 | KYLE RAYNER (ELSEWORLDS: SON OF SUPERMAN) | BIOGRAPHY |
| Created by Howard Chaykin, David Tischman and J.H. Williams III |
PERSONAL DATA
Occupation: Green Lantern
Homeworld: Earth (Elseworlds)
Group Affiliation(s): Green Lantern Corps; JLA
Gender: Male
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black
First Appearance: Son of Superman #1 (1999)
Creators: Howard Chaykin, David Tischman and J.H. Williams III
HISTORY
Originally joining the JLA during its battles with the Star Conqueror and Know Man, Kyle Rayner filled the legendary team's roster as Green Lantern, fighting side by side with the World's Greatest Super-Heroes. In the fifteen years since the disappearance of Superman, the world had become a very different place.
The JLA was now federally funded, with J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter, as the team's liaison to the government. The JLA's line up still included its core members, the Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter, but unbeknownst to the rest of his teammates, the Martian Manhunter worked for Lex Luthor.
It was Luthor that had found Superman's Fortress of Solitude two years prior to his enemy's disappearance. Working with the United States government, Luthor plotted the elimination of the Man of Steel. The Kryptonian technology was now free to be mass produced. To the world at large, Superman was believed dead.
The public, and likely the government as well, would have been shocked to know Superman was still alive, a prisoner and source of experimentation for Lex Luthor. Over the years, Luthor had been using Superman's Kryptonian DNA, fashioning the drug known as "K" and was eventually able to give himself super human powers of flight, strength and invulnerability. Lex Luthor bargained with the Martian Manhunter to spare Superman's life for the shape-shifter's access to the JLA.
The influx of Kryptonian technology made Luthor even richer and his power base grew. Over the years, the division between the rich and poor became more pronounced. Those that had power were able to change the laws to further their own agendas.
Seeking to overthrow the status quo, the terrorist group called the Supermen appeared. Led by outlaws Pete Ross and Lana Lang-Ross, two of Clark Kent's friends from Smallville, the Supermen struck at targets of the rich and powerful. How much of the terrorist activities were truly performed by the Supermen and how much was fabricated by Lex Luthor has yet to be determined. The JLA was sent to oppose the Supermen but were regarded as ineffectual against the terrorists.
When a large solar flare erupted, Earth was bombarded with higher than normal levels of solar energy. This had a pronounced effect on Jonathan Kent, son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The solar energy awakened the younger Kent's superhuman powers and he learned soon after he was the Son of Superman.
The news of "Superman's Return" traveled quickly and it was not long before the Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern met with the son of Superman. The terrorist Supermen arrived shortly after with a surprise attack on the three JLAers and the kidnapping of Jon Kent. Away from the JLA, Pete Ross and Lana Lang were able to persuade young Kent to join them in freeing his father from a secret laboratory beneath the deserts sands of Arizona.
The true return of Superman was a staged media event. The JLA gathered for a press conference in Metropolis to announce the Man of Steel's return to their fold. Before any questions could be answered, the JLA was called to Florida's Gulf Coast where Green Lantern and Superman repelled a massive tidal wave.
Tensions grew within the JLA as Batman secretly uncovered Wonder Woman's connection to the Supermen. She had given them Amazonium, a metal that was used in the construction of their battle suits.
The Martian Manhunter, following the instructions of Lex Luthor, impersonated Superman and led an attack on the Statue of Liberty. By this time, Pete Ross had sold out the Supermen and used the battle suits to help discredit Superman.
Green Lantern and the Flash believed what they had seen, that Superman had apparently gone rogue. The mission to bring in Superman was voluntary. Green Lantern and the Flash readily agreed to it. Aquaman, though uncomfortable with the idea, joined them.
Bruce Wayne chose to support Superman and his son. The World's Finest Heroes returned to their original costumes and sought to convince their JLA comrades that Superman had been set up. The arrival of Wonder Woman turned the already tense meeting violent as she struck the Martian Manhunter.
The heroes faced each other as the Flash tried and failed to take Batman out of the fight. Aquaman and Wonder Woman battled while Green Lantern took on Superman's son. The ring wielder might have won his battle if he had not underestimated the younger Superman. Avoiding a thrown manhole cover, Green Lantern was prepared for it to ricochet off the corners of a building and strike him. Jon Kent went to confront Lex Luthor himself. The battle came to a halt when the Martian Manhunter's betrayal of Superman was revealed. Despite having given himself superhuman powers, Lex Luthor was defeated by Jon Kent.
The true story was never revealed to the world. All seven members of the JLA disbanded soon after, claiming they wished to devote more time to their families. It would not be long before a new membership would be announced by the government. Superman himself retired, giving his name over to his son.
Unfortunately, no other information is available regarding Green Lantern. -Son of Superman
CHRONOLOGY
For a definitive list of appearances of Kyle Rayner (Elseworlds: Son of Superman) in chronological order click here
GLCWP NOTE
While there's nothing in the story that makes mention of Green Lantern's secret identity as being Kyle Rayner, It's safe to assume he's Kyle. The membership of the JLA is the same as JLA #1, and references events occurring in the "main timeline" DCU, such as Superman's battle with Doomsday and the loss of Aquaman's hand.