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{{Short description|DC Comics hero}}
{{Infobox comics character
{{Infobox comics character
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Lightray
| character_name = Lightray
| image = File:Lightray - Jack Kirby's Fourth World Gallery.jpg
| image = Lightray.png
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| converted = y
| converted = y
| caption = As depicted in ''Jack Kirby's Fourth World Gallery'' (1996)
| caption = Lightray as depicted in ''New Gods'' #2 (April 1971). Art by [[Jack Kirby]]
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| debut = ''[[New Gods]]'' #1<br /> (February 1971)
| debut = ''[[New Gods]]'' #1 (February 1971)
| creators = [[Jack Kirby]] (writer - artist)
| creators = [[Jack Kirby]] (writer/artist)
| real_name = Solis
| real_name = Solis
| species = [[New God]]
| species = [[New God]]
Line 18: Line 19:
* Immortality
* Immortality
* Superhuman physical attributes
* Superhuman physical attributes
* Flight to the speed of light
* Light-speed flight
* Solar powers
* Solar powers
* Carries a Mother box
* Carries a Mother Box
| altcat = New Gods of New Genesis
| altcat = New Gods of New Genesis
| hero =
| hero =
Line 27: Line 28:
}}
}}


'''Lightray''' ('''Solis''') is a [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]. Created by [[Jack Kirby]] for the "''[[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]]''" meta-series, he first appeared in ''[[New Gods]]'' #1 (February 1971).<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=180}}</ref> Lightray was a major character in ''New Gods'' volume 1 (1971-1978),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sacks |first1=Jason |last2=Dallas |first2=Keith |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490564 |page=39}}</ref> as well as volume 2 (1984), volume 3 (1989-1991) and volume 4 (1995-1997). He has also appeared with [[Orion (comics)|Orion]] in the ''[[Cosmic Odyssey (comics)|Cosmic Odyssey]]'' limited series (1988-1989), ''[[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]]'' (1997-1998) and ''Orion'' (2000-2002).
'''Lightray''' ('''Solis''') is a [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]. Created by [[Jack Kirby]] for the ''[[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]]'' meta-series, he first appeared in ''[[New Gods]]'' #1 (February 1971).<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=180}}</ref> Lightray was a major character in ''New Gods'' volume 1 (1971–1978),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sacks |first1=Jason |last2=Dallas |first2=Keith |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s |date=2014 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490564 |page=39}}</ref> as well as volume 2 (1984), volume 3 (1989–1991) and volume 4 (1995–1997). He has also appeared with [[Orion (comics)|Orion]] in the ''[[Cosmic Odyssey (comics)|Cosmic Odyssey]]'' limited series (1988–1989), ''[[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]]'' (1997–1998) and ''Orion'' (2000–2002).


Seven years after the character's creation, Lightray's origin story was revealed in ''[[DC Special Series]]'' #10, a ''Secret Origins of Super-Heroes'' issue that was published in January 1978.<ref name=BI-104>{{cite journal |last1=Martin |first1=Brian |title=The Returns of the New Gods |journal=Back Issue |date=June 2018 |issue=104 |pages=5, 13, 23 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Back_Issue_104/b4VXDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=lightray%20 |accessdate=27 March 2020}}</ref>
Seven years after the character's creation, Lightray's origin story was revealed in ''[[DC Special Series]]'' #10, a ''Secret Origins of Super-Heroes'' issue that was published in January 1978.<ref name=BI-104>{{cite journal |last1=Martin |first1=Brian |title=The Return of the New Gods |journal=Back Issue |date=June 2018 |issue=#104 |pages=5, 13, 23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b4VXDwAAQBAJ&q=lightray%20 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>


The version of the character in current [[DC Universe|DC continuity]] was introduced in ''[[Green Lantern|Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead]]'' #1 in December, 2014.<ref name=Guide/>
The version of the character in current [[DC Universe|DC continuity]] was introduced in ''[[Green Lantern|Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead]]'' #1 in December 2014.<ref name=Guide/>


==Characterization==
==Characterization==
For the fourth volume of ''New Gods'' created by in 1995, [[Rachel Pollack]] and [[Tom Peyer]] discussed with ''Back Issue'' magazine how Lightray changed after [[Darkseid]] is killed by Orion in ''New Gods'' issue #2:
For the fourth volume of ''New Gods'' created by in 1995, [[Rachel Pollack]] and [[Tom Peyer]] discussed with ''Back Issue'' magazine how Lightray changed after [[Darkseid]] is killed by Orion in issue #2:


{{quote|The most telling effect of this event is that it drives many of the residents of New Genesis slightly insane, none more so than Lightray, who becomes extremely violent and seems to enjoy cruelty. In their first issue, the writing duo had emphasized Lightray's... lightness, if you will, making him a very jovial, happy character. As it turns out, this was not an accident. "To me, Lightray is not so much childish as innocent. He sees only the light," Pollack tells ''Back Issue''. "That's why he was so easily corrupted." Tom Peyer agrees, feeling, "I think the main purpose Kirby gave Lightray was to make Orion seem grim and dark by comparison. So we probably played Lightray's notes loudly to make the contrast obvious."<ref name=BI-104/>}}
{{quote|The most telling effect of this event is that it drives many of the residents of New Genesis slightly insane, none more so than Lightray, who becomes extremely violent and seems to enjoy cruelty. In their first issue, the writing duo had emphasized Lightray's... lightness, if you will, making him a very jovial, happy character. As it turns out, this was not an accident. "To me, Lightray is not so much childish as innocent. He sees only the light", Pollack tells ''Back Issue''. "That's why he was so easily corrupted". Tom Peyer agrees, feeling: "I think the main purpose Kirby gave Lightray was to make Orion seem grim and dark by comparison. So we probably played Lightray's notes loudly to make the contrast obvious".<ref name=BI-104/>}}


[[Walt Simonson]], who wrote the ''Orion'' series starting in 2000, says that his conception of Lightray and Orion was based on the relationship that Kirby established in ''New Gods'' volume 1. In 2018, Simonson said, "I saw Lightray as a strategist, whereas Orion is more a tactitian. Jack actually had Orion refer to Lightray as a planner at the clima of the Deep Six story, "The Glory Boat!" (''New Gods'' #6, Jan. 1972). I tried basing my notions of Lightray primarily on that story."<ref name=BI-104/>
[[Walt Simonson]], who wrote the ''Orion'' series starting in 2000, says that his conception of Lightray and Orion was based on the relationship that Kirby established in ''New Gods'' volume 1. In 2018, Simonson said: "I saw Lightray as a strategist, whereas Orion is more a tactician. Jack actually had Orion refer to Lightray as a planner at the climax of the Deep Six story, "The Glory Boat!" (''New Gods'' #6, Jan. 1972). I tried basing my notions of Lightray primarily on that story".<ref name=BI-104/>


In ''Superheroes of the Round Table'', Jason Tondro characterizes Lightray's place in Kirby's ''New Gods'' work: "We have characters like... the amazing Lightray, a denizen of New Genesis who embodies light with all of its creativity, bright humor, and intelligence... Lightray embodies illumination." Tondro says Lightray "and other characters, both good and evil, hint at the full dimensions of Kirby's epic pantheon".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tondro |first1=Jason |title=Superheroes of the Round Table: Comics Connections to Medieval and Renaissance Literature |date=2011 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-0786460687 |page=77}}</ref>
In ''Superheroes of the Round Table'', Jason Tondro characterizes Lightray's place in Kirby's ''New Gods'' work: "We have characters like... the amazing Lightray, a denizen of New Genesis who embodies light with all of its creativity, bright humor, and intelligence... Lightray embodies illumination". Tondro says Lightray "and other characters, both good and evil, hint at the full dimensions of Kirby's epic pantheon".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tondro |first1=Jason |title=Superheroes of the Round Table: Comics Connections to Medieval and Renaissance Literature |date=2011 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-0786460687 |page=77}}</ref>


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
Lightray is the shining star of [[New Genesis]] and a high-spirited [[New God]]. Unlike his grim friend [[Orion (comics)|Orion]], Lightray is cheerful and optimistic and prefers to solve problems through compromise rather than combat. He uses the speed of light to his advantage in eluding foes.
Lightray is the shining star of [[New Genesis]] and a high-spirited [[New God]]. Unlike his grim friend [[Orion (comics)|Orion]], Lightray is cheerful and optimistic and prefers to solve problems through compromise rather than combat. He uses the speed of light to his advantage in eluding foes.


[[File:Countdown48.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Cover art for ''Countdown'' #48. Art by [[Andy Kubert]].]]
[[File:Countdown48.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Cover art for ''Countdown'' #48, art by [[Andy Kubert]].]]
Lightray has served one stint as a member of the [[Justice League]]. He joined the international branch along with Orion on the same night as a membership drive failed to find other new recruits.<ref>''Justice League America'' #42, September 1990</ref> The difference between the two was illustrated in battle. While Lightray desires a minimum of fuss in battle by dispatching his foe [[Crowbar (comics)|Crowbar]] with a simple expenditure of energy to the man's face, Orion preferred to destroy the pavement around [[Blackrock (comics)|Blackrock]], only to then be angered when his opponent surrendered instead of fighting to the death.<ref>''Ibid'' #44</ref>
Lightray has served one stint as a member of the [[Justice League]]. He joined the international branch along with Orion on the same night as a membership drive failed to find other new recruits.<ref>''Justice League America'' #42 (September 1990)</ref> The difference between the two was illustrated in battle. While Lightray desires a minimum of fuss in battle by dispatching his foe [[Crowbar (comics)|Crowbar]] with a simple expenditure of energy to the man's face, Orion preferred to destroy the pavement around [[Blackrock (comics)|Blackrock]], only to then be angered when his opponent surrendered instead of fighting to the death.<ref>''Ibid'' #44</ref>


In this same issue, Lightray demonstrates his knowledge of chess. Lightray's long hair causes him to be mistaken for a girl by the old-fashioned [[General Glory]]. They stay with the team until just after the battle with General Glory's old foe the Evil Eye.<ref>''Ibid'' #50, May 1991</ref>
In this same issue, Lightray demonstrates his knowledge of chess. Lightray's long hair causes him to be mistaken for a girl by the old-fashioned [[General Glory]]. They stay with the team until just after the battle with General Glory's old foe the Evil Eye.<ref>''Ibid'' #50 (May 1991)</ref>


As Solis his idea of fun is protecting New Genesis from [[Apokolips]], [[Darkseid]], and his minions. He resides on New Genesis and is active in adventuring. He returns to Earth briefly in ''JLA'' #27 (March 1999), as part of an emergency expansion of the Justice League. The team battles the android [[Amazo]] in the Florida Everglades. Most of them are subdued and their powers copied, Lightray included. Amazo loses his powers when Superman, as the chairman, officially disbands the League, thus ending Lightray's membership.
As Solis his idea of fun is protecting New Genesis from [[Apokolips]], [[Darkseid]], and his minions. He resides on New Genesis and is active in adventuring. He returns to Earth briefly in ''JLA'' #27 (March 1999), as part of an emergency expansion of the Justice League. The team battles the android [[Amazo]] in the Florida Everglades. Most of them are subdued and their powers copied, Lightray included. Amazo loses his powers when Superman, as the chairman, officially disbands the League, thus ending Lightray's membership.


He would appear again to aid the League alongside Orion and [[Big Barda]] when the planet [[Qward]] attacked earth with a giant ship.
He would appear again to aid the League alongside Orion and [[Big Barda]] when the planet [[Qward]] attacked Earth with a giant ship.


In ''[[Countdown (DC Comics)|Countdown]]'' #48, Lightray falls to earth after an off stage fight with the New Gods Killer (later revealed to be [[Infinity-Man]]). He dies holding Jimmy Olsen's hand, repeating the word "infinite" and glowing brighter.
In ''[[Countdown (DC Comics)|Countdown]]'' #48, Lightray falls to Earth after an off stage fight with the New Gods Killer (later revealed to be [[Infinity-Man]]). He dies holding Jimmy Olsen's hand, repeating the word "infinite" and glowing brighter.


In ''[[Final Crisis]]'' #7, Lightray is depicted standing alongside [[Big Barda|Barda]] and [[Mister Miracle]] following the reincarnation of [[New Genesis]] on the ruins of Apokolips.
In ''[[Final Crisis]]'' #7, Lightray is depicted standing alongside [[Big Barda|Barda]] and [[Mister Miracle]] following the reincarnation of [[New Genesis]] on the ruins of Apokolips.
{{Clear}}


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Line 65: Line 65:
==Alternate versions==
==Alternate versions==
===Seven Soldiers of Victory===
===Seven Soldiers of Victory===
Lightray makes several brief, non speaking appearances in Grant Morrison's ''Seven Soldiers of Victory'' series, where his human form is a frail man on crutches.
Lightray makes several brief, non-speaking appearances in Grant Morrison's ''Seven Soldiers of Victory'' series, where his human form is a frail man on crutches.


===Captain Carrot===
===Captain Carrot===
Line 71: Line 71:


===JLA: The Nail===
===JLA: The Nail===
In the 1998 [[Elseworlds]] [[JLA: The Nail]], Lightray is depicted fighting in a war between New Genesis and Apokolips.
In the 1998 [[Elseworlds]] ''[[JLA: The Nail]]'', Lightray is depicted fighting in a war between New Genesis and Apokolips.


==Influence==
==Influence==
[[Jack Kirby]]'s 1971 design for Lightray's costume influenced the look of artist [[Al Milgrom]]'s creation of [[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm]] in 1978. In a 2019 interview, Milgrom admitted, "The facemask on Firestorm, the way it comes around the chin, was probably inspired by Lightray more than anything... I liked the [Lightray] head-covering thing; I said, "I'm stealin' it!"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Disharoon |first1=Cecil |title=The Firestorm Interviews |journal=Back Issue |date=May 2019 |issue=112 |page=8 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Back_Issue_112/FqGWDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=lightray+dc+comics&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover |accessdate=27 March 2020}}</ref>
[[Jack Kirby]]'s 1971 design for Lightray's costume influenced the look of artist [[Al Milgrom]]'s creation of [[Firestorm (character)|Firestorm]] in 1978. In an interview from 2019, Milgrom admitted: "The facemask on Firestorm, the way it comes around the chin, was probably inspired by Lightray more than anything... I liked the [Lightray] head-covering thing; I said, "I'm stealin' it!"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Disharoon |first1=Cecil |title=The Firestorm Interviews |journal=Back Issue |date=May 2019 |issue=#112 |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FqGWDwAAQBAJ&dq=lightray+dc+comics&pg=PA8 |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref>


A July 1971 ''New Gods'' story featuring Lightray has been noted as an example of racial bias in 1970s superhero storytelling. In "Death and the Black Racer" (''New Gods'' #3), Lightray — a blond white man — is running desperately to escape the Black Racer, portrayed as a person of color. José Alaniz and Scott T. Smith noted in ''Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability'' that the story "suggests a racial dichotomy... in which blackness presents as a threatening force."<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Alaniz |editor1-first=José |editor2-last=Smith |editor2-first=Scott T. |title=Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability |date=2019 |publisher=Penn State University Press |isbn=978-0271084756 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Uncanny_Bodies/T-bEDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=lightray |accessdate=27 March 2020 |chapter=Introduction}}</ref>
A July 1971 ''New Gods'' story featuring Lightray has been noted as an example of racial bias in 1970s superhero storytelling. In "Death and the Black Racer" (''New Gods'' #3), Lightray — a blond white man — is running desperately to escape the Black Racer, portrayed as a person of color. José Alaniz and Scott T. Smith noted in ''Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability'' that the story "suggests a racial dichotomy... in which blackness presents as a threatening force".<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Alaniz |editor1-first=José |editor2-last=Smith |editor2-first=Scott T. |title=Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability |date=2019 |publisher=Penn State University Press |isbn=978-0271084756 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T-bEDwAAQBAJ&q=lightray |access-date=27 March 2020 |chapter=Introduction}}</ref>


==In other media==
==In other media==
===Television===
===Television===
* Lightray appears in the ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' episode "Legacy" Pt. 2, in a non-speaking role.
* Lightray appears in series set in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU):
** Lightray makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' episode "Legacy".
* Lightray appears in the two-part ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' episode "Twilight" voiced by [[Rob Paulsen]]. When Batman and Wonder Woman arrive on New Genesis to look for Orion, Lightray taunts them, giving Wonder Woman a playful slap on the behind, prompting her to declare "He's worse than the Flash!". This leads to a chase around New Genesis as Batman manages to trap Lightray as Orion arrives. Lightray was later seen with Batman, Wonder Woman, and Orion when they meet with Highfather.
** Lightray appears in the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' two-part episode "Twilight", voiced by [[Rob Paulsen]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Lightray Voices (Superman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Superman/Lightray/ |access-date=December 5, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.</ref> [[Batman]] and [[Wonder Woman]] meet him after arriving on New Genesis, and he later accompanies them and Orion in meeting [[Highfather]].
* Lightray returns in an unspeaking role in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Destroyer." He encounters [[Lex Luthor]], [[Sinestro]] and the Secret Society near New Genesis after they have accidentally resurrected Darkseid only to be attacked and have his [[Mother Box]] stolen by [[Evil Star]], which the villains use to return to Earth, their base having been destroyed by Darkseid. His fate after Evil Star steals his Mother Box is unknown.
** Lightray makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Destroyer". [[Lex Luthor]] and the [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]] encounter him after Darkseid destroys their base, subsequently stealing his [[Mother Box]] to return to Earth and help thwart Darkseid's invasion.
* Lightray was originally planned to appear in the [[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]] episode "Inner (Para) Demons" where Darkseid would've killed him for his incompetence. However, [[DC Comics]] objected to the death and Lightray's cameo was replaced by [[Forager (character)|Forager]].<ref>(2020). "Harley Quinn EPS Talk the Evolution of Harlivy and Plans for Season 3". SYFY. Retrieved 27 June 2020</ref>
* Lightray was originally planned to appear in the ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]'' episode "Inner (Para) Demons" where Darkseid would have killed him for his incompetence, but [[DC Comics]] objected and his cameo was replaced by [[Forager (character)|Forager]].<ref>(2020). "Harley Quinn EPS Talk the Evolution of Harlivy and Plans for Season 3". SYFY. Retrieved 27 June 2020</ref>
* Lightray appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Nolan North]].<ref name="btva" />


===Film===
===Film===
* An alternate universe version of Lightray appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'' voiced by [[Trevor Devall]]. He partakes in the betrayal of Darkseid and is murdered by Bekka when he attacks her.
* An alternate universe version of Lightray appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'', voiced by [[Trevor Devall]].


==References==
==References==
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{{New Gods}}
{{New Gods}}
{{Justice League characters}}
{{Jack Kirby}}
{{Jack Kirby}}

[[Category:DC Comics cosmic entities]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:DC Comics deities]]
[[Category:DC Comics deities]]
[[Category:DC Comics superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics superheroes]]
Line 99: Line 103:
[[Category:DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can manipulate light]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can manipulate light]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Fourth World (comics)]]
[[Category:Fourth World (comics)]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 30 December 2023

Lightray
Lightray as depicted in New Gods #2 (April 1971). Art by Jack Kirby
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceNew Gods #1 (February 1971)
Created byJack Kirby (writer/artist)
In-story information
Alter egoSolis
SpeciesNew God
Place of originNew Genesis
Team affiliationsNew Gods
Justice League
Justice League International
Abilities
  • Immortality
  • Superhuman physical attributes
  • Light-speed flight
  • Solar powers
  • Carries a Mother Box

Lightray (Solis) is a DC Comics superhero. Created by Jack Kirby for the Jack Kirby's Fourth World meta-series, he first appeared in New Gods #1 (February 1971).[1] Lightray was a major character in New Gods volume 1 (1971–1978),[2] as well as volume 2 (1984), volume 3 (1989–1991) and volume 4 (1995–1997). He has also appeared with Orion in the Cosmic Odyssey limited series (1988–1989), Jack Kirby's Fourth World (1997–1998) and Orion (2000–2002).

Seven years after the character's creation, Lightray's origin story was revealed in DC Special Series #10, a Secret Origins of Super-Heroes issue that was published in January 1978.[3]

The version of the character in current DC continuity was introduced in Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead #1 in December 2014.[1]

Characterization[edit]

For the fourth volume of New Gods created by in 1995, Rachel Pollack and Tom Peyer discussed with Back Issue magazine how Lightray changed after Darkseid is killed by Orion in issue #2:

The most telling effect of this event is that it drives many of the residents of New Genesis slightly insane, none more so than Lightray, who becomes extremely violent and seems to enjoy cruelty. In their first issue, the writing duo had emphasized Lightray's... lightness, if you will, making him a very jovial, happy character. As it turns out, this was not an accident. "To me, Lightray is not so much childish as innocent. He sees only the light", Pollack tells Back Issue. "That's why he was so easily corrupted". Tom Peyer agrees, feeling: "I think the main purpose Kirby gave Lightray was to make Orion seem grim and dark by comparison. So we probably played Lightray's notes loudly to make the contrast obvious".[3]

Walt Simonson, who wrote the Orion series starting in 2000, says that his conception of Lightray and Orion was based on the relationship that Kirby established in New Gods volume 1. In 2018, Simonson said: "I saw Lightray as a strategist, whereas Orion is more a tactician. Jack actually had Orion refer to Lightray as a planner at the climax of the Deep Six story, "The Glory Boat!" (New Gods #6, Jan. 1972). I tried basing my notions of Lightray primarily on that story".[3]

In Superheroes of the Round Table, Jason Tondro characterizes Lightray's place in Kirby's New Gods work: "We have characters like... the amazing Lightray, a denizen of New Genesis who embodies light with all of its creativity, bright humor, and intelligence... Lightray embodies illumination". Tondro says Lightray "and other characters, both good and evil, hint at the full dimensions of Kirby's epic pantheon".[4]

Fictional character biography[edit]

Lightray is the shining star of New Genesis and a high-spirited New God. Unlike his grim friend Orion, Lightray is cheerful and optimistic and prefers to solve problems through compromise rather than combat. He uses the speed of light to his advantage in eluding foes.

Cover art for Countdown #48, art by Andy Kubert.

Lightray has served one stint as a member of the Justice League. He joined the international branch along with Orion on the same night as a membership drive failed to find other new recruits.[5] The difference between the two was illustrated in battle. While Lightray desires a minimum of fuss in battle by dispatching his foe Crowbar with a simple expenditure of energy to the man's face, Orion preferred to destroy the pavement around Blackrock, only to then be angered when his opponent surrendered instead of fighting to the death.[6]

In this same issue, Lightray demonstrates his knowledge of chess. Lightray's long hair causes him to be mistaken for a girl by the old-fashioned General Glory. They stay with the team until just after the battle with General Glory's old foe the Evil Eye.[7]

As Solis his idea of fun is protecting New Genesis from Apokolips, Darkseid, and his minions. He resides on New Genesis and is active in adventuring. He returns to Earth briefly in JLA #27 (March 1999), as part of an emergency expansion of the Justice League. The team battles the android Amazo in the Florida Everglades. Most of them are subdued and their powers copied, Lightray included. Amazo loses his powers when Superman, as the chairman, officially disbands the League, thus ending Lightray's membership.

He would appear again to aid the League alongside Orion and Big Barda when the planet Qward attacked Earth with a giant ship.

In Countdown #48, Lightray falls to Earth after an off stage fight with the New Gods Killer (later revealed to be Infinity-Man). He dies holding Jimmy Olsen's hand, repeating the word "infinite" and glowing brighter.

In Final Crisis #7, Lightray is depicted standing alongside Barda and Mister Miracle following the reincarnation of New Genesis on the ruins of Apokolips.

Powers and abilities[edit]

Like all the New Gods, Lightray is functionally immortal and possesses great superhuman strength, endurance and reflexes. Lightray is able to lift several tons with ease. His reflexes and durability are also more than amazing and he has a limited degree of invulnerability. Lightray flies at the speed of light or even faster, and can generate and project solar energy. Thus, he can create brilliant light and extraordinarily high levels of heat. He can focus his solar energy into beams of laser-like intensity. Lightray can also use his powers of light to create life-like illusions. Using his power to the maximum, he can generate a huge sun or a nova explosion. Although Lightray has a pacifist personality and isn't a highly experienced warrior, he is well trained in hand-to-hand combat, but he prefers to use his solar powers in battle. In his headgear Lightray carries one of the powerful "living computers" called Mother Box.

Alternate versions[edit]

Seven Soldiers of Victory[edit]

Lightray makes several brief, non-speaking appearances in Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers of Victory series, where his human form is a frail man on crutches.

Captain Carrot[edit]

In the miniseries Captain Carrot and the Final Ark, Lightray's counterpart in the "New Dogs" is an anthropomorphic dog named Lightstray.

JLA: The Nail[edit]

In the 1998 Elseworlds JLA: The Nail, Lightray is depicted fighting in a war between New Genesis and Apokolips.

Influence[edit]

Jack Kirby's 1971 design for Lightray's costume influenced the look of artist Al Milgrom's creation of Firestorm in 1978. In an interview from 2019, Milgrom admitted: "The facemask on Firestorm, the way it comes around the chin, was probably inspired by Lightray more than anything... I liked the [Lightray] head-covering thing; I said, "I'm stealin' it!"[8]

A July 1971 New Gods story featuring Lightray has been noted as an example of racial bias in 1970s superhero storytelling. In "Death and the Black Racer" (New Gods #3), Lightray — a blond white man — is running desperately to escape the Black Racer, portrayed as a person of color. José Alaniz and Scott T. Smith noted in Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability that the story "suggests a racial dichotomy... in which blackness presents as a threatening force".[9]

In other media[edit]

Television[edit]

Film[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ Sacks, Jason; Dallas, Keith (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 978-1605490564.
  3. ^ a b c Martin, Brian (June 2018). "The Return of the New Gods". Back Issue (#104): 5, 13, 23. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ^ Tondro, Jason (2011). Superheroes of the Round Table: Comics Connections to Medieval and Renaissance Literature. McFarland & Co. p. 77. ISBN 978-0786460687.
  5. ^ Justice League America #42 (September 1990)
  6. ^ Ibid #44
  7. ^ Ibid #50 (May 1991)
  8. ^ Disharoon, Cecil (May 2019). "The Firestorm Interviews". Back Issue (#112): 8. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  9. ^ Alaniz, José; Smith, Scott T., eds. (2019). "Introduction". Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability. Penn State University Press. ISBN 978-0271084756. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Lightray Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 5, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  11. ^ (2020). "Harley Quinn EPS Talk the Evolution of Harlivy and Plans for Season 3". SYFY. Retrieved 27 June 2020
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