DarkfireCreated by Marv Wolfman & George Perez
Brother of Starfire (Titans). Ryand'r can fly and generate heat from his hands. Last seen in Titans #17-19; resides on Karna. … Into the Frying Pan
After returning home to Vega, they found that much of the Vegan system had already been converted to Lady Styx's new "religion" of subservience. Styx co-opted the name and power of the former Darkstars; her brainwashed and "zombified" acolytes also called themselves Darkstars. The Darkstars appeared to bring unity and peace to its followers, but this was a mask for the total annihilation of cultures with which she came into contact. Styx preached enlightenment by way of intolerance. Inevitably, Vega's self-styled "protectors," the Omega Men came to clash with the Darkstars on the remains of Tamaran. There, all but the five Omega Men (Tigorr, Broot, Ryand'r, Elu and Doc) were killed. In this battle, the Omega Men uncovered Lady Styx's true goal — to acquire the universal Heartstones. These talismans were borne of the universe itself, at the dawn of time, and held great power. If she could collect all four, she could essentially "kill God" and take its place. During the Omega Men's worst hour Ryand'r found one of these stones on Tamaran and manifested great powers of his own. As the newly-christened Darkfire, he finished off those Darkstars. Across the universe, the Spider Guild (also now under Styx's control) put forth propaganda that the Omega Men had mercilessly destroyed a peaceful Darkstar commune. Styx already possessed one Heartstone, which she entrusted to the Spider Guild leader. She also charged the Spider Guild with acquiring another Heartstone, which lay on Earth, in the depths of the Mariana Trench. They did not know that the last Heartstone also lay on Earth. It was in the possession of a woman named Lianna, who one of several children produced by the Guardians of the Universe and Zamarons. As a child on Oa, she discovered her Heartstone and was transformed into an adult. After this, Lianna and her mother, Mother Zed, moved to Earth (the Phillipines) and began teaching the universal truths they had learned from the Heartstone. Portions of vega were under L.E.G.I.O.N. protection, and this attack drew their commander, Vril Dox himself. But when meeting with the church's Chancellor M'jyn'r (an Citadeller), explained that nothing was above their holy Lady. Dox uses a technology called Silica, attached to his skin, which allows him to interface with remote computer systems. The Chancellor claims the attack was in retaliation for a so-called "Styggian slaughter" but Dox uncovers reason to believe they were searching for something else. While Ryand'r sleeps, his powers of nuclear fusion detonate, damaging the Omegans' ship. Dox tracks them by following Ryand'r's energy signature and set course when he was interrupted by the Guardians of the Universe. They implored him to intervene in a matter because of their restricted involvement in Vegan affairs. They bade him to travel to Earth — to stop the Omega Men. Tigorr salvaged a Zeta Beam transporter from the Rann/Thanagar war, which at first they could not get to work. But when frustrated, the machine inadvertently transported them to Earth, the Philippines. There surprisingly was another Vegan religious leader called Mother Zed. She and her followers stood to watch the Spider Guild decimate the Philippines. Their patroness was none other than a Zamaron warrior who was overtaken by the Spiders. They attempt to steal Zed's Heartstone, but the Omega Men arrive in time to save her. Though Elu extended his force field around them, they found that the land had been utterly destroyed by the Spiders. She recognizes a kindred spirit in Ryand'r, who is also attuned to the Heartstone. Before they could plan their next move, they were confronted by Dox, who'd also gathered a plethora of Earth's heroes for support. (OM2 #1) The Omega Men were confronted on Earth by John Stewart, Superman and the Teen Titans, who were recruited by Vril Dox to supposedly arrest them for their part in a slaughter in Vega. John recognized Mother Zed and attempted to return her home. She lashes out at him but soon explains that the Heartstone she and Mother Zed had protected was one of four essential talismans borne of the universe itself. It brings power to those who possess them. Doc puts Superman to sleep with his "biopathy." Tigorr attacks Dox, who has charged them with violation of the natural order on behalf of the Guardians. The Spider Guild await the stolen Heartstone. The Omega Men are teleported away by their ship's Zeta Beam. Lianna joins them, claiming they are the universe's last hope . (OM2 #2) With the help of the Spider Guild, Lady Styx continued to drain the energies of her followers across Vega. Lianna explains to Tigorr that the Spider Emperor has a third Heartstone. When Styx acquires the fourth, she'll bring all four together and "kill god" and swap places. Elu became angered that Ryand'r and Lianna had led them into a new mess, which triggered Darkfire's power. On Earth, Superman confronted Dox about his motives against the Omega Men. Dox says the Spiders have harnessed dark matter: the fiber of the universe. After calming them down, Tigorr split the team up to stop the Spider's plan. He initially excluded Lianna, but she asserted her prowess as a Zamaron warrior. Dox visits the Emperor, who had contracted him to capture the Omegans. Since he failed, the Emperor takes Dox captive with the dark matter. They find the Spiders' ship in suspended animation and are ambushed by thousands of small energy beings that act in concert. After they/it attacked, they assembled a singular form and inquired after Ryand'r "what am i?" Lianna brought Tigorr to the Emperor himself, only to run up against his most horrific nightmare: Styx had transformed all the deceased Omega Men and Lianna's mother into zombie slaves as well! (OM2 #3)
This my own reinvention of Ryand'r, painted: 
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The Omega Men were lucky to escape the Crisis without additional
losses, but they would not fare so well in the wake of Lady Styx.
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