| Ultra Boy | |
|---|---|
 Ultra Boy (andPhantom Girl) as depicted inSuperboy's Legion #1 (April 2001) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superboy #98 (July 1962) |
| Created by | Jerry Siegel Curt Swan |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jo Nah |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Place of origin | Rimbor |
| Team affiliations | |
| Notable aliases | Emerald Dragon |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength, superhuman speed, flight, durability, flash vision, 'penetra-vision' (one power at a time) |
Ultra Boy (Jo Nah) is asuperhero appearing inDC Comics, primarily as a member of theLegion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries.[1] He gained his powers after being eaten by a whale-like beast in space and being exposed to large amounts of radiation while inside. His real name is derived from theBiblical figureJonah, who also survived being swallowed by a "large fish" (often interpreted as a whale).
Ultra Boy has made limited appearances in media outside comics, withJames Arnold Taylor voicing him inLegion of Super Heroes (2006).
Ultra Boy first appeared inSuperboy #98 (1962), and was created byJerry Siegel andCurt Swan.[2]
Ultra Boy appears inSuperboy's Legion (2001),[3][4] andJLA: Another Nail (2004).[5]
Ultra Boy first appeared inSuperboy #98, in which he was sent back in time toSuperboy's home town ofSmallville to prove himself worthy of joining the Legion by learning Superboy's secret identity. In his first appearance, he only demonstrated his vision powers, known as "penetra-vision". It was implied he had malicious intentions in learning Superboy's secret identity. Later, inAdventure Comics #316, he explained that he could channel his ultra-energy to provide him other powers, though only one at a time. Later he was romantically linked for many years with fellow LegionnairePhantom Girl.[6] He was considered one of the Legion's 'big three' (along with Superboy andMon-El) and served two terms as leader.[7]
Between volumes 3 and 4 ofLegion of Super-Heroes, afive-year gap in the chronology occurred, during which the team disbanded. During this period, Ultra Boy proposed to Phantom Girl, but she was apparently killed in an accident. He then becomes a smuggler and an outlaw on his home planet ofRimbor. Ultra Boy later rejoins the Legion after assassins attempt to kill him.
Many years later, during the"Five Year Gap" following the Magic Wars, Earth falls under the control of theDominators and withdraws from theUnited Planets. A few years later, the members of the Dominators' classified "Batch SW6" - temporal clones of the Legionnaires - escape captivity. After Earth is destroyed in a disaster reminiscent ofKrypton's destruction over a millennium earlier, a few dozen surviving cities and their inhabitants reconstitute their world as New Earth. The SW6 Legionnaires—including their version of Ultra Boy—remain.[8]
FollowingZero Hour: Crisis in Time!, which reboots the Legion's continuity, Ultra Boy is reimagined as the former leader of the Emerald Dragons gang and a member ofWorkforce. He later leaves Workforce, joins the Legion, and marriesApparition, with whom he has a son named Cub.[9]
In the "Threeboot" continuity, Ultra Boy is in a relationship withShadow Lass and is trained byKarate Kid in a more responsible and tactical use of his superpowers. While on Rimbor, he was wrongly charged for a crime, which he refuses to elaborate on. He is later cleared of this crime (revealed to bevehicular homicide) when Legion business manager M'rissy discovers evidence that proves his innocence.[10]
InDoomsday Clock, Ultra Boy and the Legion are revealed to have been erased from existence whenDoctor Manhattan altered the timeline. However, they are restored whenSuperman convinces Manhattan to undo his actions.[11]
Ultra Boy possesses abilities similar to Superman, including flight, x-ray vision, heat vision, and superhuman strength, durability, and speed. However, he can only use one power at a time.
As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Ultra Boy is provided a Legion Flight Ring, which allows him to fly and protects him from the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments. Although he has the equivalent innate abilities, the ring allows him to forgo them and leave another of his powers available for use.
Ultra Boy appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[12]
