Orion (DC Animated Universe)

“	I didn't fight my way through a battalion of Parademons to be told to calm down!	„
	~ Orion

Orion is the supporting character of DC Animated Universe, debuting on Superman: The Animated Series.

He is a New God who is the biological son of the tyrannical Emperor God, Darkseid, who was traded to his godly archenemy Highfather as a truce between their planets, New Genesis & Apokalips respectively, who would later grow into fighting against his maniacal father's campaign for universal domination, later becoming ally to the kryptonian Superman and a member of his organization the Justice League.

He was voiced by by the late Steve Sandor in Superman: The Animated Series, and in Justice League (2001) and Justice League Unlimited, he is voiced by Ron Perlman who also voiced John Goodspeed in Final Space

Biography[]

Orion is the firstborn son of Darkseid and as a child he was traded for Scott Free in a peace effort between New Genesis and Apokolips. Raised as the son of Highfather, he was taught to control his rage and anger, becoming the most powerful warrior either world has ever known. This in itself was not an easy task given that his heritage boiled with the rage of the brutal and merciless Darkseid. It is very possible learning how to control his dark nature consumed much of his youth.

History[]

Superman: The Animated Series[]

Orion makes his debut in Superman: The Animated Series episode Apokolips...Now! In the first part, he comes to Earth to warn Superman of the impending invasion. Together he and Superman manage to turn back the first wave of attack but after Orion leaves, another attack comes and Orion can't be contacted. In part 2, Orion tells Darkseid that Earth is now under the protection of Highfather and any attack will be a breach of their treaty. Darkseid begins to retreat after a few words, and Turpin mocks him. Stating how no victory comes easily, Darkseid fires his Omega Beams at Turpin, killing him, then disappears into a boom tube. Superman, mad with grief, destroys Darkseid's tank. Orion then offers his condolences.

Justice League (2001)[]

Orion also makes later appearances in Justice League. In Twilight, he helps the Justice League at the time when Darkseid was collaborating with Brainiac. He makes a short cameo in "Hereafter" as an attendant of Superman's funeral, once again showing respect his respect to Superman, not only for being the only mortal to ever stand up to his ruthless dad, Darkseid, but also sticking to his grand ideals of heroism to the end.

Justice League Unlimited[]

Briefly appearing in "Initiation", Orion is shown to be one of the many new recruits to join the Justice League, likely as a way of representing New Genesis since Earth is now under it's protection. In "The Return", Orion appears as one of the many heroes in the first line of defense against Amazo. In "Flash and Substance", Orion helps Batman at the time when the Flash was being targeted by Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, and the Trickster, and also to support Flash because he's scheduled to be given an award for his heroic deeds. Despite at first believing Flash doesn't deserve the award due to his goofy nature, after spending the day helping him around the town, Orion shows newfound respect towards him.

Powers and Abilities[]

“	I'm glad to see you growing up with Highfather hasn't made you soft & weak, you make an old man proud.	„
	~ Darkseid commenting his son's fighting ability.

As a New God, Orion is a phenomenally powerful being with tremendous physical powers and abilities. These superhuman attributes were further greater than normal New Gods due to him being Darkseid's biological son.

Superhuman Strength: Orion's strength is unmeasured but is said to be the equal of his father, Darkseid. He has been able to defeat Darkseid once in pitched battle and has been able to more than hold his own against such major league heavyweights as Superman, Captain Atom, and Wonder Woman, meaning he can easily lift/carry massive weights far in excess of 100 tons with very little effort.

Superhuman Stamina: Because of his rage, Orion does not fatigue easily though he is not entirely tireless or unstoppable as he has shown fatigue when fighting against Darkseid.

Healing: When injured, Orion's healing factor helps to quickly recover even healing him when multiple and/or severe injuries ever occur. With the more serious injuries, he can use the Mother Box to heal him while even supplying him with more energy to continue fighting, helping or living.
Motherbox: Orion owns a Motherbox, a small hand-held semi-sentient supercomputer with near-arcane abilities that he can use to open up Boom Tubes for interplanetary transportation. He can use to open up boom tubes to locations of his desire as well as communicate with the Source (a supposed omnipotent being who exists beyond the Multiverse and is worshipped by the New Gods of New Genesis as a Supreme Being). Orion used it to help explain the ongoing conflict between the two worlds. It's possible Orion also uses it to help him maintain control over his inner rage which is similar to his comic book counterpart.