Dr. Beth Chapel was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Todd McFarlane, and first appeared in Infinity Inc. #19 (October 1985) as a medical doctor who treated Jade after she was injured by Mister Bones’ cyanide touch. She was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, as the only daughter of a pastor father and a mother who sang in the church choir. She had four brothers named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. She studied medicine and became an intern in California, where she met Dr. Charles McNider, a famed surgeon who was secretly the original Doctor Mid-Nite, a member of the Justice Society of America.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, an earthquake hit the hospital where Beth worked, and she was blinded by an oxygen explosion while trying to rescue her patients. Dr. McNider operated on her and gave her hi-tech ocular implants that connected to her pineal gland, allowing her to see in the dark but making her eyes too sensitive for normal light. He also revealed his superhero identity to her and inspired her to use her misfortune as a unique gift.
Beth then met Rick Tyler, the son of the original Hourman, and discovered she could see in darkness while fighting some of the Anti-Monitor’s shadow demons. She fashioned a set of special goggles, a set of “blackout bombs” that created darkness, and a costume made from a choir robe by her mother. She then assumed the mantle of Doctor Midnight (note the difference in spelling from Doctor Mid-Nite) and joined Infinity Inc., a team of young heroes who were the offspring or successors of the Justice Society members. She also started a romantic relationship with Hourman, who had taken his father’s Miraclo drug to enhance his strength.
Doctor Midnight became a dedicated member of Infinity Inc., serving as their in-house physician and forming a close friendship with Yolanda Montez, the new Wildcat. She also participated in several adventures with the team, such as fighting Helix, Solomon Grundy, Brainwave Jr., Injustice Unlimited, and others. However, her superhero career was short-lived, as Infinity Inc. disbanded shortly after Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Doctor Midnight and Wildcat were later recruited by the U.S. government for a mission to defeat Eclipso, a powerful villain who possessed people with his black diamonds. Along with other heroes such as Creeper, Commander Steel, Peacemaker, and Major Victory, they infiltrated Eclipso’s base on the Moon, but were ambushed and killed by Eclipso’s minions. Their bodies were later recovered by Amanda Waller and buried with honors.
Doctor Midnight remained dead for many years, until she was resurrected during the events of Doomsday Clock, a sequel to Watchmen that revealed that Doctor Manhattan had altered the timeline of DC Comics. She returned along with the rest of the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Super-Heroes, thanks to Doctor Manhattan’s influence. She now sports a more traditional costume resembling that of McNider and Cross, another successor of Doctor Mid-Nite. She also opened a metahuman medical clinic called the All-Star Clinic, where she treated Ronnie Raymond after he was injured by Black Adam’s attack on Washington D.C.. She also helped Jon Kent when his powers failed and he was wounded by an unknown assailant.
Doctor Midnight has also appeared in other media besides comics. She is featured in Stargirl, a live-action TV series based on the character of Courtney Whitmore and her team of young heroes. She is portrayed by Anjelika Washington as one of Courtney’s friends and classmates at Blue Valley High School. She discovers that she is the daughter of Charles McNider, who was killed by Eclipso along with his wife when Beth was a child. She inherits his goggles, which allow her to see in the dark and access an artificial intelligence named Chuck that provides her with information and guidance. She joins Courtney’s team as Doctor Mid-Nite II and fights against villains such as Brainwave, Icicle, Shiv, Dragon King, Sportsmaster, Tigress, Solomon Grundy, The Shade, and Eclipso.
