Who's Who: Matter-Eater Lad

Matter-Eater Lad
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Tenzil Kem

Super-Power(s): The ability to eat virtually any type of matter or energy. This is a natural ability of all native Bismollians.  
Planet of Origin: Bismoll

Legion Seniority: Matter-Eater Lad joined after Mon-El but before Element Lad, making him Legionnaire #18.

Legion Log 
Matter-Eater Lad joined after one of the last open application calls for new members. There is a possibility that he appeared in a different costume and heard Bouncing Boy's origin (Adventure Comics #301), but his first official appearance was three issues later when he is inducted into the Legion. Oddly, he is not seen again until Adventure Comics #317. It's possible that around this time, editor Mort Weisinger took another look at just who was supposed to be in this so-called Legion of his and assigned his writers to clarify the point. This would explain the return of Star Boy in this same issue, and the absence of any new throwaway members after this. Regardless of the circumstances, Matter-Eater Lad returned and from then on was an active member. 

Matter-Eater Lad struggled to be taken seriously, but was sometimes portrayed as comic relief, most famously when he was changed into a grossly obese young man. Later, he was shown to have a difficult family life, with his parents moving to Earth to be near him, then moving back to Bismoll so their younger son could grow up on Bismoll. Matter-Eater Lad also had issues with self-confidence. Just as he seemed to conquer these doubts, he had to leave the Legion when he was drafted into politics on his home planet. Later, Brainiac 5 had him eat the Miracle Machine, which drove him insane. Although he was eventually cured, he never rejoined the Legion, preferring the life of a Senator on Bismoll. And although Calorie Queen and his younger brother both vied for his spot in the Legion while he was a member, neither came forward to actually join after Matter-Eater Lad had left. 

Although Matter-Eater Lad was one of Dave Cockrum's least favorite Legionnaires, he was Keith Giffen's favorite.

During and after the five-year gap following the Magic Wars, Matter-Eater Lad was drawn back into the Legion after Polar Boy was unjustly imprisoned on Dominator-controlled Earth. He freed his friend and would use his political connections and owed favors on behalf of the team. Matter-Eater Lad ultimately seduced and married former Legion villain Saturn Queen.

Matter-Eater Lad was also one of the members of the SW6 Legionnaires, and appeared in Legionnaires when it was spun-off into its own series. This version of Tenzil harbored feelings for Shrinking Violet.

After the Reboot, Tenzil Kem, like Bouncing Boy, is recast as part of the Legion's civilian support staff. Tenzil serves as the team's personal chef. Unlike his pre-Reboot counterpart, Tenzil's spit is similar to acid.

After the Threeboot, Tenzil Kem is reintroduced as a government lawyer, investigating Cosmic Boy's disappearance and the legality of his final act as Legion leader. He seems to possess the powers of his previous incarnations, escaping a deathtrap by devouring an entire silo full of grain; and bites off one of Mekt Ranzz's fingers.

After Infinite Crisis, Matter-Eater Lad's original history has more or less been re-established. For a time, he posed as a 21st-century diner owner called Mitch so he could befriend Mon-El in the past and make sure the future happened as it should. When he returned to the 31st century, he once again left the Legion for Bismoll, but as of Justice League United Annual #1, appears to be an active member once more.

Matter-Eater Lad has appeared in several episodes of The Legion of Super-Heroes animated series, voiced by Alexander Polansky.

American indie rock band Guided By Voices recorded a song based on the character called "Matter-Eater Lad" for their 1994 EP Clown Prince of the Menthol Trailer.

Important Matter-Eater Lad Stories: 

Adventure Comics #303

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 1)

Matter-Eater Lad is introduced as the newest member of the Legion

Adventure Comics #317

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 2)

Matter-Eater Lad re-appears after a year-long absence

Adventure Comics #338

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 4)

The first time we meet Matter-Eater Lad's parents

Adventure Comics #344

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 5)

Matter-Eater Lad tries to escape from imprisonment

Adventure Comics #345

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 5)

Matter-Eater Lad is accidentally turned obese

Adventure Comics  #351
(reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 6)

Matter-Eater Lad returns to normal size

Adventure Comics #374

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 8)

Matter-Eater Lad participates in Mission: Diabolical

Action Comics #381

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 9)

Matter-Eater Lad has problems with his parents

Superboy #184

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 10)

Matter-Eater Lad has problems with his little brother

Superboy/Legion of Super-Heroes #212

 (reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 11)

Matter-Eater Lad resigns from the Legion

Superboy/Legion of Super-Heroes #251

Matter-Eater Lad eats the Miracle Machine; goes insane

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #289

Brainiac 5 attempts to cure Matter-Eater Lad's insanity

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #297

Matter-Eater Lad is cured of his insanity

Legion of Substitute Heroes Special #1 (1985)

Matter-Eater Lad helps the Subs fight Pulsar Stargrave

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #10-11

Matter-Eater Lad rescues Polar Boy from a Dominator prison

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #14

Matter-Eater Lad vs. Evilo, during which time he loses his political office
to Calorie Queen

Legionnaires #9-10

SW6 Matter-Eater Lad gets his feelings hurt by a Violet doppelganger

Legionnaires #14

SW6 Matter-Eater Lad goes undercover as a female pirate

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #49

Matter-Eater Lad trading cards; collect them all (click for bigger image)

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #49-50

Matter-Eater Lad falls in love with, and marries, the former Saturn Queen,
becoming co-ruler of Tartarus

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #63

Reboot Tenzil Kem is hired as the Legion's resident chef

Legionnaires #35

Tenzil fights his doppelganger with the help of his acid spit

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #31-33

Threeboot Tenzil Kem meets Supergirl while investigating Cosmic Boy

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #33

Tenzil bites off Mekt Ranzz's finger

Superman #688

Matter-Eater Lad befriends 21st-century Mon-El as "Mitch" (click for bigger image)

Legion of Super-Heroes animated series

Matter-Eater Lad, voiced by Alexander Polansky