View source for Cosmic Boy

{{Short description|DC Comics superhero}}
{{Infobox comics character
|image=Cosmic Boy (Post-Infinite Crisis version).jpg
|converted=y
|caption=Cover art for ''[[Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds]]'' #3 (February 2009), art by [[George Pérez]].
|alter_ego=Rokk Krinn
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|debut=''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #247 (April 1958)
|creators=[[Otto Binder]]<br>[[Al Plastino]]
|homeworld=[[Braal (DC Comics)|Braal]]
|species=[[List of alien races in DC Comics#Braalians|Braalian]]
|alliances=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]
|aliases=Polestar<br>[[Time Trapper]]
|powers='''Powers:'''
*Magnetism manipulation
*Magnetic field / force manipulation
*Magnetic pulse
*Magnetic flight 
*Electromagnetic sight
*Energy absorption 
*Geomagnetic link
'''Abilities:'''
*Basic hand-to-hand combatant
*Enhanced intellect
*Gifted leader
'''Equipment:'''
*Legion flight ring
|cat=super
|subcat=DC Comics
|hero=y
|sortkey=Cosmic Boy
}}
'''Cosmic Boy''' ('''Rokk Krinn''') is a [[superhero]] appearing in comics published by [[DC Comics]]. He is from the 31st century, and is a founding member and original leader of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]].<ref name="dc-ency">{{Citation | last=Greenberger | first=Robert | author-link=Robert Greenberger | contribution=Cosmic Boy | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=89 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] | location=New York | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 | oclc=213309017}}</ref>

Cosmic Boy has appeared in various media outside comics, primarily those featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes. He is voiced by [[Wil Wheaton]] in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'' (2006) and portrayed by [[Ryan Kennedy]] in ''[[Smallville]]''.

==Publication history==
{{Main article|Legion of Super-Heroes#Publication history}}
Cosmic Boy first appeared in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #247 (April 1958) and was created by [[Otto Binder]] and [[Al Plastino]].<ref name=Guide>{{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=73}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
===Original===
{{Main article|Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team)}}

Rokk Krinn, best known as Cosmic Boy, is a founding member of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], along with [[Garth Ranzz|Lightning Lad]] and [[Saturn Girl]] who possesses the innate ability to generate [[magnetic field]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fleisher |first1=Michael L. |title=The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1389-3 |pages=45–46}}</ref> Cosmic Boy's brother Pol joins the Legion as Magnetic Kid before being killed during the Magic Wars.<ref>{{cite comic |date=July 1989 |title=[[Legion of Super-Heroes]] |story=The Magic Wars, Part 3: Why Must Magic Triumph? |issue=62 |volume=3 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Levitz, Paul]] |artist= |penciller=[[Giffen, Keith]] |inker=[[DeCarlo, Mike]] |colorist=[[Carl Gafford|Gafford, Carl]] |id=}}</ref>

In the pre-[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!|Zero Hour]] Legion, Cosmic Boy was romantically involved with [[Night Girl]] (Lydda Jath). During the "Five Year Gap" following the Magic Wars, Rokk loses his powers after being exposed to a magnetic dampener during a war between Braal and [[Imsk]] (the homeworld of [[Salu Digby|Shrinking Violet]]). He leaves the Legion and returns to Braal to live there with Lydda. The two have a son named Pol, named for Rokk's brother.

When [[Reep Daggle]] reforms the Legion, Rokk rejoins the group as '''Polestar''', utilizing special gauntlets that replicate his original powers. However, he renounces the gauntlets after they began to affect his mind.

During the ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!]]'' event, Rokk learns that he is apparently destined to become the [[Time Trapper]]. Shortly afterward, he and the rest of the Legion are erased from existence when the timeline is rebooted.<ref>{{cite comic |date=September 1994 |title=[[Lar Gand|Valor]] |story=End of an Era – Part 5: Infinite Valor |issue=23 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Busiek, Kurt]] |artist= |penciller=[[Colleen Doran|Doran, Colleen]] |inker=[[Dave Cooper|Cooper, Dave]] |colorist=Grafe, David |id=}}</ref>

===Post-Zero Hour===
{{Main article|Legion of Super-Heroes (1994 team)}}
In post-''Zero Hour'' continuity, Rokk Krinn is a celebrity player of the Braalian sport Magnoball, earning the nickname "Cosmic Boy" after winning the Magnoball Cosmic Games. He sends most of his earnings to his family, unaware that his manager Alex Cuspin is embezzling them. After learning of Cuspin's actions, Rokk dismisses him and has him arrested. [[Gim Allon|Leviathan]], a [[Science Police]] veteran, appoints Cosmic Boy leader of the Legion following the death of [[Kid Quantum]].<ref name="dc-ency" /> Cosmic Boy later voluntarily steps down from leadership, feeling that he has served as leader for long enough.

==="Threeboot" continuity===
{{Main article|Legion of Super-Heroes (2004 team)}}
[[File:Cosmic Boy LSH-9.jpg|thumb|upright|Part of the cover art for ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' vol. 5, #9 (October 2005), art by [[Barry Kitson]].]]
In the fifth volume of ''Legion of Super-Heroes'', Cosmic Boy is the leader of the Legion of Super-Heroes. After transporting the [[Dominators (DC Comics)|Dominators]]' homeworld to the [[Phantom Zone]], seemingly destroying it, Cosmic Boy is voted out of office and replaced by [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]]. He then joins a superhero team from the 41st century, who come back in time to offer him membership.

===Post-Infinite Crisis===
Cosmic Boy is re-introduced following ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', which restores an analogue of the pre-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' Legion to continuity.

Comics writer [[Geoff Johns]] said about the character:
{{cquote|Cosmic Boy is like the all-around leader who puts it all on his shoulders, but he's magnetic. His powers are all about magnetics, and so it carries over to his personality. And he struggles to bring all the Legion back together. He's like, 'We can do this. We can bring it together'. It comes naturally to him.<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Rogers | first=Vaneta | author2=Cliff Biggers | title=Their Name is Legion | journal=Comic Shop News | issue=1093}}</ref>}}

===Post-''Rebirth''===
In ''[[Doomsday Clock (comics)|Doomsday Clock]]'', Cosmic Boy is among the Legionnaires who appear in the present after [[Doctor Manhattan]] undoes his alterations to the timeline, restoring the Legion and the [[Justice Society of America]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=February 2020 |title=[[Doomsday Clock (comics)|Doomsday Clock]] |story=Discouraged of Man |issue=12 |volume=1 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=[[Frank, Gary]] |inker=Frank, Gary |colorist=Anderson, Brad |id=}}</ref>

In ''[[The New Golden Age]]'', Cosmic Boy is among the Legion of Super-Heroes members who arrive in the present and confront the Justice Society over their decision to recruit [[Legionnaire (comics)|Legionnaire]], a young, heroic incarnation of [[Mordru]].<ref>{{cite comic |date=September 2024 |title=[[Justice Society of America]] |story=The Gentleman's Game |issue=10 |volume=4 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=[[Johns, Geoff]] |artist= |penciller=Janín, Mikel; Santucci, Marco |inker=Janín, Mikel; Santucci, Marco |colorist=Bellaire, Jordie; Plascencia, Ivan; [[Kalisz, John]] |id=}}</ref>

==Limited series==
{{Infobox comic book title <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| italic title = no
| image=Cosmic Boy 1.jpg
| caption=''Cosmic Boy'' #1 (December 1986), art by [[Steve Lightle]].
| schedule=Monthly
| format=[[Limited series (comics)|Miniseries]]
| publisher=[[DC Comics]] 
| date=December [[1986 in comics|1986]] – March [[1987 in comics|1987]]
| issues=4
| main_char_team=Cosmic Boy<br>[[Night Girl]]<br>[[Time Trapper]] 
| writers=[[Paul Levitz]]
| artists=
| pencillers=[[Keith Giffen]]<br>[[Ernie Colón]]<br>Bob Smith
| inkers=
| letterers=
| colorists=
| covers=
| creative_team_month=
| creative_team_year=
| creators=
| editors=[[Karen Berger]]
| TPB=
| ISBN=
}}
Cosmic Boy was featured in a four-part limited series, cover dated December 1986 through March 1987. A tie-in to the ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' limited series, it was written by [[Paul Levitz]], with art by [[Keith Giffen]], [[Ernie Colón]], and Bob Smith.

In the series, Cosmic Boy and Night Girl have traveled from the 30th century to enjoy a vacation in the 20th century. They find themselves threatened by many citizens and residents of the United States, who have been manipulated by [[Glorious Godfrey]] as part of [[Darkseid]]'s scheme to discredit Earth's superhero community. Soon after arriving, Cosmic Boy encounters [[Superman]], who does not recognize him despite [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]] being a member of the Legion for years. Cosmic Boy and Night Girl fear that something is terribly wrong with history. A space shuttle mission carrying a satellite crucial to Earth's future development of space travel goes awry, with the shuttle exploding. Cosmic Boy magnetically catches the payload and sends the debris harmlessly toward the ocean, but American soldiers assume that he is a foreign spy. They attack him, implementing [[Ronald Reagan]]'s directive that outlaws all superhero activity.

Seeking to protect the satellite, Cosmic Boy and Night Girl travel to [[NASA]] facilities in [[Houston]] where they meet Jason, one of the astronauts who designed the shuttle. They help to quell a riot that breaks out when demonstrators break down the gates at NASA, and Cosmic Boy becomes convinced that some unseen enemy is deliberately trying to prevent the mission. As they depart, the couple notes that both of their families are from worlds settled during the Great Emigration from Earth. They are unaware that the last name of Jason — the astronaut they just met — is Krinnski, which implies that he may be a distant ancestor of Cosmic Boy.

Cosmic Boy and Night Girl return to the 30th century, where time travel experts [[Brainiac 5]] and Circadia Senius may be able to determine the problem. Upon entering the timestream, their Time Bubble encounters a storm and shakes violently. They are forced to return to the 20th century. They turn to Jason Krinnski for assistance, who does his best to help them repair the Time Bubble. However, their second attempt to leave fails, as if there was a barrier blocking them. Realizing that they need a massive power source to propel the Bubble to the 30th century, Cosmic Boy harnesses energy from Earth's magnetic field. They breach the barrier, but are propelled to the end of time, where they confront the [[Time Trapper]].

The Trapper toys with the couple, giving them an hour to return to the 30th century. They eventually make their way through the Trapper's Citadel to their Time Bubble, just as the last grains in the hourglass are about to fall. Cosmic Boy uses his power to warp the hourglass, closing it so that the last grain will never fall. Amused, the Trapper allows them to leave. He directs the Time Bubble to the 30th century, placing it right in front of Legion Headquarters. He warns the couple that this will be their final journey through time, and that "the next occasion when a Legionnaire dares break the time barrier will be the last". As the two of them race to warn the Legion about what has occurred, the Trapper realizes that the Legionnaires will be returning for him.

The events of this series are continued in the 1987 story arc "[[The Greatest Hero of Them All]]".

==Powers and abilities==
Cosmic Boy possesses the innate ability to manipulate magnetism, being able to manipulate, repel, and attract metal objects of varying sizes. Naturally, the more metal is in an object the easier it is for him to affect magnetically. Cosmic Boy has been known to pull large iron meteors and satellites down from space with minimal effort. He can use his magnetic power on rocks that contain iron ore to pull or use them as projectiles. He can also magnetize metal objects so that they become magnets themselves and make them stick to other metal objects. His power cannot affect non-metals, such as organic substances like wood or flesh. His control is such that he can manipulate electronic records or the iron in blood. He has been known to use a uniform with ferrous fibres so he can fly with his own powers, but usually relies on a Legion flight ring.

As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Cosmic Boy is provided a Legion Flight Ring. It allows him to fly and protects him from the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments.

==In other media==
===Television===
[[File:SmallvilleCosmicBoy.jpg|upright|thumb|Ryan Kennedy as Cosmic Boy in ''Smallville''.]]
* Cosmic Boy appears in the ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' episode "New Kids in Town", voiced by [[Chad Lowe]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Cosmic Boy Voices (Legion of Super Heroes) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Legion-of-Super-Heroes/Cosmic-Boy/ |access-date=March 10, 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>
* Cosmic Boy makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Far From Home".
* Cosmic Boy appears in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes (TV series)|Legion of Super Heroes]]'' (2006), voiced by [[Wil Wheaton]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is often busy traveling the universe and maintaining the Legion's reputation, which strains his relationship with them, particularly Lightning Lad. As a result, [[Bouncing Boy]] temporarily replaces him as the Legion's leader after Lightning Lad calls for a new leader to be elected.
* Cosmic Boy appears in ''[[Smallville]]'', portrayed by [[Ryan Kennedy]]. This version rarely speaks and displays the most determination of his teammates.

===Film===
* Cosmic Boy appears in ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash]]'', voiced by [[Yuri Lowenthal]].<ref name="btva" /> This version comes from a future Earth that Brainiac conquered by the year 2116.
* Cosmic Boy appears in ''[[Legion of Super-Heroes (film)|Legion of Super-Heroes]]'' (2023), voiced by [[Eric Lopez (voice actor)|Eric Lopez]].<ref name="btva" />
* The ''Legion of Super Heroes'' (2006) incarnation of Cosmic Boy makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=September 6, 2022 |title=soranatus - Looks like in 2021 Digital eMation was working on a Scooby-Doo Meets Krypto DTV... |url=https://soranatus.tumblr.com/post/694669819391393792/looks-like-in-2021-digital-emation-was-working-on |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Tumblr |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Video games===
* Cosmic Boy appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Cosmic Boy makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Brainiac's ending in ''[[Injustice 2]]''.

=== Miscellaneous ===
* Cosmic Boy appears in ''[[Adventures in the DC Universe]]'' #10.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |title=''Adventures in the DC Universe'' #10 - The Blobs (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/adventures-in-the-dc-universe-10-the-blobs/4000-153328/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=[[Comic Vine]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Cosmic Boy appears in the one-shot comic ''[[Batman '66]] Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #1 - Atomic Batteries To Power, Flight Rings To Speed (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/batman-66-meets-the-legion-of-super-heroes-1-atomi/4000-609276/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://jameskeeley777.wixsite.com/legion/cosmic-boy COSMIC BOY at the LEGION Collection]
*[http://www.dcdatabaseproject.com/Cosmic_Boy Cosmic Boy] at the DC Database Project
*{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130120025050/http://www.comics-db.com/DC_Comics/C/Cosmic_Boy/index.html ''Cosmic Boy'']}} at the [[Big Comic Book Database]]

{{Legion of Super-Heroes}}
{{Superman characters}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fictional characters from the 30th century]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 31st century]]
[[Category:Characters created by Otto Binder]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1958]]
[[Category:DC Comics extraterrestrial characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics extraterrestrial superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with earth or stone abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with metal abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional male sportspeople]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes members]]