Pre-Crisis In their initial appearance, the Controllers originate from another dimension that was ravaged by war and seek to protect the main universe from the same fate. The Controllers primarily use their mind-control abilities to prevent intergalactic war, but also create powerful weapons, including the
Sun-Eaters, gaseous beings that devour planets and stars; and the Miracle Machine, a device that can turn any thought into reality. The
Time Trapper was once depicted as a renegade Controller.
Maltusians In post-
Crisis continuity, the Controllers were originally part of a race of immortals called the Maltusians, who left Maltus and colonized the planet Oa. Now calling themselves Oans, they feel responsible for the catastrophic effects on the universe caused by the renegade Oan
Krona. The group argues over ways to handle the situation. One group of Oans desires to dedicate their immortal existences to contain evil, becoming the
Guardians of the Universe. Another group decides that evil should be destroyed and leaves Oa for another dimension, evolving into the Controllers. The Controllers form a peacekeeping group called the
Darkstars, who wield exo-mantles powered by the Controllers' energy. The Controllers later disband the Darkstars, having become concerned that their agents are looking after their own agendas rather than those of the Controllers. In the
Blackest Night storyline, a small group of Controllers search for the orange light of avarice, hoping to create their own Corps. This group locates the orange light on the planet Okaara, only to be killed and assimilated by
Larfleeze.
DC Rebirth The Controllers begin kidnapping Guardians of the Universe to use their DNA to create new Controllers. ==Powers and weapons==