Warning: Spoilers for JSA #1Green Lantern is a proud hero in the DC Universe, and his son Obsidian is no different – ​​although his powers suggest otherwise. As a member of Justice Society of AmericaObsidian has used his powers in the name of good countless times, but his most recent feat of power sparks fear rather than hope. Obsidian’s new use of his powers puts his heroism into question as he undergoes a horrific transformation.
In JSA #1 by Jeff Lemire, Diego Olortegui, Luis Guerrero and Steve Wands, the youngest heroes of the Justice Society, are left to fend for themselves after the disappearance of their older mentors. While some of his companions are content to wait, Obsidian – son of Alan Scott, the Green Lantern of the Golden Age – decides to act. In search of Kobra, who is believed to be behind the incident, Obsidian ambushes his men, manifesting his dark powers in a form that would give anyone nightmares.
The skeletal form that Obsidian takes when attacking Kobra’s men is his most disturbing feat of power to date. He may be on the good side as the hero of the Justice Society, but Obsidian’s abilities make him one of the scariest heroes in the DC Universe.
Obsidian is officially DC’s most terrifying hero thanks to his dark powers
Son of Green Lantern manipulates shadows to torture his enemies
Todd Rice, also known as the hero Obsidian, is a major power in the Justice Society of America due to the dark powers at his disposal. With his abilities, he is able to control shadows at will, harnessing the energy of the Shadowlands. He can transform into a three-dimensional shadow or even flatten himself into a two-dimensional shadow to leap at opponents. As a member of the Justice Society and Infinity Inc., Obsidian typically uses his powers for benevolent purposes, but his latest application of them alludes to the darkness lurking beneath his surface.
Not only does Obsidian induce fear in Kobra’s men, but he also takes his scare tactic a step further. After appearing before them in his body horror transformation, he channels his shadows into tendrils that he sends out one of his nostrils to poke their brain. Obsidian’s anger against Kobra is justified by the damage he has caused and the danger he poses to the world, but his actions defy what the Justice Society stands for to an inhumane degree. Interestingly, this isn’t the only time Obsidian’s powers have taken a dark turn in DC lore.
Obsidian’s horrible powers fueled his corruption in the past
The Justice Society had to fight Green Lantern’s son
Although Obsidian’s sister Jade inherited her father’s Green Lantern powers, he wasn’t so lucky. Todd’s abilities are a byproduct of Alan Scott’s exposure to dark energy during a battle with Ian Karkull, which was passed down from father to son. In the 1999 “Darkness Falls” arc JSA series, Obsidian’s emotional turmoil as a result of his connection to Shadowlands reaches a breaking point, and Ian Karkull seizes the opportunity to manipulate him to his side. Your tactics prevail and Obsidian’s corruption by Karkull leads him to unleash the full dark potential of his dark powers upon the Justice Society.
The Complete Arc of 1999’s “Darkness Falls” JSA The series – written by David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns, with art by Stephen Sadowski – is now available digitally and in collected formats from DC Comics.
JSA (1999) #7 demonstrates the extent of Obsidian’s god-level powers as he uses them against his teammates. An entire city is invaded by his monstrous shadows, and even the heroes comment on how he isn’t normally capable of such feats. Its tentacles continue to eliminate the heroes of the Justice Society one by one and replace them with shadowed duplicates. This is the most overtly villain Obsidian has been in DC lore, as he betrays his team and allows his powers to run rampant. Now, he’s using his powers in this frightening way again, suggesting that history may be repeating itself.
Obsidian puts a shockingly dark spin on the new era of the JSA
Is Green Lantern’s son becoming a villain?
Considering his past, Obsidian’s current actions could indicate another lapse into villainy. However, there is more to this story than meets the eye. At the end of JSA #1, it is revealed that the Injustice Society’s Johnny Sorrow has been disguised as Todd the entire time. This means that Obsidian is not the one who uses his powers in twisted waysthus easing the mind of anyone who has begun to question whether they have been corrupted again. Regardless of what the Injustice Society is planning, Obsidian is not to blame for the dark deeds that have taken place.
Although Obsidian appears to be exempt from responsibility for the torture of Kobra’s men, the fact remains that his dark powers grant him immense potential, evidenced by the frightening forms he has assumed. Obsidian has proven that it can defeat the JSA with its shadows, and could easily do so again. Now that the frightening scope of Obsidian’s powers has been demonstrated, there is no doubt that Green Lanternson could be a serious threat if he switched sides, so the Justice Society of America you better hope he remains a hero through and through.
JSA #1 is now available from DC Comics.