Obsidian: The DC Superhero Born from Shadow and the Golden Age Green Lantern
In short: Todd Rice, known as Obsidian, is a complex DC Comics figure who wields the dark energy of the Shadowlands. Created in 1983, he is the son of the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. His journey spans from heroic founding member of Infinity, Inc. to a man navigating his own identity.
Obsidian, or Todd Rice, first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 in September 1983, conceived by creators Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway. As the son of Alan Scott and Rose Canton—the Golden Age Green Lantern and the villain Thorn—Todd was raised in an abusive home in Milwaukee. He eventually discovered his twin sister, Jennie-Lynn Hayden, known as Jade, and together they became founding members of the superhero group Infinity, Inc.
His powers derive from the Shadowlands, an otherdimensional plane he can manipulate to fly, become intangible, or grow to immense size. This connection stems from his father's exposure to shadow energy during a battle with the villain Ian Karkull. Throughout his history, Obsidian has faced significant internal and external struggles, including corruption by Karkull, mental instability, and being fused with his sister by the cosmic force known as the Starheart. His narrative has also explored his sexuality; after years of ambiguity and troubled relationships with women, he confirmed he was gay while dating assistant district attorney Damon Matthews.
The character has appeared in various media, including the CW's Stargirl and Legends of Tomorrow. His history is frequently reshaped by comic book events, such as the 2015 Convergence and the 2017 Doomsday Clock, where he was erased and subsequently resurrected. Whether facing cosmic entities like Chroma or navigating the complexities of his family legacy, Obsidian remains a unique figure in the DC Universe, often serving as a bridge between the Golden Age history of the Justice Society and modern-day superhero conflicts.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Obsidian (character)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-obsidian-character.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Peoples & civilisations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
