Proty
Encyclopedia
Proty is the name of two fictional extraterrestrials in the DC Comics
universe
. The original Proty first appeared in Adventure Comics
#308 (May 1963), while the second Proty debuted in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #72 (October 1963).
Proty I is rescued from an alien menagerie by the Legion of Super-Heroes
, and adopted as a pet by Chameleon Boy
. The affectionate alien proves useful to the Legion, and becomes quite close to Saturn Girl
, as her telepathic abilities allow her to read its thoughts.
The Legion have finally found a way to revive their dead comrade Lightning Lad. The scientists on Mon-El's homeworld have developed a machine that uses lightning to transfer the life force from one person to another; unfortunately, the "donor" is killed in the process. When Proty reads Saturn Girl's mind and learns she is going to use a super-conducting rod to rig the device and sacrifice her life, Proty tricks her into following it into a cave, causing her to lose her way. Proty then disguises himself as Saturn Girl and sacrifices its life instead.
Proty is replaced by Proty II, another member of their race. Proty II later becomes a member of the Legion of Super-Pets
. After a misunderstanding between the two Legions led to the Super-Pets leaving the solar system, Proty II infiltrated the Legion disguised as Blockade Boy. The misunderstanding is soon cleared up, and Proty II returns to Earth.
In the stories of the Adult Legion, Proty II has become a full member of the Legion, and is now Saturn Woman's pet, having had a falling out with Chameleon Man.
In a story published in the early 1980s, it was learned that Proty II had launched a career as a professional photographer, in which capacity the Legion hired him to do their official portrait. At this point, it seems as if he was no longer considered a pet, but rather an independent sentient being with all of the civil rights enjoyed by humans and various alien species on Earth.
In a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths
retcon, it was revealed that the original Proty did not die saving Lightning Lad's life. In reality, Proty's life force was transferred into the body of Garth Ranzz, and Proty lived his life as Garth from that point forward. The true Garth was never revived.
. The civilian members of the Legion manage to destroy all but one of the Proteans, which is adopted as a pet by Lori Morning
and named "Proty".
, they will not have his superpowers. The Protys have low-level telepathic abilities, which allow them to read someone's thoughts and take on the form of what they see in that person's mind. Proty II eventually learns how to develop a working tongue and voice box, which allows him to talk; Proty I never developed this ability. Neither of the Protys requires air to breathe, and can exist in a vacuum.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
. The original Proty first appeared in Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
#308 (May 1963), while the second Proty debuted in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #72 (October 1963).
Fictional character biography
The origin of the Proty's race is given in Adventure Comics #334. Many centuries earlier a race called the Llorn colonized a planet in the Antares system that was inhabited by race of peaceful creatures. The two races managed to live in harmony until a passing star upset the ecological balance of the planet. The Llorn were forced to evacuate the planet. Before leaving, they used their advanced technology to alter the planet's natives into protoplasmic blobs that could change their shape to suit the environment.Proty I is rescued from an alien menagerie by the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
, and adopted as a pet by Chameleon Boy
Chameleon Boy
Chameleon Boy , also known as Chameleon, is a DC Comics superhero, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries. He first appeared in Action Comics #267 .-Silver Age:...
. The affectionate alien proves useful to the Legion, and becomes quite close to Saturn Girl
Saturn Girl
Saturn Girl is a fictional character appearing in DC comic books. A talented telepath from the 30th century, Imra first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 as a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes...
, as her telepathic abilities allow her to read its thoughts.
The Legion have finally found a way to revive their dead comrade Lightning Lad. The scientists on Mon-El's homeworld have developed a machine that uses lightning to transfer the life force from one person to another; unfortunately, the "donor" is killed in the process. When Proty reads Saturn Girl's mind and learns she is going to use a super-conducting rod to rig the device and sacrifice her life, Proty tricks her into following it into a cave, causing her to lose her way. Proty then disguises himself as Saturn Girl and sacrifices its life instead.
Proty is replaced by Proty II, another member of their race. Proty II later becomes a member of the Legion of Super-Pets
Legion of Super-Pets
The Legion of Super-Pets is a fictional team of super-powered pets in the pre-Crisis DC Universe. Members include Krypto the Super-Dog and Streaky the Supercat...
. After a misunderstanding between the two Legions led to the Super-Pets leaving the solar system, Proty II infiltrated the Legion disguised as Blockade Boy. The misunderstanding is soon cleared up, and Proty II returns to Earth.
In the stories of the Adult Legion, Proty II has become a full member of the Legion, and is now Saturn Woman's pet, having had a falling out with Chameleon Man.
In a story published in the early 1980s, it was learned that Proty II had launched a career as a professional photographer, in which capacity the Legion hired him to do their official portrait. At this point, it seems as if he was no longer considered a pet, but rather an independent sentient being with all of the civil rights enjoyed by humans and various alien species on Earth.
In a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
retcon, it was revealed that the original Proty did not die saving Lightning Lad's life. In reality, Proty's life force was transferred into the body of Garth Ranzz, and Proty lived his life as Garth from that point forward. The true Garth was never revived.
Post-Zero Hour
In post-Zero Hour Legion continuity, Proty is a member of the Protean race, sent to attack Earth while the Legion was facing the Fatal FiveFatal Five
The Fatal Five are fictional characters, a supervillain team of the 30th century in the DC Comics universe. They were created by Jim Shooter and first appeared in Adventure Comics #352 as enemies of the Legion of Super-Heroes....
. The civilian members of the Legion manage to destroy all but one of the Proteans, which is adopted as a pet by Lori Morning
Lori Morning
Lori Morning is a fictional character in DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes.-Early appearances:She first appeared as part of the Underworld Unleashed crossover, as the ten-year-old daughter of one of Chronos's henchmen; her father Ron first appeared in a 1989 issue of The Atom, also written by Tom...
and named "Proty".
Powers and abilities
Proty I and II are shapeless masses of protoplasm capable of taking on any shape or form. While they can make their bodies look like any object, they cannot take on all its properties. For example, while they can take on the form of SuperboySuperboy
Superboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
, they will not have his superpowers. The Protys have low-level telepathic abilities, which allow them to read someone's thoughts and take on the form of what they see in that person's mind. Proty II eventually learns how to develop a working tongue and voice box, which allows him to talk; Proty I never developed this ability. Neither of the Protys requires air to breathe, and can exist in a vacuum.