# Codename: Assassin

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**Codename: Assassin** is a [fictional](/source/Fictional) [antihero](/source/Antihero), a [comic book](/source/Comic_book) character published by [DC Comics](/source/DC_Comics). He debuted in *[1st Issue Special](/source/1st_Issue_Special)* #11 (February 1976), and was created by [Gerry Conway](/source/Gerry_Conway), [Steve Skeates](/source/Steve_Skeates) and [Nestor Redondo](/source/Nestor_Redondo) (credited as the Redondo Studio). In this first appearance he is called **The Assassin**, but later appearances renamed him "Codename: Assassin" after the feature in which he debuted.[1]

Conway had been tasked with producing a story for the 11th issue of *1st Issue Special*, and since he was working with Redondo, an artist who did not draw superheroes, he decided to make something similar to his earlier non-superhero vigilante the [Punisher](/source/Punisher).[2] In the resulting story, while participating in [extrasensory perception](/source/Extrasensory_perception) studies conducted by a Doctor Andrew Stone at the fictional *Antioke University*, **Jonathan Drew** develops powers of [telepathy](/source/Telepathy) and [telekinesis](/source/Telekinesis) which he uses to punish the murderers of his sister Marie.[3] Drew's telekinesis allows him to walk on air, generate force fields, and lift heavy objects.[4] The idea of The Assassin running through the air rather than using traditional flight was inspired by [Wayne Boring](/source/Wayne_Boring)'s 1950s *[Superman](/source/Superman)* comic books.[2]

The Assassin briefly operates in [Opal City](/source/Opal_City) during the 1970s.[5] The character was given a 21st century revival in *[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen Special](/source/Jimmy_Olsen)* #1 (December 2008), which updates his origin and presents the character in a new light. In this new take, Drew is an operative of the American Government. Jonathan Drew is seemingly part of a conspiracy directed against [Superman](/source/Superman), and for as yet unknown reasons was responsible for [Atlas](/source/Atlas_(DC_Comics))' attack on [Metropolis](/source/Metropolis_(comics)). Drew is also behind the murders of Dr. Stone, the original [Newsboy Legion](/source/Newsboy_Legion) and the alien known as [Dubbilex](/source/Dubbilex). He also attempts to murder *[Daily Planet](/source/Daily_Planet)* [photojournalist](/source/Photojournalist) [Jimmy Olsen](/source/Jimmy_Olsen), who had accidentally uncovered the conspiracy.[6]

Drew acts as an agent of General [Sam Lane](/source/Sam_Lane_(character)) in the multi-title crossover *[Superman: New Krypton](/source/Superman:_New_Krypton)*.[7]

- *Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian* one-shots
- *Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen* #2
- *Superman* #695
- *Superman: War of the Supermen* #1–4

## References

1. Greenberger, Robert & Pasko, Martin (2010). *The Essential Superman Encyclopedia*. Del Rey. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.

1. Abramowitz, Jack (April 2014). "1st Issue Special: It Was No Showcase (But It Was Never Meant To Be)". *[Back Issue!](/source/Back_Issue!)*. '***(71): 45. Raleigh, North Carolina: [TwoMorrows Publishing](/source/TwoMorrows_Publishing)***

1. *1st Issue Special* #11 (February 1976)

1. ["The Unofficial Codename: Assassin Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185005/http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=assassin). Dcuguide.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=assassin) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-10-01.

1. *Starman* vol. 2 #76 (April 2001)

1. *Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen* #1 (December 2008)

1. *Superman – New Krypton Special* #1 (December 2008)

## External links

- [DCU Guide – Codename: Assassin](http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=assassin) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080501075420/http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=assassin) 2008-05-01 at the Wayback Machine
- [Cosmic Teams – Codename: Assassin](https://web.archive.org/web/20070222213241/http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/obscure/c.htm#CODENAMEASSASSIN)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Codename: Assassin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codename%3A_Assassin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codename%3A_Assassin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.