Rose and Thorn

From Hey Kids Comics

Thorn
Comic image missing.svg.png
Thorn on the cover of Flash Comics # 89
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Flash Comics # 89 (November, 1947)
Created by John Broome
Carmine Infantino
In-story information
Alter ego Rose Canton
Notable aliases Alyx Florin
Abilities Limited control over plants, the ability to spin at high speed, knowledge of plant poisons.

Rose and Thorn are the two personalities of a Golden Age character in DC Comics.

Thorn (Rose Canton) is a woman with a split personality whose villainous personality has the ability to control plants. Initially, she and her hired thugs opposed The Flash. After being (apparently) cured of her Thorn persona, Rose married Alan Scott and had two children, Jennie-Lynn Hayden and Todd James Rice by him. After a resurgence of her madness, she committed suicide.

Years later, a second "Rose and Thorn" appeared, Rhosyn Forrest. (Before the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Rose Canton came from Earth-2 and Rose Forrest from Earth-1; see Multiverse (DC Comics)).

Fictional character biography[edit | edit source]

As a child, Rose Canton would use an imaginary friend, "Thorn", to deflect blame for bad things that she did. Over the years, Thorn developed as a distinct persona in Rose's head. As an adult, Rose was studying biology on the island of Tashmi, where she was exposed to the sap of a jungle root, which transformed her into Thorn. After killing her teacher, Professor Hollis, she reverted back to Rose. Rose returned to America and settled in Keystone City where Thorn headed a gang which harassed the Flash. When she was in control, Rose would approach Jay for help, claiming to be Thorn's sister.

The Amazons of Paradise Island undertook her psychological treatment and apparently managed to rid Rose of the Thorn persona. During the time of her recovery, Rose developed a crush on Alan Scott. Dyeing her hair black, she assumed the identity of Alyx Florin and romantically pursued him, leading to their marriage. Tragedy struck when, on their honeymoon, Thorn returned. The personality of Rose was able to prevent Thorn from killing Alan, but she chose to run, preferring Alan to believe that she had perished in the fire that consumed their cabin. Their brief honeymoon resulted in the conception of twins, the children who were to become Jade and Obsidian. Fearful that Thorn might kill them, she gave the children up for adoption.

Thorn continued to fight Alan, who was still unaware of his wife's alter ego. On the island of Tashmi, she faced her husband and two children, both now adults. To keep Thorn from killing them, Rose fatally stabbed herself in the heart.[1]

It has been revealed that Rose Canton had given birth to a third child, known only as Mayflower of the US government-backed team The Force of July. Mayflower has her mother's ability to grow plant life and have them do her bidding. Mayflower speaks with an English accent. The identity of her father has not been revealed. She was killed by Ravan, who was at that time a member of the Suicide Squad, during the Janus Directive affair.[2]

The New 52[edit | edit source]

A new version of Rose and Thorn appeared in September 2012 as part of the "New 52" line from DC, written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Neil Googe. This version is a teenage girl Rose, who is just returning to school after being institutionalized following the death of her father. The shy Rose discovers that she has a violent and sexually adventurous split personality Thorn who is determined to find her father's murderers.

Powers and abilities[edit | edit source]

Exposure to the sap of a rare tropical plant gave Thorn limited control over plant life, especially those with thorny stalks. The sap was also responsible for physically transforming Rose into the evil Thorn. She also has the ability to spin rapidly like a top. Thorn also had Rose's extensive knowledge of botany and plant-related toxins.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Infinity, Inc. Annual # 1, 1985
  2. Suicide Squad Vol.1 #35

External links[edit | edit source]

(Appears in flashback and main story)