Lightning Lad

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This page discusses the pre-Zero Hour version of the character. For the post-ZH version, see Live Wire.

Lightning Lad, (Garth Ranzz of the planet Winath) is a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He has the superhuman ability to generate electricity usually in the form, of lightning bolts. He is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the future. He first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958). His first costume consisted of a red vest with a yellow collar, white epaulets, his original codename "Lightning Boy" and "v" shaped lightning bolts on the chest, red gloves and boots and green trousers. This costume was used only in his first Adventure Comics appearance. His second and more familiar costume consisted of a blue cape , a blue and white shirt with lightning bolts on the chest, blue trunks, orange leggings and blue boots.

Fictional biography

Lightning Lad is a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, along with Saturn Girl (whom he later married) and Cosmic Boy. He is the twin brother of fellow Legionnaire Lightning Lass, the younger brother of the supervillain Lightning Lord, and the father of the monstrous Validus.

Lightning Lad's history has often been seen as a pattern of tragedy and sacrifice, making him either the luckiest or unluckiest member of the Legion, depending on one's view. Early in the Legion's history, he sacrificed himself battling Zaryan the Conqueror, but was later resurrected by the sacrifice of Proty, Chameleon Boy's shapeshifting pet. However, a later retcon revealed that Proty's mind had actually taken over Lightning Lad's form. A second incident against a monster dubbed the "Super Moby Dick of space" resulted in the loss of Lightning Lad's right arm, which was replaced with a bionic appendage. He eventually had his arm regrown, but in the interim, a criminal scientist used the situation to hypnotize Lightning Lad into acting as the super criminal Starfinger, using the bionic arm as a weapon. The third incident , taking place after the Great Darkness Saga, was the abduction of their son by Darkseid, and his subsequent transformation into the monster Validus.

Powers

Lightning Lad had the ability to generate electricity, and direct bolts of it accurately (the exact mechanism in his power which prevents the bolts taking the path of least resistance to Earth is not understood), which he commonly refers to as "lightning."

It is unclear whether Proty retained any of his original abilities in Lightning Lad's form.

Elseworlds and other versions of Lightning Lad

Lightning Lad appeared in the DC/Marvel Comics Amalgam series in Spider-Boy Team-Up. He was merged with Marvel villain Living Lightning to form Living Lightning Lad . Similarly, his sister also merged with the same villain to form Living Lightning Lass. Both were members of the Legion Of Galactic Guardians 2009.Template:DC-Comics-stub