- "I'm no hero. I'm a husband, and if this is the end then I have to be with my wife and kid. I'm sorry."
- —Ryan Choi[src]
Dr. Ryan Choi is a scientist and a physics professor of Ivy Town University. He is the husband of Amanda and the father of Simone. Ryan was revealed as the Paragon of Humanity, and helped to save the multiverse from the Anti-Monitor.
Biography
Original multiverse
Early life
Growing up, Ryan studied science and eventually became a physics professor and a scientist.
At some point, he married Amanda and together, and they would conceive a daughter named Simone.[1]
Anti-Monitor Crisis
Ryan with the other Paragons
On December 10, 2019, six months after Simone's birth, Ryan was in Ivy Town on the phone with his wife when he was approached by Ralph Dibny, Iris West-Allen, and Dr. Ray Palmer (of whom Ryan was a big fan). The three explained that they were there because Ryan was meant to be the Paragon of Humanity, one of seven heroes who could save the multiverse from being destroyed by the Anti-Monitor. Ryan does not believe them at first and decides to leave to be with his wife and daughter. Iris eventually convinces him to help, and he is brought aboard the Waverider. Once back on the Waverider, the heroes are greeted by Harbinger, who has returned after mysteriously disappearing. Pariah also appears and the heroes realize that Harbinger's return is a trap by the Anti-Monitor, who proceeds to kill Mar Novu and destroy Earth-1. Knowing what must be done, Pariah sends the 7 Paragons to the Vanishing Point where the Anti-Monitor can't reach them as the Waverider is destroyed and remaining heroes killed by the antimatter wave. At the vanishing point, the paragons witness Superman disappear and be replaced by Lex Luthor who used the Book of Destiny to make himself the Paragon of Truth.[1]
Stuck at Vanishing Point
Ryan working with Lex
For weeks, the Paragons were stuck in Vanishing Point, as they were the only ones in existence. They all tried to invent ideas and plans to exit. As a scientist, Ryan partnered with Lex on trying to use the materials there to find a solution, but, over time, the partnership and the failures wore them down to the point of insults.[2]
Battle at the Dawn of Time
Ryan with the Paragons
Erased future
Sometime between 2018 and 2024, Ryan Choi designed Barry Allen a suit that fits inside a ring, which was donned by Barry as the 16th iteration of his suit.[3][4]
New multiverse
Ryan was looking after his daughter, Simone, when a shadow demon came to his house to attack him; he is almost killed, but Sara saves him. Later at the bunker, he comes up with the plan to send Mobius to the Microverse.[5]
Sometime later, "Iris West-Allen" visits Ryan in order to learn more about technology stolen by Amunet Black.[6]
Personality
Initially, Ryan had a lot of doubt in himself, he did not want to believe he was a paragon of anything, however, after spending a month stuck with the other paragons and receiving a few pep-talks, he began believing in himself. He begins opening up and trusting of his new friends.
Ryan is open to trying new things. He was excited at the opportunity of walking on an alien planet and was excited when Barry Allen showed off his speed.
Abilities
- Genius-level intellect/Master engineer/Physicist: Ryan has the intellect to understand Ray Palmer's research on sub-atomic density manipulation and teach fundamental physics.[1] Working with Lex Luthor, he was able to build and re-engineer some of the Time Masters' technology from the Vanishing Point.[2]
- Expert tailor: According to Nora West-Allen, Ryan was the one who designed Barry Allen's 16th suit.[3]
- Indomitable will: Ryan is the Paragon of Humanity, meaning he is a being of the purest will.
- Skilled hand-to-hand combatant: Ryan has some skills in unarmed combat; as he was seen defeating Shadow demons.
Appearances
The Flash
Season 5
- "Nora" (mentioned)
Season 6
- "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
- "Love Is A Battlefield" (mentioned)
Arrow
Season 8
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Season 5
Gallery
Promotional images
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Add a photo to this galleryTrivia
- Ryan is most likely the founder of Choi Enterprises, although it's unconfirmed.
- Ryan is the only human civilian to be chosen as a paragon while everyone else is a trained warrior or superpowered individual in some form.
- This could mean that he was chosen because he was the best representation of the "everyman" from the whole of the multiverse.
- Ryan's daughter, Simone, might be named after one of Choi's comic book creators, Gail Simone.
Behind the scenes
- In the DC Comics, Ryan Choi was a student of Ray Palmer and his successor to the identity of the Atom. His first appearance in the comics was Brave New World #1 (August, 2006).
