Nukla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nukla was a short-lived nuclear-powered superhero published by Dell Comics in the mid 1960s. In many ways he was similar to other nuclear-based superheroes of the times, such as Gold Key's Doctor Solar and Charlton's Captain Atom. He dealt more with international menaces to the United States rather than criminals or super-villains. He was created by writer Joe Gill (who created Captain Atom) and artist Sal Trapani (tho he had help with others, such as Dick Giordano.
Nukla was really CIA spy and pilot Matthew Gibbs. While flying a U-2 spy plane over Communist China, he is fired on by the Chinese Red Army. Unable to evade the missiles, he and his plane are vaporised in the resulting explosion. But he is able to reform himself with incredible nuclear powers.
His 'costume' was his high altitude flight suit. He only had powers when he de-materialized.
His title lasted for only four issues. Interestingly, Steve Ditko, artist of Captain Atom, did the artwork for the last issue.