering a way to cure the plague and restore the infectees to normal.

===''Rann-Thanagar Holy War''===
Adam Strange, along with many of the DC space heroes including Hawkman, Starfire, [[Weird (character)|Weird]], and [[Starman (Prince Gavyn)|Starman]], battles Synnar the Demiurge. Adam Strange's actions in this story result in the depopulation of Prince Gavyn's Throneworld at the hands of Lady Styx. Later, to defeat Synnar and Lady Styx, Rann's atmosphere was explosively discharged into outer space with Rann's entire population Zeta-beamed to Throneworld. Strange also discovers in this story that he is a member of the so-called Aberrant Six.

===''Strange Adventures''===
With Throneworld renamed New Rann, Adam Strange once more teams up with the DC space heroes to investigate why some of the galaxy's stars are disappearing. It is discovered from the future spirit of Synnar that he is destined to be one of 'The Aberrant Six', a group critical to preventing the Synnar of today (trapped in Weird's body) from destroying the universe. Ultimately the Aberrant Six did not form and the future Synnar was forced to leave, but not before Captain Comet's mercenary friend Eye was killed by Synnar's supreme god-enemy to prevent the forming of the Six. Comet was entrusted with Eye's robot companion Orb until she returns, told by Synnar that when that happens he will "continue his negotiations – all has changed, but remains as it was". Adam Strange realizes that one day Synnar will return and force him to join his Aberrant Six.

===''R.E.B.E.L.S.''===
Adam Strange later works with [[Vril Dox]] and the [[R.E.B.E.L.S.]] to battle [[Starro]]. It was also around this time that Adam Strange visited [[New Krypton]] to protest the accord that their Council reached with the Thanagarians. Explaining that the Rannians have recently been on the losing end in a war with the Thanagarians, Adam questions the judgment of the Council in reaching this accord. Whilst there he aided [[Superman]] who was investigating a murder.

The plight of Rann's people was soon resolved by Dox, seeking to restore his reputation after Starro stole [[L.E.G.I.O.N.]] from him and used it to enslave its client worlds. Dox Zeta-beamed Rann into the Vega system, in the orbit previously held by the now destroyed planet [[Tamaran]], and proceeded to terraform Rann and make it suitable to sustain life again.

The restoration of Rann was not Dox's only reason for relocating it into the Vega system. First, by putting Rann into Tamaran's orbit, it restored the gravitational balance to the Vega system, which had been thrown off by Tamaran's destruction. Secondly, in exchange for restoring their planet, the people of Rann agreed to let Dox rebuild L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters on Rann.

Tamaranian refugees, led by [[Blackfire (DC Comics)|Blackfire]], attacked Rann believing that since the planet was in Tamaran's orbit they had claim to it. The violence was ended when Dox, who was off-world at the start of the conflict, arrived with Thanagarian warships and stopped the fighting without bloodshed on either side. As it turned out, Dox was off-world negotiating an end to the [[Rann-Thanagar War]], using Rann's newfound distance from Thanagar and change in leadership on both sides as leverage.

Dox then went on to mediate the tension between the Rannians and the Tamaraneans by proposing that the Tamaraneans live on Rann's uninhabited southern continent.

Adam Strange, as well as protector of Rann, would also become a senior commander of L.E.G.I.O.N. ensuring peace with the Green Lantern Corps. He also helped create an alliance between Rannians, Tamaraneans and L.E.G.I.O.N. after defeating Starro, ensuring security for Rann, the Vega System and the galaxy.

===The New 52===
In ''[[The New 52]]'', a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe, Adam Strange was reintroduced to mainstream continuity as a [[Canadians|Canadian]] archaeologist who has a relationship with Alanna (now Alanna Lewis, a former student of his). He and other heroes are teleported to his home planet Rann to stop [[Byth Rok]]. He and Alanna then became founding members of the [[Justice League United]].<ref>''Justice League United'' #1</ref> An accident with the Zeta Beam allowed Adam to merge with its time-space energy signature, allowing him to project his consciousness throughout all known reality.<ref>''Justice League United'' #10</ref> By the end of the series, Adam would lose his newfound abilities and return to normal.

During [[Vandal Savage]]'s scheme to gain more power from the comet that made him immortal, the JLU assisted a weaker Superman's efforts to thwart his plans. However, the heroes were captured and their powers used as fuel to bring the comet closer to Earth to give Savage's descendants their own abilities.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #48-49</ref> They were saved by Superman, who was now empowered by Kryptonite, and the heroes held back Savage's forces long enough for Superman to finally defeat the immortal, after which the hero dies.

===DC Rebirth===
Strange was next featured in ''The Death of Hawkman'' series, once again caught in the middle of the Rann/Thanagar conflict. Suspicious that Thanagar initiated the first attack, Adam began an investigation into the events with the aid of his friend [[Hawkman (Katar Hol)|Hawkman]]. The two soon discover that [[Despero]] was behind the conflict, aiming to collect the planets Nth Metal supply. They fought Despero, but the villain proved to be too strong to handle. In an act of desperation, Hawkman ordered Adam to active a machine that will magnetize all of the planets Nth Metal, killing Hawkman and Despero. A reluctant Adam agreed, but the machine unexpectedly sent him hurtling into [[Jonny Quest|another dimension]].<ref>''The Death of Hawkman'' #1-6</ref>

He soon found his way back to the DC Universe, where he divides his attention between his home world and his adopted world. He also became a reserve member of the Justice League.<ref>''Justice League'' (vol. 4) #1</ref>

==Skills and equipment==
Adam Strange lacks any real superhuman attributes, choosing to rely more on quick thinking and ingenuity. Before coming to Rann, Strange was an accomplished explorer and archaeologist who specialized in gathering and studying lost artifacts found in the remains of ancient civilizations. Applying these qualities to his new life on Rann, he would venture out with his new family into the wilds of their homeworld to study and rediscover its ancient history.<ref name="Showcase 17">''Showcase'' #17 (December 1958)</ref> Eventually his experiences accumulated on his adventures through the study and understanding of both Rannian culture and its vast technologies as well as its vested history, enabled Adam to pick up a host of vaunted combat techniques and scientific knowledge, giving him the edge needed to physically match and defeat immeasurably more imposing opponents over the many years. He has battled and bested adversaries both native and extraterrestrial in nature, such as Thanagarians, Durlans, Qwardians, En'Tarans, and Meta-Humans.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 3) #38-39</ref><ref>''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #6</ref><ref>''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #58</ref><ref>''Starman'' (vol. 2) #63-67/#69-73</ref> This along with his many decades of thriving in the harsh environments of Rann, Earth and other galactic territories has made Adam an accomplished survivalist,<ref>''52'' #7 (August 2006)</ref> having spent just as long traversing the rural areas as treacherous as the Amazon rainforest back on Earth.

Strange has a tactical intellect on par with - or exceeding - the likes of Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor, and complements this with the learning that he has gained in his many years of study on Rann. He is able to reverse engineer functional technological wonders even from the damaged remains of an alien ship with ease.<ref>''52'' #5-10 (April 25, 2007)</ref> He is also an accomplished mathematician, who can expertly deduce the exact time and place when and where Sardath's Zeta Beam will hit on his home planet of Earth.<ref>''DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space'' vol. 2 #1</ref> [[Mark Waid]] showcases his intellect in his run on ''JLA''. After Rann is conquered by a telepathic race called En'Tarans, Strange defeats them by secretly converting the planet into a giant Zeta Beam gun, powered by the latent Mega Zeta Radiation in his body. With the aid of the JLA, Strange successfully transports the En'Taran fleet to another part of the galaxy.<ref>''JLA'' #20-21 (July 1998)</ref> In the aftermath of the Infinite Crisis event, Adam Strange loses his eyes in a freak Zeta Beam accident. Sardath is able to clone a new set of eyes from his granddaughter, Aleea Strange, and transplant them into Adam. These new eyes enable Adam to see the entire electromagnetic spectrum.<ref>''52'' #51 (April 2007)</ref>

===Technology===
As the protector of Rann, Adam is well connected with Sardath and his science council.<ref>''Adam Strange'' #1 (April 1990)</ref> Adam uses a colorful variety of technologies both as a hero and spacefarer. The resources pertaining to Rann's wonders of science available to him are numerous. He has studied, disassembled and rebuilt much of his own equipment; consisting mainly of high-tech munitions, armor, gadgets & utensils or cutting edge genetics engineering. Strange is also well versed in their mechanical function as well as practical use in his heroic endeavors.<ref>''Countdown to Adventure'' #1-8 (2007–08)</ref>

====Space suit====
Strange is an adept aerial combatant, often making use of a fireproof, thermal insulated and environmentally adapted suit with which to traverse the terrains of foreign worlds or in the cold depths of space.<ref name="AS 2.2">''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #2 (December 2004)</ref> With further upgrades, Strange’s costume boasts a built-in Zeta Beamer with which to warp lightyears across the universe in an instant.<ref>''R.E.B.E.L.S'' (vol. 2) #9-28</ref>

The helmet is equipped with a life support system that protects Adam from harmful atmospheric conditions, while the suit itself pulls up a [[head-up display]] system with which to control his equipment via thought & voice command. Technology of which is slaved to his handheld blaster, sporting real-time threat assessment and targeting priority reticules to better combat adversaries.<ref name="AS 2.2"/>

The jetpack is a twin-engine propulsion system attached to a harness adorning his back capable of aerial aviation for an undisclosed amount of time.<ref>''Mystery in Space'' #60</ref> Strange is also versed in other kinds of rocket propulsion equipment like a booster system with hidden back up blasters, with his equipment Strange can also make escape velocity to break planetary orbit.<ref>''Adam Strange'' #2 (April 1990)</ref>

====Alien arsenal====
Adam Strange's primary weapon of choice is a Rannian laser pistol among other assorted weapons and munitions picked up from across the galaxy. He is a crack marksman with just about any ranged weapon on hand at the time, the gun comes with a targeting system conductor when worked in tandem with his costume and has a stun setting for non-lethal application.

Other munitions in his arsenal include '''Holo-Blasters''', which are Hard-Light Energy arms that Strange can use to conjure any number of ordinance or enhanced protective shielding with while in a firefight.<ref>''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #7-8 (December 2004)</ref> The effectiveness of these armaments makes them potent enough in dispatching Smite, one of Starro's lieutenants boasting physical capabilities rivalling Superman or Lobo.<ref>''R.E.B.E.L.S'' (vol. 2) #9</ref> When properly calibrated by outside forces, these energy weapons can also channel the light of a [[Power ring (DC Comics)|Power Ring]] or a facsimile of its corresponding emotion that can dispatch a small enclave of Black Lanterns.<ref>''R.E.B.E.L.S'' (vol. 2) #10-11</ref>

====Zeta Beamer apparatus====
One of Strange's as well as the planet of Rann's greatest resource is the Zeta Beam technology developed by Sardath. Initially designed as a means of communications with intelligent life from across the universe, it was accidentally discovered to be an instantaneous means of intergalactic transport that rode along a cosmic radiation called Zeta Rays.<ref name="Showcase 17"/> The effects of the ray were always short lived, and their dissipation meant Adam would return to where he first intercepted the ray. This would be a running staple for years until later Zeta designs made its effects permanent, albeit at the cost debilitating mental sickness.<ref>''Adam Strange'' #1-3 (March 1990)</ref> Eventual innovations in Rannian transport technology produced a more streamlined device called the Zeta Beamer module, an A.I. commanded mobile drone in the form of a floating sphere that could be used to track Zeta Rays across galaxies and even into alternate universes.<ref>''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #1-8 (2004-05)</ref> Like the Mega Zeta Beam, transport was also permanent, without the danger of Zeta Ray sickness. Further modifications integrated the transport device into Adam's space suit.<ref>''R.E.B.E.L.S'' (vol. 2) #17</ref>

==Other versions==
===''Just Imagine...''===
An alternate universe variant of Adam Strange appears in ''[[Just Imagine...]]''. This version is the superpowered teenage son of the villainous Reverend Dominic Darrk and [[Morgaine le Fey (DC Comics)|Morgan le Fey]].<ref>''Just Imagine: JLA'' #1</ref>

===Space Ranger===
Adam Strange's identically-named descendant appears in ''[[Mystery in Space]]'' #94 (September 1964).

===Elseworlds===
* Adam Strange makes a cameo appearance in ''[[The Kingdom (comics)|The Kingdom: Planet Krypton]]'' #1.
* Adam Strange makes cameo appearances in ''[[JLA: The Nail series|JLA: The Nail]]''.
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[DC: The New Frontier]]''. He is confined in [[Arkham Asylum]] because of his belief he has traveled to another world. When the Centre attacks Earth, Strange escapes Arkham and helps the heroes defeat it.
* [[Paul Pope]]'s ''[[Wednesday Comics]]'' featured an interpretation of Adam Strange inspired by ''[[John Carter of Mars|John Carter]]'', depicting Rann as a fantasy world and Alanna as a [[Dejah Thoris|warrior princess]].<ref>Pope, Paul and Jose Villarrubia [http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/books/rando-ems/Wednesday-Comics-3-Large.jpg "Strange Adventures"]</ref>

===''Future Quest''===
{{Main|Hanna-Barbera Beyond|Future Quest}}
Adam Strange had a [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] with [[Jonny Quest]] in ''Adam Strange / Future Quest'' Annual #1 in March 2017.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/32329-suicide-squad-meets-the-banana-splits-more-in-dc-hanna-barbara-crossover-titles.html "SUICIDE SQUAD Meets THE BANANA SPLITS, More In DC/HANNA-BARBERA Crossover Titles"], Newsarama, 12 Dec 2016</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', voiced by [[Michael T. Weiss]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Adam Strange Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Adam-Strange/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Michael Trucco]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=April 28, 2012 |title=''Young Justice'' heads into sci-fi direction in new season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-27/Young-Justice-animated-series/54582660/1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428033625/https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-27/Young-Justice-animated-series/54582660/1/ |archive-date=April 28, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is a scientist at [[S.T.A.R. Labs]] and a member of the Erdel Initiative who maintains the Justice League's Zeta-Beam technology.
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Krypton (TV series)|Krypton]]'', portrayed by [[Shaun Sipos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/krypton-shaun-sipos-adam-strange-syfy-superman-prequel-1202169783/|title=''Krypton'': Shaun Sipos To Play Adam Strange In Syfy Superman Prequel Series|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=14 September 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref> This version is a college dropout and failed archeologist from [[Detroit]] who stole a piece of Rannian teleportation technology he calls a "Zeta-Beam" to become a superhero. Following a time disruption that kills [[Superman]], Strange uses the device to travel to Krypton 200 years in the past and warn Superman's grandfather Seg-El. Both fans and critics have noted similarities between the series' version of Strange and [[Booster Gold]], with many outlets considering the former an amalgamation of the two.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melrose |first=Kevin |date=March 29, 2018 |title=Krypton's Adam Strange Acts A Lot Like Booster Gold |url=https://www.cbr.com/krypton-adam-strange-booster-gold-similarities/ |website=CBR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrne |first=Craig |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Is Krypton's Adam Strange Lying About His True Identity? |url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/is-kryptons-adam-strange-lying-about-his-true-identity/ |website=kryptonsite.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=May 12, 2018 |title=Krypton's Shaun Sipos is Surprised Fans Think He's Booster Gold |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/05/09/kryptons-shaun-sipos-is-surprised-fans-think-hes-booster-gold/ |website=comicbook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wizardworld.com/wizard/who-is-adam-strange-explaining-kryptons-new-to-tv-character |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020172159/https://wizardworld.com/wizard/who-is-adam-strange-explaining-kryptons-new-to-tv-character |archive-date=2020-10-20 |title=Who Is Adam Strange? Explaining Krypton's New-to-TV Character}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Geoff |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Why Syfy's Krypton Uses Adam Strange Instead of Booster Gold |url=https://www.cbr.com/krypton-adam-strange-booster-gold/ |website=CBR}}</ref> Additionally, after the episode "House of Zod" aired, which features a scene where Strange flirts with a male soldier, Sipos went on to explain on his [[Twitter]] account, "''Krypton'' defies gender, race and sexual orientation".<ref>[https://twitter.com/SSIPOS/status/987368390661689345 Shaun Sipos's Twitter account]</ref> In an interview during [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018, he talked further about the decision to make Strange bisexual or sexually fluid, stating that he is "moving between any and all [sexual labels]. There don't need to be lines here".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdLuwaZVj00 Krypton Interview Comic-Con '18: Shaun Sipos | DCTV Podcasts]</ref>
* A new series titled ''Strange Adventures'' was in development at [[HBO Max]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Lantern & 'Strange Adventures': Greg Berlanti And DC Go Cosmic For HBO Max|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/green-lantern-strange-adventures-hbo-max-series-greg-berlanti-dc-1202771899/|work=Deadline|date=29 October 2019}}</ref> It was said to be "a one-hour drama and superhero anthology series that will feature characters from across the DC canon", but not confirmed to feature Adam Strange himself. In August 2022, the series was scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-max-scraps-dc-strange-adventures-1235195517/|title=DC's 'Strange Adventures' Scrapped at HBO Max|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 9, 2022|accessdate=November 18, 2022}}</ref>

===Film===
* Adam Strange makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Justice League: The New Frontier]]''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Adam Strange appears in films set in the [[Tomorrowverse]], voiced initially by [[Charlie Weber (actor)|Charlie Weber]] and later by [[Brian Bloom]].<ref name="btva" /><ref name="NewDCShowcase">{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2019 |title=DC Showcase Animated Shorts to Highlight Sgt Rock, Adam Strange & More |url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-showcase-shorts-sgt-rock-adam-strange/ |website=CBR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mancuso |first=Vinnie |date=March 4, 2020 |title=''Justice League Dark: Apokolips War'' Trailer Reveals an R-rated DC Comics Epic |url=https://collider.com/justice-league-dark-apokolips-war-trailer/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |website=Collider |language=en-US}}</ref> This version was teleported to the Eden mining colony during a [[Thanagarian]] attack, during which Alanna was killed. He attempts to return using a Zeta beam to search for his daughter Aleea, who may have survived, but years pass without it arriving, causing him to become alcoholic and depressed. Eventually, the beam returns, enabling him to continue his quest.

===Video games===
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
* Adam Strange appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref>
* Adam Strange appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Michael |first1=Jon |last2=Veness |first2=John |date=February 15, 2019 |title=Characters - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-dc-super-villains/Characters |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref> voiced by [[JP Karliak]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

===Miscellaneous===
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Justice League Adventures]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-10-25|title=Creating a Cover: Justice League Adventures #25 & #26|url=http://blog.christopherjonesart.com/creating-a-cover-justice-league-adventures-25-26/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=Christopher Jones Comic Art and Illustration Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' #4.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Justice League Unlimited'' #4 - Local Hero (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-unlimited-4-local-hero/4000-96734/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' #22.
* Adam Strange appears in ''[[Smallville Season 11]]'' as a [[S.T.A.R. Labs]] scientist and colleague of [[Emil Hamilton]] whose Zeta-Beam technology goes on to contribute towards the [[Justice League Watchtower|Watchtower]]'s construction.<ref>''Smallville Season 11 Special'' #3</ref>
* Adam Strange makes cameo appearances in ''[[DC Super Hero Girls]]''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

==Collected editions==
===DC Archive Editions===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| ''The Adam Strange Archives Volume 1''
| ''Showcase'' #17–19; ''Mystery in Space'' #53–65
| 2004
| {{ISBNT|978-1401201487}}
|-
| ''The Adam Strange Archives Volume 2''
| ''Mystery in Space'' #66–80
| 2006
| {{ISBNT|978-1401207809}}
|-
| ''The Adam Strange Archives Volume 3''
| ''Mystery in Space'' #81–91; ''Hawkman'' (vol. 1) #18; ''Strange Adventures'' (vol. 1) #157
| 2008
| {{ISBNT|978-1401216610}}
|}

===Other collections===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Year
! ISBN
|-
|''Showcase Presents: Adam Strange Volume 1''
|''Showcase'' #17-19, ''Mystery in Space'' #53-84
|2007
|{{ISBNT|978-1401213138}}
|-
|''Adam Strange: The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1''
|''Showcase'' #17-19, ''Mystery in Space'' #53-100, 102, ''Strange Adventures'' (vol. 1) #157, 217-218, 220-222, 224, 226, 235, 241-243
|2017
|{{ISBNT|978-1401272951}}
|-
|''Adam Strange: The Silver Age Volume 1''
|''Showcase'' #17-19, ''Mystery in Space'' #53-79
|2019
|{{ISBNT|978-1401285791}}
|-
|''Adam Strange: The Man of Two Worlds''
|''Adam Strange'' (vol. 1) #1-3
|2004
|{{ISBNT|978-1401200657}}
|-
|''Adam Strange The Man of Two Worlds Deluxe Edition''
|''Adam Strange'' (vol. 1) #1-3, ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #6
|2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1401277543}}
|-
|''Adam Strange: Planet Heist''
|''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #1-8
|2005
|{{ISBNT|978-1401207274}}
|-
|''Adam Strange: Between Two Worlds''
|''Adam Strange'' (vol. 1) #1-3, ''JLA'' #20-21, ''Adam Strange'' (vol. 2) #1-8
|2021
|{{ISBNT|978-1779509314}}
|-
|''Countdown to Adventure''
|''Countdown to Adventure'' #1-8
|2008
|{{ISBNT|978-1401218232}}
|-
|''Strange Adventures''
|''Strange Adventures'' (vol. 3) #1-8
|2010
|{{ISBNT|978-1401226176}}
|-
|''Strange Adventures''
|''Strange Adventures'' (vol. 5) #1-12
|2021
|{{ISBNT|978-1779512031}}
|}

===Rann/Thanagar War===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Year
! ISBN
|-
|''Rann-Thanagar War''
|''Rann-Thanagar War'' #1-6
|2006
|{{ISBNT|978-1401208394}}
|-
|''Rann/Thanagar Holy War Volume 1''
|''Rann Thanagar Holy War'' #1-4, ''Hawkman Special''
|2009
|{{ISBNT|978-1401222543}}
|-
|''Rann/Thanagar Holy War Volume 2''
|''Rann Thanagar Holy War'' #5-8, ''Adam Strange Special''
|2009
|{{ISBNT|978-1401225032}}
|}

==Awards and reception==
The character and series of the same name have received several awards over the years, including the 1967 and 1968 [[Alley Awards]] for Strip Most Desired for Revival. [[IGN]] ranked Adam Strange as the 97th greatest comic book hero of all time stating that:<blockquote>If by fluke we were given the chance to ride a Zeta Beam into space, meet a sexy alien princess on the planet Rann, and fight extraterrestrial threats with high-tech weaponry, I wouldn’t want to go back to mundane Earth-life either. That makes us completely sympathetic to Adam Strange’s plight.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/97 | title=Adam Strange as number 97 | publisher=[[IGN]] | access-date=May 5, 2011 | archive-date=October 30, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030010314/http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/97 | url-status=dead }}</ref></blockquote>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [[DCDatabase:Adam Strange|DCDP: Adam Strange]] – DC Database Project
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/adamstr.htm Adam Strange] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20120913065805/http://www.toonopedia.com/adamstr.htm Archived] from the original on March 13, 2012.
* [http://www.sequart.org/magazine/1744/your-guide-to-infinite-crisis-a-brief-history-of-adam-strange/ Brief History of Adam Strange] on Sequart
* [http://www.sequart.org/magazine/1765/your-guide-to-infinite-crisis-adam-strange-planet-heist/ ''Adam Strange Planet Heist''], extensive look at 2004–05 mini-series
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060207051802/http://users.rcn.com/aardy/comics/awards/alley.shtml Alley Awards main page at Comic Book Awards Almanac]

{{Justice League characters}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Strange, Adam}}
[[Category:1958 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Adam Strange| ]]
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[[Category:DC Comics titles|Adam Strange]]
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