Living Lightning
Encyclopedia
Living Lightning is a fictional character
, a superhero
from the Marvel Universe
. He is a former member of the Avengers West Coast, and is current a member of Texas
' super-team, The Rangers
.
and Roy Thomas
, and illustrated by Paul Ryan
. From 1991 to 1994, he began as an enemy of Avengers West Coast in Avengers West Coast #71-73 then became a member of the team and has made nineteen other appearances in this series with #74-80, #82, #84-90, #92, #96, #100, #102 and two in Avengers West Coast Annual #7-8.
In 1992, as an Avenger, he appeared in other titles of the crossover Operation: Galactic Storm
with The Avengers
#345, #347, Captain America
#401, Quasar
#33, Thor
#445-446 and Wonder Man
vol.2 #8-9.
During the same year, Miguel Santos played a role in the comic book limited series Infinity War
with #1-3, 6 and several tie-ins. In 1993, he appeared in the sequal, Infinity Crusade
with #1, #3-5 and the tie-in Web of Spider-Man with #104, #106.
In 1998, Living Lightning appeared in The Avengers #1-3.
In 2005, he made a brief appearance in GLA #2 written by Dan Slott
, in which Living Lightning is revealed to be gay
.
From 2006 to 2008, Miguel Santos played a role in the events of Civil War
. He appeared in Civil War #4-6, The Amazing Spider-Man #537, Civil War: Battle Damage Report #1, Civil War: Front Line #11 and Civil War Chronicles #6. He became a recruit of the Initiative and appears in Avengers: The Initiative
#2 (July 2007) and #19 (January 2009).
In 2009, he made two appearances in the series Avengers Unconquered
with the episodes #4 and #6. This series is a part of Marvel UK's 'Collectors' Edition' line. It is published by Panini Comics
and reprints Marvel Comics from the United States.
Living Lightning has also been depicted in two alternative universes with "What If the Avengers Lost Operation Galactic Storm?", What If...? #55-56 (1993) and with a brief appearance in "What if the Scarlet Witch Hadn't Acted Alone?", What If? Avengers Disassembled (2006).
The character has entries in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition #28 (1990), in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Avengers 2005 and also in The Marvel Encyclopedia (2006).
. Miguel's father, Carlos, was a member of an extremist group called the Legion of the Living Lightning. In a misguided attempt by the Legion to gain control of the Hulk
, the group battled him. The Legion was thus destroyed, and Carlos was killed.
Hoping to salvage his father's name, high school student Miguel broke into the Legion's headquarters to learn more about their work. While exploring, Miguel unwittingly turned on one of the Legion's machines and was transformed into a being of living energy. Initially, a confused Miguel clashed with the West Coast Avengers
and was apparently killed during the conflict. Later, he turned up alive and was captured by the villain, Doctor Demonicus
, and was coerced to join the Pacific Overlords
. After a brief, unwilling foray into crime, Miguel aided the Avengers West Coast
, and then joined the team. During his tenure with the Avengers West Coast, he teamed with heroes such as the Fantastic Four
, Doctor Strange
, Darkhawk
, and Spider-Man
. He battled villains such as Arkon
and Thundra
, the second Hangman
, the Night Shift
, Satannish
, Death Web
, Professor Power
, and the Magus
. Alongside the Avengers
, he participated in the Kree/Shi'ar War. He eventually decided to become an Avengers reservist while attending college. While he occasionally serves with the team, Miguel gave up active membership to concentrate on his studies.
For a time, Miguel and his fellow Avenger Quasar manned a deep-space monitoring station. Their powers enabled them to travel back and forth to Earth without difficulty. Miguel took advantage of the isolation to study.
The Great Lakes Avengers (GLA) invited Miguel Santos in order to recruit him in their team. During the meeting, he turned them down, explaining that he'd attended thinking the team's acronym GLA referred to the Gay/Lesbian Alliance. With his explanation, he inadvertently revealed that he was gay to GLA member Flatman
.
During the superhuman Civil War
, Miguel joined Captain America
's Secret Avengers as one of twenty new members who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act. He worked with the team out of a series of safe house
s set up by Nick Fury
. He was part of the final battle between the two main sides. After Captain America surrendered to the authorities, Living Lightning became an Initiative recruit, joining the Texas Rangers
.
During the Secret Invasion
, Living Lightning was with the Rangers when they, 3-D Man, and Ant-Man
III were fighting a Skrull that was posing as Lobo.
After Dark Reign
, Living Lightning is doing private security work for the Avengers; notably protecting the family of Avengers Academy
student Striker.
During his tenure in the West Coast Avengers, Miguel dated women. Later, though, Miguel was approached by members of the Great Lakes Avengers
, who hoped to recruit them for their team. When he heard the team's acronym (GLA), Miguel mistook them for the Gay/Lesbian Alliance and inadvertently revealed that he was gay to GLA member Flatman
.
Writer Dan Slott
commented in an interview
about his decision to out Living Lightning:
"He's gay. Get over it. Previous girlfriends? Beards
. Or relationships that just didn't work - because Miguel hadn't come to terms yet with who he really is. Miguel is a gay superhero and a wonderful role model."
In his true form, Living Lightning is just that, a sentient electrical force with no mass. In this form, he can fly, reaching sub-light speeds, withstanding the vacuum of space, and is impervious to most physical and energy attacks. He also possesses the ability to fire and manipulate bursts of electricity and electrical fields of varying intensities in his solid form, however, he must wear a special containment suit to retain a solid form.
Miguel has knowledge of basic street-fighting techniques. He is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
from the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. He is a former member of the Avengers West Coast, and is current a member of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
' super-team, The Rangers
Rangers (comics)
The Rangers are a superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #265 and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.-Fictional history:...
.
Publication history
Living Lightning first appeared in the story "When Lives the Lightning" in Avengers West Coast #63 (October, 1990), written by Dann ThomasDann Thomas
Danette "Dann" Thomas is a comic book writer, the wife of comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas. She has at times collaborated with Thomas on All-Star Squadron, Arak, Son of Thunder, the Crimson Avenger miniseries and Avengers West Coast.She married Roy Thomas in May 1981 and legally changed her...
and Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, and illustrated by Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan (comics)
Paul Ryan Paul Ryan Paul Ryan ((born 23 September 1949 in Massachusetts) is an American comic book and comic strip artist. Ryan has worked extensively for Marvel Comics and DC Comics on a number of super-hero comics. He currently pencils and inks the daily and Sunday comic strip The Phantom for...
. From 1991 to 1994, he began as an enemy of Avengers West Coast in Avengers West Coast #71-73 then became a member of the team and has made nineteen other appearances in this series with #74-80, #82, #84-90, #92, #96, #100, #102 and two in Avengers West Coast Annual #7-8.
In 1992, as an Avenger, he appeared in other titles of the crossover Operation: Galactic Storm
Operation: Galactic Storm
"Operation: Galactic Storm" was a 19-part comic book crossover storyline which ran through Marvel Comics' Avengers related titles - Avengers, Avengers West Coast, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wonder Man and Quasar - between March and May 1992.The storyline, which involves the Avengers...
with The Avengers
The Avengers
Avengers or The Avengers may refer to:*The Avengers , a 1960s British television show**The Avengers , a film based on the characters of the television series...
#345, #347, Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
#401, Quasar
Quasar (comics)
Quasar is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the . He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions...
#33, Thor
Thor (comics)
Thor has appeared as a character in various comics over the years, appearing in series from a range of publishers.-Marvel Comics:Thor is a Marvel Comics superhero, based on the thunder god of Norse mythology...
#445-446 and Wonder Man
Wonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
vol.2 #8-9.
During the same year, Miguel Santos played a role in the comic book limited series Infinity War
Infinity War
The Infinity War is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 1992. The series was written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom, Jack Morelli and Christie Scheele....
with #1-3, 6 and several tie-ins. In 1993, he appeared in the sequal, Infinity Crusade
Infinity Crusade
Infinity Crusade is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 1993. The series was written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom and Jack Morelli....
with #1, #3-5 and the tie-in Web of Spider-Man with #104, #106.
In 1998, Living Lightning appeared in The Avengers #1-3.
In 2005, he made a brief appearance in GLA #2 written by Dan Slott
Dan Slott
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer best known for The Amazing Spider-Man, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and She-Hulk. He is the current writer of the twice monthly The Amazing Spider-Man.-Early writing:...
, in which Living Lightning is revealed to be gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
.
From 2006 to 2008, Miguel Santos played a role in the events of Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
. He appeared in Civil War #4-6, The Amazing Spider-Man #537, Civil War: Battle Damage Report #1, Civil War: Front Line #11 and Civil War Chronicles #6. He became a recruit of the Initiative and appears in Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
#2 (July 2007) and #19 (January 2009).
In 2009, he made two appearances in the series Avengers Unconquered
Avengers Unconquered
Avengers Unconquered is part of Marvel UK's 'Collectors' Edition' line. It is published by Panini Comics and reprints Marvel Comics from the United States. This title reprints Avengers or Avengers related comics. Each Issue is 76 pages long normally with 3 modern stories reprinted...
with the episodes #4 and #6. This series is a part of Marvel UK's 'Collectors' Edition' line. It is published by Panini Comics
Panini Comics
Panini Comics is an Italian comic book publisher. A division of Panini Group, best known for their collectible stickers, it is headquartered in Modena, Italy...
and reprints Marvel Comics from the United States.
Living Lightning has also been depicted in two alternative universes with "What If the Avengers Lost Operation Galactic Storm?", What If...? #55-56 (1993) and with a brief appearance in "What if the Scarlet Witch Hadn't Acted Alone?", What If? Avengers Disassembled (2006).
The character has entries in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition #28 (1990), in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Avengers 2005 and also in The Marvel Encyclopedia (2006).
Fictional character biography
Miguel Santos was born in East Los Angeles, CaliforniaEast Los Angeles, California
East Los Angeles is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
. Miguel's father, Carlos, was a member of an extremist group called the Legion of the Living Lightning. In a misguided attempt by the Legion to gain control of the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
, the group battled him. The Legion was thus destroyed, and Carlos was killed.
Hoping to salvage his father's name, high school student Miguel broke into the Legion's headquarters to learn more about their work. While exploring, Miguel unwittingly turned on one of the Legion's machines and was transformed into a being of living energy. Initially, a confused Miguel clashed with the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
and was apparently killed during the conflict. Later, he turned up alive and was captured by the villain, Doctor Demonicus
Doctor Demonicus
Doctor Demonicus is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Universe. He possess advanced knowledge of genetic engineering, though is not as versatile as Arnim Zola or the High Evolutionary...
, and was coerced to join the Pacific Overlords
Pacific Overlords
The Pacific Overlords are a supervillain team seen in the Marvel Comics universe. The team consisted largely of humans mutated by Doctor Demonicus.-Members:...
. After a brief, unwilling foray into crime, Miguel aided the Avengers West Coast
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
, and then joined the team. During his tenure with the Avengers West Coast, he teamed with heroes such as the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, Darkhawk
Darkhawk
Darkhawk is a fictional comic book superhero who first appeared in his own self-titled series, Darkhawk #1...
, and Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
. He battled villains such as Arkon
Arkon
Arkon is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the warlord and ruler of the extra-dimensional world of Polemachus.-Fictional character biography:Arkon was born of noble lineage on the extra-dimensional world Polemachus...
and Thundra
Thundra
Thundra is a Marvel Comics superheroine who is often aligned with the Fantastic Four. She is a powerful, red haired, amazon-like warrior, or Femizon, from a matriarchal, technologically advanced future timeline where men have been subjugated by women...
, the second Hangman
Hangman (Marvel Comics)
-Harlan Krueger:-Fictional character biography:Harlan Krueger was born in Los Angeles, California. He was a fanatical moviegoer who idolized movie stars of the past...
, the Night Shift
Night Shift (comics)
The Night Shift is a fictional group of criminals in the Marvel Comics universe that first appeared in Captain America #330 .-Publication history:...
, Satannish
Satannish
Satannish is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Satannish is a very powerful extra-dimensional demon who has clashed with Doctor Strange. Satannish is known for granting mortals mystical power in exchange for their souls...
, Death Web
Death Web (comics)
Death Web is a group of three fictional supervillains appearing in comic books published by American publisher Marvel Comics.-Fictional history:...
, Professor Power
Professor Power
Professor Power is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1 #117, although individuals working for him appear before then.-Fictional character biography:...
, and the Magus
Magus (comics)
The Magus is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain. He is an evil version of the hero Adam Warlock.-Publication history:The Magus was created by Jim Starlin, and appears as an image in Strange Tales vol...
. Alongside the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, he participated in the Kree/Shi'ar War. He eventually decided to become an Avengers reservist while attending college. While he occasionally serves with the team, Miguel gave up active membership to concentrate on his studies.
For a time, Miguel and his fellow Avenger Quasar manned a deep-space monitoring station. Their powers enabled them to travel back and forth to Earth without difficulty. Miguel took advantage of the isolation to study.
The Great Lakes Avengers (GLA) invited Miguel Santos in order to recruit him in their team. During the meeting, he turned them down, explaining that he'd attended thinking the team's acronym GLA referred to the Gay/Lesbian Alliance. With his explanation, he inadvertently revealed that he was gay to GLA member Flatman
Flatman (comics)
Flatman is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Great Lakes Avengers:...
.
During the superhuman Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
, Miguel joined Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
's Secret Avengers as one of twenty new members who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act. He worked with the team out of a series of safe house
Safe house
In the jargon of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, a safe house is a secure location, suitable for hiding witnesses, agents or other persons perceived as being in danger...
s set up by Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
. He was part of the final battle between the two main sides. After Captain America surrendered to the authorities, Living Lightning became an Initiative recruit, joining the Texas Rangers
Rangers (comics)
The Rangers are a superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #265 and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.-Fictional history:...
.
During the Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
, Living Lightning was with the Rangers when they, 3-D Man, and Ant-Man
Ant-Man (Eric O'Grady)
Ant-Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . He is the third character to use the name Ant-Man. He first appears in The Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 and was created by Robert Kirkman and Phil Hester....
III were fighting a Skrull that was posing as Lobo.
After Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
, Living Lightning is doing private security work for the Avengers; notably protecting the family of Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy is a Marvel Comics comic book series that debuted in June 2010 as part of the "Heroic Age". The series is written by Christos Gage, with artwork by Mike McKone and tells the story of a group of young super-powered persons who were selected to join a training academy for the...
student Striker.
Sexuality
Great Lakes Avengers
The Great Lakes Initiative, originally known as The Great Lakes Avengers , are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were first introduced in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #46 , and were created by John Byrne.-Publication history:The team...
, who hoped to recruit them for their team. When he heard the team's acronym (GLA), Miguel mistook them for the Gay/Lesbian Alliance and inadvertently revealed that he was gay to GLA member Flatman
Flatman (comics)
Flatman is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Great Lakes Avengers:...
.
Writer Dan Slott
Dan Slott
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer best known for The Amazing Spider-Man, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and She-Hulk. He is the current writer of the twice monthly The Amazing Spider-Man.-Early writing:...
commented in an interview
Interview
An interview is a conversation between two people where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.- Interview as a Method for Qualitative Research:"Definition" -...
about his decision to out Living Lightning:
"He's gay. Get over it. Previous girlfriends? Beards
Beard (female companion)
Beard is a slang term describing a person who is used, knowingly or unknowingly, as a date, romantic partner , or spouse either to conceal infidelity or to conceal one's sexual orientation...
. Or relationships that just didn't work - because Miguel hadn't come to terms yet with who he really is. Miguel is a gay superhero and a wonderful role model."
Powers and abilities
Living Lightning gained superhuman powers when he absorbed energy from an experimental lightning weapon. Living Lightning has the ability to transform his body into electrical plasma, in which form he can fly at sub-light speed, generate electrical power as shocks or bolts, and surround himself with a protective electrical force field. He has the ability to control his body while composed of electrical plasma, at which time his mind exists only in astral form.In his true form, Living Lightning is just that, a sentient electrical force with no mass. In this form, he can fly, reaching sub-light speeds, withstanding the vacuum of space, and is impervious to most physical and energy attacks. He also possesses the ability to fire and manipulate bursts of electricity and electrical fields of varying intensities in his solid form, however, he must wear a special containment suit to retain a solid form.
Miguel has knowledge of basic street-fighting techniques. He is bilingual in Spanish and English.
External links
- Miguel Santos (Earth-616) at Marvel Wikia
- Living Lightning at Gay League