Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)

Doctor Light
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 (July 1985)
Created by	Marv Wolfman George Pérez (based upon the Arthur Light character by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky)
In-story information
Alter ego	Kimiyo Hoshi
Team affiliations	Justice League Doom Patrol Kord Enterprises Birds of Prey S.T.A.R. Labs
Abilities	Light manipulation, Light transformation, Flight

Doctor Light is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe.^[1] Kimiyo Hoshi is a distinct character from the DC villain of the same name. She has, however, crossed paths with the villainous Doctor Light on several occasions.

Fictional character biography

Kimiyo Tazu Hoshi, a brilliant but arrogant and unpleasant scientist,^[2] was the supervising astronomer at an observatory in Japan, overseeing a group of astronomers charting the unnatural effects of the Crisis on Infinite Earths. (She is also a medical doctor, as shown in Justice League Annual #3 (1989) and Justice League America #55 (October 1991).)

As the Crisis continued, Hoshi's fascination with the phenomenon grew into an obsession while the men grew concerned for their safety. Disgusted by their mounting fear, Hoshi arrogantly insulted them and ordered an evacuation, leaving her to study the Crisis alone through her telescope.

Meanwhile, the Monitor, a being linked with all positive matter, senses his enemy, the Anti-Monitor, absorbing yet another positive-matter Earth with his antimatter cloud. In order to tip the scales for the heroes of the positive universe, the Monitor activates one last warrior.

He sends a devastating beam of energy from the star Vega to Earth, which strikes the observing Hoshi, leaving massive destruction in its wake. Granted the power of photonics and the name Doctor Light, Hoshi is assigned by the Monitor to guard one of the vibrational forks needed to save the Earth.^[1] Teen Titans member Starfire and Outsiders member Halo set out to destroy the machine. Since Doctor Light can't speak to them in English, she resorts to blasting them away from the machine. Superman is the first to communicate with her, given his knowledge of most of Earth's languages.

Once the Earth's heroes and villains are brought aboard the Monitor's satellite, the Japanese-speaking Katana takes over as Kimiyo's translator.

Doctor Light, granted the ability to understand English, accompanies several heroes to the anti-matter universe to confront the Anti-Monitor. She and Superman soon discover the machines that the villain has deployed to destroy the remaining Earths. The Anti-Monitor ambushes the Man of Steel; Doctor Light defends Superman as best she can. Supergirl arrives, and sacrifices her life, allowing Doctor Light to carry the unconscious Superman to safety.

Seeing Supergirl's sacrifice makes Doctor Light realize how selfish she has been, and she resolves to change.

When Harbinger summons her to fight in the final battle, Doctor Light is ready. As the other heroes barrage the Anti-Monitor, she absorbs the energy of a gigantic star that he is using as a power source. Scoring the first fall of the Anti-Monitor during that battle, she blasts a gaping hole through him.

In the post-Crisis continuity, Supergirl was written out of existence, so it is explained that Doctor Light was inspired by the other heroes.

She is potentially one of the most powerful superheroines in the DC Universe, but she has not tapped into the heightened levels of power she used during the Crisis. (Although few remember those events, Doctor Light is one of the few who do, seeing as how she once mentioned in Showcase '96 #9 (October 1996) that she's faced "Anti-Matter Gods").

Doctor Light has joined the Justice League a few times over the years, most notably as a member of Justice League Europe during the latter half of its incarnation.^[1] She also joined an incarnation of the Doom Patrol for a period of time.^[1] During her time on the Justice League Europe, she believed that her anti-social attitude during the Crisis was due to the food she regularly ate, after Power Girl is diagnosed with a similar condition. However, it is revealed that her behavior in Crisis was, in fact, her genuine behavior. While a member of the Justice League, Doctor Light formed significant friendships with The Flash (Wally West) and Power Girl. There is a protracted period of animosity with the member of the Global Guardians known as Rising Sun. His romantic endeavours win out and the two enter into a relationship

Infinite Crisis and after

Doctor Light's second costume, artist Phil Jimenez

In Green Arrow vol. 3, #54 (November 2005), following his recovery from the mind-wipe he suffered at the hands of the Justice League, Arthur Light, the villainous male Doctor Light attacked Doctor Hoshi and drained her of her powers.

It appeared that her de-powerment was temporary; in Infinite Crisis #5 (February 2006) she used her powers to aid in the evacuation of Tokyo, Japan. In that same issue she was warned by Bart Allen, in the costume of the Silver Age Flash, of the escape of an enraged Superboy-Prime. She was later seen in Infinite Crisis #7 (April 2006) battling the evil Doctor Light.

A flashback in Action Comics #838 (June 2006) reveals that Doctor Light and The Ray, heroes possessing solar-based powers, took part in an unsuccessful attempt to re-activate Superman's powers.

One Year Later and 52

However, an article discussing the destruction of Star City (and, by extension, Kimiyo's depowerment) appeared at the 52 website, which is designed to complement the weekly comic series. The article places a date on the city's destruction, which was depicted in the final 2 Pre-OYL Green Arrow arcs, specifying that the event took place on May 15. Problematically, this dating places the story after the events depicted in Infinite Crisis.

Given this dating, Kimiyo's depowerment took place during the events of 52 - Week 2 which, given Kimiyo and Green Arrow's appearances at the end of 52 - Week 1, would appear to make sense, although it in turn makes nonsense of information contained in Green Arrow vol. 3, #54, where it is revealed that Kimiyo has not used her powers for two years.

The story arc also concludes with Green Arrow experiencing a strange multiplying effect that places the story during Infinite Crisis, not two weeks after the event's conclusion. (Several other characters in the DCU experienced this effect in the issue of their titles that immediately preceded the OYL jump).

Kimiyo Hoshi appeared in costume in 52 Week 35, alongside various other heroes. All are assisting the injured victims of Lex Luthor, who had caused a rain of 'supermen' by deactivating their powers. She is also shown in 52 Week 50, in the climactic battle of World War III.

Dr. Light appears in World War III: United We Stand, the fourth issue of the World War III mini-series that coincided with 52 Week 50. She is one of the first wave of heroes who confront (and are taken down by) Black Adam. He grasps her neck with such force that she instantly blacks out; he throws her aside.

Geoff Johns has revealed on his message board that he is working on storylines involving Doctor Light.^[3]

Oracle invites Kimiyo to join the Birds of Prey (issue #100), but she was not selected to take part in the first mission. She does, however, appear in Birds of Prey #113 (January 2008), assisting Oracle by scanning the electromagnetic spectrum for any evidence that might lead her to the parties responsible for an influx of hi-tech weaponry being smuggled into Metropolis. She is, however, unable to locate any such evidence.

Doctor Light is only occasionally active in the superhero community because she is a single mother with two children: Imako, her daughter, and Yasu, her son.^[1] Gail Simone confirmed in a chat on comicbloc.com that Kimiyo's children have not been retconned out of existence by the recent changes to DC continuity (that resulted from the transformation of The Post Crisis Earth into "New Earth" during Infinite Crisis).

Doctor Light works in S.T.A.R. Labs and has an interior monologue about the erratic fluctuations in her powers that lead to her retirement from superheroing. Upon returning home from work, she is ambushed by the Dakota-based super-team the Shadow Cabinet. After briefly talking with the heroes, she becomes enraged and attacks them after coming to believe they have harmed her children, only to be quickly neutralized and kidnapped by the team.^[4] However, this is later revealed to have been orchestrated by Superman and Icon, as a way for both Shadow Cabinet and the League to gain information on each other.^[5] Hardware uses the candle that was once Arthur Light (Arthur having been recently killed by the Spectre) to restore Kimiyo's powers, allowing her to quickly defeat a powered-up Shadow Thief and his master, a restored and more powerful Starbreaker.^[6]

Kimiyo has been confirmed to be a member of the newest incarnation of the Justice League. In the Blackest Night crossover, Kimiyo and the remaining members of the League arrive at the Hall of Justice in order to find Firestorm after hearing of the Black Lantern attacks taking place across the globe. Upon entering the Hall, Kimiyo senses the presence of her villainous counterpart, and separates from the group, believing this Black Lantern is hers alone to face. However, Kimiyo soon finds herself at the mercy of the Black Lantern Arthur Light.^[7] Although initially her powers seem to be ineffectual against the Black Lantern Light, when he threatens the lives of her children, Kimiyo manages to generate a light strong enough to destroy him and his black ring. She then proceeds to do the same to the Black Lantern versions of former JLA members Steel and Vibe, before passing out.^[8]

In the aftermath of the ordeal, Vixen tells Kimiyo that she is taking a leave of absence from the team in order to recover from her injuries. With Red Tornado destroyed, John Stewart temporarily offworld, and Firestorm unable to return to the team, Kimi is left with no members for the JLA. Luckily, she is approached by Donna Troy, who joins the team alongside her friends Cyborg, Dick Grayson, and Starfire. With the costume given to her by Hardware destroyed, Kimiyo designs a new one, and then travels to Metropolis in order to recruit Mon-El and the Guardian.^[9] Kimiyo briefly appears during the War of the Supermen, where she and the rest of the JLA attempt to repel General Zod's invasion forces.^[10]

After just three issues together, the new JLA team loses most of its members, with Kimiyo temporarily leaving the team in order to be with her children.^[11] Back in Metropolis, Kimiyo helps Supergirl rescue her friend Lana Lang after her body is possessed by the Insect Queen.^[12] A short time later, Kimiyo and Gangbuster investigate an object that crashes into a Metropolis park and leaves a massive crystallized crater in its center. While searching the crater, the two heroes discover a Bizarro-like creature that resembles Supergirl. Before Kimiyo can call for help, the creature lashes out and attacks her.^[13] The Bizarro Supergirl takes Kimiyo and her associates hostage, but is ultimately defeated in battle by the real Supergirl. It is revealed that the Bizarro Supergirl is a refugee from the cube-shaped Bizarro World, and was sent to Earth by her cousin after their planet was attacked by a being known as the Godship. Kimiyo attempts to take the Bizarro Supergirl to S.T.A.R. Labs, only to be knocked unconscious by Supergirl, who then absconds with her doppelganger and her ship, hoping to stop the Godship and save Bizarro World.^[14]

Despite resigning from active duty, Doctor Light appears as one of the numerous heroes assembled at Washington, D.C. in order to break an energy dome trapping the Justice League and the Crime Syndicate of America within the city,^[15] as well as a member of the JLA's reserve roster during the team's battle against Eclipso.^[16] She also assists the League (as well as several other teams) during a battle against the Secret Six, where she is gunned down by Deadshot.^[17]

The New 52

Kimiyo has not yet appeared as Doctor Light in The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), though it is suggested she is the wife referred to by Arthur Light during the Trinity War storyline.^[18]

Powers and abilities

Exposure to energy from the star Vega granted Doctor Light photokinesis: control over all forms of light sources, without relying on equipment. She can absorb all forms of illumination as energy, which allowed her to survive Starbreaker's attack, as well as absorb the energy of the sun to attack the Anti-Monitor. She can project energy, allowing her to shoot destructive laser beams and other blasts of destructive energy, blind her opponents with blinding flashes of light (capable of dispersing Shadow Thief's shadow constructs), and create protective barriers. She can focus photons into "hard light" (a fictional form of energy which acts like a solid object). She can refract lightwaves to create holographic images. She can turn into light, rendering her invisible to the naked eye. Her abilities also allow her to disperse radiation and holographic illusions, scan and "see" the electromagnetic spectrum, track ionized molecules, and convert her body to near light to minimize her mass and escape gravitational pull. She can sense the light around her, which she describes as a "sixth sense" allowing her to know when somebody enters the room. She can ride lightwaves in order to fly, capable of reaching the speed of light, and outrunning the Superman of Earth-1. She has used her powers to generate sunlight from a yellow sun to heal injured Kryptonians and Daxamites. Her light abilities appear to have granted her enhanced durability, as she has survived attacks that have knocked out Power Girl and other enhanced metahumans. She can also teleport, from Earth to the Watchtower.

Outside of her light-based abilities, she is also a brilliant scientific mind; in early appearances, she considered herself a scientist foremost and superhero second. She is a prominent astronomer, the world's foremost authority on light technology. She even ran S.T.A.R. Labs for a time. On several occasions, she has also displayed knowledge of medicine. Conversations with Batman have also revealed knowledge of Asian martial arts, if not the ability to use it effectively in combat.

Her primary weakness is that she requires a light source to fuel her powers, and being placed in an area of absolute darkness severely weakens her abilities; she can, however, store energy for such occasions. Her other weakness is that she's afraid of the dark. On occasions when she has been surrounded by unnatural darkness, however, Kimiyo has been able to use logic to overcome her fear and win the day.

Other versions

JLA/The 99

Doctor Light appears as a major character and member of the Justice League in the JLA/The 99 limited series, which takes place in an alternate continuity where the characters of the DC Universe and Teshkeel Comics coexist on the same world. Along with Vixen, Doctor Light is touted as an example of the racial and cultural diversity that the League encompasses.^[19]

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Dr. Kimiyo Hoshi is a member of the H.I.V.E. council. She voted against using nuclear weapons to end the war in Western Europe between Aquaman and Wonder Woman.^[20]

DC Bombshells

In an alternate history version of World War 2, Kimiyo Hoshi is the chief scientist for Amanda Waller's Bombshells project. She acts as one of Kate Kane's handlers.^[21]

In other media

Television

Doctor Light in Justice League Unlimited in the episode "The Great Brain Robbery."

• Doctor Light appeared in the animated series Justice League Unlimited. She had speaking roles in the episodes "Epilogue" and "The Great Brain Robbery" and was voiced by Lauren Tom. In "Epilogue", she and other teammates were seen in a flashback. In the flashback, after defeating Ace's Royal Flush Gang, Amanda Waller alerted the team that Ace was going to have a psychic backlash which would've killed everyone in range of her power, which, at first, Light had disbelieved. In "The Great Brain Robbery", Light, Steel and Ice were sent to stop Lex Luthor's group of villains from pulling off a robbery. Light used her power to find them, but Doctor Polaris used his power to throw Steel onto Light, incapacitating them both temporarily.

• Doctor Light appears in Season 2 of The Flash, portrayed by Malese Jow.^[22] Rather than being Kimiyo Hoshi, this version of the character is the Earth-Two version of Linda Park who became a Metahuman and mainly used her powers of manipulating light waves to commit robberies. Light is sent to Earth-1 by Zoom to kill the Flash. While the Flash attempts to reason with her on Jay Garrick, he caused her to run off upon recognizing her as Linda. In response, Light blinds Barry and attempts to kill her Earth-1 counterpart to take her place and hide from Zoom. But the attempt failed with Light accidentally kills Linda's boss, later attempting to leave Central City before being subdued by the Flash using a speed mirage. Light is then brought to S.T.A.R. Labs for a plan to use her to lure Zoom and stop him, only for her to escape by taking off her clothes and rendering herself invisible, forcing the team to ask Linda to pose as her counterpart as part of a plan to trap Zoom.^[23]

Film

An alternate universe version of Kimiyo Hoshi appeared in the animated film Justice League: Gods and Monsters. She was part of Lex Luthor's "Project Fair Play", a weapons program contingency to destroy the Justice League if necessary. Hoshi and the other scientists involved (consisting of Will Magnus, John Henry Irons, Michael Holt, Karen Beecher, Pat Dugan, Emil Hamilton, Thomas Morrow, and Stephen Shin) later met at another location and are later killed by the Metal Men.

Web series

Doctor Light appears in DC Super Hero Girls. She is a background student at Super Hero High.

Miscellaneous

Teen Titans Go #48 has Killowat stuck in an alternate dimension where all of the world's heroes are villains. That particular world is menaced by the Teen Tyrants (Teen Titans) and protected by The Brotherhood of Justice (Brotherhood of Evil). Kimiyo Hoshi is one of the Brotherhood's members.

References

External links

• DCU Guide: Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)
• Incandescent: Losing the Light
• DCAU: Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)
• ComicVine: Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)