Luminus (comics)
Encyclopedia
Luminus was a fictional character and villain who made several appearances throughout the DC animated universe
. (Specifically Superman: The Animated Series
and Justice League
). He was voiced by Robert Hays
, the character is primarily an enemy of Superman
.
. He met Lois Lane
while she was investigating questionable activities at the company. Ultimately, Lytener became a key whistleblower
against the company. Lois' resultant exposé
on the company brings her fame and prestige. Edward left LexCorp and ended up working out of a small warehouse
. Though he was bitter over how things turned out, he did not give any direct indication. Outwardly, he maintained a friendship with Lois.
During his debut in "Target," Lois consults him regarding multiple attempts on her life
. The near-miss assassinations—all mechanized and thwarted by Superman—began at an award ceremony in her honor. Lois gives Edward a device Superman found on her car, hoping he can identify it. Edward's microscopic examination reveals that the device has the LexCorp insignia
. However, LexCorp owner Lex Luthor
affirms his innocence. After another attempt on her life, Lois returns to Edward's workshop. It is at this time that a brief exchange implicates Edward himself. Soon, the inventor admits his guilt. He claims to have been attracted to her, and that he only helped her "so [she] would notice" him. Nevertheless, his feelings are clearly now just an obsessive hatred. As her secret attacker, he sent several harsh messages with each death trap. Soon, he lures her into yet another trap during their confrontation (which he was saving for her apartment). Meanwhile, Clark answers Lois' phone at the Daily Planet with Lex on the other line saying that he has traced the device to the one responsible and wants him to tell Lois. When Superman comes to the aid of Lois, Lytener presents a special vest made for physical combat. Using it, he can manipulate light and solar power
. Near the start, he creates red sun
light, which he knew was a weakness of Superman. With this advantage, he fights Superman almost to a standstill. After a battle that destroys most of the laboratory, Superman does realize how to overcome Lytener. He then rescues Lois while Edward is arrested and sent to Stryker Island.
Edward appears again in the episode "Solar Power", armed with a new device that allows him to escape prison by turning himself invisible and hijacking a helicopter. Managing to take control of a multitude of LexCorp communications satellites, Edward creates a force field between the Earth
and Sun
. This filters out most of the sun's light
, save for the red: this creates an emulation of a red sun, again weakening Superman greatly. Edward initially attacks Lois Lane aboard a monorail
, though he assures her that it's nothing personal. This time, he merely wants to use her as bait for Superman. When Superman arrives, Edward reveals his new costume and supervillain persona: Luminus. Through the next few days, Luminus taunts and tests Superman continually. Eventually, he finds an over-curious Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen
in his hidden hideout. He decides to kidnap both, and brings them to the communications tower from which he directs LexCorp satellites. When Superman arrives, he's faced with a variety of illusion
ary, hard light constructs (These include an Old West
-style bar room and a pirate ship
). After Superman fights through the illusions, Luminus himself confronts the hero. Though Superman is nearly killed in his weakened state, he manages to deflect one of Luminus' laser blasts, destroy the console coordinating the satellites. Yellow sunlight returns, and Superman is restored to full strength. Luminus is then summarily defeated, and arrested once again.
(with Copperhead
, Firefly, Solomon Grundy
, and Volcana
act as his cohorts) from Stryker's Island
. Using his newfound abilities with hard light duplicates, Luminus deals a nasty beating to the Flash
using solid holograms. Still, he is defeated by Superman soon after he found the real one.
. Prior to becoming Luminus, Edward developed devices such as laser
guns, remote-controls capable of overriding an automobile's functions, and a suit of powered armor
that granted him enough strength to go toe-to-toe with Superman (for a while, at least).
As Luminus, Lytener is armed with a laser pistol and a device capable of projecting duplicates of himself or making himself invisible. With proper preparation, he can create any variety of holographic projections, and is even capable of making light solid
(was once explained that he makes it solid with just the right kind of laser field).
As of the Justice League episode "Only a Dream," Luminus is now able to project hard light duplicates of himself at will.
DC animated universe
The DC Animated Universe is a fan term that refers to a series of popular animated television series and related spin-offs produced by Warner Bros. Animation which share the same continuity. Most of these series are adapted from DC Comics properties...
. (Specifically Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
and Justice League
Justice League (TV series)
Justice League is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics...
). He was voiced by Robert Hays
Robert Hays
Robert Hays is an American actor and is arguably most well known for his role in the movie Airplane!-Life and career:...
, the character is primarily an enemy of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
.
Superman: The Animated Series
Prior to his first appearance, Edward Lytener was an inventor working for LexCorpLexCorp
LexCorp is the fictional company founded by Lex Luthor in the popular DC Comics Superman series. It made its first proper appearance in John Byrne's The Man of Steel miniseries, which established the post-Crisis Superman setting...
. He met Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
while she was investigating questionable activities at the company. Ultimately, Lytener became a key whistleblower
Whistleblower
A whistleblower is a person who tells the public or someone in authority about alleged dishonest or illegal activities occurring in a government department, a public or private organization, or a company...
against the company. Lois' resultant exposé
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
on the company brings her fame and prestige. Edward left LexCorp and ended up working out of a small warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
. Though he was bitter over how things turned out, he did not give any direct indication. Outwardly, he maintained a friendship with Lois.
During his debut in "Target," Lois consults him regarding multiple attempts on her life
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
. The near-miss assassinations—all mechanized and thwarted by Superman—began at an award ceremony in her honor. Lois gives Edward a device Superman found on her car, hoping he can identify it. Edward's microscopic examination reveals that the device has the LexCorp insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
. However, LexCorp owner Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
affirms his innocence. After another attempt on her life, Lois returns to Edward's workshop. It is at this time that a brief exchange implicates Edward himself. Soon, the inventor admits his guilt. He claims to have been attracted to her, and that he only helped her "so [she] would notice" him. Nevertheless, his feelings are clearly now just an obsessive hatred. As her secret attacker, he sent several harsh messages with each death trap. Soon, he lures her into yet another trap during their confrontation (which he was saving for her apartment). Meanwhile, Clark answers Lois' phone at the Daily Planet with Lex on the other line saying that he has traced the device to the one responsible and wants him to tell Lois. When Superman comes to the aid of Lois, Lytener presents a special vest made for physical combat. Using it, he can manipulate light and solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
. Near the start, he creates red sun
Red dwarf
According to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, a red dwarf star is a small and relatively cool star, of the main sequence, either late K or M spectral type....
light, which he knew was a weakness of Superman. With this advantage, he fights Superman almost to a standstill. After a battle that destroys most of the laboratory, Superman does realize how to overcome Lytener. He then rescues Lois while Edward is arrested and sent to Stryker Island.
Edward appears again in the episode "Solar Power", armed with a new device that allows him to escape prison by turning himself invisible and hijacking a helicopter. Managing to take control of a multitude of LexCorp communications satellites, Edward creates a force field between the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
. This filters out most of the sun's light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
, save for the red: this creates an emulation of a red sun, again weakening Superman greatly. Edward initially attacks Lois Lane aboard a monorail
Monorail
A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track...
, though he assures her that it's nothing personal. This time, he merely wants to use her as bait for Superman. When Superman arrives, Edward reveals his new costume and supervillain persona: Luminus. Through the next few days, Luminus taunts and tests Superman continually. Eventually, he finds an over-curious Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
in his hidden hideout. He decides to kidnap both, and brings them to the communications tower from which he directs LexCorp satellites. When Superman arrives, he's faced with a variety of illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
ary, hard light constructs (These include an Old West
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
-style bar room and a pirate ship
Piracy
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence at sea. The term can include acts committed on land, in the air, or in other major bodies of water or on a shore. It does not normally include crimes committed against persons traveling on the same vessel as the perpetrator...
). After Superman fights through the illusions, Luminus himself confronts the hero. Though Superman is nearly killed in his weakened state, he manages to deflect one of Luminus' laser blasts, destroy the console coordinating the satellites. Yellow sunlight returns, and Superman is restored to full strength. Luminus is then summarily defeated, and arrested once again.
Justice League
Luminus appeared again in the Justice League episode "Only a Dream" yet his voice actor was uncredited. In the beginning of the episode, he is part of an attempted jailbreakPrison escape
A prison escape or prison break is the act of an inmate leaving prison through unofficial or illegal ways. Normally, when this occurs, an effort is made on the part of authorities to recapture them and return them to their original detainers...
(with Copperhead
Copperhead (DC Comics)
Copperhead is a DC Comics supervillain, he first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #78, June and was created by Bob Haney and Bob Brown.-"John Doe":...
, Firefly, Solomon Grundy
Solomon Grundy (comics)
Solomon Grundy is a fictional character, a zombie supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Named after the 19th century children's nursery rhyme, Grundy was introduced as an enemy of the Golden Age Green Lantern , but has since become a prominent enemy for a number of superheroes, such as Batman and...
, and Volcana
Volcana (DC Comics)
Volcana is a supervillain in Superman: The Animated Series. Voiced by Peri Gilpin, she made her first appearance in the episode "Where There's Smoke".-Fictional character biography:...
act as his cohorts) from Stryker's Island
Stryker's Island
Stryker's Island is the name of fictional prison in DC Comics. The name is a play on the similarly located Riker's Island prison in New York. It is also known as Stryker's Island Penitentiary.-Fictional history:...
. Using his newfound abilities with hard light duplicates, Luminus deals a nasty beating to the Flash
Wally West
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first Kid Flash and the third Flash....
using solid holograms. Still, he is defeated by Superman soon after he found the real one.
Powers and abilities
Edward Lytener is a master inventor, specialized in miniature electronics and manipulating lightLight
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
. Prior to becoming Luminus, Edward developed devices such as laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
guns, remote-controls capable of overriding an automobile's functions, and a suit of powered armor
Powered exoskeleton
A powered exoskeleton, also known as powered armor, or exoframe, is a powered mobile machine consisting primarily of an exoskeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation-energy for limb movement.Powered exoskeletons are designed to assist...
that granted him enough strength to go toe-to-toe with Superman (for a while, at least).
As Luminus, Lytener is armed with a laser pistol and a device capable of projecting duplicates of himself or making himself invisible. With proper preparation, he can create any variety of holographic projections, and is even capable of making light solid
Solid
Solid is one of the three classical states of matter . It is characterized by structural rigidity and resistance to changes of shape or volume. Unlike a liquid, a solid object does not flow to take on the shape of its container, nor does it expand to fill the entire volume available to it like a...
(was once explained that he makes it solid with just the right kind of laser field).
As of the Justice League episode "Only a Dream," Luminus is now able to project hard light duplicates of himself at will.