In the vast and colorful universe of DC Comics, there exists a character who truly stretches the boundaries of creativity—and plausibility. That character is Matter-Eater Lad. Hailing from the far-off planet of Bismoll, this oddball superhero has the unique ability to eat anything, from steel beams to concrete walls. While the idea of a character with such a bizarre power might sound entertaining at first, Matter-Eater Lad has often been the subject of ridicule, earning a reputation as one of the strangest, if not outright worst, characters in DC’s history.
Matter-Eater Lad, whose real name is Tenzil Kem, first appeared in Adventure Comics #303 in 1962. Created by writer Jerry Siegel (co-creator of Superman) and artist John Forte, he was introduced as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a futuristic team of young heroes protecting the galaxy in the 30th and 31st centuries.
Tenzil Kem hails from Bismoll, a planet where microbes rendered all food inedible. As a result, the inhabitants evolved the ability to digest anything. Yes, anything. Wood, metal, glass—it’s all on the menu for Matter-Eater Lad. While this ability is useful in specific situations (like chomping through a locked door or dismantling a dangerous weapon), it’s hard to deny that it’s an incredibly niche superpower compared to flight, super strength, or invisibility.
Matter-Eater Lad’s main issue is how impractical his power is in most superhero scenarios. While his peers in the Legion of Super-Heroes were stopping invasions and battling cosmic threats, Matter-Eater Lad was… eating stuff. His power rarely came in handy during actual combat, relegating him to the sidelines or to moments of comic relief. This made him a running joke even within the context of the stories.
Adding to his oddball nature is his personality. In many iterations, Tenzil is portrayed as a wisecracking, somewhat lazy member of the team who doesn’t always take his duties seriously. Over time, his lack of usefulness and his quirky demeanor became a kind of meta-commentary on how absurd his character was.
Given his relatively low profile in DC Comics, Matter-Eater Lad hasn’t exactly been a prominent figure in video games. Unlike Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman, who headline their own blockbuster games, Tenzil Kem is lucky to score a cameo.
Lego DC Games
Matter-Eater Lad made a rare appearance as an unlockable character in Lego DC Super-Villains. True to form, his ability to eat through objects was worked into gameplay, though it was more of a novelty than a genuinely useful mechanic.
Tabletop RPGs:
In tabletop role-playing games and fan-made DC adaptations, Matter-Eater Lad is sometimes included as a gag character. His ability to “eat through anything” might occasionally solve puzzles, but it’s hard to imagine players opting for him over more powerful heroes.
Beyond these minor appearances, Matter-Eater Lad’s impact on gaming has been as limited as his effectiveness in combat.
Despite the ridicule, Matter-Eater Lad’s longevity is a testament to the enduring charm of DC Comics’ willingness to embrace the weird and the whimsical. He may not be anyone’s favorite hero, but his very existence is a reminder of the experimental nature of superhero storytelling during the Silver Age of Comics. Over the decades, his appearances have become more self-aware, leaning into his ridiculousness rather than trying to make him a serious hero.
In more recent stories, Matter-Eater Lad has been used sparingly and often as a humorous character. Writers have found creative ways to highlight his powers in unconventional situations, but he remains a fringe character in the DC universe.
Matter-Eater Lad might not be the most heroic, powerful, or even practical superhero, but he’s undoubtedly one of the strangest. While his bizarre ability and niche usefulness have made him the butt of many jokes, his persistence in the DC universe showcases the charm of a character who doesn’t fit the traditional mold.
Whether you view him as a symbol of the wild creativity of Silver Age comics or simply as comic relief, Matter-Eater Lad has carved out a unique place in DC Comics history—one bite at a time.