Black Mercy

Name given to a plant-like alien parasitic entity that functions similarly to a fungus. The non-sentient creature appears as a collection of reddish discs with a number of brown, sinewy tentacles that radiate outward from its center. The Black Mercy attaches itself to a victim's chest while wrapping its tendrils around the torso, and subsists by feeding on its prey's bio-aura. The entity keeps its victim docile by placing him/her in a trance-like state while filling the host's mind with visions of his/her strongest desires being fulfilled. The entity must be handled with specialized gauntlets that negate its powerful influence, as it can affect even the most invulnerable of potential hosts. Mongul employed a Black Mercy as an instrument of revenge against Superman by disguising it as an anonymous birthday gift, but the Man of Steel was freed from the creature's clutches by the combined efforts of Batman, Robin (Jason Todd) and Wonder Woman. In the end, Mongul himself fell victim to the creature's influence when Robin affixed it to the alien tyrant's chest.

In the episode of the TV animated series, Justice League Unlimited, only Batman and Wonderwoman came to Superman's aid. It was Wonderwoman who hurled the black mercy at Mongul, consequently attaching it to him.

(SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything")