Polar Boy

Polar Boy
Polar Boy as depicted in Who's Who in the Legion of Super Heroes #5 (September 1988).
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Adventure Comics #306 (March 1963)
Created by	Edmond Hamilton John Forte
In-story information
Alter ego	Brek Bannin
Species	Tharrian
Place of origin	Tharr
Team affiliations	Legion of Substitute Heroes Legion of Super-Heroes The Wanderers
Abilities	Cold generation and projection Heat resistance

Polar Boy (Brek Bannin) is a fictional character from the 30th century of the DC Universe, initially suggested by reader Buddy Lavigne of Northbrook, Illinois in the letters page of Adventure Comics #304, from January 1963.^[1] He was the first of several characters who were created based on reader suggestions.^[2]

Fictional character biography

Brek Bannin originates from the planet Tharr, one of the hottest inhabited planets in its galaxy. His family lives in the planet's hottest valley, where the inhabitants develop cryokinetic abilities to combat the persistent heat.^[3]

After being rejected from the Legion of Super-Heroes, Polar Boy becomes a founding member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, serving as its first leader.^[4] The group primarily serves as local law enforcement while the Legion is busy, and eventually disbands after thwarting Computo's invasion of Bismoll.^[5] Following this, Polar Boy joins the full Legion.

In the "Threeboot" continuity, Polar Boy appears as a member of the Wanderers.^[6]

In Action Comics #860, Polar Boy is captured and tortured by an anti-alien society. In the process, he loses an arm and replaces it with an ice prosthetic.

In Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds, Polar Boy is among the Legionnaires assembled to battle Superboy-Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains.

Polar Boy appears in the 2021 one-shot Tis the Season to Be Freezin', where he dates Comet Queen.^[7]

Powers and abilities

Polar Boy possesses the innate ability to reduce heat and produce cold, which enables him to withstand high temperatures. Furthermore, he is a skilled leader, having led the Legion of Substitute Heroes on multiple occasions.

In other media

• Polar Boy makes non-speaking appearances in Legion of Super Heroes.^{[citation needed]}
• Polar Boy appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[8]
• Polar Boy appears in the one-shot comic Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes.^[9]

References

1. 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. 236. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
2. Wells, John; Dallas, Keith (2015). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-1605490458.
3. Graceling-Moore, Rose (January 8, 2017). "15 Most Powerful Cold-Based Heroes And Villains". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
4. Levitz, Paul (w), LaRocque, Greg (a). "The Greatest Hero Of Them All" Legion of Super-Heroes, no. 38, p. 14/5 (September 1987). DC Comics.
5. Cadigan, Glen, ed. (2004). The Best of the Legion Outpost. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9781893905368.
6. Supergirl & the Legion of Super-Heroes #25 (Feb. 2007)
7. Goldfield, Ray (December 14, 2021). "Review – Tis the Season to Be Freezin #1: Holiday Madness". GeekDad. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
8. Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
9. "Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes #1 - Atomic Batteries To Power, Flight Rings To Speed (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved August 18, 2023.