Jump to content

Jean Loring: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Condensation of plot summary
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 13: Line 13:
|powers=
|powers=
}}
}}
'''Jean Loring''' is a character appearing in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]], formerly associated with the [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]], for whom she was a [[supporting character]] and primary love interest. She first appeared in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #34 (October 1961), created by writer [[Gardner Fox]] and artist [[Gil Kane]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=185}}</ref> The character appeared continually in minor roles until the 2004 storyline ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]'', where she suffered a mental breakdown and was responsible for the deaths of [[Sue Dibny]], wife of [[Elongated Man]], and [[Jack Drake]], father of the third [[Robin (character)|Robin]] ([[Tim Drake]]). This would later lead her to assume the mantle of the supervillain [[Eclipso]].
'''Jean Loring''' is a character appearing in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]], formerly associated with the [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]], for whom she was a [[supporting character]] and primary love interest. She first appeared in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #34 (October 1961), created by writer [[Gardner Fox]] and artist [[Gil Kane]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=185}}</ref> The character appears continually in minor roles until the 2004 storyline ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]'', where she suffers a mental breakdown and orchestrates the deaths of [[Sue Dibny]] and [[Jack Drake]]. This would later lead her to assume the mantle of the supervillain [[Eclipso]].


Jean Loring also appears as a recurring character on the CW [[Arrowverse]] television series ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', portrayed by [[Teryl Rothery]].
Jean Loring appears as a recurring character on the CW [[Arrowverse]] television series ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', portrayed by [[Teryl Rothery]].


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
Line 24: Line 24:
In ''Atom and Hawkman'' #45 (November 1969), Jean was abducted and driven insane by the sub-atomic Jimberen race.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=129}}</ref> Although quickly freed from the Jimberen by the Atom and Hawkman, Jean remained insane until ''Justice League of America'' #81 (June 1970), when she was cured by the equally insane alien the Jest-Master.
In ''Atom and Hawkman'' #45 (November 1969), Jean was abducted and driven insane by the sub-atomic Jimberen race.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=129}}</ref> Although quickly freed from the Jimberen by the Atom and Hawkman, Jean remained insane until ''Justice League of America'' #81 (June 1970), when she was cured by the equally insane alien the Jest-Master.


After Jean was kidnapped by [[T. O. Morrow]], Ray went into an interdimensional search to retrieve her, asking for help from the [[Flash (comics)|Flash]], [[Supergirl]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[Aquaman]] and [[Captain Comet]].<ref>''Super-Team Family'' #11-14 (June 1977 – January 1978). DC Comics.</ref> This event direly affected Jean, and also led to the end of their marriage.<ref>''Justice League of America'' #157. DC Comics.</ref> For a few years, they were happy – but Ray’s adventurous life began taking its toll on their marriage. Ray caught Jean having an affair with another man and they divorced.<ref>''Sword of the Atom'' #1 (1983). DC Comics.</ref>
After Jean was kidnapped by [[T. O. Morrow]], Ray embarks on an interdimensional search to find her.<ref>''Super-Team Family'' #11-14 (June 1977 – January 1978). DC Comics.</ref> This event direly affected Jean, and also led to the end of their marriage.<ref>''Justice League of America'' #157. DC Comics.</ref> For a few years, they were happy – but Ray’s adventurous life began taking its toll on their marriage. Ray caught Jean having an affair with another man and they divorced.<ref>''Sword of the Atom'' #1 (1983). DC Comics.</ref>


Despite the occasional high-profile case, notably her defense of the [[Justice League]] of America in ''Justice League of America'' (vol. 1) #19 and #77, Jean did not truly come to national prominence until the divorce. Jean soon remarried and with her new husband, Paul Hoben, opened up a law office in Calvin City. She eventually returned to Ivy Town without him and established the firm of Grabemann, Loring and Ross. In general, Jean was not involved in criminal law anymore and attended to more mundane matters such as the administration of the estates of [[Hawkman|Carter Hall]] and [[Chronos (comics)|David Clinton]]. She made exceptions, though, as in her defense of [[Risk (comics)|Risk]] of the [[Teen Titans]].
Despite the occasional high-profile case, notably her defense of the [[Justice League]] of America in ''Justice League of America'' (vol. 1) #19 and #77, Jean did not truly come to national prominence until the divorce. Jean soon remarried and with her new husband, Paul Hoben, opened up a law office in Calvin City. She eventually returned to Ivy Town without him and established the firm of Grabemann, Loring and Ross. In general, Jean was not involved in criminal law anymore and attended to more mundane matters such as the administration of the estates of [[Hawkman|Carter Hall]] and [[Chronos (character)|David Clinton]]. She made exceptions, though, as in her defense of [[Risk (character)|Risk]] of the [[Teen Titans]].


===Mental breakdown===
===Mental breakdown===
[[File:Jean Loring (Identity Crisis).png|right|130px|Jean Loring in ''Identity Crisis''. Art by [[Rags Morales]].|thumb]]
[[File:Jean Loring (Identity Crisis).png|right|130px|Jean Loring in ''Identity Crisis''. Art by [[Rags Morales]].|thumb]]
Jean suffered a mental breakdown as revealed in the 2004 miniseries ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]''. Wanting to resume her relationship with Ray, she came to believe that the surest way to do this was to endanger the loved one of another superhero. She believed that this would send all of the superheroes, including Ray, running back to their spouses and other relatives. Jean used one of Ray's old costumes to shrink down and enter the brain of [[Sue Dibny]], the [[Elongated Man]]'s wife. She attempted to cause a minor stroke but accidentally applied too much pressure to Dibny's brain and killed her. Jean panicked and used a flamethrower in an attempt to destroy Sue's body before escaping. Unbeknownst to even Sue's husband, Sue had been pregnant.
Jean suffered a mental breakdown as revealed in the 2004 miniseries ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]''. Wanting to resume her relationship with Ray, she came to believe that the surest way to do this was to endanger the loved one of another superhero. She believed that this would send all of the superheroes, including Ray, running back to their spouses and other relatives. Jean uses one of Ray's old costumes to shrink down and enter the brain of [[Sue Dibny]], the [[Elongated Man]]'s wife. She attempts to cause a minor stroke, but accidentally applies too much pressure and kills Sue.


Jean attempted to divert suspicion away from herself by faking an attack on her own life. She then sent out several mysterious death threats to others such as [[Lois Lane]] to make everyone think that there was a serial killer on the loose who was targeting the loved ones of superheroes. These events caused the superhero community to launch a massive investigation to identify the killer, which resulted in the death of [[Firestorm (character)|Firestorm]] at the hands of the [[Shadow Thief]]. In the final stage of her plan, Jean set up [[Captain Boomerang]] to attack [[Jack Drake]], the father of [[Tim Drake]], the third Robin. Jean had a gun sent to Jack so that he would be able to kill Boomerang in self-defense. Jean's hope was that afterward, everyone would believe that Boomerang had been the killer. Unfortunately for Jean, she miscalculated again and the situation ended in tragedy, with Jack and Boomerang killing each other.
Jean attempted to divert suspicion away from herself by faking an attack on her own life. She then sent out several mysterious death threats to others such as [[Lois Lane]] to make everyone think that there was a serial killer on the loose who was targeting the loved ones of superheroes. These events caused the superhero community to launch a massive investigation to identify the killer. In the final stage of her plan, Jean sends [[Captain Boomerang]] to attack [[Jack Drake]], who kills him before dying.


After her plans are exposed, Jean is imprisoned in [[Arkham Asylum]].
As Jean had originally planned, Ray returned to her. However, during a conversation with Ray about the deaths of Jack and Boomerang, Jean accidentally incriminated herself by asking about the "Protect Yourself" note that was sent to Jack along with the gun, something that she should not have known about as [[Batman]] had removed the note from the crime scene before reporters had arrived. Caught in her lie, Jean confessed everything, and Ray had her institutionalized at [[Arkham Asylum]].


===Becoming Eclipso===
===Becoming Eclipso===
[[File:Eclipsojean.png|Jean Loring as Eclipso. Art by Justiniano.|thumb]]
[[File:Eclipsojean.png|Jean Loring as Eclipso. Art by Justiniano.|thumb]]During her time in Arkham, Jean is possessed by [[Eclipso]], who manipulates the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]] into killing various magical beings. However, [[Black Alice (comics)|Black Alice]] temporarily absorbs Spectre's powers and uses them to defeat Eclipso.

====''Infinite Crisis''====
While she is institutionalized, the supernatural entity known as [[Eclipso]] (aided by the actions of the [[Psycho-Pirate]] and [[Alexander Luthor Jr.|Alexander Luthor]] of the former Earth-3) manipulates Jean into becoming his new host so she could seduce the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]] into destroying all of the magical beings in the [[DC Universe]] series ''[[Day of Vengeance]]''.

Due to Eclipso's actions, the Spectre goes on a mass-murdering rampage, killing over 700 magicians. With all their lives in danger, a group of mystics band together, forming the [[Shadowpact]]. They recruited [[Black Alice (comics)|Black Alice]], a girl who has the ability to steal a person's magical powers for a short amount of time, leaving the being powerless in the process. The Shadowpact uses Black Alice's power to strip the Spectre of his own, leaving him defenseless. They then attempt to kill the Spectre while he is powerless. The plan hits a snag, as without his powers the Spectre is nothing but an empty spirit, leaving him invulnerable.

During her brief possession of the Spectre's powers, Black Alice uses them to help fellow Shadowpact member [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]] send Eclipso into a perpetual [[orbit]] around the [[Sun]], weakening Eclipso's powers. However, Eclipso's incapacitation did not help the Shadowpact with the Spectre, who continues to wreak havoc and ends up killing the ancient wizard [[Shazam (wizard)|Shazam]].

After the Spectre kills Nabu, the last and most powerful of the [[Lords of Chaos and Order|Lords of Order]], the [[Presence (DC Comics)|Presence]]'s attention is finally drawn to him, and the Spectre is forced into a [[Crispus Allen|human host]], finally stopping his mad rampage.


====''52''====
====''52''====
In Week Twenty-Seven of ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'', Ralph Dibny approaches the Spectre as part of his quest to restore his wife Sue to life, promising to fulfill any bargain demanded of him to accomplish this. The Spectre, desiring revenge on [[Eclipso]], but rendered incapable of taking it owing to his then-lack of a host, orders Dibny to punish Eclipso in return for his wife's life; Dibny, temporarily granted the power of the Spectre, takes Eclipso back to the point at which she (as Jean Loring) murdered his wife and, restoring Jean's sanity, intends to trap her in a permanent time loop and force her to watch herself murder Sue Dibny over and over for all eternity. But the now-sane Loring tearfully begs for forgiveness and Dibny - affected by her pleas, his sense of compassion, and his own feelings on watching his wife's death - finds himself incapable of completing his pact with the Spectre. He thus returns Eclipso to her orbit around the Sun.
In ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'', Ralph Dibny approaches the Spectre as part of his quest to restore his wife Sue to life, promising to fulfill any bargain demanded of him to accomplish this. The Spectre, desiring revenge on [[Eclipso]], but rendered incapable of taking it owing to his then-lack of a host, orders Dibny to punish Eclipso in return for his wife's life; Dibny, temporarily granted the power of the Spectre, takes Eclipso back to the point at which she (as Jean Loring) murdered his wife and, restoring Jean's sanity, intends to trap her in a permanent time loop and force her to watch herself murder Sue Dibny over and over for all eternity. But the now-sane Loring tearfully begs for forgiveness and Dibny - affected by her pleas, his sense of compassion, and his own feelings on watching his wife's death - finds himself incapable of completing his pact with the Spectre. He thus returns Eclipso to her orbit around the Sun.


====''Countdown to Final Crisis''====
====''Countdown to Final Crisis''====
In ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'', Eclipso unsuccessfully attempts to corrupt [[Mary Marvel]]. She is defeated and stripped of her powers, after which she falls into the waters around [[Themyscira (DC Comics)|Themyscira]] and is killed by a shark.
''[[Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)|Blue Beetle]]'' #16 shows Eclipso kidnapping a baby with huge raw magical abilities and attempting to corrupt it into a new host for herself. The combined efforts of Blue Beetle and [[Traci Thirteen]] foil her plans, steering her attention toward [[Mary Marvel]] instead.

In ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'' Eclipso tries to corrupt Mary. Feeding the young girl mistrust and lies, Jean manages to sway Mary from the side of the heroes, corrupting the young girl into becoming her follower. Mary Marvel rebels, and refusing to be given to [[Darkseid]] as a concubine, strips Eclipso of her black diamond, blasts her unconscious and leaves Eclipso powerless in space. Eclipso retrieves the diamond and attempts to kill Mary, only to find that Mary is too strong for her. During the battle, Mary calls down the magic lightning bolt, removing Eclipso's power from Jean. In ''Countdown to Mystery'' #4, following Mary and Eclipso's battle, the black diamond chooses Bruce Gordon as a host. Jean is shown falling into the ocean near Themiscyra and a shark is seen approaching her.


===''Blackest Night''===
===''Blackest Night''===
[[File:BlackLanternJean.png|Jean Loring as a Black Lantern. Art by [[Ivan Reis]].|thumb]]
[[File:BlackLanternJean.png|Jean Loring as a Black Lantern. Art by [[Ivan Reis]].|thumb]]
In ''Green Lantern'' #43, it is confirmed by [[Black Hand (comics)|Black Hand]] that Jean Loring had died, since he can hear the voice of [[Death (personification)|Death]], which is later revealed to be [[Nekron]], the "black personification" of it.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #43 (July 2009). DC Comics.</ref> In the ''[[Blackest Night]]'' storyline, on the night of the superhero's memorial day, her widower, Ray asks Hawkman to visit her grave to be honored as a fallen member of the community, but Hawkman refuses because of what she did in ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]''.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #1 (July 2009). DC Comics.</ref>
In ''[[Blackest Night]]'', Jean Loring returns as a [[Black Lantern]].<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #43 (July 2009). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Blackest Night'' #1 (July 2009). DC Comics.</ref> She kills [[Damage (DC Comics)|Damage]] and helps bring [[Nekron]] to full power before Ray Palmer becomes an [[Indigo Tribe|Indigo Lantern]] and kills her.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #4 (October 2009). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Blackest Night'' #5 (November 2009). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #49 (December 2009). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Blackest Night'' #6 (December 2009). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''The Atom and Hawkman'' #46 (January 2010). DC Comics.</ref>

Jean is reanimated (off-panel) as a member of the [[Black Lantern Corps]], wearing a costume based on her Eclipso persona. She kills [[Damage (DC Comics)|Damage]] from behind, ripping out his heart as Ray stares in shock. This final kill helps the Black Rings reach a power level of one hundred percent, thus bringing about the rise of Nekron.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #4 (October 2009). DC Comics.</ref> Jean then uses Ray's own technology to shrink him, [[Mera (comics)|Mera]] and herself into the reanimated Damage's ring.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #5 (November 2009). DC Comics.</ref> While inside the ring, she relates to Ray and Mera Nekron's origins: that he is the guardian of the darkness that existed before the light entered the universe.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #49 (December 2009). DC Comics.</ref> Jean is then possessed by [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]], who had followed the trio into the ring, who forces her to release Ray and Mera, allowing them to return to normal size.<ref>''Blackest Night'' #6 (December 2009). DC Comics.</ref>

Jean then confronts Ray, who has recently been deputized into the [[Indigo Tribe]], tormenting him with a recreation of her murder of Sue Dibny, and summoning Black Lantern versions of the minuscule tribe Ray had befriended in the ''Sword of the Atom'' series to attack him. However, Ray manages to fight back, using his indigo staff to combine the green light of willpower with the indigo light of compassion, using them to destroy Jean and her ring.<ref>''The Atom and Hawkman'' #46 (January 2010). DC Comics.</ref>


===DC Rebirth===
===DC Rebirth===
Following the "[[DC Rebirth]]" event in 2016, it was revealed in ''Justice League of America'' #17 in late 2017 that the elements established in Identity Crisis had been retconned away, and Jean Loring was mentioned as being married once again to Ray Palmer.
Following the "[[DC Rebirth]]" event in 2016, it was revealed in ''Justice League of America'' #17 in late 2017 that the elements established in ''Identity Crisis'' had been retconned away, and Jean Loring was mentioned as being married once again to Ray Palmer.


In ''[[The New Golden Age]]'', Jean Loring is depicted as a former host of Eclipso who is imprisoned in an Ivy Town prison.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' Vol. 4 #7. DC Comics.</ref>
In the pages of "[[The New Golden Age]]", Jean Loring is shown incarcerated in an Ivy Town prison at the time when [[Beth Chapel|Doctor Mid-Nite]] II came to visit her. While shooting down Jean's claim that Atom is nearby, Doctor Mid-Nite asks her about what to do if a friend is possessed by Eclipso as that has happened to [[Wildcat (Yolanda Montez)|Wildcat]] II. Jean claims that Eclipso actually infects someone and will have plans to "settle the score". In the case of Wildcat II who is on a rooftop, Jean's voice is heard claiming to Doctor Mid-Nite II that she is currently hunting [[Amanda Waller]].<ref>''Justice Society of America'' Vol. 4 #7. DC Comics.</ref>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
Jean Loring appears in ''[[Justice (DC Comics)|Justice]]''.
Jean Loring makes an appearance in Alex Ross' ''[[Justice (DC Comics)|Justice]]''. She called her husband Ray Palmer when he was shot by [[Giganta]]. She sat by his side in the hospital. She is among the sidekicks and loved ones attacked by the [[Legion of Doom (Super Friends)|Legion of Doom]].


==In other media==
==In other media==
===Television===
===Television===
* Characters based on Jean Loring appear in series set in the [[Arrowverse]].
* Characters based on Jean Loring appear in series set in the [[Arrowverse]].
** Loring herself appears in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', portrayed by [[Teryl Rothery]]. This version is a defense attorney working in [[Starling City]] as well as a friend and lawyer to the Queen family. In the [[Arrow (season 2)|second season]], Loring represents [[Moira Queen (Arrowverse)|Moira Queen]] while she is on trial for conspiracy to commit murder. In the [[Arrow (season 6)|sixth season]], Loring becomes a defense attorney to Moira's son, [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]].
** Loring herself appears in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', portrayed by [[Teryl Rothery]]. This version is a defense attorney working in [[Starling City]] as well as a friend and lawyer to the Queen family.
** '''Anna Loring''' appears in ''Arrow'' and ''[[Legends of Tomorrow]]'', portrayed by Barbara Kottmeier. She was [[Ray Palmer (Arrowverse)|Ray Palmer]]'s fiancée who was killed during [[Slade Wilson (Arrowverse)|Slade Wilson]]'s soldiers' attack on Starling City.
** '''Anna Loring''' appears in ''Arrow'' and ''[[Legends of Tomorrow]]'', portrayed by Barbara Kottmeier. She was [[Ray Palmer (Arrowverse)|Ray Palmer]]'s fiancée who was killed during [[Slade Wilson (Arrowverse)|Slade Wilson]]'s soldiers' attack on Starling City.
** A male character named '''John Loring''' appears in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "A Girl Named Sue", portrayed by Silver Kim. He is an arms dealer who [[Sue Dearbon (Arrowverse)|Sue Dearbon]] targets for a diamond in his possession.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drum |first1=Nicole |title=The Flash Subverts Identity Crisis With Sue Dibny's Origin Story in "A Girl Named Sue" |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2020/02/19/the-flash-a-girl-named-sue-john-loring-identity-crisis/ |website=Comicbook |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
** A male character named '''John Loring''' appears in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "A Girl Named Sue", portrayed by Silver Kim. He is an arms dealer who [[Sue Dearbon (Arrowverse)|Sue Dearbon]] targets for a diamond in his possession.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Drum |first1=Nicole |title=The Flash Subverts Identity Crisis With Sue Dibny's Origin Story in "A Girl Named Sue" |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2020/02/19/the-flash-a-girl-named-sue-john-loring-identity-crisis/ |website=Comicbook |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>


===Film===
===Film===
* An alternate universe version of Jean Loring appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'', voiced by [[Andrea Romano (voice director)|Andrea Romano]]. This version is engaged to Ray Palmer.
* An alternate universe variant of Jean Loring appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'', voiced by [[Andrea Romano (voice director)|Andrea Romano]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Jean Palmer Voice - ''Justice League: Gods and Monsters'' (Movie) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-Gods-and-Monsters/Jean-Palmer/ |access-date=November 17, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is engaged to Ray Palmer.
* Jean Loring as Eclipso appears in the ''[[DC Super Hero Girls]]'' franchise, voiced by [[Mona Marshall]].<ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Eclipso Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Eclipso/ |access-date=November 17, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Jean Loring's Eclipso form appears in ''[[DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year]]'', voiced by [[Mona Marshall]].
* Jean Loring's Eclipso form appears in ''[[Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain]]'', voiced again by Mona Marshall.


==References==
==References==
Line 91: Line 75:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Loring, Jean}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loring, Jean}}
⚫
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1961]]
⚫
[[Category:Characters created by Gil Kane]]
[[Category:Characters created by Gardner Fox]]
[[Category:Characters created by Gardner Fox]]
⚫
[[Category:Characters created by Gil Kane]]
⚫
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1961]]
[[Category:DC Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:DC Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:Fictional American lawyers]]
[[Category:Fictional American lawyers]]

Latest revision as of 20:01, 17 November 2024

Jean Loring
Jean Loring, as she appeared in Sword of the Atom #1 (September 1983)
Art by Gil Kane.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceShowcase #34 (October 1961)
Created byGardner Fox
Gil Kane
In-story information
Alter egoJean Loring
Team affiliationsBlack Lantern Corps
Supporting character ofAtom (Ray Palmer)
Notable aliasesEclipso

Jean Loring is a character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, formerly associated with the Atom, for whom she was a supporting character and primary love interest. She first appeared in Showcase #34 (October 1961), created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Gil Kane.[1] The character appears continually in minor roles until the 2004 storyline Identity Crisis, where she suffers a mental breakdown and orchestrates the deaths of Sue Dibny and Jack Drake. This would later lead her to assume the mantle of the supervillain Eclipso.

Jean Loring appears as a recurring character on the CW Arrowverse television series Arrow, portrayed by Teryl Rothery.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Lawyer and wife

[edit]
Jean Loring with Ray Palmer.
Art by Gil Kane.

Jean Loring's career as an attorney in Ivy Town began at almost the same time that her boyfriend, Ray Palmer, became the Atom. Jean encountered the Atom who often helped in her cases many times before learning that he and Ray were the same person. Ray proposed to Jean often, but she rejected him, wanting to make it as a lawyer before becoming a wife. Only when Ray was thought killed in a car accident (engineered by the Bug-Eyed Bandit) did she accept his proposal.[2]

In Atom and Hawkman #45 (November 1969), Jean was abducted and driven insane by the sub-atomic Jimberen race.[3] Although quickly freed from the Jimberen by the Atom and Hawkman, Jean remained insane until Justice League of America #81 (June 1970), when she was cured by the equally insane alien the Jest-Master.

After Jean was kidnapped by T. O. Morrow, Ray embarks on an interdimensional search to find her.[4] This event direly affected Jean, and also led to the end of their marriage.[5] For a few years, they were happy – but Ray’s adventurous life began taking its toll on their marriage. Ray caught Jean having an affair with another man and they divorced.[6]

Despite the occasional high-profile case, notably her defense of the Justice League of America in Justice League of America (vol. 1) #19 and #77, Jean did not truly come to national prominence until the divorce. Jean soon remarried and with her new husband, Paul Hoben, opened up a law office in Calvin City. She eventually returned to Ivy Town without him and established the firm of Grabemann, Loring and Ross. In general, Jean was not involved in criminal law anymore and attended to more mundane matters such as the administration of the estates of Carter Hall and David Clinton. She made exceptions, though, as in her defense of Risk of the Teen Titans.

Mental breakdown

[edit]
Jean Loring in Identity Crisis. Art by Rags Morales.

Jean suffered a mental breakdown as revealed in the 2004 miniseries Identity Crisis. Wanting to resume her relationship with Ray, she came to believe that the surest way to do this was to endanger the loved one of another superhero. She believed that this would send all of the superheroes, including Ray, running back to their spouses and other relatives. Jean uses one of Ray's old costumes to shrink down and enter the brain of Sue Dibny, the Elongated Man's wife. She attempts to cause a minor stroke, but accidentally applies too much pressure and kills Sue.

Jean attempted to divert suspicion away from herself by faking an attack on her own life. She then sent out several mysterious death threats to others such as Lois Lane to make everyone think that there was a serial killer on the loose who was targeting the loved ones of superheroes. These events caused the superhero community to launch a massive investigation to identify the killer. In the final stage of her plan, Jean sends Captain Boomerang to attack Jack Drake, who kills him before dying.

After her plans are exposed, Jean is imprisoned in Arkham Asylum.

Becoming Eclipso

[edit]
Jean Loring as Eclipso. Art by Justiniano.

During her time in Arkham, Jean is possessed by Eclipso, who manipulates the Spectre into killing various magical beings. However, Black Alice temporarily absorbs Spectre's powers and uses them to defeat Eclipso.

52

[edit]

In 52, Ralph Dibny approaches the Spectre as part of his quest to restore his wife Sue to life, promising to fulfill any bargain demanded of him to accomplish this. The Spectre, desiring revenge on Eclipso, but rendered incapable of taking it owing to his then-lack of a host, orders Dibny to punish Eclipso in return for his wife's life; Dibny, temporarily granted the power of the Spectre, takes Eclipso back to the point at which she (as Jean Loring) murdered his wife and, restoring Jean's sanity, intends to trap her in a permanent time loop and force her to watch herself murder Sue Dibny over and over for all eternity. But the now-sane Loring tearfully begs for forgiveness and Dibny - affected by her pleas, his sense of compassion, and his own feelings on watching his wife's death - finds himself incapable of completing his pact with the Spectre. He thus returns Eclipso to her orbit around the Sun.

Countdown to Final Crisis

[edit]

In Countdown to Final Crisis, Eclipso unsuccessfully attempts to corrupt Mary Marvel. She is defeated and stripped of her powers, after which she falls into the waters around Themyscira and is killed by a shark.

Blackest Night

[edit]
Jean Loring as a Black Lantern. Art by Ivan Reis.

In Blackest Night, Jean Loring returns as a Black Lantern.[7][8] She kills Damage and helps bring Nekron to full power before Ray Palmer becomes an Indigo Lantern and kills her.[9][10][11][12][13]

DC Rebirth

[edit]

Following the "DC Rebirth" event in 2016, it was revealed in Justice League of America #17 in late 2017 that the elements established in Identity Crisis had been retconned away, and Jean Loring was mentioned as being married once again to Ray Palmer.

In The New Golden Age, Jean Loring is depicted as a former host of Eclipso who is imprisoned in an Ivy Town prison.[14]

Other versions

[edit]

Jean Loring appears in Justice.

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
  • Characters based on Jean Loring appear in series set in the Arrowverse.
    • Loring herself appears in Arrow, portrayed by Teryl Rothery. This version is a defense attorney working in Starling City as well as a friend and lawyer to the Queen family.
    • Anna Loring appears in Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, portrayed by Barbara Kottmeier. She was Ray Palmer's fiancée who was killed during Slade Wilson's soldiers' attack on Starling City.
    • A male character named John Loring appears in The Flash episode "A Girl Named Sue", portrayed by Silver Kim. He is an arms dealer who Sue Dearbon targets for a diamond in his possession.[15]

Film

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ The Atom #26 (September 1966). DC Comics.
  3. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
  4. ^ Super-Team Family #11-14 (June 1977 – January 1978). DC Comics.
  5. ^ Justice League of America #157. DC Comics.
  6. ^ Sword of the Atom #1 (1983). DC Comics.
  7. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #43 (July 2009). DC Comics.
  8. ^ Blackest Night #1 (July 2009). DC Comics.
  9. ^ Blackest Night #4 (October 2009). DC Comics.
  10. ^ Blackest Night #5 (November 2009). DC Comics.
  11. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #49 (December 2009). DC Comics.
  12. ^ Blackest Night #6 (December 2009). DC Comics.
  13. ^ The Atom and Hawkman #46 (January 2010). DC Comics.
  14. ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #7. DC Comics.
  15. ^ Drum, Nicole. "The Flash Subverts Identity Crisis With Sue Dibny's Origin Story in "A Girl Named Sue"". Comicbook. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Jean Palmer Voice - Justice League: Gods and Monsters (Movie)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 17, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  17. ^ "Eclipso Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 17, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Jean_Loring&oldid=1258029495"