Charles McNider Charles McNider is a surgeon who is enlisted to remove a bullet from a witness set to testify against mobsters. Mobster Killer Maroni throws a grenade into the room, killing the witness and blinding McNider. McNider later discovers that he can only see in darkness and develops a special visor to let him see in the light. He then becomes the superhero Doctor Mid-Nite and adopts an owl whom he names Hooty. McNider later joins the
Justice Society of America (JSA) and the
All-Star Squadron. In 1942, McNider enlists in the
U.S. Medical Corps as a physician during
World War II, rising to the rank of captain. McNider briefly assumes the role of
Starman when the original Starman,
Ted Knight, has a
nervous breakdown and the JSA disbands. According to ''Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes'', "his opponents include the minstrel the Baleful Banshee, the hypnosis-wielding
Doctor Light, the angling-themed
Fisherman, and the gang lord
Tarantula". In 1953, McNider's lover Myra Mason is murdered by the Shadower, a foe who had learned Doctor Mid-Nite's secret identity. He has remained dead since, appearing as a spirit and in flashbacks. McNider was temporarily resurrected as a
Black Lantern in the
Blackest Night event.
Beth Chapel As the aging
Charles McNider spent less time in action,
Beth Chapel, a medical doctor, stepped into the role of Doctor Midnight. Chapel was a native of
Orangeburg,
South Carolina, with a
pastor father, a mother who sang in the church choir, and four brothers. During the events of
Crisis on Infinite Earths, Chapel is blinded by an oxygen explosion, but is rescued by
Hourman's son
Rick Tyler. McNider performs emergency surgery on Chapel, and while he is unable to restore her day vision, he gives her his ability to see in the dark. Chapel and Rick assume the mantles of their predecessors as Doctor Midnight and Hourman, with her mother crafting a super hero costume from a choir robe. Along with a new
Wildcat, Chapel and Tyler apply for membership in Infinity, Inc, eventually gaining admission; however, the association was short-lived, as Infinity, Inc. disbanded shortly thereafter, though Chapel and Tyler began a romantic relationship during their tenure. Doctor Midnight and Wildcat are subsequently recruited by the U.S. government for a mission to defeat the
supervillain Eclipso, only for Chapel to die on the mission along with Wildcat,
Creeper,
Commander Steel,
Peacemaker, and
Major Victory. In
Doomsday Clock, Beth Chapel is revived alongside the Justice Society when
Doctor Manhattan undoes his prior erasure of the Society and the
Legion of Super-Heroes from the timeline. Chapel goes on to open a
metahuman medical clinic called the All-Star Clinic.
Pieter Cross A Norwegian-born physician,
Pieter Anton Cross is a medical prodigy with great respect for the original Doctor Mid-Nite, who saved his mother and delivered him as an infant. Cross is also a devout
Christian. and has a brief romance with teammate
Black Canary. Cross is usually portrayed as being a physician first and vigilante second, setting up a clinic to help him treat patients who cannot afford conventional health care. Scanners in his cowl-lenses identify health risks as well as threats. He is a vegetarian and practices yoga (
JSA). Cross carries high-tech medical equipment in addition to weapons (including blackout bombs). Some individuals whom Cross assists eventually come to aid him in his work as both crime fighter and community surgeon. Allies gained in this way include reformed street kids Nite Lite and Ice Sickle, and writer Camilla Marlowe. Mid-Nite also serves as a mentor to
Jaime Reyes, the third
Blue Beetle. When the Justice Society encounters
Gog, last survivor of the Third World, the benevolent being restores Cross's vision. Although initially a blessing, this works to Cross's disadvantage in the field, as he has lost his infrared vision and can no longer able see through his own dark bombs. Eventually, the full JSA mount an all-out assault on Gog, having learned from
Sandman that Gog is rooting himself into the Earth. The other Society members following Gog attempt to protect him, until they see him attempt to attack a Society member. All of the followers take up the fight, and Gog punishes them by taking away his blessings, including Cross's sight. In "
The New Golden Age", Pieter Cross still operates as Doctor Mid-Nite and is currently living in
Natal, Brazil.
Jay Garrick brings his daughter
Judy Garrick to visit him and enlists his help in finding
Doctor Elemental. == Powers and abilities ==