Ultra Boy(Jo Nah) is asuperheroappearing inDC Comics,primarily as a member of theLegion of Super-Heroesin the 30th and 31st centuries.[1]He gained his powers after being eaten by a whale-like beast in space and being exposed to large amounts of radiation while inside. His real name is derived from theBiblicalfigureJonah,who also survived being swallowed by a "large fish" (often interpreted as a whale).
| Ultra Boy | |
|---|---|
 Ultra Boy as depicted inWho's Who in the DC Universe#24 (February 1987). Art by Ron Frenz (penciller) and Bruce Patterson (inker). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superboy#98 (July 1962) |
| Created by | Jerry Siegel Curt Swan |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jo Nah |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Place of origin | Rimbor |
| Team affiliations | Legion of Super-Heroes Workforce |
| Notable aliases | Emerald Dragon |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, superhuman speed, flight, durability, flash vision, 'penetra-vision' (one power at a time) |
Ultra Boy has made limited appearances in media outside comics, withJames Arnold Taylorvoicing him inLegion of Super Heroes(2006).
Publication history
editUltra Boy first appeared inSuperboy#98, and was created byJerry SiegelandCurt Swan.[2]
Fictional character biography
edit
In Ultra Boy's first appearance inSuperboy#98 (1962), he travels to the 21st century to uncoverSuperboy's secret identity and prove himself worthy of joining the Legion.[3]After joining the Legion, he serves two terms as their leader.[4][5]
After the Legion disbands in the "Five Years Later"arc, Ultar Boy returns to Rimbor and becomes a criminal before rejoining the group. Furthermore, a temporal clone of Ultra Boy from" Batch SW6 "is introduced.[6]
FollowingZero Hour: Crisis in Time!,which reboots the Legion's continuity, Ultra Boy is reimagined as the former leader of the Emerald Dragons gang and a member ofWorkforce.He later leaves Workforce, joins the Legion, and marriesApparition,with whom he has a son named Cub. In the "Threeboot",he has a brief affair withSaturn Girl.[7]
InDoomsday Clock,Doctor Manhattanerases Ultra Boy and the Legion from existence beforeSupermanconvinces him to restore them.[8][9]
Powers and abilities
editUltra Boy possesses abilities similar to Superman, including flight, x-ray vision, heat vision, and superhuman strength, durability, and speed. However, he can only use one power at a time.
As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Ultra Boy is provided a Legion Flight Ring, which allows him to fly and protects him from the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments. Although he has the equivalent innate abilities, the ring allows him to forgo them and leave another of his powers available for use.
In other media
editTelevision
edit- Ultra Boy makes a cameo appearance in theSuperman: The Animated Seriesepisode "New Kids In Town".
- Ultra Boy makes a cameo appearance in theJustice League Unlimitedepisode "Far From Home" as one of several Legionnaires mind-controlled by theFatal Five.
- Jo Nah / Ultra Boy appears inLegion of Super Heroes,voiced byJames Arnold Taylor.Introduced as a civilian in the episode "Champions", he competes in the Intergalactic Games before helping fellow contestantTenzil Kemand the Legion fend off an attack by the Fatal Five. As of the two-part episode "Sundown", Ultra Boy joins the Legion to help them defeat theSun-Eater.
Video games
editUltra Boy appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[10]
Miscellaneous
edit- Ultra Boy serves as inspiration forChampions's "Ultra Slots".[citation needed]
- Ultra Boy appears inAdventures in the DC Universe#10.[11]
- Ultra Boy appears in the one-shot comicBatman '66Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes.[12]
References
edit- ^Cadigan, Glen, ed. (2004).The Best of the Legion Outpost.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 8.ISBN9781893905368.Archivedfrom the original on 31 July 2024.Retrieved29 March2020.
- ^Cadigan, Glen (2003).The Legion Companion.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 23.ISBN9781893905221.Archivedfrom the original on 31 July 2024.Retrieved29 March2020.
- ^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 450–451.ISBN978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^Ultra Boy's first term as leader began inAdventure Comics#371 (August 1968)
- ^Ultra Boy's second term as leader began inSuperboy#184 (August 1972)
- ^Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 4) #38 (December 1992)
- ^Legion of Super-Heroes(vol. 5) #46 (November 2008)
- ^Doomsday Clock#12 (December 2019). DC Comics.
- ^Justice Society of America(vol. 4) #10 (September 2024)
- ^Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects -Scribblenauts UnmaskedGuide ".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on July 31, 2024.RetrievedJuly 30,2024.
- ^"Adventures in the DC Universe#10 - The Blobs (Issue) ".Comic Vine.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2023.RetrievedJune 22,2023.
- ^"Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes#1 - Atomic Batteries To Power, Flight Rings To Speed (Issue) ".Comic Vine.Archivedfrom the original on August 18, 2023.RetrievedAugust 18,2023.