Karolina Dean
(a.k.a. Lucy in the Sky)
Context
Karolina Dean is one of Marvel Comics’ Runaways. This is a group of (mostly) superhuman children and teenagers, on the run after discovering that their parents were members of a powerful underworld cabal. Our Runaways profiles cover the original version of the team, written by Brian K. Vaughan.
Each of the original members has a different source for their superhuman power. Ms. Dean is the space alien one.
For more context, you should first read our Runaways team profile.
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Background
- Real Name: Karolina Dean.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Frank Dean (father, deceased), Leslie Dean (mother, deceased).
- Group Affiliation: Runaways.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile; formerly The Hostel, under the La Brea Tar Pits museum, Los Angeles.
- Height: 5’9” Weight: 115 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde
Powers and Abilities
Karolina’s alien physiology allows her to absorb solar energy, which she constantly expels as a rainbow glow in her wake. She can also utilise this energy to :
- Fly.
- Project energy blasts.
- Project solid fields of energy.
Her blood is so saturated in solar energy that it can trigger a vampire’s vulnerability to sunlight if they try to drink it.
Due to her abilities being solar powered, they can become less effective if she uses them without having a chance to recharge, such as at night.
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History
(A complete History of the Runaways can be found in the team entry.)
Karolina’s parents were exiled from their home planet, Majesdane, due to their criminal activities. They had revealed Majesdane’s location to Skrull enemies who lived on a planet in the same region. They arrived on Earth, adopted native identities, and became famous actors. Meanwhile they continued to engage in criminal activities.
They became members of the Pride, a secret cabal of six couples. The Cabal controlled a vast criminal network, centred in Los Angeles, which they practically owned.
Since she was young they had made Karolina constantly wear a MedAlert bracelet . Allegedly because of her deadly allergy to penicillin, it actually inhibited her native powers. Thus, it kept her ignorant of her true heritage. She learnt the truth shortly after learnt her parents weren’t nice people, and soon learned that she wasn’t human.
The private life
She developed a crush on teammate Nico Minoru. After misinterpreting a comment she made a pass at Nico, only to discover she wasn’t interested. It made things awkward between them for a while, but they remain good friends.
When Xavin arrived and announced they were betrothed Karolina was initially sceptical and less than enthused. It was slightly alleviated when he became a she. Furthermore, Xavin’s claims that she needed her help to end hostilities between their races caught Dean’s interest. It was the first chance she really had to learn anything about where she was from.
Thus, she agreed to accompany Xavin.
The enmity between their peoples proved too much for them to overcome, and their mission failed. Their people destroyed each other’s planet. They returned to Earth. Xavin joined the Runaways alongside Karolina, as they were now an item after all.
The surviving Majesdanians then sent a military squad to bring Ms. Dean back to trial for her parent’s crimes. Karolina was eventually prepared to accompany them, to save her friends from being harmed in the crossfire. She didn’t get the chance as Xavin knocked her out and took her place.
Personality
Hesitant and lacking confidence, Karolina was initially conflicted about her identity, being both an alien and a lesbian. This left her feeling awkward in her own body, and may have been the cause of her manic-depressive tendencies.
She generally follows the others’ lead, especially Nico, but has occasionally taken the lead when angry enough.
Quotes
“We always go to plan B ! Next time, we should just make that our plan A !”
Xavin: “Oh, you’re doing that thing I dislike!”
Karolina: “I’m not doing anything.”
Xavin: “Crossing your arms and turning away does not mean I’m the one being unreasonable !”
Karolina: “I believe you’ll find it does.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Karolina Dean
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 02 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 02 | Min: 02 | Occupation: Runaway |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 001 |
| Init: 009 | HP: 025 |
Powers:
Energy Blast: 10, Flash: 05, Flight: 06, Force Field: 08, Force Manipulation: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
Flash is Always On with at least 0 APs (-1).
Skills:
Vehicles (Land): 02
Advantages:
Miscellaneous Advantage (Her solar energy-infused blood triggers a vampire’s Vulnerability to sunlight).
Connections:
Runaways (High), Xavin (High), Cloak & Dagger (Low), Young Avengers (Low).
Drawbacks:
Age (Young), Gradual Loss Vulnerability (All Powers when used for AP amounts of time away from sunlight).
Equipment:
Bracelet [BODY 04, Neutralize: 12, Bonuses & Limitations: only Neutralizes the Powers of Karolina’s race].
Previous Stats
Prior to her time in space, Karolina didn’t have Force Field, and her Force Manipulation was only 8 AP.
Detail from art by Scorch-D from his DeviantArt gallery .
Source of Character: Marvel Comics (covers up to Runaways Vol.3 #14).
Writeup completed on the 27th of January, 2012.