Editing Professor Potter

{{short description|Fictional character in stories published by DC Comics}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = 
| noimage = y
| caption = 
| character_name = Professor Potter
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| debut = ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen|Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen]]'' #22 (August 1957)
| creators = [[Otto Binder]] (writer)<br>[[Curt Swan]] (artist)
| alter_ego = 
| full_name = Phineas Potter
| species = <!-- optional -->
| homeworld = <!-- optional -->
| alliances = <!-- optional -->
| aliases = <!-- optional: actual identities the character uses, not nicknames -->
| supports= [[Superman]]<br>[[Jimmy Olsen]]
| powers = 
}}
'''Professor Potter''' is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]], primarily in association with [[Superman]].

==Publication history==
Phineas Potter first appeared in ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen|Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen]]'' #22 (August 1957) and was created by [[Otto Binder]] and [[Curt Swan]].

==Fictional character biography==
===Pre-Crisis===
The original incarnation of Professor Potter is the uncle of [[Lana Lang]] and first encounters the Man of Steel during his teenage years as [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]].<ref>''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #291 (December 1961). DC Comics.</ref> A [[professor]] and [[mad scientist|eccentric scientist]], Potter often invents odd or fantastical devices for the betterment of humanity. However, he rarely considers the potential downsides of his inventions. While several of his devices are harmless, many others are not and cause chaos when activated.

Potter befriends three newspaper reporters from the ''[[Daily Planet]]'': [[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]], and Clark Kent. Olsen is often the victim of Potter's inventions, being transformed into a variety of bizarre forms.<ref>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #22 (August 1957). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #27 (March 1958). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #32 (October 1958). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #33 (December 1958). DC Comics</ref> Potter later creates a serum that gives Olsen elasticity, enabling him to become the superhero Elastic Lad and an honorary member of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]].<ref>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #89 (December 1965). DC Comics.</ref>

===Post-Crisis===
Following ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', which reboots DC's continuity, Clark Kent's history is revised so that he does not become a superhero until adulthood, and thus never operates as Superboy. Potter appears as a [[S.T.A.R. Labs]] scientist uninvolved with Superman.<ref>''[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy]]'' (vol. 4) #19 (September 1995). DC Comics.</ref>

==In other media==

* '''Professor Pepperwinkle''', a character similar to Professor Potter, appears in ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'', portrayed by [[Phillips Tead|Phil Tead]].
* Professor Potter appears in ''[[The Adventures of Superboy (TV series)|The Adventures of Superboy]]''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Phineas_Potter_(Earth-One) Professor Potter] at DC Wiki
* [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php/Professor_Potter Supermanica: Professor Potter] Supermanica entry on the Pre-Crisis Professor Potter.
* [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php/Professor_Pepperwinkle Supermanica: Professor Pepperwinkle] Supermanica entry on the Pre-Crisis Professor Pepperwinkle.

{{Superman characters}}
{{Superboy}}

[[Category:Characters created by Curt Swan]]
[[Category:Characters created by Otto Binder]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1957]]
[[Category:DC Comics male characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics scientists]]
[[Category:Fictional academics]]
[[Category:Fictional chemists]]
[[Category:Fictional inventors in comics]]
[[Category:Superman characters]]