Tenzil Kem is the real name of Matter-Eater Lad.
Matter-Eater Lad comes from the planet Bismoll where microbes
have poisoned all of that world's food. The Bismollians have
adapted so that they can eat anything (metal, dirt, rocks, glass, etc) with no harm to them.
Matter-Eater Lad applied and was accepted as a member in the Legion of
Super-Heroes.
Matter-Eater Lad had a distinguished career in the Legion.
He went mad for a time due to the energies he absorbed by eating the
Miracle Machine to help defeat Omega. Matter-Eater Lad has
since resigned as a Legionaire and returned to Bismoll to serve
within the Bismollian government.