Lightning Lad

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).

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.

Early in the Legion's history, he sacrificed himself battling Zarquam the Conquerer, 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.

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.

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