#markus clay

William Everett Sr. is a Black hero, the Amazing-Man; he started out as an Olympic level athlete, before being kidnapped & empowered, by mad science, to mimic the properties of any substance he comes into physical contact with (+ longevity & later, generating magnetic fields); he was briefly tricked to aid his captor, the Ultra-Humanite, but he shortly found new purpose, joining the war effort in WWII and becoming a Civil Rights activist, as well as aiding fellow heroes like the All-Star Squadron, Justice Society & Justice League!

Created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway as an homage to the public domain Golden Age hero Amazing Man, William Everett Sr. was a track-and-field star from Detroit who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he and Jesse Owens defied Nazi propaganda by winning gold medals. After struggling to find work, Everett became a janitor in a laboratory owned by Dr. Terry Curtis (Cyclotron).

One night, Everett was kidnapped by the Ultra-Humanite and subjected to a dangerous experiment with Curtis’s electro-generator. The explosion granted him the ability to absorb the properties of any material he touched. Initially manipulated into working for the Ultra-Humanite to protect his family, Everett eventually turned against him and joined the All-Star Squadron, later becoming a member of the Justice Society of America.

Everett’s heroism extended beyond the battlefield. In later years, after his secret identity was revealed by the FBI, he faced personal and family danger but refused to hide. He became an active figure in the Civil Rights movement, participating in anti-segregation marches and using his powers in the service of justice during a turbulent chapter of American history.

His legacy continued through his grandson, William Everett III, and later Markus Clay, both of whom took up the mantle of Amazing-Man.

Group Affiliations: Justice Society of America, All-Star Squadron

Speculation: With the JSA appearing multiple times in the mural, Everett could easily appear in a period-set JSA story or have his legacy represented through one of his successors in a modern team.

First Appearance: All-Star Squadron (1981) #23

Recommended Reading:

All-Star Squadron (1981) #23–60 – Core run

Justice League America (1987) #86-87, 89 – Passing the mantle to William Everett III

Extreme Justice (1994) – William Everett III and Maxima's romance

Starman (1994) #38 - William Everett III is murdered by the Mist

Justice Society of America (2007) #12 – Markus Clay takes up the mantle

JSA (2024) #13-18 – JSA: Year One

Despite the reports of his death at the hands of that fiend The Mist, there were eyewitness accounts that he had returned to life during those strange events where the heroes of our world got involved in a brawl with the villains of another earth (And another team of heroes called the Avengers or something like that), some saying he was seen fighting some "Absorbing Man" guy who had crossed dimensions

I would like to hope that Will Everett got to be reunited with his son, especially as he worked so hard to carry on his dad's legacy <3

First things first I should clear up some confusion. I think you're probably thinking Will Everett III, not Will Everett II Will Everett II was never a superhero and was actually a very private man. No one in my line of work has ever taken an interview with him or Will Everett Sr's. daughter whose name was never even made public knowledge (We only know it was a woman because her child doesn't have her surname). I don't even have a picture of either of them to show you. Now both of Everett senior's children ALSO had a son apiece. William "Junior" Everett III and Markus Clay. As you stated, Everett Junior died in the line of duty serving with the Justice League Europe alongside the original Crimson Fox, Constance D'Aramis. I can, unfortunately, confirm his death. He's buried beside his grandfather in Valhalla Cemetary in New York where most of the rest of the All Stars and their children who have passed are buried... (TW below the cut, graves)

All-Stars

The big guns on par with the JLA.

Power Girl, Kara Zor-L, Karen Starr

Liberty Belle, Jesse Chambers

Huntress, Helena Wayne

Manhunter, Kate Spencer

Amazing Man, Markus Clay

Hourman, Rick Tyler

Deep Blue, Debbie Perkins

Obsidian, Todd Rice

William Everett III is a Black hero, grandson of William Everett Sr., cousin of Markus Clay & 2nd in line to their mantle as Amazing-Man; he inherited powers like his grandfather (to mimic the properties of any substance he comes into physical contact with + extra power to absorb energy), but at first, he struggled to accept his abilities & his hero potential, fearing what his future held; sadly, he would indeed end up losing his life in the course of his hero career, but at his best, he joined forces with several rosters of the Justice League!

Markus Clay is a Black hero, grandson of William Everett Sr., cousin of William Everett III & successor to their mantle as Amazing-Man; he inherited powers like his grandfather (to mimic the properties of any substance he comes into physical contact with), but he uncovered a spiritual aspect to them (ie meeting elemental spirits claiming to be responsible for his abilities) & learned he could also share his power w/ others; in hopes of helping to save his community & transform it for the better, he joined the ranks of the Justice Society!