Justin Arthur

**Justin Arthur**, also known as **Shining Knight**, is a fictional character and hero in comic books published by the American company DC Comics. He first appeared in *Adventure Comics* #66 (September 1941), but his first appearance in *Swamp Thing* comics was in *Swamp Thing* Vol. 2, #87 (June 1989). He was created by Henry Lynne Perkins and Creig Flessel.

## History

### Origin

When he rode to Camelot, hoping to become a Knight of the Round Table, he happened to rescue an old man from peril. The old man turned out to be Merlin, the famed court magician to King Arthur, and in gratitude, the old wizard enchanted Sir Justin's equipment, enabling his sword to cut through almost any kind of matter, rendering his armor nearly impervious to any kind of damage, and bestowing wings upon his horse, Winged Victory. With these advantages, Sir Justin easily gained a place at the Round Table and served quite well, up until he was sent northward to fight an ogre. During that ill-fated battle, both Justin and the ogre fell into an icy crevasse. Unable to escape, Sir Justin was frozen for over 1,300 years.

### Shining Knight

In 1941, Sir Justin's frozen but still living body and steed were discovered by Professor Moresby, an archaeologist and historian employed by a museum in New York City. Finding difficulty adjusting to his circumstances, the knight became a vigilante, deciding that his vows to uphold justice and defend the innocent still applied even though the organization to which he made those vows (The Knights of the Round Table) had long since dissolved. He took on the moniker of "Shining Knight."

Seeking to become part of something bigger, he joined the Law's Legionnaires, and later the All-Star Squadron. In the latter group, he met Dannette Reilly, then known as Firebrand. The two fell in love, but when war struck in England, Sir Justin felt it was his duty to protect his homeland, and traveled there to offer his services to the King, and was assigned to the personal guard of Winston Churchill. During the Blitz, Justin saved a young man named Percival Sheldrake, who pledged to become Justin's partner, calling himself the Squire.

Following the war, Justin was called back to Camelot by Merlin, but decided that the modern world need his services more, though he would make periodic trips back to Camelot to aid his fellow knights. On one such trip, he and the other knights were sent on a quest to retrieve the legendary Holy Grail to defend their kingdom against Morgan LeFay, but although they finally gained the grail after much tribulation, Camelot fell.

### Seven Soldiers of Victory

In 1948, Sir Justin joined the Seven Soldiers of Victory. In the aftermath of their battle with the Nebula Man, the seven were scattered throughout time, and Justin found himself in China serving Genghis Khan. He was shortly after returned to the present through the aid of the Justice League and the Justice Society.

### Later life

The years after that were not so kind to Sir Justin. A villain called the Dragon King murdered his beloved Firebrand. His Squire Percival, having since taken on the moniker of the Knight and trained his son to become the second Squire, was murdered by Spring-Heeled Jack, while the son tarnished the legacy by becoming associated with the Ultramarine Corps. Sir Justin suffered amnesia for a time, but later got back on his feet with help from his friend Pat Dugan (previously Stripesy of the Seven Soldiers), who aided him in avenging Dannette's death.

### Identity Crisis

When Sue Dibny, wife of Elongated Man, was horrifically murdered, an understandably sympathetic Sir Justin came out of retirement and went hunting for the culprit with Vixen, Captain Marvel, and Firestorm. During the course of a battle with Shadow Thief, the villain stole Justin's sword and stabbed Firestorm with it. The sword was destroyed by Firestorm's heat, and the doomed hero exploded shortly afterwards, surviving just long enough to fly out of range of any people or structures. Deeply anguished at his inadvertent role in Firestorm's death, Sir Justin has not been seen since that night.

## Powers and Abilities

### Abilities

* **Leadership:** Justin has been a part of a few groups both during his time and in the future of the JSA. He has led his fellow teammates into battle many times during his career.
* **Swordsmanship:** Justin was a hero of Camelot and one of the knights of the round table. He is well armed with his enchanted sword.
* **Equestrianism:** Justin rides Winged Victory, a Pegasus, into battle and has done so for many years.

## Paraphernalia

### Equipment

* **Enchanted Armor:** Sir Justin's armor was enchanted to be lightweight but impervious to almost any kind of damage. While wearing it, Justin is protected from freezing, burning, and possibly also electrocution and radiation.

### Transportation

* **Winged Victory:** Sir Justin rides upon his horse who, as the name suggests, is capable of flight.

### Weapons

* **Enchanted Sword:** Sir Justin's sword was enchanted so that it can cut through almost anything.

## In other media

*Main article: Shining Knight in other media*