Takion

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caption=Takion, art by Aaron Lopresti.
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Takion
real_name=Joshua Saunders
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Takion" #1, (June 1996)
creators=Paul Kupperberg (writer) Aaron Lopresti (artist)
alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff
alliances=New Gods
aliases=Highfather
powers=Cosmic Awareness, Unlimited energy powers.

Takion is a fictional character in the "DC Comics" comic book series which ran for 7 issues in 1996, and of the lead character of that series. The character was created by Paul Kupperberg and Aaron Lopresti."Takion" #1, June 1996]

Fictional character biography

Josh Saunders, a blind psychologist, who was chosen by Highfather to become a "Source Elemental" and given the ability to manipulate the Source, because Highfather felt he was "a man without destiny" and therefore would not be missed. Highfather names him Takion of the Source and tells him that he must clean a "taint" from the Source. In reality Takion was created as an Avatar of Highfather, as a security measure in the event of Highfather's death. In that moment, Takion was able to see everything, all his failures and victories, time was without boundary. He was even able to foresee Highfather's death.

While trying to deal with the ebb and flow of energy through his body into and out of the Source, Josh attracts the attention of Captain Atom, the Flash, Green Lantern, after a brief fight he easily defeats all three heroes and leaves the planet feeling that with his immense power levels he was a threat to everyone on Earth. ["Takion" #2 August 1996]

Cosmic Awareness

The problem was that unlike a New God, Takion has cosmic awareness but has to filter this awareness and all the information it brought using the primitive thought structures of a human brain. This dissonance was making him unstable. He spent his time in space learning how to separate the future and past from the present, and forcing his awareness to exist only in the present. He allowed his body to discorporate so that he could re-assemble himself, which is when he first discovered the ability to possess others, read their minds and also their potential timeline and destiny. Takion also learned how to accept and use his cosmic awareness. ["Takion" #3 September 1996]

tayne

Takion's main nemesis is Stayne, his dark counterpart who was a nameless human woman transformed by Darkseid's power. She is sent to keep Takion from achieving his true potential and to prevent him from learning about Darkseid's plan to destroy the Source Wall. After Stayne's creation, he is finally caught up to Darkseid and confronts her for the first time."Takion" #4 November 1996] Takion must deal with Stayne's ability to cut him off from the Source and the threatening fact that is she makes physical contact with the Wall first, she will gain control over reality.

Izaya's death

During the "Genesis" event, Highfather (Izaya) learned of Darkseid's plans to destroy the Source Wall and take control the Source itself. Izaya gathered a group of younger gods, including Zeus, Jove, Odin and Ares together to fight him. However Ares rebelled against Highfather, and killed him. Ares was imprisoned in the new Source Wall by the other gods.

Highfather

After Izaya's death, the role of Highfather is offered to Scott Free (Mister Miracle) who is Izaya's only living heir. Scott turns the offer down, leaving Takion to become the new Highfather. During a crisis, he asks for guidance from Highfather, who had become one with the Source. Highfather is able to temporarily return from the Source by using the body of his Avatar Takion, as this was the real purpose for Takion's creation. Highfather resurrects Supertown, providing the people of New Genesis with new hope.

Death

Takion travels to the Source Wall, accompanied by Himon in order to learn the identity of the serial killer that has slain many New Gods. Takion himself falls victim to and dies at the hands of the Infinity-Man.issue|date=May 2008

Powers and abilities

* A living embodiment of the Source, and to the spirit of Highfather. He serves as a conduit and avatar, between the Source and the New Gods of New Genesis.
* Takion's only limit is the amount of energy existing in the Source, he cannot create new energy, but can channel and manipulate existing forms of energy. He apparently can actively shift the signature of wave energy along its spectrum.
* He seems to be able to rewrite the atomic structure of matter by re-arranging the subatomic particles that form its identity matrix.
* He could become intangible at will as well as teleport.
* He could manipulate subjective time on a quantum level.
* He could also dampen energy fields, including the ring of Green Lantern Kyle Rayner.

Bibliography

* "Takion" #1 - 7
* "Final Night" #1, 3
* "Green Lantern" (vol. 3) #81
* "New Gods" v3, #12 - 15
* "Genesis" #1, 2
* "Jack Kirby's Fourth World" #1 - 8, 10 - 14, 16, 18, 19
* "Superman" (vol. 2) #128
* "JLA" (vol. 3) #17, 24
* "Orion" #3 - 6, 12 (backup story)

Notes and references

Resources

* [http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=217011 GCD Project: Takion #1]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=takion DCU Guide: Takion Profile]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=takion DCU Guide: Takion Chronology]
* [http://members.tripod.com/fastbak/takion.htm New Gods Library: Takion]
* [http://fastbak.tripod.com/izaya.htm New Gods Index: Highfather]

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/JKFW/Takion_001.php DCU Guide: Takion #1]
* [http://www.fanzing.com/mag/fanzing44/feature3.shtml Fanzing #44: Saunders Family Tree]
* [http://fastbak.tripod.com/ngcomics.htm New Gods Comics Index]