The Ray is a superhero identity used by multiple characters in the DC Comics Universe, with the second and most prominent being Raymond C. "Ray" Terrill. Created by writer Jack C. Harris and artist Joe Quesada, Ray Terrill made his debut in The Ray #1 in February 1992. The character was introduced as the son of the original Golden Age Ray, Langford "Happy" Terrill, who had been a member of the Freedom Fighters.
Ray Terrill's origin story is rooted in a sheltered childhood. Raised believing that direct sunlight would kill him, he was dubbed "Night Boy" by the media. On his eighteenth birthday, he learned the truth from his dying father: he had inherited light-based powers, and his father had hidden him away to protect him from enemies. Embracing his heritage, Ray took on the mantle of The Ray, gaining the ability to absorb, store, and manipulate light energy for flight, hard-light constructs, and energy blasts.
The character was part of DC's early 1990s push to introduce legacy heroes who carried on the traditions of Golden Age characters. As a member of the modern Freedom Fighters, The Ray fought against oppression and tyranny, often squaring off against Nazi-themed villains. His powers and costume, which features a black bodysuit with a glowing yellow sunburst emblem, made him a visually distinctive presence in the DC Universe. Though never an A-list hero, The Ray developed a cult following and appeared in various team books and crossover events over the decades.