Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)

Doctor Spectrum
Name	Joseph Ledger
Current Alias	Doctor Spectrum
Affiliation and Relationships
Affiliation	Squadron Supreme
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	6′ (1.83 m)
Weight	190 lbs (86.18 kg) (86kg)
Eyes	Irises: White
Hair	White
Unusual Features	His body has a chalkish complexion after the destruction of his Power Prism and absorption of its fragments.
Origin and Living Status
Origin	In space, Joe found Skymax and was given the Power Prism. The two were founding members of the Squadron Supreme.
Living Status	Alive
Reality	Earth-712
Personal Information
Identity	Secret
Citizenship	American
Occupation	Astronaut, scientist
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Roy Thomas, John Buscema
First	Avengers #85 (February, 1971)
First	Avengers #85 (February, 1971)

 You may have stolen his colors and learned to parrot some of his more reactionary rhetoric -- but if you understand the first thing about the man, you'd've noticed none of his costumes included jackboots. 

—Dr. Spectrum

History

While on a mission in deep space, astronaut Joe Ledger came across a Skrull spaceship and met Skymax, who Joe saved. As a show of thanks, Skymax gave Joe the Power Prism. The two became superheroes, with Joe taking the name of Doctor Spectrum, and joining the Squadron Supreme.

The Squadron served loyally to President Rockefeller who was under the control of the Serpent Crown. When the Avengers were sent to the Squadron's reality by Hugh Jones, also a minion of the crown, the Avengers made them realize that something was wrong. When Hyperion wanted to pursue the Avengers, Spectrum suggested pursuing what they had to worry about on their world first.

When Squadron member Nuke went insane, Joe restrained him in a bubble, causing Nuke to suffocate while trying to break free. Nuke's death greatly perturbed Joe and motivated him to vow that he would no longer use his powers in violent ways if he could avoid it. Joe also fell in love with the reformed Foxfire. When battling Nighthawk's team the Redeemers over the Utopia Program, Joe had to abandon his pacifist views. The Power Prism was shattered by the Black Archer's arrows during the battle. Foxfire used her powers to give Nighthawk a heart attack, and the Mink stabbed her in revenge. As Foxfire lay dying, Joe angrily lashed out at Mink. To everyone's surprise, he fired a blast at her. It seems the Prism's powers had transferred to Joe's body due to fragments hitting his skin. He remained a member of the Squadron and has met the Avengers on many occasions.

Joe and the Squadron were later stranded on Earth-616 after their battle against the Nth Man and offered sanctuary at Project Pegasus by Quasar. After numerous adventures on Earth-616, Joe and the Squadron were able to return to their Earth, only to discover it had been taken over by the Global Directorate. Joe and the original members of the Squadron reformed the team, and re-recruitef Joe's friend Skymax to undo the damage done to their world in their absence.

Attributes

Powers

File:Exiles Vol 1 77 page 16 Joseph Ledger (Earth-712).jpg

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Power Prism: Joe used to wield the Power Prism which allowed him to control multicolored light-based energies through force of will. The energies can be used for blasts, shields, or solidified to make shapes such as containers. He can also use these energies for flight and intangibility. He can use the energy to take over mechanical devices. He also used the spectrum to apparently remove the powers of Brain Child.

Trivia

• Doctor Spectrum was created as a pastiche of DC Comics' Green Lantern.

See Also

• 61 appearance(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 10 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 6 minor appearance(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 1 mention(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 2 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 22 image(s) of Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 4 quotation(s) by or about Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)
• 1 victim(s) killed by Joseph Ledger (Earth-712)