Mr Midnight

In the modernized interpretation of the character known as Mr. Midnight, we have Buddy Midnight, a mysterious and enigmatic figure who was personally chosen by the Question?, to be part of the Street Force. He is also part of the Midnight Detectives, a team of individuals with unique skills and connections in the supernatural and magical world. Buddy Midnight is a man of many aliases, having gone by names like Davis Clarke, David Klark, Ashton Smith, Charles Clarke, Charlston Smith, and most favourably, Baker 'Buddy' Midnight, all around the world. His origins are shrouded in mystery, but he claims to have been inspired by the hero Midnight (Dave Clark) to become a similar-fashioned hero.

## Quote

"The fate of cards leads me through more than just 52 universes."

## Physical and Personality Description

Buddy Midnight is traditionally depicted wearing a black suit, black overcoat, and a half-mask with a skull motif covering his mouth. He completes his signature look with a grey hat and grey sneakers. His ability to elude tracking is enhanced by the fact that his body produces no odour, and cameras seem to fail to capture him, further adding to his mystique.

## History

### Origin?

Street Force, Vol. 1, establishes his origin as the following:

> *His mother was saved by the 1940s hero Midnight (David Clark), which inspired to become Mr Midnight. He became like this due to an involvment in a mysterious scientific experiment gone awry. He was once a brilliant scientist named Dr. Alexander Knight, conducting groundbreaking research in temporal manipulation and darkness-based energy. During an experiment at a secret laboratory, a catastrophic accident occurred, engulfing him in an otherworldly darkness and imbuing him with unique abilities. As a result, he became Mr. Midnight, a being that can control shadows, manipulate time, and traverse between dimensions.*
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This is contradicted in Secret Origins: Gemworld, where Orphic tells a different origin story of him:

> *In this version, Mr. Midnight is the spirit of an ancient guardian of lost souls who wandered the earth for centuries, aiding those in desperate need. He is bound to the mortal world, not fully alive nor dead, with a mission to help souls find peace. In ancient times, he was known by various names across different cultures, such as the Wandering Wraith or the Veilwalker. Over time, he evolves into the enigmatic figure known as Mr. Midnight. Gifted with spectral powers, he is drawn to moments of great darkness and despair, seeking to guide lost souls and restore balance to the world. His true origins are shrouded in mystery, with whispers of ancient prophecies and cosmic forces at play.*
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Another origin story is provided in the pages of the **Daemon Outlaws Omnibus: Dark Truth, Hell Fires**, here Sebastian Faust says:

> *In this interpretation, Mr. Midnight is not a single individual but a manifestation of a collective consciousness. Originating from a realm beyond comprehension, this ethereal entity is formed from the combined thoughts, memories, and emotions of countless beings from various dimensions and timelines. The collective desires to maintain cosmic balance and protect the fabric of reality. When faced with crises that threaten the very existence of existence itself, the collective consciousness manifests as Mr. Midnight, an enigmatic and ever-changing figure that can tap into the wisdom and power of countless souls. Each iteration of Mr. Midnight represents a unique amalgamation of personalities and experiences, offering an ever-evolving enigma that leaves the world questioning its true nature.*
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While the Question?, thinks to herself that:

> *Mr. Midnight's true origin lies far in the future. He hails from a distant era where time travel is a common practice. As a Temporal Nimrod, he roamed through the eons, witnessing countless events and altering history to preserve the fabric of time. During one mission, he becomes stranded in the past due to a malfunction in his time-travel device. Forced to adapt to a different time period, he embraces the identity of Mr. Midnight, utilizing his advanced technology and knowledge of future events to intervene in pivotal moments throughout history. However, the consequences of his actions and the complexities of time create a web of uncertainty about who he truly is and where he truly belongs.*
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### Before Wave 2

Buddy Midnight owns a private detective office and hosts a popular radio show where he collaborates with a diverse group of supernatural experts and detectives, including:

* Orphic (Terri Thirteen): A skeptic investigator specializing in debunking supernatural occurrences.
* Doctor Occult (Richard Occult): A mystic detective with a dual identity, adept in magic and the occult.
* The Question? (Vic Reneé Sage): A relentless and masked investigator seeking truth and justice.
* Madame Xanadu: An enigmatic seer and fortune-teller with vast knowledge of the mystical arts.
* Detective Chimp: A highly intelligent and talking chimpanzee detective with a knack for solving unusual cases.
* Doctor Fate (Khalid Navari): A powerful sorcerer who wields the Amulet of Fate to protect the world from supernatural threats.
* Hellblazer (John Constantine): A notorious occultist and anti-hero magician who often finds himself at odds with Mr. Midnight.

### Wave 2

Buddy Midnight refers to himself as the "Servant of Fate," indicating a connection to destiny and the supernatural forces at work in the world. He is a part of Street Force, despite the fact that nobody seems to remember inviting him.

### Wave 3

He further aids Street Force in their fight against Apokalips. While slowly revealing his motives of searching for silver coins. He also nudges Koryak and Aquagirl towards their destiny.

### Wave 4

He is seen handing out a mission to the Daemon Outlaws after they finished hunting down daemmonites.

## Powers

Buddy Midnight possesses a unique skill set that includes being a gifted prowler, escapist, thief, ventriloquist, and skilled boxer. He has the uncanny ability to seemingly disappear into darkness, making him difficult to track. It remains unclear if his abilities stem from meta-human talents, specialized gadgets, or mysterious magic. However, it is a known fact that he shouldn't be trusted entirely, as his motives and loyalties may shift.

At an unknown point in time, Madame Xanadu bestowed upon Buddy Midnight the card deck known as the "Cross of Fates." These cards serve as a tool for guiding him on his missions, giving him insights and foresight into his path.

## Trivia

This modernized interpretation of Phantom Stranger aims to maintain the character's mysterious nature while incorporating new elements and connections with the supernatural world and other DC characters. He is also a homage to 1940s hero Midnight.