Dr. Arthur Johnson was a scientist studying the method of transferring the light producing properties of a firefly into plants with the benefit of self-feeding plants who can photosynthesis their own light, even at night. He, along with his lab partner, Dr. Simon Finlay, had developed an experimental drug that could potentially be what they were looking for. The only problem was the first time they tested it, one plant began to glow, the other absorbed so much light that it actually created a cloud of darkness around itself where no light penetrated and then it died.

Unbeknownst to Artie, Dr. Simon Finlay was working with the Polish Dons mafia from the UPNA (United Protectorates of North America) and was tasked with designing a chemical agent that could induce superpowers. And he was behind schedule and getting desperate.

One day the Polish Dons sent men to demand Simon give them something or else they would kill him. They arrived before Artie had left the lab and took him hostage. Forcing Simon to demonstrate something to appease the Polish Dons, Simon injected the plant light serum into Artie and accidentally activated Artie's meta-mutant gland.

No one but Artie made it out of that lab alive as everything living had the light, life, and energy sucked out of them by the blackhole of Dark Matter energy that Artie had become. Then suddenly light was everywhere as it emanated from deep within Artie.

Escaping into the night and hiding out in a cabin he owned up in the mountains of New Zealand, Artie studied his powers in safety, slowly coming to grips with his new life.

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Dark Matter & Photokinesis:

As a result of his exposure to an experimental drug, Paradox's body is a portal to the Dark Matter of this world, a strange ebony energy. Paradox is linked to all dark matter, which absorbs the life forces of other beings. However, at the same time, his light projecting powers seem to be able to calm this absorption, thereby allowing him to choose when he actually absorbs someone.

Paradox also gained the power and ability to freely emit, control and manipulate light for a variety of purposes. The limits of his powers and abilities are unclear, but he seems to be able to wrest control and manipulate anything that emits light. Such things have included Ragnarök's bright green glowing energy constructs, Zeus's energy projections, and magic lightning from Mirage. He was also able to temporarily take the "internal" light away from Moonlite and Jubilent.

Dark Matter Channeling: Paradox can channel dark matter to create a field of darkness in his general vicinity, usually using his cloak as a focal point to manipulate this darkness, though it can spread well beyond the confines of his cloak. People enveloped by Paradox's darkness feel numbing cold and experience terrifying visions of their own greatest fears and nightmares. Overlong exposure to the darkness can drive people insane. Unprotected victims trapped in Paradox's dark matter are gradually drained of their life force, and presumably die unless Paradox releases them. Interestingly enough, Flair's light renders him largely immune to Paradox's darkness, and he can extend his light to protect others within Paradox's darkness if need be. Strangely, Paradox's own light cannot extend to protect others, but instead protects him from imploding into dark matter, or can be used to project outward for other means.

Dark Matter Teleportation: Paradox can teleport by entering the dark matter, moving a short distance within it and emerging back on Earth a great distance from his point of origin. A span of miles on Earth can be traversed in only a few steps via shortcuts through dark matter. Paradox can teleport other persons or objects along with himself in this fashion, too, a feat not often used since most beings cannot safely traverse through dark matter. The more he transports in this way, the more weakened he becomes.

Dark Matter Intangibility: Paradox is usually intangible, though he can solidify through an act of will, or by generating enough "light" to saturate his form temporarily. He can pass through objects and objects (such as bullets) pass through him. His intangibility makes him very hard to hit. On the rare occasions when he resumes human form, he usually reverts to his old stutter, which vanishes when he becomes Paradox.

Energy Absorption: Paradox can drain ambient light in any area.

Energy Construct Creation: If necessary, he can create dark matter or light-based energy constructs similar to Ch'gor Kar'od, Ragnarök and Major Fury.

Energy Projection: He can generate blasts of white energy.

Flight: It is unknown exactly how he uses his light to fly, yet he does and has done so throughout most of his career. Although it is possible he attracts himself to certain light.

Force Field: He can create white glowing force fields.

Illusion Casting: Using his photokinesis, Paradox can create solid images of himself or others, which explode into sparkles of light, or concussive force, on contact.

Invisibility: He can bend the light around himself to become invisible.

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Genius Level Intellect

Botany

Entomology

Physics

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Cloak: His cloak seems to be a manifestation of his powers as it cannot be removed and it appeared on him the moment his powers activated. It also seems to grow or shrink as he decides and is able to reach out and grab people or objects.

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Single Use: Paradox cannot use both of his powers at the same time. The only exception to this is his involuntary projection of light that holds him here in reality instead of being sucked into the dark matter. This constant light is evident by the glow coming from within his cloak. As of yet, Paradox cannot mix his powers consciously and must decide which one to switch to as the situation changes. This restriction seems to be based on his mindset. The darker his emotions and thoughts, the more likely he uses his dark matter powers. The happier or positive he is, the more light-based powers he uses.

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Family: Paradox had two sisters and one brother. One was his sister Alysse, who was separated at birth from Artie. Alysse knew Artie was her twin brother but chose not to let Artie know this, yet. No reason is given why. Another unnamed sister died from a drug overdose after she was introduced to drugs by their brother Jacob.

Side Effect: A side effect of his drug-induced meta-mutant powers is that Artie has stopped aging. His body no longer produces fatigue toxins, he no longer feels aches and pains, he no longer needs sleep, air (except to speak), water or food.