Who's Who: Devlin O'Ryan / Reflex

Devlin O'Ryan / Reflex
by Siskoid

Real Name: Devlin O'Ryan

Super-Power(s): Reflect objects and force directed at him.
Planet of Origin: Xanthu

Legion Seniority: Devlin was the third new recruit following the Legion's reformation after the Five-Year Gap.

Legion Log

Devlin O'Ryan's mother was the Xanthu bureau chief of the Daily Planet, and he decided to follow in her footsteps and become a journalist. Obtaining an internship with the Interstellar Press, he soon found himself working out of the Metropolis offices of the Daily Planet, alongside its star reporter Iris West Allen (the widow of Barry Allen, the 20th century superhero known as the Flash). Devlin and Iris were the first reporters to expose the Dominators' covert influence (and effective control) of Earth's government. His investigation led him to Winath as the Legion of Super-Heroes was being reformed, and he decided to accompany them.

When the Earth's moon was destroyed by the Dominion's Triple Strike program, Devlin was bombarded with null radiation which triggered his dormant Metagene, granting him the ability to reflect virtually any physical or energy attack. He was nicknamed Reflecto after another Xanthusian hero, but the name didn't stick. After the teenage Legionnaires of "Batch SW6" were discovered, romance bloomed between him and the SW6 Shrinking Violet. But when he accepted Rokk Krynn's invitation to join the Legion, they parted ways.

Devlin was the primary journalist covering the story of Earth's destruction, after which he remained with the Legion as Reflex (he doesn't use that code name much either) until Glorith de-aged him to a teenager. He was wiped from existence by Zero Hour when the timeline collapsed.

There is no record of Devlin in any other version of Legion continuity, except as a Legionnaire from this collapsed timeline in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds.


Important Devlin O'Ryan Stories:

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #6-7

Devlin's first appearance, as he flies to Trom to find Jan Arrah

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #10

Devlin and Iris West write an exposé on Earthgov

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #17

Devlin decides to set aside journalistic objectivity to help the Legion take down Earthgov

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #20

After being irradiated by power spheres, Devlin mysteriously survives getting shot several times

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #24

Devlin discovers the SW6 Legion in the Dominator vaults

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #25

Devlin's powers become clear

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #34

A romance blossoms between Devlin and the SW6 Shrinking Violet

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #38

Devlin writes his greatest piece, on the destruction of Earth

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #40

Devlin joins the adult Legion and breaks up with Violet

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #47

Devlin's powers are responsible for the death of Khundian Legionnaire Firefist

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #48

Firefist's death makes Veilmist Devlin's property - awwwwkward!

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #53

Devlin turns Glorith's powers against her, but not before he is de-aged; he leaves the Legion

Legionnaires #18

Devlin's powers might be the key to defeating Glorith, but Zero Hour wipes him from the timeline

Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5

Devlin fights Superboy-Prime along with Legionnaires from several timelines