Warning: Spoilers for Legion of Super-Heroes #9
Bouncing Boy has been a long-standing member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and yet when compared to others such as Ultra Boy or Saturn Girl, his power might seem a little… useless. All that changes, however, in Legion of Super-Heroes #9, by Brian Michael Bendis (Superman, Event: Leviathan) and an all-star roster of artists including Ryan Sook (X-factor), Nicola Scott (Wonder Woman) and Arthur Adams (Tom Strong). The issue reveals Bouncing Boy might be more powerful than anyone thought.
The comic finds the Legion forced to justify their existence to the United Planets, the interplanetary organization that grants them their charter. In their corner is their benefactor, UP president RJ Brande. In order to persuade the UP to let the Legion continue, each Legionnaire tells the story of their Legion try out, and when it comes Bouncing Boy’s turn, his story drops several bombshells that upend decades of what was previously known about the character.
During Bouncing Boy’s tryout before the three founding Legionnaires - Saturn Girl, Lighting Lad and Cosmic Boy - it is revealed that he is an eighth-level metahuman. While it is never revealed exactly what this means, the three founders are highly impressed. The founders are also surprised by this, and Bouncing Boy says he was just as surprised as they were when he found this out.
Bouncing Boy goes onto prove why exactly he is an eighth-level metahuman by giving the founding Legionnaires a demonstration of his powers. He proves he is in total control of his powers and takes great joy in his speed and invulnerability. In addition to his invulnerability, he reveals he is impervious to pain, which makes him ideal for the Legion. Additionally, readers also learn that he is a free thinker, with BB making it clear he has no love for the United Planets. Finally, it's revealed he has a doctoral degree in “metaphysical gateway science.” No explanation is given to what this means either, but it again impresses the founding Legionnaires.
Bouncing Boy is a character with much potential. His power set is unique and gives the Legion an advantage in combat; a member who cannot be hurt or killed is a hard one to defeat. Yet for most of the Legion’s existence, he has been regulated to “comic relief,” largely due in part to his appearance and powers. Bendis and his collaborators have created a new and better version of the character, one that not only honors what has come before, but forges a new and better path for him.
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