Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Professional Criminal
1st Appearance (Golden Age) - World's Finest #6
1st Appearance (Silver Age) - All-Star Squadron #51 (story
~ 1942, publication - )
Pre-Crisis Fate - Unknown
Post-Crisis Fate - Unknown
Although the Nightshade was mortally injured, his imminent demise was averted by the appearance of a Venusian mindworm. Using alien technology, the worm who eventually became known as Mr. Mind healed Nightshade and also genetically altered him, giving him real powers to create vines and plants which he had used robotics for before. Nightshade then took a new nom du crime, Ramulus to inaugurate his new life. Seeking conquest of the Earth, Mr. Mind assembled a small group of minor villains which he named the Monster Society of Evil. The group invaded JSA headquarters and managed to subdue a couple of members before the more brutish Oom, a foe of the Spectre, dispensed with Mind and took over the leadership of the group. Oom proved an evil more unstable leader than Mr. Mind and the villains eventually abandoned him. Presumably, Ramulus was sent to prison but may have escaped (All-Star Squadron #51, 53-54).
Ramulus' activities after 1942 are unknown. His appearance in a dream of the adult Sandy Hawkins (JSA #1) implies that he may have had a more extended criminal career though this has never been proven.
Powers and Abilities: Ramulus originally controlled a series of mechanical plants and forest creations. Whether he built these himself or acquired them is unknown. After his contact with Mr. Mind, he had a broader range of powers, including the ability to generate huge vines that obeyed his mental commands. Ramulus appeared with green skin and other alien features though whether these were actually his or appliqués is unknown. If they were not his originally, how they were affected by Mr. Mind is also unknown.
Weaknesses and Limitations: Ramulus appears to have mortal weaknesses
as any normal human but this has never been clarified.
Golden Age Appearances
World's Finest #6
Silver Age Plus Appearances
All-Star Squadron #51, 53-54
JSA #1 - No real appearance, dream sequence
Wanted: The World's Most Dangerous Super-Villains #9 - reprints
World's Finest #6