Rising Sun (comics)
| Rising Sun | |
|---|---|
|
Rising Sun, artist Andy Smith | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance |
Super Friends #8, (November 1977) |
| Created by |
Nelson Bridwell (writer) Ramona Fradon (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Izumi Yasunari |
| Team affiliations |
Big Science Action Global Guardians |
| Abilities |
Absorption of solar energy; Heat, light, and flame projection; Flight |
Rising Sun is a fictional Japanese superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared solo in Super Friends #8 (November 1977), and as a member of the Global Guardians in DC Comics Presents #46, (June 1982). He was created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon.
Fictional character biography
Izumi Yasunari is a Japanese solar physicist who is a longtime member of the Global Guardians.[1] His grandparents were survivors of the atom bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, by the U.S. in 1945, which brought World War II to an end. Both of them later developed cancer and died. The same happened to Yasunari's mother, who also developed cancer but recovered with chemotherapy. A horrified Yasunari and his brother, Wataru became doctors specializing in cancer research. Their troubled sister, Kaori, joined a religious cult. Rising Sun is a founding member of the Japanese equivalent of the Justice League of America, a team called Big Science Action which came together to defend the hero Ultimon from the Monster Army.[2]
His first known mission was helping Atom dismantle a bomb in Japan. He later helps Robin defeat a villain. Spurred on by Doctor Mist, he helps Superman find a piece of ancient armor and soon after, he and his Guardians assist Superman in a battle against ancient sorcerers who are casting a spell amid the Moai (Statues) of Easter Island. He helps save Japan in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and helps Artemis save her parents, Huntress and Sportsmaster with the help of Infinity Inc.. The Japanese hero volunteers to help the Queen Bee but was brainwashed by her forces and technology. Under her influence he destroys a Neo-Nazi stronghold in Germany, killing many of the people inside. When Justice League members Power Girl and Rocket Red arrive, he attacks them also, believing them to be Nazi loyalists. When defeated, he falls into a coma, all part of a plan.
While in a coma, he is taken care of at the Justice League International embassy in Tokyo, Japan. He awakens at the call of the Queen Bee, at the same time as his friends Wild Huntsman and Tuatara, who were also in comas. These two had also attacked Nazi facilities and had fallen into comas when defeated by Justice League members.
All three return to duty with the Global Guardians, where they are duly brainwashed. After a few battles with his team, Izumi secretly betrays them and helps fellow Japanese hero Doctor Light battle a horde of Bialyan soldiers. Afterwards, he joins with Doctor Mist, Jack O'Lantern, and Owlwoman together and he helps the three heroes reform the Global Guardians.
Fain Y'onia
Fain Y'onia, an ancient enemy of Doctor Mist, targets the team. Impala and Godiva are rendered powerless. Bushmaster is killed. The Guardians rally and ambush Fain in the Arizona desert. This does not go well. Tuatara is badly injured and Thunderlord is killed. The Wild Huntsman goes M.I.A., taking Fain with him. Working with the other Guardians still mobile, and with the assistance of the Martian Manhunter, Rising Sun helps reform the team. He has courted the female Doctor Light, sometimes to the point of angering her.
Infinite Crisis and beyond
Rising Sun works with Doctor Light to were attempting to protect the people of Tokyo from various natural disasters. They encounter one of the Flashes, bearing news about Superboy[3] Rising Sun has appeared on a television screen as part of a retrospective look back at Big Science Action, the news documentary looked back at the Japanese JLA's final battle with Fushikuraje, an ancient kaiju who had demolished much of Tokyo in an attempt to reach the monster graveyard below Mount Fuji.[4] On the program Rising Sun derided the new younger generation of Japanese heroes, and their obsession with fame, claiming that they dishonored Japan's tradition of superheroing and monster-battling.
Rising Sun's conflict with the younger heroes, the Super Young Team, continues. Now slightly out of shape, he confronts them during a party on their new space-based headquarters. He berates them for their seemingly new hedonistic lifestyle, not understanding the Team is unwilling participants in the publicity presented. Later, Rising Sun shows up in the fictional Midway City, which had been severely damaged in the world-wide conflict with Darkseid. Affected by the malevolent worm Mister Mind, Rising Sun kills many of the volunteers working to clean up the city. [5]
Powers and abilities
Rising Sun absorbs solar energy and can project intense heat, light, and flame from his body. He has displayed the ability to manipulate the electromagnetic field, allowing him to levitate and fly his own body and other objects within the field. He can also generate superheated solar winds and use them to fly at great speeds.
Other versions
Flashpoint
In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Rising Sun was framed for unknown crimes when they discovered the Outsider's illicit schemes, and he is attempting to assassinate him. The Outsider killed Rising Sun by punching through his chest.[6]
References
- ↑ Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Global Guardians", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 138, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017
- ↑ As seen in Final Crisis Sketchbook #1 (June 2008)
- ↑ "Infinite Crisis" #4
- ↑ "Final Crisis" #2
- ↑ "Final Crisis Aftermath Dance" #1-6 (2009)
- ↑ Flashpoint: The Outsider #1 (June 2011)