David Clinton, Chronos!

The Atom

Chronos I

Statistics:

Name: David Clinton
Codename: Chronos
Nicknames: The Time Thief
Current Status: Faded into nothingness, rumored to have been pulled into the 'Void' and trapped there
Age: 30-something (most likely around 35 - however, his time experimentation has made his appearance that of a 50-60 year old)
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 173 lbs
Hair: Black, but balding
Eyes: Blue
Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown
Ex-wife #1: Susan Kowalski
Ex-wife #2: Amber Fontaine
Children: Unknown

Origin Issue: The Atom #3 (October-November 1962)
Origin: David Clinton was a less than average thief, and was caught early and often in the beginning of his criminal career. During one of his jail terms, he realized that his timing was what had caused his failures in the past. Resolving to correct this, he began to study watches, clocks, and other timepieces in an effort to gain a better understanding of time itself. Having a previous fascination for clocks, and possessing a brilliant, inventive mind, David was able to accomplish much in his short prison stay. Adopting the name of "Chronos" when he got out of prison, and developing a clock-like costume, Clinton began to execute his crimes in a more precise manner.
Chronos and the Atom became foils for each other early in their careers. However, where the Atom was able to succeed, Chronos always seemed to fail in the long run. He continued to develop more complex and more involved gadgets, but his push for more and more money, first just out of plain greed, and later to finance his gadgets, seemed to keep him incarcerated over and over again.
When the Atom became stuck in the jungles of South America, Chronos was able to successfully steal once again - until the Blue Beetle showed up on the scene. Filling in the role that the Atom had left, Blue Beetle beat Chronos several times until the Atom returned once again. Chronos redesigned his costume and enhanced his gadgets with more deadly versions, but the Atom was able to overcome and defeat Chronos again.
Turning to more 'unusual' methods, Chronos was approached by Neron, who offered him his heart's desire in exchange for his immortal soul. Chronos agreed and was granted the ability to travel through time. Of course, nothing came without a catch - and he soon discovered that each jaunt through time wore heavily on his mortal frame. He began to age more rapidly and time itself began to tug at him. He found it difficult to remain in current time and found himself slipping into... the unknown.
Chronos' experimentations with time had taken their toll on his body and he had been exposed to too much chronal radiation. Fading into nothingness, Chronos was pronounced dead and his research on time turned over to Walker Gabriel, the new Chronos (Chronos II). Rumor has it that Clinton did not perish, but became trapped in the 'Void' where he remains still.

Powers: Chronos is an average human being with no super powers on his own. He was granted the ability to travel through time by the demon Neron, however, it is difficult to say if he retained this ability after his fade-out. He does possess an above average intelligence and grasps new concepts easily. His fascination with time has given him a great understanding of all things time related and he has built many devices that build upon the time concept.

Appearances (in alphabetical order):
Action Comics: 427, 443, 516, 664
Atom, The: 3, 13, 28
Blue Beetle: 3, 9, 10, 21, 22
Brave and the Bold, The:
Cancelled Comic Cavalcade: 2
Chronos: 1
Crisis on Infinite Earths: 9, 10
DC Special #27
DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins: 1
Detective Comics: 368
History of the DC Universe: 1
Justice League of America: 21, 22, 28, 111, 143, 158, 219, 220
Legends: 4
Legion of Super-Heroes (V4): 75, 91
Legionnaires: 32
Power of the Atom: 6, 7
Secret Society of Super-Villains: 15
Showcase '94: 10
Team Titans: 13, 14
Underworlds Unleashed: 1
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe: 5
Wonder Woman (V1): 220
World's Finest: 319, 321

Appearances in chronological order:
The Atom #3 (Oct-Nov 1962)
Justice League of America #21 (Aug 1963)
Justice League of America #22 (Sep 1963)
Justice League of America #28 (Jun 1964)
The Atom #13 (June-July 1964)
The Atom #28 (Dec 1966-Jan 1967)
Action Comics #427 (Sep 1973)
Justice League of America #111 (Jun 1974)
Action Comics #443 (Jan 1975)
Justice League of America #143 (Jun 1977)
Justice League of America #158 (Sep 1978)
Action Comics #516 (Feb 1981)
Justice League of America #219 (Oct 1983)
Justice League of America #220 (Nov 1983)
World's Finest #319 (Sept 1985)
World's Finest #320 (Oct 1985)
World's Finest #321 (Nov 1985)
Crisis on Infinite Earths #9 (Dec 1985)
Crisis on Infinite Earths #10 (Jan 1986)
Blue Beetle #3 (May 1986)
History of the DC Universe #1 (Sep 1986)
Blue Beetle #9 (Nov 1986)
Blue Beetle #10 (Dec 1986)
Legends #4 (Feb 1987)
Blue Beetle #21 (Nov 1987)
Blue Beetle #22 (Dec 1987)
Power of the Atom #6 (Winter 1988-1989)
Power of the Atom #7 (Holiday 1988-1989)
Action Comics #664 (Apr 1991)
Underworld Unleashed (Nov 1995)
Chronos #1 (March 1998)

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