Doctor Manhattan (DC Comics)

Dr. Manhattan, also known by his birth name Jonathan "Jon" Osterman, is a fictional character from the DC Comics graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

## backstory

In the backstory, Jon was a gifted physicist who was studying nuclear physics. In 1959, he had an accident at a laboratory where he was working. During an experimental intrinsic field displacement test, Osterman was locked inside a chamber that malfunctioned just as an intrinsic field test was initiated. This caused his body to disintegrate at the molecular and atomic level. Over the following months, fragments of Osterman's body were seen randomly reassembling in odd ways as he unconsciously pieced himself back together at the subatomic level. Eventually in November 1959, he fully re-emerged as a nearly omnipotent being with a blue-colored, godlike physical form that could alter itself at will. From that point on, he was known as Dr. Manhattan. He gained seemingly limitless powers over atomic and nuclear energy and matter as a result of the accident. These powers included invulnerability, immortality, teleportation, molecular manipulation, energy projection, reality alteration and more. Dr. Manhattan used his powers to become a weapon for the US government. With his help, the US won the Vietnam War. This changed the course of history compared to real history. He also worked briefly as a crimefighter with the other masked heroes in Watchmen but grew distant from humanity over time as he perceived time in a nonlinear way. In the graphic novel's story, Dr. Manhattan is manipulated by Ozymandias into exile so that Ozymandias can carry out his plan to instill political unity through false terrorism. In the end of the story, Dr. Manhattan leaves Earth, disillusioned by humanity, to go explore life in other galaxies, Since then, Dr. Manhattan has appeared in other DC comic storylines and adaptations, taking on an increasingly powerful cosmic role as one who can alter reality and timelines on a massive scale. This includes being responsible for the New 52 reboot of the DC Universe in the comics.

## powers and Abilities

Dr. Manhattan has near-godlike powers over atomic and nuclear energy and matter, allowing him to manipulate and restructure atoms, molecules and energy on a quantum level, giving him abilities like teleportation, telekinesis, prediction of the future, regeneration, intangibility, immortality and reality alteration. his powers incl:

* Reality warping
* Immortality
* Physics Manipulation
* Time Manipulation
* Flight
* Size Manipulation
* Almost Omnipresence
* Almost Omniscience
* Almost Omnipotence
* Atom Manipulation
* Magic
* Telekinesis
* Teleportation
* Telepathy

**and many others powers**

### Abilities

* **Architecture**
* **Genius Level Intellect**
* **Science**

* **Nuclear Physics**
* **Quantum Mechanics**

## Inspiration

* The character was partially inspired by physicist Robert Oppenheimer who led the Manhattan Project and brought nuclear weapons to the United States. Doctor Manhattan went on to be portrayed in the Watchmen film and TV series adaptations.

## Notes

* Doctor Manhattan, also known as Jon Osterman, is a comic book character created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons in the limited series Watchmen.
* He gained reality-warping powers after a lab accident caused his atoms to disperse and reassemble. The U.S. government gives him the name Doctor Manhattan.
* He can manipulate atomic and subatomic particles, making him essentially omnipotent. He's immortal, can teleport, has precognition, etc. His body is typically depicted as entirely blue.
* In the comics, his growing powers cause him to lose touch with humanity over time. He questions whether humanity is worth saving.
* He plays a pivotal role in world events like the Vietnam War and Cold War due to his powers being exploited by the U.S. government.
* In the DC comics universe, it's revealed Doctor Manhattan was responsible for various timeline alterations, like the New 52 reboot that removed 10 years of history.
* He serves as an enigmatic but powerful force that Batman and others investigate, seeking to understand his motives and impact.
* His characterization is meant to explore philosophy around power, morality, and what it means to be human as abilities increase.
* He's been adapted and portrayed in the Watchmen movie, TV show, and various other DC comics crossover events.