- "They'd rather call you crazy then admit I can lift this car or that I can melt your insides with my laser eyes which won't leave a trace."
- ―Jessica Jones
Energy projection is the ability of an individual or item to project waves of energy of varying types, ranges and intensity. In speculative fiction, this most commonly takes the form of laser weaponry. There are all different types of energy ranging from radiation, thermal energy, microwave energy, concussive force and even bodily flatulence (but we do not speak of such things in polite company).
Types of energy projection[]
- Heat vision: Heat vision is a form of energy projection. Heat vision is a bit of a misnomer as it is not actually a vision-based power, but reflective of the fact that the possessor can project beams of concentrated thermal energy from their eyes. This power is possessed by any member of the Kryptonian race who operates within an environment in a yellow star system. Activating heat vision is done through an act of will and the beams take the form of a steady stream of red laser energy which emits from both eyes simultaneously.
- Laser eyes: This is a general term and sub-application of energy projection. It refers to a localized affect wherein a body can emit beams of energy from their ocular organs or in some mechanized cases, photoreceptors. Superman emits beams of concentrated thermal energy that he calls heat vision. Cyclops of the X-Men emits beams or blasts of concussive force that he calls optic blasts. Many robots, such as Roj, who once fought the Doom Patrol can shoot lasers from its eyes. Jessica Jones once threatened to kill a man with her laser eyes, but this was just frustrated posturing. Jessica cannot emit lasers from her eyes.
- Starbolt: A starbolt is a form of energy projection that is possessed by the Tamaranean superhero Starfire. By channeling solar radiation through the cells of her body, Starfire can emit bolts of light energy that she refers to as Starbolts. The bolts are concussive in nature and she can project multiple bursts in rapid succession.
Examples[]
- Captain America 111: The Mankiller robot emitted blasts of lethal energy from its fingertips. However, the blast impact was insufficient to cause any harm to Captain America's shield.
- Cloak and Dagger Vol 2 1 - Dagger emits light daggers and throws them at Times Square pornographers.
- Fantastic Four 176: Galactus blasts Thing in the chest in flashback, destroying his exoskeleton.
- Ghost Rider Vol 2 81: Zarathos projects blasts of Hellfire at Centurious.
- Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man 64: Dagger emits daggers of solidified light that she uses to kill a drug dealer.
- Uncanny X-Men 97: Cyclops uses optic blasts while fighting mind-controlled Havok. Havok uses plasma blasts that accidentally blows up an airplane. Xavier dreams of Shi'ar warships in pitched space battle.
- Wolverine Vol 2 73: Sentinel 3.14159 fired an energy blast into Wolverine's spine that took him a considerable amount of time to heal from. Jubilee fired a pyrotechnic burst at the Sentinel, which destroyed a major portion of the left side of its body.
Characters[]
Appearances[]
Comics[]
- 1st Issue Special 12 - Komak kills Gorahn with his laser eyes.
- Adventures of Superman 517 - Superman uses heat vision to light dinner candles.
- Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1 - Iron Man's repulsors and Spider-Woman's venom sting.
- Avengers 153 - Living Laser, Scarlet Witch and Iron Man.
- Avengers 268 - Captain Marvel's light transfer powers.
- Avengers Annual 6
- Avengers Vol 8 27 - Gladiator uses his laser eyes to mercy kill two injured Shi'ar.
- Avengers Vol 8 28 - Wakandan battle suit emits gamma rays. Silver Surfer emits the Power Cosmic.
- Cloak and Dagger Vol 2 1 - Dagger's light daggers.
- Cloak and Dagger Vol 2 2 - Dagger's light daggers.
- Cloak and Dagger Vol 2 3 - Dagger's light daggers.
- Cloak and Dagger Vol 2 4 - Dagger's light daggers.
- Cyberforce 1 - Heatwave's heat blast and Cyblade's energy blast.
- DC Comics Presents 52 - Superman uses heat vision against Negative Woman.
- Dollface 3 - Lila and Elva both exchange magic blasts.
- Doom Patrol 86 - Larry Trainor releases the Negative Man. Roj's laser eyes.
- Fantastic Four 175 - High Evolutionary fires a blast.
- Ghost Rider Vol 2 81 - Zarathos projects streams of Hellfire at Centurious.
- Marvel Spotlight 5 - Ghost Rider projecting Hellfire.
- Marvel Team-Up 100 - Human Torch's flame projection. Karma's psychokinesis.
- My Greatest Adventure 80 - Larry Trainor releases Negative Man.
- Star Wars: Bounty Hunters 7 - Beilert Valance has laser hands.
- Vampblade 6 - Energy blast from Mom the Spaceknight's sword.
Television[]
- Avengers: Avengers Assemble (Part 1)
- Avengers Assemble: Avengers: Impossible! - Iron Man's repulsors and Uni-beam.
- Smallville: Upgrade
- Super Friends: The Bride of Darkseid (Part 2) - Darkseid's Omega Beams and Firestorms' matter transmutation.
=== Film ===