Grayven

Last updated
Grayven
Grayven.png
Grayven as depicted in Green 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 egoGrayven
Species New God
Place of origin Apokolips
Abilities
  • Immortality
  • Superhuman strength, durability & speed
  • Hand to hand combatant
  • Limited Omega Effect

Grayven is a supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern (vol. 3) #74 (June 1996), and was created by Ron Marz and Darryl Banks, making him one of the few New Gods characters not created by Jack Kirby. [1]

Contents

Fictional character biography

Grayven is the third son of Darkseid, born of an unknown mother and apparently without his father's knowledge, younger brother to Kalibak and Orion. [2] Grayven leads a campaign of destruction against the cosmos, destroying planets. He leads a campaign against the Darkstars, a galactic police force, killing many of their number. [3] His campaign comes to an end on the planet Rann. He desires a zeta 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. [4]

While the remaining Darkstars engaged Grayven's army, Green Lantern Kyle Rayner faces off against the man himself. Assisted by former Green Lantern and current Darkstar John 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. [1]

Unknown to Stewart, Rayner had inadvertently teleported Grayven deep within Earth's core. He eventually digs himself out, and seeks Rayner in New 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 the Imperiex crisis, as part of an alien alliance that also included Maxima, Starfire, Adam Strange, and Darkseid. They sought to eliminate Imperiex, a cosmic giant who destroys whole solar systems. In The Adventures of Superman #595 (October 2001), Grayven is under the influence of Brainiac-13, a major force in the Imperiex War. He confronts Superman and Darkseid on the surface of Apokolips. He is defeated by Superman, then punished by Darkseid, who feels it is his duty to do so because Grayven has 'shamed himself'. [1] Soon, Grayven is banished to Earth.

Last Laugh and Ion

During his banishment to Earth, Grayven is infected with a variant of Joker toxin that causes insanity. He attempts to perform at, and then destroy, a comedy club. Kyle Rayner again stops him. Grayven later reappeared in Ion: Guardian of the Universe . [5] There he is revealed to have sent Nero and Effigy after Kyle Rayner. Grayven also is implied to be part of some larger conspiracy, most likely that of the Sinestro Corps due to his hunting of escaped Qwardians and knowledge of Kyle's sick mother. Rayner blasts Grayven into unconsciousness. [6]

Death of the New Gods

Grayven has since appeared in Five of a Kind: Thunder/Martian Manhunter, lobotomized and nearly catatonic. Thunder and Martian Manhunter restore his mind and assist him in building a zeta beam generator meant to send the unknown scourge of the New Gods (as seen in Countdown) 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 the Black 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 be Infinity-Man). [1]

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 father Darkseid. His power levels are high enough to easily fight the Green Lantern Kyle Rayner and the Darkstars, yet not enough to take on Superman, who easily defeated him with a single blow.

In other media

Grayven appears in Young Justice , voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. This version is Darkseid's envoy and Ma'alefa'ak's superior.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Lantern Corps</span> Fictional intergalactic military/police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics

Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic law enforcement organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa. According to DC continuity, the Green Lantern Corps have been in existence for three billion years. Currently operating amongst the 3600 "sectors" of the universe, there are 7204 members. Each Green Lantern is given a power ring, a weapon granting the use of incredible abilities that are directed by the wearer's own willpower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guardians of the Universe</span> Fictional extraterrestrial race in the DC Comics universe

The Guardians of the Universe are a race of extraterrestrial superhero characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Green Lantern. They first appeared in Green Lantern #1, and were created by John Broome and Gil Kane. The Guardians of the Universe have been adapted to a number of films, television programs, and video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkseid</span> Comic book supervillain

Darkseid is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, and debuted in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martian Manhunter</span> Comic book superhero

The Martian Manhunter is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in the story "The Manhunter from Mars" in Detective Comics #225. Martian Manhunter is one of the seven original members of the Justice League of America and one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orion (character)</span> Fictional character in the DC Comics universe

Orion is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the son of Darkseid and half-brother of Kalibak and Grayven who was traded to Highfather as part of a peace deal between Apokolips and New Genesis. Since then, Orion has assisted the New Gods of New Genesis against his father and was also a member of the Justice League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apokolips</span> Planet in the DC Comics fictional shared Universe

Apokolips is a fictional planet that appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The planet is ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series, and is integral to many stories in the DC Universe. Apokolips is considered the opposite of the planet New Genesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperiex</span> DC Comics character

Imperiex is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He was initially introduced as an adversary to the superhero Superman, before becoming a main antagonist for the crossover "Our Worlds at War".

The Controllers are a fictional extraterrestrial race existing in the DC Universe. They first appear in Adventure Comics #357, and were created by Jim Shooter, Mort Weisinger, and Curt Swan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Strange</span> DC Comics fictional character

Adam Strange is a fictional space adventurer appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by editor Julius Schwartz and designed by Murphy Anderson, he first appeared in Showcase #17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-Monitor</span> Fictional DC comics cosmic supervillain

The Anti-Monitor is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He served as the main antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths and later appears as an enemy to the Green Lantern Corps and the Justice League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkstars</span> Group of fictional intergalactic policemen that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics

The first Darkstars were a group of intergalactic policemen that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics. They were introduced in Darkstars #1, and were created by Michael Jan Friedman and Larry Stroman. The series lasted a total of 39 issues, ending with issue #38, with an issue #0 published between issues #24 and 25 during the Zero Hour crossover event storyline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantis (DC Comics)</span> Comics character

Mantis is a fictional supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, part of Jack Kirby's New Gods series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Worlds at War</span> 2001 DC Comics storyline

"Our Worlds at War" was a comic book storyline, published by DC Comics in mid-2001. OWAW was a crossover storyline that spanned several different books, including several books starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and a number of supporting characters and books. Creators involved in the crossover included writers Jeph Loeb, Joe Casey, Mark Schultz, Joe Kelly, Phil Jimenez, and Peter David, and artists that included Mike Wieringo, Ed McGuinness, Doug Mahnke, Ron Garney, and Leonard Kirk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Lantern: Circle of Fire</span>

"Circle of Fire" is a story arc that ran through a two-issue, self-titled comic book miniseries and five one-shot comics starring Green Lantern that was published by DC Comics in October 2000.

<i>Cosmic Odyssey</i> (comics) 1988 DC Comics science fiction mini-series

Cosmic Odyssey is an American science fiction comic mini-series, first published in 1988 by DC Comics. A four-issue limited series written by Jim Starlin, penciled by Mike Mignola and lettered by John Workman, it tells a story spanning the DC Universe involving a wide variety of major characters including Superman, Batman, and the New Gods.

DC Universe: Justice League Unlimited Fan Collection is an action figure line based on the highly popular Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series. Though it was based on the show(s), the line has continued well beyond it, and has been re-branded in 2008, as a Target exclusive. Mattel announced in February 2011 that the line would come to an end later in the year with the final figures being released on the Mattel website including the final two three-packs, a seven-pack as well as the three exclusive Con three-packs being made available to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ma'alefa'ak</span> DC Comics supervillain

Ma'alefa'ak is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, usually depicted as the archenemy of his twin brother, the superhero Martian Manhunter. Created by writer John Ostrander and artist Tom Mandrake, the character first appeared in Martian Manhunter #0.

<i>DC Showcase: Adam Strange</i> 2020 film

DC Showcase: Adam Strange is an American animated short superhero film based on the character of the same name produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment. It was included as part of the home media release of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. The film is also part of the "Tomorrowverse" continuity which begun with Superman: Man of Tomorrow, and is followed by Green Lantern: Beware My Power.

<i>Green Lantern: Beware My Power</i> 2022 animated film by DC Comics

Green Lantern: Beware My Power is a 2022 American superhero animated film based on DC Comics featuring the John Stewart incarnation of Green Lantern, produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It is the overall 48th installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, and the fifth film set in the "Tomorrowverse" continuity which began with Superman: Man of Tomorrow. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester, from a script by John Semper and Ernie Altbacker, and stars Aldis Hodge as John Stewart alongside Jimmi Simpson, Ike Amadi, Brian Bloom, Jamie Gray Hyder, Mara Junot, Jason J. Lewis, Sunil Malhotra, Nolan North, Keesha Sharp, Simon Templeman, and Rick Wasserman. In the film, Marine veteran John Stewart is chosen to become a member of the Green Lantern Corps following the apparent death of Hal Jordan, leading Stewart to be caught in the middle of a Rannian-Thanagarian war, and aided by Justice League member Green Arrow and Thanagarian warrior Shayera Hol.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wallace, Dan (2008), "Grayven", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 148, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC   213309017
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 125. ISBN   978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. Green Lantern (vol. 3) #74 (June 1996)
  4. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 110. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  5. Ion - Guardian of the Universe #11 (April 2007)
  6. Ion - Guardian of the Universe #12 (May 2007)