Grayven

Grayven
Grayven as depicted inGreen Lantern(vol. 3) #74 (June 1996). Art by Darryl Banks.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Green Lantern(vol. 3) #74 (June 1996)
Created by	Ron Marz(writer) Darryl Banks(artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Grayven
Species	New God
Place of origin	Apokolips
Abilities	Immortality Superhuman strength, durability & speed Hand to hand combatant Limited Omega Effect

Grayvenis asupervillainpublished byDC Comics.He first appeared inGreen Lantern(vol. 3) #74 (June 1996), and was created byRon MarzandDarryl Banks,making him one of the fewNew Godscharacters not created byJack Kirby.

Fictional character biography

Grayven is the third son ofDarkseid,born of an unknown mother and apparently without his father's knowledge, younger brother toKalibakandOrion.Grayven leads a campaign of destruction against the cosmos, destroying planets. He leads a campaign against theDarkstars,a galactic police force, killing many of their number.His campaign comes to an end on the planetRann.He desires azeta beam device,a product of Rannian science that provides instantaneous transportation on a grand scale. He intends to zeta beam his forces onto Apokolips, announce his presence to his father, and conquer the planet.

While the remaining Darkstars engaged Grayven's army, Green LanternKyle Raynerfaces off against the man himself. Assisted by formerGreen Lanternand current DarkstarJohn Stewart,who suffers serious injuries in the fight, Kyle tricks Grayven into a Zeta Beam device, where he is teleported off Rann. Lacking their leader, Grayven's forces retreated.

Unknown to Stewart, Rayner had inadvertently teleported Grayven deep within Earth's core. He eventually digs himself out, and seeks Rayner inNew York City,who is seemingly able to overpower Grayven. Fearing defeat at the Green Lantern's hands, Grayven used an experimental teleporter, freeing himself, and in the process, sending Rayner into the 30th century.

Imperiex

Grayven next appeared during theImperiexcrisis, as part of an alien alliance that also includedMaxima,Starfire,Adam Strange,andDarkseid.They sought to eliminate Imperiex, a cosmic giant who destroys whole solar systems. InThe Adventures of Superman#595 (October 2001), Grayven is under the influence ofBrainiac-13, a major force in the Imperiex War. He confronts Superman and Darkseid on the surface ofApokolips.He is defeated by Superman, then punished by Darkseid, who feels it is his duty to do so because Grayven has 'shamed himself'.Soon, Grayven is banished to Earth.

Last Laugh and Ion

During his banishment to Earth, Grayven is infected with a variant ofJokertoxin that causes insanity. He attempts to perform at, and then destroy, a comedy club. Kyle Rayner again stops him. Grayven later reappeared inIon: Guardian of the Universe.There he is revealed to have sentNeroandEffigyafter Kyle Rayner. Grayven also is implied to be part of some larger conspiracy, most likely that of theSinestro Corpsdue to his hunting of escaped Qwardians and knowledge of Kyle's sick mother. Rayner blasts Grayven into unconsciousness.

Death of the New Gods

Grayven has since appeared inFive of a Kind: Thunder/Martian Manhunter,lobotomized and nearly catatonic.ThunderandMartian Manhunterrestore his mind and assist him in building a zeta beam generator meant to send the unknown scourge of the New Gods (as seen inCountdown) to Darkseid's throne room. This would force Darkseid and the killer to fight, with the result benefitting Grayven either way. Thunder and J'onn trick Grayven, however; J'onn shapeshifts into theBlack Racer,the New Gods' incarnation of Death, which prompts Grayven to use the zeta beam on himself to escape. Moments later at his destination, he is found and murdered by the real killer (later revealed to beInfinity-Man).

Powers and abilities

Grayven possesses formidable super-strength and endurance. Additionally, as a New God, he cannot die from natural causes. His greatest power is a limited form of the Omega Effect used by his fatherDarkseid.His power levels are high enough to easily fight theGreen LanternKyle Rayner and theDarkstars,yet not enough to take onSuperman,who easily defeated him with a single blow.

In other media

• Grayven appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
• Grayven appears inYoung Justice,voiced byDee Bradley Baker.This version is Darkseid's envoy andMa'alefa'ak's superior.

External links

• Superman Site: Grayven
• DCU Guide: Grayven Chronology