Obsidian (DC)
Obsidian is a male comic character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Todd James Rice was the male human who was the son of the original Green Lantern Alan Scott and the villainous Rose Canton.
With his power, Obsidian was able to overpower the Justice Society who were forced to flee. Karkull used this opportunity in an attempt to kill Todd Rice and claim his power. However, Obsidian was prepared and he simply absorbed Karkull into himself as he became a living embodiment of the Shadowlands. With his power amplified, Obsidian then spread darkness across the world. (JSA v1 #8)
Todd later returned when he revealed that he had become an ally of Mordru who had freed himself from his prison within Doctor Fate's amulet. The Lord of Chaos unleashed his power against the Justice Society with Obsidian emerging to absorb his father Alan Scott into his shadow dimension with Captain Marvel along with Stargirl also falling into the Shadowlands. (JSA v1 #47)
Afterwards, the power of the Starheart grew to the point that it had taken over Alan Scott's body and using him as a host vessel. This allowed him to corrupt Obsidian into serving him whilst creating a range of mystical disturbances that caused magical beings to run amok. The Justice Society and the new Justice League sought to stop the Starheart who was sequestered at his citadel on the Moon. During this time, Jade had been resurrected where she sought to free her family from the Starheart. However, the corruption caused Obsidian to fuse with her into a hybrid being until Doctor Fate separated them. This caused Jade to be empowered by the White Lantern where she used her link to the Starheart to weaken it and allow her father to be freed from its influence. This similarly freed Obsidian but the corruption still lingered and meant that he could not be near his sister or they would fuse into the hybrid being again. (Justice League of America v2 #48)
Overview
Personality and attributes
As a member of Infinity, Inc., Obsidian proved to be both powerful and emotionally volatile. His control over darkness made him a formidable combatant, yet it also reflected his inner turmoil. Todd often wrestled with feelings of inadequacy compared to his father’s shining legacy and his sister’s radiant powers. This contrast between light and shadow became symbolic of his psychological conflict—while Jade embodied hope and purity, Obsidian represented the aspects of fear and guilt that lurked beneath heroism’s surface. Despite this, Todd was deeply loyal to his teammates and often acted as the conscience of the group, striving to channel his pain into purpose. (Infinity, Inc. v1 #4)
On multiple occasions, Todd succumbed to its pull, losing control and acting out violently or irrationally. His descent into shadow was often portrayed as both a mental and spiritual struggle, with his powers feeding on his self-doubt. These moments of corruption distanced him from his teammates and family, forcing him to confront the thin line between heroism and monstrosity. (Infinity, Inc. v1 #14)
His relationship with Alan Scott remained complicated throughout his life. While Todd longed for acknowledgment and affection from his father, he also resented him for his absence and for the impossible moral standard his legend imposed. Over time, they reconciled through shared battles and mutual understanding, though Todd’s sense of alienation never fully disappeared. His bond with Jade remained stronger, yet even that connection was tested when their opposing powers and personalities caused ideological clashes. Obsidian’s life became defined by this ongoing tension between light and dark, hope and despair, family and solitude. (Infinity, Inc. v1 #22)
When Todd and his sister Jade met and learned the truth of their heritage, they formed a strong bond as they confronted their legacy together, eventually joining the superhero team known as Infinity, Inc., composed largely of the children and protégés of the Justice Society of America. (Infinity, Inc. v1 #1)
Powers and abilities
He could transform his body into a living shadow, becoming intangible, capable of flight, and able to manipulate others through contact with their shadows. These abilities also granted him a psychic awareness of emotional energy, particularly fear and despair, though at the cost of exposing him to those same emotions on an overwhelming scale. (Infinity, Inc. v1 #1)
In later years, Obsidian’s link to the Shadowlands deepened, blurring the boundary between himself and the dimension’s essence. He often served as both warrior and warden against forces seeking to exploit its energies, using his mastery over darkness to protect the very world that feared it. Despite the toll it took on his spirit, Todd remained steadfast in his mission, embodying the difficult truth that light could not exist without shadow. His journey was not one of conquest but of reconciliation—between his heritage and individuality, between heroism and humanity. (Justice Society of America v2 #9)
Notes
- Obsidian was created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway where he made his first appearance in All-Star Squadron v1 #25 (September, 1983).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Justice League Unlimited, Obsidian made non-voiced cameo appearances in the animated television series set in the DC Animated Universe.
- In Legends of Tomorrow, Obsidian appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set in the Arrowverse where a young version of the character was voiced by actor Dan Payne whilst the older one was portrayed by actor Lance Henriksen.
Toys
Appearances
- All-Star Squadron v1: (1983)
- JSA v1:
- Justice League of America v2:
External Links
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