Rising Sun (comics)

Superherobox


caption = Rising Sun, artist Bart Sears
character_name = Rising Sun
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Super Friends" #8,
(November 1977)
creators = Nelson Bridwell (writer)
Ramona Fradon (artist)
real_name =Izumi Yasunari
species =
homeworld =
alliances = Global Guardians Big Science Action
aliases =
supports=
powers = Absorption of solar energy;
Heat, light, and flame projection;
Flight

Rising Sun is the name of 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 scientist who is a longtime member of the Global Guardians. 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 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. [As seen in Final Crisis Sketchbook #1 (June 2008)]

His first known mission was helping Atom dismantle a bomb in Japan. He later helpes 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 battles 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. He next appeared during "Infinite Crisis", evacuating the people of Tokyo alongside Doctor Light. Rising Sun has since appeared in Final Crisis #2, deriding the attitudes of Japan's young superheroes on public television.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=risingsun DCU Guide: Rising Sun]