One Year Later and 52
An article discussing the destruction of Star City (and, by extension, Kimiyo's loss of power) appeared at the 52 website, which is designed to complement the weekly comic series. The article places a date on the city's destruction, which was depicted in the final 2 Pre-OYL Green Arrow arcs, specifying that the event took place on May 15. Problematically, this dating places the story after the events depicted in Infinite Crisis.
Given this dating, Kimiyo's loss of power took place during the events of 52 - Week 2 which, given Kimiyo and Green Arrow's appearances at the end of 52 - Week 1, would appear to make sense, although it in turn makes nonsense of information contained in Green Arrow vol. 3, #54, where it is revealed that Kimiyo has not used her powers for two years.
The story arc also concludes with Green Arrow experiencing a strange multiplying effect that places the story during Infinite Crisis , not two weeks after the event's conclusion (several other characters in the DCU experienced this effect in the issue of their titles that immediately preceded the OYL jump).
Kimiyo Hoshi appeared in costume in 52 Week 35, alongside various other heroes. All are assisting the injured victims of Lex Luthor, who had caused a rain of 'supermen' by deactivating their powers. She is also shown in 52 Week 50, in the climactic battle of World War III.
Dr. Light appears in World War III: United We Stand, the fourth issue of the World War III mini-series that coincided with 52 Week 50. She is one of the first wave of heroes who confront (and are taken down by) Black Adam. He grasps her neck with such force that she instantly blacks out; he throws her aside.
Geoff Johns has revealed on his message board that he was working on storylines involving Doctor Light. [5]
Oracle invites Kimiyo to join the Birds of Prey (issue #100), but she was not selected to take part in the first mission. She does, however, appear in Birds of Prey #113 (January 2008), assisting Oracle by scanning the electromagnetic spectrum for any evidence that might lead her to the parties responsible for an influx of hi-tech weaponry being smuggled into Metropolis. She is unable to locate any such evidence.
Doctor Light is only occasionally active in the superhero community because she is a single mother with two children: Imako, her daughter, and Yasu, her son. [1] Gail Simone confirmed in an interview that Kimiyo's children have not been retconned out of existence by changes to DC continuity.
Doctor Light works in S.T.A.R. Labs and has an interior monologue about the erratic fluctuations in her powers that lead to her retirement from being a superhero. Upon returning home from work, she is ambushed by the Shadow Cabinet. After briefly talking with the heroes, she becomes enraged and attacks them after coming to believe they have harmed her children, only to be quickly neutralized and captured. [6] This is later revealed to have been orchestrated by Superman and Icon so that the League and Cabinet could gain information on each other. [7] Hardware uses Arthur Light's powers to restore those of Kimiyo, allowing her to quickly defeat Shadow Thief and Starbreaker. [8]
Kimiyo has been confirmed to be a member of the newest incarnation of the Justice League. In Blackest Night , Kimiyo is attacked by Arthur Light's Black Lantern form and destroys him with a burst of light. [9] [10]
Afterward, Donna Troy, Cyborg, Dick Grayson, and Starfire join the Justice League. With the costume given to her by Hardware destroyed, Kimiyo designs a new one and travels to Metropolis to recruit Mon-El and Guardian. [11] Kimiyo briefly appears during the War of the Supermen , where she and the rest of the JLA attempt to repel General Zod's invasion. [12]
After just three issues together, the new JLA team loses most of its members, with Kimiyo temporarily leaving the team to be with her children. [13] Back in Metropolis, Kimiyo helps Supergirl rescue Lana Lang after the Insect Queen possesses her. [14] A short time later, Kimiyo and Gangbuster battle Supergirl's Bizarro counterpart, a refugee from Bizarro World. [15] [16]
Despite resigning from active duty, Doctor Light remains with the Justice League as a reserve member. [17] [18] [19]
