Sun Boy

Sun Boy (Dirk Morgna) is a superhero appearing in media published by DC Comics, primarily as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries. He has the ability to generate internal solar energy to whatever degree he wishes, from enough to light a single candle to enough to melt nearly any obstacle.

Sun Boy first appeared in 1961 during the Silver Age of Comic Books.

Publication history

Sun Boy first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #276 (as a cameo in a Supergirl story) and was created by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney. His first full appearance (albeit as an impostor) is in ''Adventure Comics'' #290.

Fictional character biography

Silver Age

Dirk Morgna's father owns a nuclear power plant, where he works as a helper. While he is delivering supplies to one of the plant's scientists, Dr. Zaxton Regulus, the machine the scientist is working on explodes, killing fellow worker Zarl Hendricks. Regulus blames the accident, and his subsequent dismissal, on the interruption. He tries to gain revenge on Dirk by throwing him in an atomic reactor, which instead gives him powers due to his " one-in-a-million genetic structure".

Dirk applies for the Legion, as Sun Boy, but is rejected as he has only demonstrated his ability to generate light. He is later accepted when he shows his heat-generation ability.

"Five Years Later"

During the "Five Year Gap" following the Magic Wars, Sun Boy becomes leader of the Legion and a public relations liaison to Earthgov. After Earthgov is revealed to be under Dominator control, Sun Boy is branded a traitor. He is later exposed to a fatal dose of radiation and euthanized by his lover Circe. Following this, a temporal clone of Sun Boy from "Batch SW6" is introduced.

Post-Zero Hour

In post-'' Zero Hour'' continuity, Dirk Morgna is a supporting character who does not permanently possess powers. He temporarily gains pyrokinetic abilities on two occasions after being injected with radioactive gold by Doctor Regulus and possessed by the elemental spirit Ph'yr.

Threeboot

In the " Threeboot", Sun Boy is the Legion's field leader. He later resigns and begins assisting the exiled descendants living in "otherspace".

This version of Sun Boy is killed by Superboy-Prime in '' Legion of Three Worlds'' #3. He is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern in '' Blackest Night''.

Post-Infinite Crisis

The events of ''Infinite Crisis'' restore an analogue of the pre-''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' Legion to continuity. Sun Boy is captured by Earth Man and used to turn stars throughout the galaxy red. He is rescued, but traumatized and left unable to use his powers. Sun Boy is later killed in a starcruiser crash, after which the planet's inhabitants cook and eat his body.

DC Rebirth

In '' Doomsday Clock'', Sun Boy is erased from existence following Doctor Manhattan's alterations to the timeline. However, Superman convinces Manhattan to undo his changes, restoring the Legion and the Justice Society of America.

Powers and abilities

Sun Boy is a metahuman with the ability to generate vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation, heat, and light. He is also immune to virtually all forms of heat and radiation. As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, he is provided a Legion Flight Ring, which allows him to fly and survive in the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments.

In other media

* Sun Boy makes non-speaking appearances in '' Legion of Super Heroes''. This version sports fiery hair and black sclera.
* Sun Boy appears in the one-shot comic '' Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes''.

References

External links

* SUN BOY at the LEGION Collection - http://jameskeeley777.wixsite.com/legion/sun-boy

A Hero History Of Sun Boy

{{Superman characters

Characters created by Jerry Siegel
Characters created by Jim Mooney
Comics characters introduced in 1961
DC Comics male superheroes
DC Comics metahumans
Fictional characters who can manipulate light
Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities
Fictional characters with solar abilities
Legion of Super-Heroes members