Lightray (character)

Lightray
Lightray, artist Jack Kirby
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	New Gods #1 (February 1971)
Created by	Jack Kirby (writer & artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Sollis
Species	New God
Place of origin	New Genesis
Team affiliations	Justice League New Gods
Abilities	Controls light, able to move at the speed of light.

Lightray (Sollis) 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).

Fictional character biography

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. He was also a member of the Justice League for a time, along with Orion. Lightray's desire for a minimum of fuss in battle was contrasted with his friend in issue #44 of Giffen's Justice League Of America. Lightray dispatched his foe, Crowbar, with a simple expedniture of energy to the man's face. Orion destroyed the pavement around Blackrock and was mad when his opponent surrendered instead of fighting to the death.

In this very same issue, it was shown Lightray (and possibly Orion) knew how to play the earth form of chess. Lightray's long hair caused him to be mistaken for a female by the old fashioned General Glory. As Sollis his idea of fun is protecting New Genesis from Apokolips, Darkseid, and his minions.

Powers and abilities

• Lightray can manipulate photons to create brilliant concussive blasts, focused columns of radiant heat, lasers and holograms. Using his power to the utmost he can generate a miniature sun as he did in New Gods #3 to escape the Black Racer.
• He can also flight the speed of light maybe even faster according to friend David Lincoln.

Alternate Versions

Template:Spoiler Lightray has appeared as part of an Earth-based resistance force in the Elseworlds graphic novel Superman The Dark Side. He uses his light-based powers to amp up Superman's abilities. Ultimately, he sacrifices his life in order to give Superman that much more power.

Other media

Lightray has appeared in WB's Superman and Justice League Unlimited animated series, in which he is voiced by Rob Paulsen.