Power Boy

Power Boy is the name of three fictional superheroes that appear in comic books published by DC Comics.

Fictional character biographies

Zarl Vorne

The first Power Boy's origin paralleled Superboy's. An Atlantean couple that foresaw Atlantis' destruction used a rocket ship to send their infant child to the asteroid Juno, where he was raised by a man who adopted him.

Jedediah Rikane

The second Power Boy comes from the far future. Jedediah Rikane was a student in the Legion of Super-Heroes training program at the Legion Academy. (Note: This Jed Rikane should not be confused with Jediah Rikane of DC's Starman comic.) After being rejected for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes, he remained at the Academy and later became an instructor in the United Planets Militia Academy on Xolnar. He was killed by a Khundian commando while defending the pluridium mines of Xolnar.

A version of Jedediah is later seen in a group of Legionnaires pulled from alternate worlds to fight the Time Trapper in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5. In the altered continuity that results from that Crisis, Power Boy reappears as a living member of the Academy, and begins a relationship with fellow student Gravity Kid in Adventure Comics #528 (September 2011).

In addition, a memorial statue to a dead Legionnaire named "Power Boy" appears in the Adult Legion story in Adventure Comics #354 (March 1967), eleven years before Jedediah's debut in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #240 (June 1978).

Power Boy

The third Power Boy became a member of the Teen Titans during the one-year gap after the events of Infinite Crisis. This Power Boy made his first full appearance in 52 #21 along with Little Barda.

In Supergirl vol. 5, he had a relationship with Supergirl and it was revealed that he came from Apokolips. Supergirl broke up with him when he became overly controlling and violently possessive, going so far as to kick him in the groin and threaten him never to come near her again.^[1]

He next appeared in the Titans East Special where he was killed by an unrevealed assailant, later shown to be the sons of Trigon.^[2]

Because he was born on Apokolips and enhanced by Darkseid, the third Power Boy has superhuman strength, speed, and durability. He can also fly and survive in space unaided. He can teleport across great distances by using his "Father Box", an Apokoliptan version of the Mother Box.

The third Power Boy's costume (and name, of course) are similar to Power Girl. In a DC Nation column appearing in comics dated March 2007, Eddie Berganza stated the character was intended as a male parody of some of the clichés associated with female characters.^[3]

Other versions

Another version appeared in the pages of the Teen Titans Go! comic series.^[4] This Power Boy is revealed as an alternate identity for Robby Reed, holder of the Hero Dial. In this version, the Dial is unable to grant superpowers, but unbeknownst to Robby, it steals abilities from any nearby hero. Power Boy is the result of Robby using Donna Troy's powers. Power Boy and the other identities are later retired when Robby gives away his dial and joins Cyborg's New Teen Titans program.

References

External links

• DCU Guide: Power Boy (Zarl Vorne)
• DCU Guide: Power Boy (Jedidiah Rikane)
• Power Boy at the Comic Book DB
• Power Boy at the DC Database