Polar Boy

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caption =
character_name = Polar Boy
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Adventure Comics" #306 (March 1963)
creators = Edmond Hamilton
and John Forte
alter_ego = Brek Bannin
full_name =
species = Human
homeworld = Tharr
alliances = Legion of Substitute Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Wanderers
aliases =
supports=
powers = Controls cold

Polar Boy is the name of a fictional character, a superhero from the 30th century of the DC Universe.

Fictional character biography

Brek Bannin grew up on the planet Tharr which is considered one of the hottest inhabited planets in the galaxy. Brek's family live in the hottest valley of the planet where the inhabitants developed the power to create super cold, snow and ice as a way to combat the persistent heat.

He first tried out for the Legion in "Adventure Comics" #306 but was unable to control his powers. He was rejected because members felt his powers might interfere in missions. Bannin then started the Legion of Substitute Heroes with other rejected applicants, and was their first leader.Cite comic | Writer = Levitz, Paul | Artist = LaRocque, Greg | Story = The Greatest Hero Of Them All | Title = Legion of Super-Heroes | Volume = | Issue = 38 | Date = September, 1987 | Publisher = DC Comics | Page = 14 | Panel = 5 | ID = ]

He was the youngest person to ever try out for the Legion. He and the Subs aided the Legion numerous times mostly as local law enforcement while the Legion was off-world. Later he disbanded the Subs and joined the regular Legion, eventually becoming their leader and staying with them until they disbanded.

Members of the Subs were given a waiver to the Legion's rule that new members must not be older than eighteen. After the subs disbanded Polar Boy applied for full membership in the Legion. He was accepted and inducted at the same time as Sensor Girl, Magnetic Kid, Tellus (comics), and Quislet. He was also elected at one point to lead the entire team.

Polar Boy was often characterized as well-meaning but overeager by Legion writers. He was almost always illustrated as being considerably shorter than the other Legionnaires.

Following the Zero Hour reboot, Polar Boy was reintroduced in "Legionnaires" #43 (Dec 1996), in which he was once more rejected for unstable powers, and formed the Substitute Legion. It was mentioned that this incarnation was not younger than the other Legion candidates, but was assumed to be such due to his height.

Polar Boy appears in the Threeboot Legion as a member of the Wanderers. His powers are described as slowing molecular movement.

In an alternate timeline noted by Waverider, the original Polar Boy successfully recruits the time-lost Justice League hero Blue Jay.

Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes

In Action Comics #860, Polar Boy is seen in a torture camp, captured by the anti-alien society of 31st century Earth. His arm had been ripped off, but upon his release by Superman and the Legion, he created a replacement out of ice.

Powers and abilities

Polar Boy, like any Tharrian, can reduce the heat around himself or other objects, creating a drop in temperature ranging from mild to intense. Because of this, Brek can withstand hotter than normal temperatures. Usually, when he makes an item very cold, ice or frost will condense on its surface. He often wears warm clothes due to the cooler temperatures on Earth.

Other Media

Polar Boy has made non-speaking appearances in the "Legion of Super Heroes" episodes "Lightning Storm," "The Substitutes," "Dark Victory," and "Karate Kid."

References