Proty

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
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance(I) Adventure Comics #308 (May 1963)
(II) Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #72 (October 1963)
Created byEdmond Hamilton (script)
John Forte
In-story information
Place of originA planet in the Antares system
Team affiliationsLegion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Pets
AbilitiesShapeshifting
Telepathy

Fictional character biography

The origin of 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 a 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, 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.[1][2]

Proty is replaced by Proty II, another member of their race.[3] Proty II later becomes a member of the Legion of Super-Pets.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6][5]

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.[7] This retcon has since been eliminated from Legion canon.

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 Five. 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".[8]

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 Superboy, 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;[4] Proty I never developed this ability. Neither of the Protys requires air to breathe, and can exist in a vacuum.

gollark: So maybe it could try and copy a simplified ShutdownOS if there's no internet connection!
gollark: Web download would be easy but then it'd not work on some embedded systems.
gollark: If I can somehow fit a CC emulator (or code to decompress one, or download it from the web...) into 4KB, it'd make a great EEProm.
gollark: By providing implementations for literally every java-side API.
gollark: Because fully emulating CC is *probably* about as easy as making potatOS work.

References
  1. Adventure Comics #312 (September 1963)
  2. Wells, John (2015). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-1605490458.
  3. Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #72 (October 1963)
  4. Adventure Comics #322 (July 1964)
  5. Adventure Comics #364 (January 1968)
  6. Fleisher, Michael L. (2007). The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman. DC Comics. p. 282. ISBN 1-4012-1389-8.
  7. Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 Annual #3 (1992)
  8. Legionnaires #35 (March 1996)
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