Todd Rice is a minor character in The CW series, Stargirl.
He wields strange and formerly uncontrollable shadow abilities. He's been living on the streets and searching for his sister, but he falls into the hands of The Helix Institute For Youth Rehabilitation and the mysterious Mister Bones — both who were determined to understand Todd's powers.
He was reunited with his sister and gained control over his powers, finding the balance he needed with her presence. Jennie, Todd, and Shade left Civic City to help other young heroes in their journey to become who they were meant to be. By 2031, Todd becomes the hero Obsidian, joining the Justice Society of America with Jennie.
Todd Rice was born to Alan Scott, a member of the Justice Society of America, who operated as the superhero Green Lantern. Todd is the fraternal twin brother of Jennie-Lynn Hayden. The pair were put into foster care at a young age, and ripped apart from one another as children. Todd went on to lead a troubled, lonely life as he bounced through the foster care system. He eventually ran away after he was placed in a group home led by a homophobic man who attempted to cure him. He escaped with his boyfriend to live on the streets.
Jennie-Lynn Hayden turns eighteen and is removed from her orphanage for having aged out. The woman in charge gives her a tin box that contains a toy truck with the name Todd inscribed on the bottom. Also in the box is her father's ring, which takes her to Blue Valley, Nebraska. She tries to steal the power battery that fuels the ring from the Whitmore-Dugan House.[2] Her attempted theft puts on a collision course with the newly assembled Justice Society of America, who invite her to join their team after learning of her patronage. She declines as she needs to find her brother, Todd.[3] Her quest takes her to Civic City where she breaks into a federal building to find her brother's adoption records. She learns he was arrested for shoplifting and sent to The Helix Institute For Youth Rehabilitation. She learns from Nurse Louise Love that Todd left the institute. Jennie sits in his room with the belongings he left behind. She thinks Todd ran away to search for her the same way he's been looking for her. Courtney and Pat find Jennie again and promise to help her search for Todd, though they need her help first.[4] Nurse Love takes note of Jennie having come searching for her brother. She informs Mister Bones of the new development.[5]
Six months ago in Civic City, Todd's boyfriend, Danny urges Todd to follow him. Todd questions where they're going. Danny asks if he trusts him, and Todd remarks that Danny knows he does. The boys arrive in a nice restaurant where a table is set with candles. Danny tells Todd that he will cook up a special birthday dinner for him, though Todd is nervous about getting caught. Danny states that he had already disabled the alarm, having learned from the best. They stay below the radar and they stay out of trouble, which Danny knows. Danny just wants to give him one special night where they aren't living like street rats since it's his birthday, and Danny knows this day's never easy for him. Danny gets his backpack, instructing Todd to sit down and open the bottle of wine while he gets started on the steaks. Todd sits down and finds an envelope addressed to him. Inside is a birthday card with two bus tickets. The card reads, "Todd - Happy birthday to you and your sister. We're going to find Jennie. I love you, - Danny". Todd smiles and removes a picture of himself and Jennie from his back pocket. He smiles at the picture until wind whooshes through the room, blowing out the candles in front of him.
Todd falls to the floor of the restaurant, writhing in pain. Danny rushes out to ask what's wrong, but skitters away when he sees Todd's green eyes. Todd flashes back to being a child, in a foster home with Jennie. Their hands are linked as adults try to pull them away from each other, ultimately succeeding. Their hands stretch out to one another. In the present, Todd's eyes turn from green to pitch black. He lets out a scream as his body contorts, black shadows flying out from his body and around the restaurant. He settles, and Danny doors to the floor to holds his face. The sound of sirens approaching and police lights add urgency. Danny tries to help Todd to his feet, but the boy can't get up. He tells Danny to go, but he's reluctant. Todd yells for him to go, his voice dropping to a demonic pitch. Danny then runs off. The police then come in the building to which Todd responds, "table for two?" The police then ask if he's Todd Rice to which he responds yes. The officers then stay that they aren't taking him into custody instead to a Youth Rehabilitation center.
A few minutes later they arrive at Helix. Nurse Louise Love greets them from the walkway from under an umbrella. The gentlemen's payment will be forthcoming. It is such a pleasure to meet Todd. She introduces herself as Nurse Love, and rest assured, he's safe. She tells him to come and the enter the halls. If he's hungry they can have the kitchen whip him up something. She wishes him a happy birthday, by the way, as he's eighteen today. It's a real milestone. He asks how she knows him and who those cops were. She explains they were friends of theirs, of Helix. Helix is a place for youth such as himself -- troubled youth, special youth. His father was a man named Alan Scott, and she wonders what else he knows about him. Todd snaps that he knows that he's dead. Nurse Love nods of course, but when he lived, he was the wielder of great power. His father was the Green Lantern. Todd asks what all this is, and from around corner, Mister Bones emerges to say it's hope. He understand what it's like to be different, but different can be good. Todd looks at the man in horror.
In the present day, as The Helix Institute For Youth Rehabilitation, Todd is strapped to a metal table as a bright light shines down on him. He screams in agony, writhing on the table as his body contorts. Nurse Love watches from the other side of the glass, and Mister Bones joins her. He points out that it's been six months and he's only gotten worse. She needs to be more aggressive with the treatment before they lose control. Love reaches out to the dial, hesitating for a second before turning it up more. The light buzzes louder as it pulses deeper, causing Todd to grunt and shake as he screams.
Jennie and Courtney enter the room a few minutes later. Jennie calls out to him, though he questions who's there and who she is. The girls slowly approach as Jennie explains it's his sister. He breathes out her name, and they lock eyes, flashing back to being torn apart as children. Courtney wants to get him out of here, but Todd protests, just as Pat and Shade enter. If they take him out of this room, he'll destroy the world. Jennie isn't about to leave him here. She grabs his arm and they experience flashes of their childhood. Their eyes glow emerald green. Shadows creep into Todd's eyes which turn pitch black. He lets out a shout and a blast of shadows explode out of him, swirling with green energy. The blast sends everyone in the room flying in opposite directions. Once the darkness clears, the electricity in the room crackles back to life. Todd is now Obsidian, a monster made of black shadows, his eyes white as he shrieks and moans. Jennie and Courtney look-on in horror. Shade and Pat stand as streams of shadows erupt from Todd's body. One of the shadow tentacles launches towards Courtney, and Pat calls for her to watch out. He jumps in front of her and takes the brunt of the attack. Courtney screams for Pat while Jennie calls for Todd, darkness consuming the room. Pat and Shade are transported to The Shadowlands by the blast.[6]
Jennie and Courtney watch Todd turn into a creature made entirely of shadows. He groans that it hurts. Courtney calls out to Todd, telling him that he can control this. He just has to focus on his sister and his family. He repeats the word "family" and slowly transforms back into himself, his shining white eyes fading to normal. A man appears in front of Todd, asking what's wrong with him. The man taunts him for liking boys, as that's sick. It's no wonder his real father didn't want him. As for him, he runs his group home for normal kids. Todd is filth, tainted, and will be alone forever. But they're going to fix his sins - the man will beat them out of Todd for as long as it takes. Jennie calls out to her brother and grabs his arm, sending another blast of green and dark energy rippling across the room.
When things settle, guards roll Todd into another procedure room as they set up the bright white lights. He screams as his body violently convulses on the table. From behind the glass, Mister Bones holds Shade's tattered hat. Helix rumbles as Courtney, Love, and Jennie rush into the gallery room and watch Todd groaning. His eyes spill black shadows and he floats several feet above the ground as he hemorrhages shadows. Courtney urgently tells Jennie to go to him, but she's worried she'll hurt him. Courtney reminds her that she'll only hurt him if she wants to. Jennie leaves the gallery as Todd continues screaming. She looks up at Todd who gives a distorted roar. He bursts off the table into a shadow form, his eyes glowing bright white. He turns to Jennie, telling her to please leave. She's not going anywhere and reaches out to him, grabbing him as her eyes glow green. Courtney and Love watch from the gallery as green energy swirls with shadows. Love remarks they shouldn't have trusted her.
Todd and Jennie are back in the orphanage that separated them as children. She reaches out to him but he steps away from her. He doesn't understand any of this. She doesn't either. All she knows is they finally found each other. She holds up her hand, which has the ring their father left for her. He knew they would find each other with it. Somehow, he knew. They've always been connected, and they always will be, because they have to be. The light and the darkness. She extends her arm and he nods. The ring glows green and shoots out a stream of shadows that pulses into Todd. They flashback to being ripped apart as children, screaming out for one another. This time, they yank free of the adults and embrace in the center of the room. In the present day, Todd and Jennie hug tightly, finally together.
A burst of green energy shines in Helix. Love and Courtney shield their eyes and when they do look, they see Todd and Jennie embracing. The siblings part and smile at the duo. Moments later, the wind gushes with the return of Pat and Shade. The shade looks incredulously at Courtney, then gives her a proud nod when he sees Todd and Jennie together.
Courtney, Pat, Shade, Jennie, and Todd gather in the hallway of Helix, facing Nurse Love. Courtney gives her a satisfied smile and Love admits she was right. Courtney asks where the skeleton guy is. He's calming their other patients, as they don't usually have nights with this much excitement. She hopes this won't become a regular occurrence. Jennie thinks they have it under control now. Love reminds them they both still have a home at Helix. Courtney thinks what they're doing here is wrong. Love pensively states that all of their patients are free to go any time they wish. No one is being held against their will. Todd confirms that's actually true, though Courtney still isn't pleased with them spying on her or her friends. Love doesn't know what she's talking about. She's talking about the cameras they put up all over Blue Valley, inside their homes. Love is disturbed by the accusation, as they did no such thing. They know so much about Courtney and her friends because they did their research. But spying on her with hidden cameras is ridiculous. Shade hopes they're all done here, as he knows he is. He leaves the hall and Todd tells Love he's going to go with his sister. She doesn't think that's wise but wishes him the best of luck. She gestures to the door and the teens leave.
On the lawn of Helix, Todd, Jennie, and Courtney walk over and Shade awkwardly greets them. Rather than make his exit, he'd liked to extend a hand - that is, if they're amenable to his help with the shadows. Todd would appreciate that, though Jennie's not sure. Shade tells her to please, turn him down, then. Jennie needs to get to New York, which is news to Courtney. Jennie elaborates that's where Sandy Hawkins lives who is Wesley Dodd's nephew. Pat is surprised at her mention of Wesley Dodds, the Sandman. Shade wrinkles his face in disgust, as he agreed to help two children, not three. Jennie ignores him. Sandy has nightmares of people in trouble like his uncle used to. That's how she knew Todd was here. Sandy dreamt about her and Todd and reached out to her. She promised she'd help him with his nightmares once she found Todd. Shade groans over New York, begrudgingly agreeing to go. But things are going to be different from now on, as he'll have none of her outlandish theatrics. He flicks his cane and a portal appears. He instructs them to follow him as she walks through the portal. Todd and Jennie follow him, and she calls back a goodbye to Courtney.[7]
Ten years later, in 2031, Todd is a member of the Justice Society of America. The Shade gives a tour of the JSA museum to a group of tourists. He lists the names of each member of the JSA, including Obsidian and his sister Jade.[8]
Personality[]
Physical Appearance[]
Todd is an attractive young man with a tall, yet slender build. He has black curly hair and brown eyes and wears darker toned colors.
As Obsidian, Todd is completely unrecognizable as his body takes the form of a shadow figure, also having glowing white eyes.
Powers[]
Umbrakinesis: Todd's powers are inexplicably connected to The Shadowlands, as he gains the ability to manipulate and control shadows. His power is raw, uncontrollable, and heavily connected to his emotions. He can create shapes using the shadows, including a giant hand, tentacles, and other blasts of dark energy. His power was activated when Jennie first activated Green Lantern's ring, unknowingly linking the pair together. Todd initially reacted to the green energy, though his true nature of shadows overtook the light, spewing out in waves. His power is undeniably strong, with Mister Bones believing his power could consume the entire planet if not treated with synthetic lamps. Upon meeting The Shade, who also has powers through The Shadowlands, the older and more experienced master of darkness admitted Todd's power is greater than his. He offers his help to Todd in teaching the boy about the shadows, becoming his mentor.
Dark Mist Manipulation: When Todd came into contact with Jennie, who wields Green Lantern's ring, he produced a blast of dark mist that engulfed everyone in the room. The mist was strong enough to knock everyone to the ground.
Darkness Mimicry: Todd can transform into a giant living shadow.
Electromagnetic Interference: When Todd’s powers were first activated in the restaurant, all the lights in the room exploded.
Levitation: Todd started floating in the air when he became unstable, along with the table he was strapped to.
Eye Transformation: When he was affected by the ring's energy his eyes glowed green, though they quickly became black and produced shadowy mist.
Teleportation: Todd transported Pat and Shade to the Shadowlands by absorbing them in shadows. He did so accidentally when in contact with Jennie, which made his powers uncontrollable.
Abilities[]
Weaknesses[]
Light: Due to his powers being based on darkness and shadows, Todd is extremely sensitive to light-based powers.
As a light-based entity, Todd is extremely sensitive to the ring's power. When Jennie touched him while holding the ring, it caused him physical pain and triggered his powers to respond negatively. He first felt the effects of the ring when Jennie first activated it on their eighteenth birthday. Despite being miles apart, Todd fell to the ground and lost control of his powers, which subsequently destroyed a restaurant. However, after Jennie expelled the darkness from her ring and gained control over her powers, she calmed Todd's chaotic powers and helped him gain a semblance of control.
Inexperience: Because Todd's powers are fairly new, powerful, and extremely dangerous, he easily loses control of them. However, after finding balance with his sister, Todd now has some control over his abilities and is working with The Shade to master them even more.
Todd is the first canonically confirmed LGBTQIA+ character to appear in Stargirl.
Had the show been renewed for another season, Todd was supposed to become a villain, but ended up being a hero due to the show’s cancellation.
It is currently unknown how Todd got his powers. His sister Jennie gets her powers from her father’s Green Lantern ring, but it is unknown how and when Todd got his abilities to manipulate shadows.
Comic Comparisons[]
In the DC Comics universe, Todd Rice/Obsidian is the son of the Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott, and the twin brother of Jennifer-Lynn Hayden, the superheroine known as Jade. The twins were both members of Infinity Inc., the supergroup formed by the children and heirs of the JSA.
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