- Am I the hero of Rann, dreaming he is an old man on Earth? Or is it the other way around?
- — Adam Strange src
History
Origin
Adam Strange was once a mere human archaeologist, one day while working on a dig in Caramanga, South America, Adam was transported to the planet of Rann via the Zeta-Beam. Their leader Sardath had invented the Zeta Beam, which could teleport matter over light years of distance. He immediately befriended the Rannians and took up a flight pack and raygun to assist them. While there, he also fell in love with a Sardath's daughter named Alanna.[1]
Rann
As the Zeta Beam's teleportation effect wore off, Adam was returned to Earth. However, he was able to return to Rann by following a schedule of where the Zeta beam would next hit. He scheduled his archeological trips to coincide with the location and time. He also married Alanna.
It was initially believed that the Zeta Beam was used simply as a friendly communication between Rann and Earth. However, it was later hinted that Rann was searching for suitable mates from other planets as more and more of the Rannians were found to be sterile.
Adam met the Justice League after helping them battle Kanjar-Ro, but declined their membership offer. He continued to act on both Earth and Rann, helping to improve relations among different planets.
While still on Earth, Adam was falsely told that Alanna had died during childbirth. He was later reunited with his wife and daughter but brefily as the Zeta Radiation had worn off, leaving him back on earth after preventing an invasion of Rann.
Adam was later told Rann had been destroyed in a suprenova, but in truth this was actually a ruse planned by Sardath who teleported it to a different universe through an upgraded zeta device called an 'Omega Beam.'
To protect it from Thanagarian fanatics serving the deadly Starbreaker, Adam was able to prevent Rann's destruction with the help of the Omega Men and the few remaining Darkstars. However, they were all transported into the orbit of Thanagar which ended up destroying much of the planet. Many surviving refugees settled on Rann as the two worlds went to war.
Rann-Thanagar War
The Thanagarians and Rannians recently began to fight each other after being manipulated by Blackfire. Adam and Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) were able to halt the war.
52
Main article: 52
Adam Strange was stranded on a paradise-like planet with fellow heroes Animal Man and Starfire after the battle with Alexander Luthor and Superboy-Prime, an incident that resulted in the loss of his eyes. After several weeks, Adam was able to get his spaceship working, and they departed for Earth. Their ship, however, was attacked by Devilance, who they had encountered on the planet and who had pursued them into space. Lobo appeared just in time to destroy Devilance, and after a some negotiation, agreed to help them out.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Enhanced Vision: Due to losing his eyes from a failed Zeta-Beam attempt. Sardeth cloned new eyes for Adam using his daughter as a template donor.
- Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision: Sardeth had augmented Adam's new eyes so he can naturally see into all of the EM Spectrum.
Abilities
- Archaeology: Adam Strange is knowledgeable of ancient cultures, and has developed an extensive knowledge of Rannian history and technology.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)
- Aerial Combat: His experience with the jet pack has made him proficient in aerial combat as well.
- Tactical Analysis: Adam Strange has a keen analytical mind and is a master tactician and strategist.
- Survival[2]
Weaknesses
- Contagious Environment: If Adam Strange remains on Rann for more than a year without returning to Earth, he will die.(Formerly)
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Adam Strange's Rocket Gear: Fireproof insulated costume and helmet. The helmet is also equipped with a shield that protects Adam from harmful atmospheric conditions.
Transportation
Weapons
- Adam Strange's Ray Gun
- Hard-Light Weaponry: Strange's new armored suit comes with a host of solid light energy weaponry which he can call up and utilize at will.
Trivia
- Adam Strange was the feature origin spotlighted in 52 Week Twenty.
- While his wife Alanna was pregnant with Adam's child, Adam had an affair with an Earth woman named Doctor Evelyn Fox.[3]
- Much of Strange's early history seems to have been inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, in which prospector John Carter is pulled across space to the planet Barsoom (Mars) and becomes a hero, his strength and agility increased by the planet's weaker gravity.
Related
- 366 Appearances of Adam Strange (New Earth)
- 70 Images featuring Adam Strange (New Earth)
- 15 Quotations by or about Adam Strange (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Adam Strange (New Earth)
Footnotes
Seven Soldiers of Victory member This character is or was a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, or the Seven Soldiers in any of its various incarnations, created during World War II and later, it returned to battle time-traveling, dimension-spanning mysteries and monsters. |
L.E.G.I.O.N. member |