| Character Name: | Takion |
| Real Name: | Joshua Saunders |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | Takion #1 (June 1996) |
| Creators: | Paul Kupperberg (writer) Aaron Lopresti (artist) |
| Alliances: | New Gods |
| Aliases: | Highfather |
| Powers: | Avatar of the Source
|
Takion (Joshua Saunders) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Paul Kupperberg and Aaron Lopresti,[1] first appearing in an eponymous series in 1996 that lasted for 7 issues.[2]
Kupperberg stated the genesis of the character stating,
"Unbeknownst to me and Dan, over in editor Archie Goodwin’s office, a very different version of Starman was in development with writer James Robinson and artist Tony Harris. It only became beknownst when we fed our Starman proposal into the pipeline for review by the senior editors our Starman was bounced like a Spalding. Instead of just chalking it up to experience and sticking the proposal in a drawer, Dan suggested we salvage what we could from it and use that as a foundation to create an entirely new character. This we did and, after a bunch of talking and a few drafts, “Will Payton…Starman” became “Josh Saunders...Takion".[3]
Josh Saunders is a blind psychologist who Highfather gave the ability to manipulate the Source and instructed him to cleanse it. Unbeknownst to Sanders, Highfather also intended him to act as an avatar to resurrect him in the event of his death. He also gains cosmic awareness, but struggles with it overwhelming his brain until he spends time in space to overcome this weakness.[1] [4] [5]
Takion's main nemesis is Stayne, a human who was transformed by Darkseid and seeks to keep him from achieving his true potential.[1] [6]
Takion later becomes the new Highfather after Izaya is killed by Ares during the Genesis event and Mister Miracle declines to replace him. However, Izaya survives as a spirit within the Source and possesses Takion to restore Supertown.[7]
During Death of the New Gods, Takion is killed by Infinity-Man after he and Himon attempt to investigate his murder of several New Gods.[8]
As the embodiment of the Source, Takion possesses vast reality-manipulating abilities. He can manipulate energy, matter, and time; become intangible; and teleport.
Takion appears as a character summon in .[9]