I.Q. (real name: Ira Quimby) is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Mystery in Space #87 (November, 1963), and was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson. I.Q. has most often appeared an enemy of Hawkman, and was most recently seen in 52.

Fictional character biography

Ira Quimby is a small time crook who is accidentally exposed to the radiation from a rock that had been irridated by one of Adam Strange's Zeta Beams. Quimby discovers that he has gained a genius level intelligence. Dubbing himself I.Q., he uses his new intellect to plan a series of jewelry heists. I.Q.'s heightened intelligence turns out to short-lived, but re-exposure to the rock restores it. Hawkman is able to track down I.Q. by analyzing traces of the rock, and arrests I.Q. and his gang.

Hawkman

In Hawkman #7 (April 1965), the imprisoned I.Q. discovers that his heightened intelligence returns whenever he is exposed to sunlight. He is able to create an invisibility device out of common items and escape from jail, and resume his life of crime. In subsequent stories I.Q. faces the Justice League of America, Superman and the Metal Men, Batman, the Teen Titans, the Atom (Ray Palmer), and the Elongated Man.

52

In 52 Week 23, I.Q. is revealed as one of the "mad scientists" kidnapped by Chang Tzu and Intergang, and taken to Oolong Island to become a member of the Science Squad. He subsequently becomes the head of projects on the island.

Powers and abilities

Thanks to exposure to modified Zeta Beam radiation, I.Q. is superintelligent. His intelligence allows him to create advanced weapons and tools out of common objects. The power and duration of his intelligence are determined by how much sunlight he has been exposed to.

References

External links

• I.Q. at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe