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Night Nurse (comics)

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Night Nurse
Night Nurse #1 (Nov. 1972). Cover art by Win Mortimer.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
Genre
Publication dateNov. 1972 – May 1973
Creative team
Created byJean Thomas
Win Mortimer
Written byJean Thomas
Linda Fite (issue 4)
Penciller(s)Win Mortimer
Inker(s)Win Mortimer
Colorist(s)George Roussos
Editor(s)Roy Thomas

Night Nurse is a comic-book series published by Marvel Comics in the early 1970s. Linda Carter, one of the series' three central characters, previously was the lead of an earlier Marvel series, Linda Carter, Student Nurse, published in 1961. Other central characters included Georgia Jenkins and Christine Palmer; both Linda Carter and Christine Palmer would later be explicitly incorporated into the larger 616 Marvel Universe comics.

Carter later adopted the name Night Nurse for herself, and in this incarnation, first appeared in Daredevil #58 (May 2004), as a medical professional specializing in helping injured superheroes.

Dr. Strange: The Oath, by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Marcos Martín, is a 2007 five part limited series that co-starred Linda Carter as Night Nurse alongside Dr. Strange.

Christine Palmer appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Doctor Strange (2016) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), portrayed by Rachel McAdams. Additionally, McAdams voiced an alternate timeline version in the Disney+ animated series What If...? (2021).

Linda Carter and her later Night Nurse role as a medical professional for superheroes were also amalgamated into the character Claire Temple (portrayed by Rosario Dawson), who appeared in the Marvel's Netflix television series as a combination of Linda Carter (the “Night Nurse”) and the comic character Claire Temple set in the MCU.

Publication history

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Night Nurse is a Marvel Comics title that lasted four issues (cover-dated Nov. 1972–May 1973).[1] The medical drama/romance series focused on the adventures of three female roommates who worked the night shift at the fictional Metropolitan General Hospital in New York City: Linda Carter, Georgia Jenkins, and Christine Palmer.[2]

Night Nurse was one of a trio of Marvel Comics of the time that were aimed at a female audience, alongside The Claws of the Cat and Shanna the She-Devil. Marvel writer-editor Roy Thomas recalled in 2007 that editor-in-chief Stan Lee "had the idea, and I think the names, for all three. He wanted to do some books that would have special appeal to girls. We were always looking for way to expand our franchise. My idea...was to try to get women to write them".[3]

The series was written by writer Jean Thomas, who was at the time married to Roy Thomas, and by artist Winslow Mortimer.[4] The stories, unlike most of Marvel's offerings at the time, contain no superheroes or fantastic elements. However, the night nurses encounter "danger, drama and death", as the cover tag proclaims, as they work to foil bomb plots, expose incompetent surgeons, and confront mob hitmen. Night Nurse #4, the final issue, took place away from Metro General and New York City, instead featuring Christine embroiled in a gothic adventure, complete with a foreboding mansion, dusty secret passageways, and mysterious lights.

In a 2010 interview, Jean Thomas offered her theory on the series' early cancellation:

Night Nurse was an attempt to create a comics book for the same audience of young girls who read such book series as Cherry Ames, Sue Barton, and Nancy Drew. Maybe the comic-book format just didn't appeal to that group. It may also have been difficult to distribute or display: too serious to be with romance comics but not male-action oriented enough to be with superhero comics, so, regrettably, low sales led to cancellation.[5]

Linda Carter reappeared as a medical professional specializing in helping injured superheroes in Daredevil vol. 2, #58 (May 2004), written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Alex Maleev. Matt Murdock / Daredevil refers to her then as "the night nurse ... [who is] sympathetic to ... costumed persons who get a little nicked up in ... the call of duty."[1]

Night Nurse co-star Christine Palmer reappeared in Nightcrawler vol. 3, #1 (Sept. 2004). Series writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa explained he was "a huge fan" of Night Nurse, and brought back the character when he realized his first Nightcrawler story would take place in a hospital.[6]

A one-shot issue, Night Nurse vol. 2, #1 (July 2015), reprinted the 1970s series' four issues, as well as Daredevil vol. 2, #80 (Feb. 2006).[7]

Prior to Night Nurse, writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Al Hartley had created the series Linda Carter, Student Nurse for Atlas Comics, Marvel's 1950s precursor.[8] It ran nine issues (Sept. 1961–Jan. 1963).[9]

Characters

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While the three roommates initially bicker amongst themselves, they soon bond over their shared loneliness, and become best friends. Originally, none of the three nurses then used "night nurse" as a label, though the "Next Issue" box in Night Nurse #1 promises, "More true-to-life adventures of Linda Carter, Night Nurse!"

Linda Carter

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First appearance
  • As Linda Carter:
    Linda Carter, Student Nurse #1
    (September 1961)

    As Night Nurse:
    Daredevil #58
    (May 2004)
Created byStan Lee
Al Hartley

Linda Carter is the daughter of a doctor in Allentown, New York. After moving to New York City and moving in with roommates Christine Palmer and Georgia Jenkins, she meets and falls in love with Marshall Michaels, a wealthy businessman. When he forces her to choose between marrying him or staying at Metro General as a nurse, she chooses her career.[10] In the following two issues of the series, Linda demonstrates that her skills are not limited to nursing practice, as she performs detective work to help expose an incompetent surgeon and prevents a hitman from murdering a patient. By the time the series was canceled, she had started a budding romance with Dr. Jack Tryon, a young resident doctor. Palmer is the protagonist of Night Nurse #4, with Carter making a one-panel cameo and Jenkins not appearing at all.

Carter reappears in Daredevil (vol. 2) #58 (May 2004), takes care of the seriously injured hero following his defeat by the Yakuza.[11][12][13] Having been rescued by a superhero and wanting to pay the superhuman community back by ministering to heroes' health, often pro bono, she becomes a character that superheroes—including Luke Cage and Iron Fist—seek out for off the record medical care.[12][13][14][15][16] During the superhero "Civil War" over government registration, the Night Nurse takes Captain America's side against the registration act, and joins his resistance group. Though she is difficult to recognize in Civil War #2 (August 2006), editor Tom Brevoort stated that it was Carter welcoming the superhero team the Young Avengers at the new headquarters.[17] Carter teams with Doctor Strange in the five-issue miniseries Doctor Strange: The Oath (December 2006-April 2007),[18][19] By the end, Carter and Strange enter into a relationship, which later ends.[20]

Carter then treated the ninja assassin Elektra, who had been severely wounded by the shapeshifting alien Skrulls during the Skrull Invasion. After Elektra's subsequent imprisonment by the newly formed H.A.M.M.E.R., Carter and Elektra form a bond.[21] Later, Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman, a longtime patient, visits Carter's practice, which by now has access to some Iron Man.[22]

Georgia Jenkins

[edit]
First appearanceNight Nurse #1 (November 1972)
Created byJean Thomas
Win Mortimer

Georgia Jenkins is an African-American nurse who comes from an inner city neighborhood, blocks away from Metro General Hospital. On her days off from work, she provides free medical care to the people on her old block. She discovers that her older brother Ben was conned into nearly blowing up the hospital generator.[10] Even though Ben has a change of heart and is shot while trying to protect the nurses, Georgia finds out in issue #3 that Ben has been sentenced to 10-to-20 years in prison. She angrily compares the harshness of his sentence to the fact that powerful mob criminals walk around freely.

Christine Palmer

[edit]
First appearanceNight Nurse #1 (November 1972)
Created byJean Thomas
Win Mortimer

Christine Palmer leaves her home in "an exclusive Midwestern suburb" against her father's wishes, intending to "make a new life without her father's money".[10] In issue #2, her father comes to New York to try to convince her to return to her life as a debutante, threatening that "if you don't come home by Thanksgiving, then don't come home at all!" Though she considers his offer, she elects to stay in New York and becomes a surgical nurse for Dr. William Sutton. When Dr. Sutton's career ends in disaster, she leaves New York City and her friends behind, and travels the country, finding a job as a private nurse for a paraplegic at a spooky mansion. However, this particular position is short-lived. Palmer ends up returning to Metropolitan General Hospital, where she first encounters Storm and Nightcrawler of the X-Men. It is revealed in the Nightcrawler series that her mother lives in Tucson, Arizona.

In other media

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

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See also: Marvel Cinematic Universe

Video games

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An unidentified Night Nurse appears as an unlockable character in Marvel Strike Force.[38][39] This version is armed with a gun that fires hypodermic needles.

References

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  1. ^ a b Cassell, Dewey (April 2017). "Enter the World of Danger, Drama, and Death...Night Nurse". Back Issue! (95). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 31–35.
  2. ^ "Night Nurse". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  3. ^ Alter Ego #70 (July 2007): Roy Thomas interview, pp. 49-50
  4. ^ Night Nurse (Marvel, 1972 series) at the Grand Comics Database
  5. ^ Weiss, Brett (October 2010). "Spidey Super Stories". Back Issue! (44). TwoMorrows Publishing: 25.
  6. ^ Richards, Dave. "The Winding Way Back: Sacasa Talks "Nightcrawler"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  7. ^ Night Nurse (Marvel, 2015 series) at the Grand Comics Database.
  8. ^ "The Cherry Ames Page: Linda Carter, Student Nurse". Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  9. ^ Linda Carter, Student Nurse at the Grand Comics Database.
  10. ^ a b c Night Nurse #1
  11. ^ Daredevil, vol. 2, no. 58 (May 2004).
  12. ^ a b Grubbs, Jefferson (April 10, 2014). "Daredevil Nurse Claire Temple Is From The Comics, But She's Not From The Matt Murdoch Chronicles". Bustle. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d Goldman, Eric (July 29, 2015). "Daredevil Showrunner On The One Thing Marvel Made Him Change Due To Movie Plans". IGN. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  14. ^ The Pulse, vol. 1, no. 9 (July 2005).
  15. ^ Doctor Strange: The Oath, vol. 1, no. 1 (December 2006).
  16. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man, vol. 1, no. 656 (March 2011).
  17. ^ "Hellion for Hire #2: A Tale of Two Cities" Archived July 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Newsarama.com]
  18. ^ Richards, Dave. "Strange Medicine: Vaughan Talks 'Dr. Strange: The Oath'", ComicBookResources.com, August 14, 2006
  19. ^ The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators: Doctor Strange: The Oath (2006-2007)
  20. ^ The New Avengers #57 (Nov. 2009)
  21. ^ Dark Reign: Elektra #1-5 (2009)
  22. ^ Spider-Woman vol. 7, #2 (2020)
  23. ^ Sneider, Jeff; Ge, Linda (September 14, 2015). "Rachel McAdams to Star in Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  24. ^ Collis, Clark (December 28, 2015). "Find out who Rachel McAdams plays in Doctor Strange". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  25. ^ Kaufman, Amy (July 24, 2015). "Rachel McAdams does fame her way". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  26. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 10, 2020). "Rachel McAdams Returning For 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness'". Deadline. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  27. ^ Campbell, Scott (August 1, 2021). "Here Are All the Marvel Actors Doing Voices in 'What If...?'". Collider. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Dockterman, Eliana (April 8, 2015). "Rosario Dawson on Being a Hero, Not a Love Interest, in Netflix's Daredevil". Time. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  29. ^ Cecchini, Mike (November 14, 2015). "Daredevil Netflix Series: Marvel Universe Easter Eggs and Comic References Guide". Den of Geek. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  30. ^ Huver, Scott (April 9, 2015). "Dawson Says 'Marvel's Doing Something Fun' with Daredevil's Claire Temple". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  31. ^ Goldman, Eric (July 29, 2015). "Daredevil Showrunner On The One Thing Marvel Made Him Change Due To Movie Plans". IGN. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  32. ^ Boone, John (July 30, 2015). "Jessica Jones Showrunner Teases a Super Suit for Krysten Ritter, Confirms Daredevil Crossover". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  33. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (September 2, 2015). "Theo Rossi joins Luke Cage cast, Rosario Dawson will appear as Claire Temple". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  34. ^ "Netflix Original Series Marvel's Luke Cage Adds to the Cast". Marvel.com. September 16, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  35. ^ "'Luke Cage': 'Back to the Future,' Stan Lee and More Easter Eggs You May Have Missed". IndieWire. October 4, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  36. ^ Damore, Meagan (October 8, 2016). "NYCC: Iron Fist Cast Makes First-Ever Live Appearance". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  37. ^ Perry, Spencer (November 2, 2016). "Scott Glenn, Rachael Taylor, and Rosario Dawson Confirmed for The Defenders". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  38. ^ Levandoski, Quinn (2021-12-12). "Marvel Strike Force: 10 Best Skill Characters, Ranked". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  39. ^ Dilena, Daniel (2022-02-05). "10 Best Healers In Marvel Strike Force". Game Rant. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
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