Positron (City of Heroes)

Superherobox|

caption=Positron, as appearing in a render released by NCSoft
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Positron
real_name=Doctor Raymond Keyes
publisher=Image Comics
debut="City of Heroes" #1
creators=Matthew Miller
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=Freedom Phalanx
aliases="Pos"
powers=generate and control anti-matter, flight|

Positron (Dr. Raymond Keyes) is a fictional superhero from the City of Heroes backstory. He was created by Matthew Miller, and first appeared in the first issue of the "City of Heroes" comic. His true name is used only once by Justin Sinclair, and only in the form of "Dr. Keyes". However, in the preview of the second City of Heroes novel "City of Heroes: The Freedom Phalanx" found at the end of the first novel "City of Heroes: Web of Arachnos", his first name is revealed as Raymond. This name is also seen on Positron's card in the upcoming City of Heroes Collectible Card Game by Alderac Entertainment Group.

Character History

Beginnings

Note: The novel "Freedom Phalanx" provides a much different take on Positron's beginnings as well as establishing a link between his origin and that of Synapse.

Before becoming a superhero, Dr. Keyes was a Professor of nuclear physics at Stanford. After his budget was cut and his access to the university's linear accelerator became limited, he took a corporate job in an effort to work for the greater good. However, he soon find out that not all companies shared his ideal. In an unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) "industrial accident," Dr. Keyes found himself able to generate and control anti-matter. With his extended knowledge of nuclear physics, Dr. Keyes understood very well the capabilities of his power, and their danger.

In order to better control and focus his powers, he constructed a crude suit able to contain the anti-matter. This allowed him to fire anti-matter in the form of blasts, as well as a limited form of flying. He put his powers to the test when a group of eco-terrorists known as the "Devouring Earth" attacked an amusement park and killed dozens of citizens. In the name of justice, Dr. Keyes tracked them down to their base and destroyed them. As a result, Devouring Earth became his most hated enemies, and the feeling is mutual. When the media had asked him what his "hero name" was, he told them "Positron". Thus a hero was born.

Temporary Loss of Control

At first, Positron had incredible control over his powers. Then, as a result of the various injuries he sustained during the Rikti War, his powers became uncontrollable. Thus, his suit has become his permanent home and if he should remove it, he would threaten the safety of Paragon City and everyone in it. As a result, a cure for his condition is one of his greatest goals.

As if to add to his turmoil, Lord Recluse's draining of the super powers of all superheroes made Positron's powers even more dangerous. His suit became heavily damaged, and began to leak anti-matter. What he had feared had come to pass, as he was now a great danger to the city. In order to keep the city safe, Positron sealed himself in the Freedom Phalanx base. He remained there for a long length of time, unknown to his comrades, as they were all instructed by the missing Statesman to never speak to one another until he instructed.

earch for Statesman and the Fire of Prometheus

Eventually, Positron's fellow "Freedom Phalanx" member, Manticore, would get fed up with waiting for Statesman and contact Positron. Afraid for his friends' safety, he demanded Manticore and everyone else to stay way if they valued their lives. Against his protests, Manticore headed to the base with Sister Psyche to help him. In desperation, Positron contacted Synapse and requested him to stop them from entering the base. Once again, despite his wishes, Synapse, Sister Psyche, and Manticore all entered the base to find where he had gone missing all this time. He once again pleaded for them to stay away, when suddenly the hologram of Statesman appeared before them, telling them if they were hearing this then he was incapable of helping them because he was very likely dead. (His exact words were "I planned to help you, but if you're hearing this, I can't possibly- because I'm already dead." This prompted the start of the search for Statesman to determine whether he was alive or dead.)

With the help of his allies, Positron was able to patch the broken parts of his armor. However, the patches were very crude pieces of metal, and he was still very capable of exploding under pressure. This fact was used to Manticore's advantage when he created a bluff that he would fire an arrow at Positron, and consequently kill them all if three magic-using villains (who were seemingly torturing Statesman at the time) did not leave. Much to everyone's relief, the bluff worked. With Statesmen reunited with them, the group went to the Greek Titan Prometheus for help in returning their powers. After a sudden turn of events, Manticore kills Statesman and gets ready to absorb Prometheus's fire into his being. Angry that Manticore would be rewarded for his crime, Positron jumped between them, thus becoming the carrier for the fire instead. The powers of the flames instantly returned his powers to stable levels, repaired his armor, and boosted the effectiveness of his attacks. He also held the side-effect of being able to return the powers of all superheroes, which he did. It is unknown whether or not the Flame of Prometheus was able to bring his power under his complete control, and thus let him be free of his suit.

Threat of the Circle of Thorns

During this arc in the series, Positron and Synapse would become entrusted in protecting Candy Lebeaux, one of three people with the cosmic potential the Circle of Thorns needed to summon their patron god. Due to a misunderstanding, Positron ends up protecting the wrong girl and fails his mission. As if to add to the turmoil, the rest of the Freedom Phalanx arrive on the scene. Synapse asks if Positron has enough energy to kill them both, to which he replies that he doesn't think they were going to get off that easy. With their failure came the fruition of the Circle of Thorns' plans. Realizing this, the entire Freedom Phalanx go to strike the menace directly.

Powers and abilities

Positron has the ability to generate and control anti-matter, which upon contact with regular matter, generally explodes. This is the general extent of his natural powers, however his suit allows him to use other abilities. The abilities in question are the firing off the anti-matter in the form of energy blasts, and flight. Before the events of the Rikti War, Positron had superb control over his powers. However, due to injuries sustained during the war, he lost the ability to generate the anti-matter at will. Instead, the anti-matter began to continually leak from his body, nearly consuming him in anti-matter. Because of this, he is forced to remain within his suit to ensure the safety of the entire city.

Recently however, as of Issue 10 within the City of Heroes MMORPG, Positron is seen in Steel Canyon with his helmet removed without danger to the surroundings or those near him. It is revealed in Issue 20 of the Top Cow comic book that this is because after being killed in battle (The Rikti had cut off access to the emergency teleport system) he was revived by the Dark Watcher from the Vanguard team...said resurrection apparently fixing whatever anomaly that had caused Positorn's powers to go awry in the first place.