Photon

PHOTON

Real Name: Classified / Unknown

Current Alias: Photon

Identity: Public

Alignment: Good

Affiliation: Team Youngblood (Away Team / International Team)

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Overview

Photon is the “Blaster” of Youngblood’s International “Away Team”, providing the group with long-range energy superiority and cosmic-level tactical support. An extraterrestrial belonging to the Acuran race, he is instantly recognizable by his reflective blue-white skin and the constant emerald flame that emanates from his head. Though a stalwart member of the team, Photon often maintains a certain alien detachment from his human teammates, viewing Earth’s conflicts through the lens of a celestial traveler.

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Origin

Photon is a native of the planet Acura, a world that had historically signed a peace treaty with their bitter rivals, the Katellans. When a political conspiracy threatened to overthrow the Katellan Emperor, Photon was falsely accused of treason alongside his rival, the Katellan warrior Combat. The two former enemies fled their home systems and crash-landed on Earth.

Upon their arrival, the United States government offered Photon and Combat sanctuary in exchange for their participation in the Youngblood program and access to Acuran technology. Adopting the codename Photon, the alien refugee became a core operative for the program’s international division, though he has struggled to fully master human languages and social customs.

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Creation

Photon was created by artist and writer Rob Liefeld, making his unofficial debut in Megaton Explosion #1 (1987) before his formal first appearance in Youngblood #1 in April 1992. According to Liefeld, the character was originally part of a failed 1991 pitch to DC Comics for a new Teen Titans series; Photon was intended to be a member of the Khunds, a recurring alien race in the Legion of Super-Heroes comics.

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Character Evolution

One of the most unique aspects of Photon’s character is his race’s biological cycle: Acurans switch gender every seven years. Throughout his publication history, the character has transitioned between a male form and a female form, known as Lady Photon.

While typically serving as the Away Team’s primary fire-support, Photon played a critical role during the arrival of Supreme on Earth, acting as one of the few heroes capable of tracking the powerhouse’s atmospheric entry. Despite his loyalty to Youngblood, his narrative often explores his status as an exile who may one day be called back to Acura to answer for his past.

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Powers and Abilities

• Acuran Physiology: Photon possesses natural resistance to the vacuum of space and does not need to eat, breathe, or sleep, allowing for indefinite survival in deep-space environments.
• Energy Projection: He can discharge high-intensity “pyrokinetic” blasts and emerald energy beams from his hands and eyes.
• Flight: By enveloping himself in a specialized energy field that acts as a gravity neutralizer, Photon can achieve high-speed flight within and outside of an atmosphere.
• Self-Ignition: The green flame on his head is a byproduct of his internal energy reactor; while intensely hot, it serves as a visual indicator of his power levels and can’t be used for direct defense.
• Enhanced Senses: He possesses microscopic vision and enhanced hearing, though he is notably vulnerable to high-frequency ultrasonic attacks.

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Vital Statistics

Property	Detail
Height	6′ 0″
Weight	180 lbs.
Eyes	White
Hair	Green (Flames)
Home World	Acura