Harbinger (DC Comics) explained

Character Name:Harbinger
Species:Metahuman
Publisher:DC Comics
Debut:As Lyla Michaels: The New Teen Titans Annual #2 (July 1983)
As Harbinger: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (April 1985)
Creators:Marv Wolfman
George Pérez
Real Name:Captain Lyla Michaels
Alliances:New Guardians
Black Lantern Corps
United States Army
Powers:
  • Self-duplication and reintegration
  • Energy manipulation
  • Superhuman strength, durability, and speed
  • Dimensional travel
  • Time travel
  • Cosmic awareness
  • Flight

The Harbinger (Lyla Michaels) is a superheroine appearing in publications by DC Comics. She had a supporting role in the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, where she gathered heroes to protect the multiverse from the Anti-Monitor.

The character appeared as a recurring character in The CW television series Arrow and The Flash television series, portrayed by Audrey Marie Anderson.

Publication history

Lyla Michaels was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and first appeared in The New Teen Titans Annual #2 (July 1983). She first appeared as Harbinger in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (April 1985).

Fictional character biography

Lyla Michaels is an orphan who is taken in by the Monitor and becomes his assistant.[1] In Crisis on Infinite Earths, she becomes Harbinger to battle the Anti-Monitor.[2] Harbinger sacrifices her powers to save Earth-X, Earth-S, and Earth-Four before regaining them.[3] After the multiverse is destroyed, Harbinger joins the Amazons as their historian.[4]

Harbinger later sacrifices herself to protect Supergirl.[5] [6] She temporarily returns as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night.[7]

Following Harbinger's death, an artificial intelligence resembling her appears in The Multiversity.[8]

In other media

Television

Lyla Michaels appears in the Arrowverse series Arrow and The Flash, portrayed by Audrey Marie Anderson.[9] [10] This version is an agent, later the director, of A.R.G.U.S. and John Diggle's estranged wife who secretly works for Mar Novu as the Harbinger in the crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths".

Film

Video games

Merchandise

Lyla Michaels / Harbinger received an action figure in DC Direct's Crisis line in 2005.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Cowsill . Alan . Irvine . Alex . Korte . Steve . Manning . Matt . Wiacek . Win . Wilson . Sven . The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe . 2016 . DK Publishing . 978-1-4654-5357-0 . 137.
  2. Book: Jimenez . Phil . Wells . John . The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia . 2010 . Del Rey . 978-0345501073 . 178–179.
  3. History of the DC Universe #1-2 (January - February 1987)
  4. War of the Gods #4 (December 1991)
  5. Superman/Batman #9-10 (June - July 2004)
  6. Countdown to Adventure #1 (October 2007)
  7. R.E.B.E.L.S. (vol. 2) #10 (January 2010)
  8. The Multiversity #1 (October 2014)
  9. Web site: Burlingame . Russ . October 2, 2019 . Crisis on Infinite Earths Exclusive: First Look at Audrey Marie Anderson as Harbinger . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191002163505/https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/10/02/crisis-on-infinite-earths-first-look-harbinger/ . October 2, 2019 . October 2, 2019 . ComicBook.com.
  10. Web site: Burlingame . Russ . January 28, 2020 . Arrow: Will John Diggle Move to Superman & Lois? . February 13, 2020 . Comicbook.com.
  11. Web site: Lyla Michaels / Harbinger Voices (DC Universe) . June 15, 2024 . 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.
  12. Web site: Eisen . Andrew . October 2, 2013 . DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide . July 18, 2024 . IGN . en.