#5 Lightblast

For most of his life, Donovan Jastrow lived on the dark side–being born into a broken family, running with gangs, committing petty theft and being a punk in school.  There were moments of kindness; he took care of his younger sister Laurie and watched out for his best friend Ronnie, but Donovan secretly wished for a life of peace and stability, a life that Ronnie had.

One night, Donovan’s world nearly claimed Ronnie’s life.  A rival gang opened fire on the two while they were leaving a movie, and in saving Ronnie’s life, Donovan was wounded.  But the fates dealt Donovan a favor–Ronnie’s uncle, an eccentric but brilliant scientist, was so moved by Donovan’s deed that he not only paid the medical bills, but offered Donovan a chance to turn his life around.  He moved Ronnie and Laurie into a new apartment, and gave Donovan a means to make a difference and fight for the right side–an experimental suit that gives the user the ability to use light itself as a weapon, by creating powerful photon blasts that can temporarily blind an opponent or even punch a ten foot wide hole through a wall.  The suit grants the user increased speed and agility and can even protect from small arms fire.

Donovan took up the challenge of wearing the suit, and now, as the hero known as “Lightblast”, he takes on the criminal elements of his city.  The police view him as a vigilante, but allow him to operate and even seek his help at times.  Now there is no turning back, and Donovan is determined to continue on his path away from the dark, and to make sure that Laurie has a chance at a better life.

Category: 2012, Manga, Superhero