Created by Charles Reizenstein and Stanley Josephs Aschmeier, Dr. Mid-Nite debuted in All-American Comics #25 in April 1941. In that issue we met surgeon Charles McNider, who was called one night to remove a bullet from a witness set to testify against mobsters. A mobster threw a grenade into the room, killing the witness and blinding McNider, with the injury causing him to believe his career as a surgeon was over. Whilst he was recovering one night an owl crashed through his window. Removing the bandages covering his eyes, McNider discovered that he could still see, but only in perfect darkness. McNider developed a special visor allowing him to see in the light and “blackout bombs” capable of blocking out all light, becoming a costumed crime fighter. He adopted the owl, naming it ‘Hooty’, and it became his “sidekick. He then began fighting crime as Dr. Mid-Nite!
Dr. Mid-Nite went on to join the Justice Society of America (JSA) and the All-Star Squadron. McNider suffered a devastating event in 1953, when the girl he loved, Myra Mason, was murdered by the Shadower, a foe who had learned Doctor Mid-Nite’s secret identity. Charles McNider eventually met his end as one of the casualties of Zero Hour, when he and fellow JSA member Hourman were aged to death by Extant. He was briefly reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps during the Blackest Night event, only to be destroyed by Mr. Terrific.