Chlorophyll Kid
	Name: Ral Benem Home Planet: Mardru Super-Power: Growing plants super-big & fast Substitute Member Since: 2963

Origin | Super-Power | Personal Data | Membership Record

Legion of Substitute Heroes | Membership

"Chlorophyll Kid (Ral Benem), of the planet Mardru, fell into a tank of powerful plant-growing solution as an infant. As a result, he gained the power to make plants grow super-fast - and super-big." - Adventure Comics No. 365 (Feb. 1968) "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes" First Appearance: Adventure Comics No. 306 (written by Edmond Hamilton, drawn by John Forte)

Back to Top

Chlorophyll Kid has the power to make plants grow super-fast and super-big (Adventure Comics No. 365 "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes"). In one second, he can grow seeds into mature plants (337), but he can turn his power off at any stage of growth (306). At its highest power, his growth-force can affect a giant storehouse of millions of seeds (306).

He can use his power to create barriers (Adventure Comics No. 311) and to pen in criminals by growing the vegetation in a thick circle around them (315).

After much practice, he can control the growth of vines such that they can wrap tighly around a person, ensnaring them (Adventure Comics No. 374).

After seeing the necessity of carrying his own seeds (Adventure Comics No. 315), Chlorophyll Kid now carries a supply of various seeds useful in any emergency (351).

Bacteria are not affected when Chlorophyll Kid uses his power on seeds or plants because can use his power with pinpoint accuracy. However, if he wanted to produce some king-size bateria, he could do so easily (Adventure Comics No. 378 "The Legion Outpost").

Note: While taxonomists have since reclassified bateria into their own kingdom, Monera (based on their single cell nature), back in the 1960s - when these stories were first chronicled - it was generally regarded that bacteria were part of the Plant Kingdom. To occupy their time, and sell ideas, scientists always manage to find ever-smaller boxes to put things in. Subsequent reclassification, however, does not alter the fact that many bacteria are capable of photosynthesis, like plants are, and that Chlorophyll Kid could use his power on them if he so chose.

Limitations and Weaknesses: Chlorophyll Kid cannot reverse his power (Adventure Comics No. 306). He cannot grow plants on lifeless, airless worlds incapable of supporting vegetation (311). His growth-force rays can be blocked by objects (306).

Back to Top

Physical Description: Ral is square-jawed, and has thick, dark eyebrows. His headpiece covers his hair but we know from the flashback that he once told (Adventure Comics No. 306) that he had blond hair as a child. Saturn Girl, on the other hand, once sensed that Ral currently has brown hair - a fact she blended into her retelling of his origin (315), and from what little of his hair we have seen, it does appear darker (331).

Personality: Ral is naturally inquisitive (Adventure Comics No. 306) and possesses clever foresight (351).

Skills: Ral possesses an extensive knowledge regarding all types of plants and seeds (Adventure Comics No. 306) and anticipates what kinds of seeds to bring along with him on a particular mission (351).

Interests: None known

Previous Occupations: None known

Nicknames: None

Relationships: Ral is close to all his teammates in the Subs, and to former Sub members Dream Girl and Star Boy.

Known Relatives: Mother (Adventure Comics No. 306, 315)

Back to Top

Application: Ral Benem was the third in line - after Polar Boy and Night Girl - to apply for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes. It was determined, however, that his power to make plants grow with terrific speed wouldn't help in their missions and he was rejected.

Induction (Subs): Commiserating with fellow rejectees Stone Boy and Fire Lad, Chlorophyll Kid and the others were met by Polar Boy and Night Girl, who informed them that they should all form their own super-hero club, the Legion of Substitute Heroes (Adventure Comics No. 306).

Induction (LSH): In 2964, the Subs were finally recognized by the Legion of Super-Heroes for their help and made an official branch of the Legion Reserve, to be called upon for help when needed (322, 326 "The Legion Constitution - Part Two").

Positions Held: None

Aliases Used: None

Career Highlights:

Adventure Comics No. 306 (Mar. 1963) "The Legion of Substitute Heroes"

Chlorophyll Kid discovered the seeds of an alien invasion force drifting to Earth. The team of Subs effectively sabotaged the invaders' storehouse and Chlorophyll Kid caused a population explosion on their homeworld that put an end to the threat to Earth.

Adventure Comics No. 315 (Dec. 1963) "The Legionnaires' Super-Contest"

Ral used his power to coral some alien looters. Later, sponsored by Lightning Lad, Chlorophyll Kid's test was to split a mountain so that much-needed water from a lake behind it could pour through to supply many people. Chlorophyll noticed a tiny plant cracking through the peak, which gave him the idea to go and get a bag of redwood tree seeds. Planting them in the crack, he used his power to make them grow super-fast, splitting the mountain with the massive roots they grew. This feat won him 109 points, putting him in third place.

Adventure Comics No. 337 (Oct. 1965) "The Weddings That Wrecked the Legion"

Chlorophyll Kid and Night Girl posed as applicants during the Legion's plan to locate the home world of the Murran spies.

Adventure Comics No. 351 (Dec. 1966) "The Forgotten Legion"

The Subs were called into action when the Legion needed them to go back in time to Supergirl's era to get the imprint of an enchanted shoe... Comet's. Due to the influence of a Green-K capsule in her brain, she failed to recognize the Subs and the change in her personality caused her to get the Super-Pets to attack them. Chlorophyll Kid put Streaky out of action by growing catnip seeds.

Adventure Comics No. 374 (Nov. 1968) "Mission: Diabolical"

Chlorophyll Kid used his power to ensnare a Scorpius gang member in vines.

Back to Top

Legion of Substitute Heroes | Membership