Kid Quantum
| Kid Quantum | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | (James) Legion of Super-Heroes" #33 (Jazmin) Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #82 |
| Created by | Tom Bierbaum Mary Bierbaum David A. Williams |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | - Protean - James Cullen - Jazmin Cullen |
| Team affiliations | (all) Legion of Super-Heroes (James, Jazmin) Amazers |
| Abilities | (Protean) Shapeshifting, telepathy (deactivated as "James Cullen"); used belt to stop time (James) Ability to stop time (externally augmented) (Jazmin) Ability to manipulate time. |
Kid Quantum is the name of three comic book superheroes in the DC Universe, who were members of different incarnations of the Legion of Super Heroes.
Pre-Reboot
James Cullen, the first Kid Quantum, was retconned into the Legion's past during the "TMK" era, ostensibly as a result of a history-changing disaster. He was described as having been the first Legionnaire to die in action, as well as the reason for the Legion's rule against members whose superhuman abilities were solely technological; however, it was later revealed that "James Cullen" was a constructed identity used by a cluster of shapeshifting amoeboid "Proteans", who were seeking to protect their race, and that, instead of being killed, Cullen had simply gone into hiding until such time as it was safe. This plotline was never fully resolved, as the Legion's universe was subsequently "rebooted" with the Zero Hour miniseries.
Post-Reboot
James Cullen
The second Kid Quantum was also named James Cullen; however, this one was an actual person rather than a constructed identity. Like his historical counterpart, he used a so-called "stasis belt" to augment his power to freeze time within a limited area to useful levels. He became a member of the Legion of Super Heroes and became its first member to die between his overconfidence and a belt malfunction. His death also caused a rule to be implemented when later characters were recruited - no technology relying powers.
Jazmin Cullen
The third Kid Quantum was Cullen's sister Jazmin. After her brother's death, she underwent surgery to augment her power to a level where she would not require the belt. Despite initial hostility to the Legion when she first joined, she eventually grew within the role to the point where she was elected leader of the team, thanks in large part to Cosmic Boy's recommendation of her. She later entered into a relationship with him. Jazmin is a native of the planet Xanthu.
Post Infinite Crisis
Following the Infinite Crisis, the DC Multiverse was reborn, now with 52 alternate Earths. In the recent Countdown: Arena miniseries, Monarch, formerely Captain Atom, began assembling a team made up of alternate versions of heroes from New Earth. In the final issue, he killed every single alternate version of himself in order to gain their power. James Cullen was seen among the various Captain Atoms.
Other media
In Superman: The Animated Series, Kid Quantum made a cameo appearance in the episode "New Kids In Town".