Nemesis Kid (Hart Druiter) is a supervillain and former antihero in the DC Comics universe. He lives in the future, comes from the planet Myar, and is an enemy of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Created by Jim Shooter, the character first appeared in Adventure Comics #346 (July 1966).[1]
In his first appearance, Hart Druiter applied to join the Legion of Super-Heroes, along with Princess Projectra, Karate Kid, and Ferro Lad.[2] He identified himself as a native of the planet Myar, the "Alchemy Planet", and claimed to derive his powers from a mystical potion that he created. He was actually sent to infiltrate the Legion of Super-Heroes on behalf of the alien Khund. When his deception was revealed, he tried to frame Karate Kid as the traitor; when that failed, he fled.[3]
He later became a founding member of the Legion of Super-Villains under Tarik the Mute.[4] When a later incarnation of the group invaded the planet Orando under Druiter's leadership, Nemesis Kid engaged Karate Kid in single combat. Before the fight ended Karate Kid sacrificed himself to stop the Legion of Super-Villains' plans, dealing Nemesis Kid a final blow.[5] Karate Kid's widow, Princess Projectra, attacked Nemesis Kid using her power to generate illusions, ultimately killing him by breaking his neck.[6]
At least five years later, Nemesis Kid was resurrected by Mordru, along with every other corpse in the 30th century, as part of the sorcerer's scheme to take over the universe. His reanimated corpse retained his powers, but he was defeated and his body was incinerated, presumably disposing of him for good.[7]
In his original pre-Final Crisis appearances, Nemesis Kid only suffered three defeats in single combat. Duo Damsel defeated him since his power would not work on her two bodies.[4] Projectra intimidated him from using his power, thus allowing her to execute him.[6] As a resurrected corpse, he proved immune to Projectra's illusions but she turned his strength against him and threw him into a fire, incinerating his corpse.[7]
In the "Threeboot" continuity, Nemesis Kid appeared in Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #22 as a member of Mekt Ranzz's Wanderers.[8] Other than a talent for computer hacking, he displayed no superhuman abilities.
Nemesis Kid possessed the superhuman ability to spontaneously develop the powers appropriate to defeat any opponent for the duration of the battle, with no defined limit. Against more than one opponent, his powers would either work against only one target, allow him to escape via teleportation, or fail to work at all. In one instance, he displayed the ability to choose adaptations, but his choices were unsuccessful. In all other cases, his power somehow "sensed" what would be most effective against a given opponent and generated an adaptation automatically.
Nemesis Kid never manifested any but the most direct power to counter an opponent. Thus, against Superboy or Supergirl, he would gain superior strength and durability, rather than the ability to emit Kryptonite radiation.
Nemesis Kid was purportedly a skilled alchemist, but never displayed any ability or interest in creating other mystical potions, so the claim may have been a cover story to disguise his power's true origin. He has a passing knowledge of 30th-century technology, tactics, and strategy.