Controllers (DC Comics)

The Controllers are a fictional extraterrestrial race existing in the DC Universe. They first appear in Adventure Comics #357 (June 1967), and were created by Jim Shooter, Mort Weisinger, and Curt Swan.^[1]

Controllers
The Controllers, as they appeared in Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps #33 (November 2017), art by Jack Herbert.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Adventure Comics #357 (June 1967)
Created by	Jim Shooter (writer & artist) Mort Weisinger (writer) Curt Swan (artist)
Characteristics
Place of origin	Maltus (formerly)
Inherent abilities	Energy manipulation Immortality

Fictional character biography

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.^[2] They use their mind-control abilities to prevent intergalactic war, but also create powerful weapons, including the Sun-Eaters, gaseous beings that can devour whole planets and stars; and the Miracle Machine, a device that can turn any thought into reality.^[3] In some depictions, the Time Trapper is a renegade Controller.^[4][5]

Maltusians

In post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, the Controllers are part of the Guardians of the Universe before separating from them due to their differing morals. Additionally, they create the Darkstars, an intergalactic peacekeeping force, and experiment on Martyn Van Wyck, transforming him into Effigy.

In Blackest Night, Larfleeze kills several Controllers and assimilates them into the Orange Lantern Corps.^[6][7]

DC Rebirth

In the DC Rebirth relaunch, the Controllers are on the brink of extinction, and kidnap the Guardians of the Universe to transform them into Controllers.^[8][9][10]

Powers and weapons

Similar to the Guardians of the Universe, the Controllers are immortal and possess psionic powers, including telepathy, telekinesis, and energy manipulation. The Controllers also have vast knowledge, which allows them to create advanced technology and weapons. Their most known weapons are the Sun-Eater, Miracle Machine, and the Darkstar exo-mantle.

In other media

Television

• A Controller appears in the Legion of Super-Heroes two-part episode "Sundown", voiced by David Lodge.
• The Controllers make a cameo appearance in the teaser of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "When OMAC Attacks!".

Video games

A Controller appears in Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters.