Strange Visitor

Strange Visitor, also known as Sharon Vance, is a fictional superheroine in DC Comics, depicted as a being of pure electromagnetic energy who serves as an ally to Superman.^[1] She originated as Sharon Vance, a childhood friend of Clark Kent from Smallville, who was transformed when a lightning strike fused her with the cosmic entity Kismet, granting her vast energy-based powers.^[1] Strange Visitor first appeared in Superman (vol. 2) #149 (October 1999), created by writer and artist Ron Frenz, co-creator Randall Frenz, and inker Sal Buscema.^[2] In her debut storyline, titled "Who Is Strange Visitor?", she arrives in Metropolis wearing a modified containment suit resembling Superman's former electric blue costume, using her abilities to combat super-villains while her unstable energy form is stabilized by Professor Emil Hamilton.^[2]^[1] Her powers include electrical and magnetic manipulation, such as generating energy bursts, electron beams, force fields, and magnetic pulses; density control to phase through objects; flight at near-light speeds; empathy; aura reading; and the ability to drain or transfer energy.^[1] These abilities mirror aspects of Superman's temporary electromagnetic phase, positioning her as a powerful counterpart who aids him in key battles, including against Gorilla Grodd and the universe-threatening Imperiex.^[1] In a notable sacrifice during the Our Worlds at War crossover, Strange Visitor expends her essence to restore Superman's strength, seemingly ending her existence.^[1] She later returns in modern DC continuity, appearing as a prisoner of the Department of Extranormal Operations and a member of the Justice League of America in Supergirl (vol. 6) (2018).^[3]

Publication history

Creation and development

Strange Visitor was created by writer Ron Frenz and his son Randall Frenz, with pencils by Ron Frenz and inks by Sal Buscema, for DC Comics.^[4]^[5] The character debuted in Superman (vol. 2) #149 in October 1999, as part of a three-issue storyline titled "Who Is Strange Visitor?".^[5] This introduction coincided with the tail end of Superman's "electric blue" phase, a period from 1998 to 2000 during which the Man of Steel's powers shifted to electromagnetic energy manipulation following his absorption of excessive solar energy.^[6] The character's design drew direct inspiration from this transformation, positioning her as an ally who mirrored Superman's temporary energy-based form and required a similar containment suit to stabilize her abilities.^[4] Sharon Vance, the human host for Strange Visitor, was conceived as a childhood friend of Clark Kent from Smallville, Kansas, to establish deep personal ties within Superman's mythos and explore connections to his formative years.^[4] Her origin incorporated elements from prior Superman lore by fusing Vance with Kismet, a cosmic entity embodying the quintessence of the DC Multiverse that had appeared in 1990s stories.^[4] This blend allowed the character to serve as a narrative extension of Superman's evolving powers while grounding her in his Smallville roots.

Major appearances

Strange Visitor debuted in Superman (vol. 2) #149 (October 1999), written and illustrated by Ron Frenz with Randall Frenz, in which Sharon Vance acquires electromagnetic powers during Superman's electrical phase and assumes the Strange Visitor mantle to aid him in Metropolis. The character played a prominent role throughout the 2001 "Our Worlds at War" crossover event, appearing in multiple Superman family titles such as Adventures of Superman #595, Superman (vol. 2) #173, and Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files and Origins #1, where she merges her energy form with Superman to form a powerful entity that defeats the cosmic threat Imperiex-Prime, resulting in her apparent sacrifice and death.^[7] Following over a decade of absence, Strange Visitor returned in Supergirl (vol. 7) #15 (January 2018), co-written by Steve Orlando and Jody Houser with art by Robson Rocha, as a disoriented survivor of her past sacrifice who integrates into Prime Earth continuity and joins the Justice Foundation, a team of metahuman enforcers under government oversight.^[8] Post-2018 appearances have been sparse and confined to minor roles in Supergirl issues, such as #16 (February 2018), as well as a cameo in Justice League of America (vol. 5) #29 (June 2018) where she joins the Justice Foundation, with no significant story arcs or expansions in DC publications as of 2025.^[9] Overall, Strange Visitor's comic appearances total 25 issues, concentrated in Superman-related titles from 1999 to 2002 during her initial run and the "Our Worlds at War" event, followed by a modern revival in the Supergirl and Justice League of America series.^[10]

Fictional character biography

Origin

Sharon Vance grew up in Smallville, Kansas, as a close childhood friend of Clark Kent, sharing everyday experiences in their rural hometown before Kent relocated to Metropolis as an adult.^[4] During their youth, Kent once rescued Vance from a dangerous fall, an event that subtly connected her to the cosmic entity Kismet without her knowledge at the time.^[4] Kismet, a universal guardian being from Superman lore, had been observing Kent's life from afar.^[4] As an adult, Vance, now a resident of Metropolis, boarded a passenger plane that was suddenly struck by lightning during a storm.^[4] The bolt triggered a fusion between Vance's body and Kismet's essence, transforming her into a being composed entirely of pure electromagnetic energy.^[4] In the immediate aftermath of the merger, Vance experienced disorientation and memory loss, with initial manifestations of her new abilities emerging uncontrollably, such as bursts of electrical energy that hinted at her emerging heroic potential.^[4] This event, detailed in her debut story, marked the beginning of her shift from an ordinary life to one intertwined with superhuman forces.^[4] Vance's energy form proved highly unstable, causing her physical structure to dissipate without external support.^[4] Seeking help, she turned to Professor Emil Hamilton, a trusted scientist associated with Superman's circle, who engineered a specialized containment suit modeled after one previously used by Superman to stabilize her volatile electromagnetic composition.^[4] The suit allowed her to maintain a humanoid appearance and control her powers, enabling her first acts of heroism.^[4] Upon regaining fragments of her identity and reflecting on her enigmatic, otherworldly nature as an energy outsider among Earth's heroes, Vance adopted the alias "Strange Visitor," a name that captured her mysterious origins and transient presence in the world.^[4]

Alliance with Superman and early adventures

Following her transformation, Strange Visitor emerged as a key ally to Superman during his "electric blue" phase, where he existed as a being of pure energy. Her initial heroic acts involved aiding the Man of Steel against energy-draining threats, most notably the Parasite in a confrontation that temporarily amplified the villain's abilities after he absorbed her electromagnetic essence. This battle, orchestrated with assistance from S.T.A.R. Labs, allowed Strange Visitor to stabilize her volatile powers while helping Superman repel the Parasite's rampage through Metropolis.^[4] As a supportive partner, Strange Visitor complemented Superman's enhanced energy-based abilities with her own electromagnetic manipulation, enabling coordinated efforts to protect the city from various perils. Operating primarily in Metropolis, she utilized her form to provide reconnaissance, energy shields, and targeted blasts that synergized with Superman's strength, establishing her as an indispensable teammate in urban crises. Her containment suit, designed with similarities to the one Superman wore during his energy transformation, helped regulate her output and symbolized their shared struggles with unstable power.^[4] The alliance carried emotional depth rooted in Strange Visitor's human origins as Sharon Vance, a childhood friend from Smallville who harbored unspoken romantic feelings for Clark Kent during their youth. These lingering sentiments added nuance to their collaboration, as Sharon's merged consciousness with the cosmic entity Kismet occasionally resurfaced memories of their innocent friendship, fostering a bond of mutual trust and subtle affection amid high-stakes battles.^[4] From 1999 to 2001, Strange Visitor featured prominently in key issues of Superman titles, including her debut in Superman #149 and subsequent appearances in Action Comics #759–760 and Adventures of Superman #572, where she grappled with containing her unstable energy while fighting alongside Superman. These stories highlighted her role in team efforts against escalating threats, solidifying her status as a recurring figure who extended the themes of Kryptonian-adjacent heroism—protecting Earth through otherworldly power—without direct ties to Krypton.^[4]

Sacrifice in Our Worlds at War

In the 2001 DC Comics crossover event "Our Worlds at War," Strange Visitor, also known as Sharon Vance, played a decisive role in the battle against Imperiex, a cosmic entity intent on unraveling the universe to remake it in its own image.^[11] This massive conflict united Earth's superheroes, including Superman, against Imperiex's armada of destructive forces, alongside threats from alien invaders, gods like Darkseid, and opportunistic villains such as Brainiac 13, who sought to exploit the chaos.^[11] Strange Visitor's involvement stemmed from her prior alliance with Superman, built on their shared Smallville roots and mutual trust, positioning her as a key asset in the escalating war.^[12] As the heroes' assaults faltered against Imperiex's impenetrable armor, Strange Visitor volunteered to channel her full reserves of electromagnetic energy—enhanced by her fusion with the cosmic entity Kismet—directly into Superman.^[7] This act transformed Superman into a living conduit of amplified power, enabling him to deliver the critical strike that cracked Imperiex's shell and drained its life force, turning the tide of the war.^[7] The transfer occurred in Superman vol. 2 #173 (September 2001), where Strange Visitor's body of pure energy fully dissipated, resulting in her disintegration and heroic death.^[7] Her sacrifice profoundly affected Superman, Clark Kent, who mourned the loss of Sharon Vance not only as a powerful ally but as a cherished childhood friend from Smallville, underscoring themes of profound friendship, selfless devotion, and the heavy toll of cosmic conflict.^[12] This event marked Strange Visitor's temporary exit from continuity, leaving a lasting emotional scar on Superman amid the war's broader victories and casualties.^[12]

Return in modern continuity

Strange Visitor was reintroduced to the post-Flashpoint DC Universe in Supergirl (vol. 7) #15 (January 2018), where she manifests as a disoriented energy being in National City, having been resurrected from the dispersed electromagnetic remnants of her earlier sacrifice.^[13] Depicted as a prisoner under the control of the Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO), she is manipulated by Director Bones into attacking Supergirl as part of broader DEO efforts to undermine the hero amid escalating conspiracies against metahumans.^[13] After breaking free from DEO influence, Strange Visitor joins the Justice Foundation, a government-sanctioned superhero team operating in a dystopian alternate timeline scenario designed to harness superhuman talents for technological and societal advancement under strict oversight.^[13] This integration marks a shift in her role from an independent ally of Superman to an institutionalized operative, emphasizing themes of lost autonomy and state control over extraordinary powers within Supergirl's ongoing narratives of DEO intrigue and reluctant team alliances.^[13] Since her 2018 return, Strange Visitor has received limited narrative development, appearing only in supporting capacities within Justice League of America titles without major solo arcs or character expansions as of 2025.^[14] Her involvement highlights tensions in Supergirl's arcs, where DEO manipulations expose vulnerabilities in team dynamics and force examinations of heroic independence versus enforced utility.^[13]

Powers and abilities

Electromagnetic energy manipulation

Strange Visitor's primary offensive capabilities derive from her ability to generate and project electromagnetic energy blasts, which can disrupt electronic systems and deliver devastating force against opponents. These blasts, often manifested as concentrated surges of electrical energy, allow her to target vulnerabilities in machinery or armored foes with precision. For instance, in her debut confrontation, she unleashed such blasts to neutralize threats effectively. She can also emit electron beams from her eyes.^[1] She further manipulates magnetic fields inherent to her connection with Earth's geomagnetic forces, enabling control over metallic objects for offensive or utility purposes, such as hurling debris at enemies or levitating structures to create tactical advantages. This manipulation extends to forming rudimentary barriers from ferromagnetic materials, enhancing her combat versatility without relying solely on energy projection.^[1] Defensively, Strange Visitor generates force fields composed of solidified electromagnetic energy, which shield her and nearby allies from incoming physical impacts, projectiles, or energy-based assaults. These fields, stabilized by her specialized containment suit, provide robust protection during intense battles, absorbing and dispersing hostile energies to prevent penetration.^[1] Her powers include the absorption and redirection of external energy sources, allowing her to draw ambient or directed electromagnetic radiation to bolster her own reserves and amplify subsequent attacks. She can siphon energy and powers from other superhumans. This process proved critical during large-scale conflicts, where she siphoned vast quantities of energy to empower allies, demonstrating the scalable nature of her abilities.^[1] Additionally, Strange Visitor achieves intangibility by dispersing her electromagnetic form, enabling her to phase through solid obstacles and evade direct confrontations. This dispersion maintains her cohesion as an energy entity, facilitating evasion while preserving offensive potential upon reformation.^[1]

Physical and sensory capabilities

Strange Visitor exhibits superhuman flight, propelled by her electromagnetic energy form, achieving velocities approaching that of light. This capability facilitates interstellar journeys and instantaneous global traversal, allowing her to respond to crises with unparalleled rapidity.^[15] Her composition as a being of pure electromagnetic energy confers exceptional durability, rendering her impervious to most physical harms such as bullets, explosions, and extreme environmental conditions. Nonetheless, this resilience falters against targeted disruptions to her energy matrix, which can destabilize her form.^[16] In terms of sensory abilities, Strange Visitor employs telepathic emotion sensing to detect affective states and intentions through electromagnetic "vibes" emanating from individuals. This perceptual power enables her to identify distress or malice from afar, functioning as a form of cosmic empathy that guides her interventions. She can also read auras using vision across the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared to detect heat signatures or magnetic resonances to perceive molecular structures.^[17]^[1] A key limitation stems from her reliance on a specialized containment suit, which stabilizes her electromagnetic energy form and prevents uncontrolled diffusion. Absent this suit, her energy gradually dissipates, compromising her physical integrity over time.^[16]

In other media

Animation

Sharon Vance, the civilian identity of the superhero Strange Visitor, made her animated debut in the Young Justice series. She appears in the season 2 episode "True Colors," which originally aired on January 19, 2013, and is voiced by Masasa Moyo. In the episode, set in the Earth-16 continuity of the Young Justice universe, Vance serves as a tour guide at LexCorp Farms in Smallville, leading a group of visitors—including members of the Team—through the facility while explaining its genetically enhanced crop projects. This role provides a subtle nod to her comic book origins as a Smallville native and childhood acquaintance of Clark Kent, without any indication of her latent superhuman potential.^[1] Her appearance establishes Vance as a minor supporting character in the series' expansive narrative, highlighting LexCorp's shadowy operations amid the Reach invasion storyline. As of November 2025, this remains the only animated depiction of Sharon Vance or Strange Visitor, with no portrayals of her empowered form in any DC animated projects to date. Future inclusions in ongoing or upcoming series, such as potential expansions of the Young Justice universe, could explore her full character arc.

Other adaptations

As of November 2025, Strange Visitor has not appeared in any live-action films, television series, or stage productions, despite the extensive adaptations of other Superman-associated characters across these formats.^[18] She is also absent from video games, even though many Superman titles such as Injustice and DC Universe Online feature supporting characters from his mythos; comprehensive catalogs of Superman video game appearances confirm no inclusion of Sharon Vance in this medium.^[19] Strange Visitor has received no substantial roles in DC prose novels or tie-in media, with exhaustive lists of Superman-focused books showing no references to her beyond comic crossovers.^[20] Her 2018 revival in the comics has sparked interest in broader media potential, similar to energy-based figures like Superman Blue, whose visual and thematic elements could lend themselves to live-action explorations in projects like the DC Universe's Superman film series, though no such adaptations have been announced.