Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)

This article is about the DC Comics superhero. For the DC Comics supervillain, see Doctor Light (Arthur Light).

Doctor Light
Doctor Light as depicted in DC Universe Holiday Special #1 (February 2009). Art by Rodolfo Migliari.
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	Dr. Kimiyo Tazu Hoshi
Place of origin	Japan
Team affiliations	Justice League International Doom Patrol Kord Enterprises Birds of Prey S.T.A.R. Labs Justice League Justice League Europe
Notable aliases	Kimiyo Hoshi Dr.Light Dr.Kimiyo
Abilities	Light transformation (light form/mimicry) Flight Photokinesis Hard light constructs Force field generation

Doctor Light is a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.^[1] Kimiyo Hoshi is a distinct character from the villain of the same name.^[2] She has, however, crossed paths with the villainous Doctor Light on several occasions.

Doctor Light appeared in the sixth season of the television series The Flash, portrayed by Emmie Nagata.

Publication history

Doctor Light first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 and was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.^[3]

Fictional character biography

Kimiyo Tazu Hoshi, a brilliant but overly-driven scientist,^[4] was the supervising astronomer at an observatory in Japan during Crisis on Infinite Earths. The Monitor gives her light-based powers to help battle the Anti-Monitor.^[1]

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 joins the Doom Patrol for a time and enters a relationship with Global Guardians member Rising Sun.^[1]

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 temporarily depowers her.

One Year Later and 52

An article discussing the destruction of Star City (and, by extension, Kimiyo's loss of power) 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 loss of power 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 was working on storylines involving Doctor Light.^[5]

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 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 an interview that Kimiyo's children have not been retconned out of existence by changes to DC continuity.

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 being a superhero. Upon returning home from work, she is ambushed by 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 captured.^[6] This is later revealed to have been orchestrated by Superman and Icon so that the League and Cabinet could gain information on each other.^[7] Hardware uses Arthur Light's powers to restore those of Kimiyo, allowing her to quickly defeat Shadow Thief and Starbreaker.^[8]

Kimiyo has been confirmed to be a member of the newest incarnation of the Justice League. In Blackest Night, Kimiyo is attacked by Arthur Light's Black Lantern form and destroys him with a burst of light.^[9][10]

Afterward, Donna Troy, Cyborg, Dick Grayson, and Starfire join the Justice League. With the costume given to her by Hardware destroyed, Kimiyo designs a new one and travels to Metropolis to recruit Mon-El and Guardian.^[11] Kimiyo briefly appears during the War of the Supermen, where she and the rest of the JLA attempt to repel General Zod's invasion.^[12]

After just three issues together, the new JLA team loses most of its members, with Kimiyo temporarily leaving the team to be with her children.^[13] Back in Metropolis, Kimiyo helps Supergirl rescue Lana Lang after the Insect Queen possesses her.^[14] A short time later, Kimiyo and Gangbuster battle Supergirl's Bizarro counterpart, a refugee from Bizarro World.^[15][16]

Despite resigning from active duty, Doctor Light remains with the Justice League as a reserve member.^[17][18][19]

DC Rebirth

Kimiyo appears in the Rebirth storyline Heroes in Crisis and is among many superheroes that are interviewed in the Sanctuary therapy center. Furthermore, she and Arthur Light were formerly married, during which they had three children: Tommy, Emma, and Sakura.

Powers and abilities

Doctor Light is a metahuman who can generate and manipulate light energy. This enables her to generate illusions, become invisible, fly at light-speeds, and teleport. Hoshi is also a skilled scientist and astronomer.

Other versions

• An alternate universe variant of Doctor Light appears in JLA/The 99.^[20]
• An alternate universe variant of Doctor Light who is a member of H.I.V.E. appears in Flashpoint.^[21]
• An alternate universe variant of Kimiyo Hoshi appears in DC Comics Bombshells. This version is a scientist for Amanda Waller's eponymous Bombshells project and is in a relationship with Big Barda.^[22][23]

In other media

Television

• Doctor Light appears in Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Lauren Tom.^[24] This version is a member of the Justice League.
• Two incarnations of Doctor Light appear in The Flash:
  • The first incarnation appears in the second season, portrayed by Malese Jow.^[25] This version is the Earth-2 counterpart of Linda Park and a criminal working for Zoom.^[26][27]
  • Kimiyo Hoshi / Doctor Light appears in the sixth season, portrayed by Emmie Nagata. This version is a metahuman assassin armed with a UV gun who initially works for the organization Black Hole before defecting to work for Eva McCulloch.
• Doctor Light makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Justice League Action.^[28][24]

Film

• An alternate universe variant of Kimiyo Hoshi appears in Justice League: Gods and Monsters.^[24] This version was a member of Lex Luthor's "Project Fair Play", a contingency program meant to destroy their universe's Justice League if necessary, until the Metal Men kill her and the other scientists involved.
• Doctor Light makes a minor non-speaking appearance in DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year.
• Doctor Light appears in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, voiced by Erika Ishii.^[29][24]

Video games

• Doctor Light appears in DC Universe Online.
• Doctor Light appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[30]

Miscellaneous

• An alternate universe incarnation of Doctor Light makes a cameo appearance in Teen Titans Go! #48. This version is the heroic counterpart of Arthur Light and a member of the Brotherhood of Justice.^[31]
• Doctor Light makes non-speaking background appearances in DC Super Hero Girls as a student of Super Hero High.

References

1. Wallace, Dan (2008). "Doctor Light II". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC 213309017.
2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
3. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
4. Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
5. "The Comic Bloc Forums - View Single Post - Question for Mr. Johns about Giffen/DeMatties Era JL Characters". Comicbloc.com. 2006-08-11. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
6. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #27 (November 2008)
7. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #28 (December 2008)
8. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #30 (February 2009)
9. "Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Hey, it's time to dissect the Justice League roster again!". Blog.newsarama.com. 2009-09-17. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
10. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #40 (December 2009)
11. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #41 (January 2010)
12. War of the Supermen #4
13. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #43
14. Supergirl (vol. 5) #50
15. Supergirl (vol. 5) #53
16. Supergirl (vol. 5) #54-55
17. Starman/Congorilla #1
18. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #56
19. Secret Six (vol. 3) #36
20. JLA/The 99 #1
21. Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #1 (June 2011)
22. DC Comics Bombshells #8
23. DC Comics Bombshells #31-32
24. "Doctor Light Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 17, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
25. ""The Flash" Season 2 Enlists Female Doctor Light". Comicbookresources.com. 13 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
26. Burlingame, Russ (November 10, 2015). "The Flash's Malese Jow on Dr. Light, Working with Team Flash and Linda's "Iconic Relationship" with Wally West". comicbook.com.
27. "New Australian "Flash" Promo Illuminates Dr. Light's Identity". Comicbookresources.com. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
28. "New Justice League Action Characters Officially Revealed". Comicbook.com. June 6, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
29. Harvey, James (December 5, 2023). "Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One Arrives January 2024, Press Details". The World's Finest. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
30. Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
31. Teen Titans Go! #48

External links

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