By Ronald Byrd
Real Name: Nelson Gardner
Occupation: Crimefighter, former Lieutenant in the US Marines
Group Affiliation: The Watchmen
Base of Operations: New York City
Outed in: Watchmen #9
Captain Metropolis was one of several costumed crimefighters who debuted in 1939, and it was he who organized the team known as the Minutemen in the fall of that year. Nothing is known about his origin save that he was once a lieutenant in the US Marines and applied his knowledge of military technique and strategy to eradicating organized crime in inner urban areas. Unknown to the general public, Captain Metropolis had a gay relationship with one of his teammates, Hooded Justice, a relationship that may cast some light on his unexplained departure from the Marines; how he dealt with Hooded Justice’s disappearance and presumed death in 1955 is unrecorded. The Minutemen disbanded in 1949, but Captain Metropolis continued his activities, even attempting unsuccessfully to form a second team, the Crimebusters, in 1966; his tendency toward making racist statements about African-Americans and Hispanic Americans may have contributed to the declining popularity of costumed heroes during this era. Captain Metropolis was allegedly decapitated in an automobile accident in 1974.
Captain Metropolis had no superhuman powers but was an excellent military strategist, a skill he adapted to crimefighting; presumably, he was also a formidable opponent in hand-to-hand combat.
Speculation has it the two men seen holding hands here are Captain Metropolis and Hooded Justice in their civilian identities.
The Watchmen created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Art by Dave Gibbons. © and ® DC Comics. Used without permission.
Tags: Alan Moore, gay, superhero, Watchmen