Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor, also known as Solar Flare, is a fictional character in the Graffiti series, created by David Ragin.

The older cousin of Max and Jake Taylor, Chris is a superhuman from Southfield, Michigan with the power to generate and manipulate solar energy. Chris was the first superhuman recruited to the Junior S.A.I.N.T. Program by Melrose and Graffiti, and remained an active member until its dissolvement following the Destruction of Millennium City and the Great Superhuman Massacre.

In film, Chris Taylor / Solar Flare is portrayed by Jaden Johnson, and has appeared in Graffiti: Welcome to Foxworth Enterprises (2015) and Graffiti: Heroes and Villains (2017).

Background
Chris Taylor learned of his abilities as a child, being able to make his hands glow and produce small bursts of sunlight from his body. He would use his powers for small, minute tasks, such as lighting a small room to see, or secretly helping his mother's flowers grow. One day, he was hanging out with Max and Jake, where he was visited and recruited by Dylan Johnson and became the first new recruit to the newly established Junior S.A.I.N.T. Program with his cousins.

While training in the program under Melrose, he would learn the vast extent of his abilities beyond generating sunlight, and strived to gain full control of his power. However, the high potential of his abilities would boost his ego, and he soon became very arrogant, and slightly envious of the attention given to Max.

History
Main Article: Plot of Graffiti

Foxworth Enterprises arc
Chris Taylor makes a brief appearance near the end of this arc.

Heroes and Villains arc
Chris Taylor makes his full debut in this arc.

Powers and Abilities

 * Heliokinesis: Chris can create, shape, and manipulate all aspects of sun, starting from its immense heat, luminosity, mass/gravitational field, magnetic field, raw nuclear energy, and reaction, etc. More specific effects include solar winds/flares, geomagnetic storms, sunspot reaction causation, UV emissions, and plant growth promotion. Chris is also able to radiate heat, light, and small electromagnetic sparks. Discovering the extent of his ability, Chris doesn't have much control over it. While Chris's ability does not require the absorption of sunlight in order to be used, His powers manifest more prominently when he is exposed to sunlight.
 * Photokinesis: Light being an aspect of the sun, Chris is able to manipulate the luminosity of the sun and use it for combat and to blind enemies.
 * Calokinesis: Heat being an aspect of the sun, Chris is able to manipulate the ambient heat energy of the sun and use it for combat and to burn enemies. The heat energy he takes from the sun is absorbed into his own body. There are unknown limits to the amount of heat he can absorb into his own body.
 * Solar Radiation Absorption and Empowerment: Chris can absorb solar energy and utilize it for physical strength. The greatest extent of his power charge peaks around high noon. When he has stored a large amount of energy in his body, his skin will glow, and when his body is at his limit, he will emit small flames around his body.
 * Solar Beam Projection: Chris can use the solar energy in his body and concentrate it into a single point, projecting it in the form of a beam of destructive force that is capable of incineration. He can control the levels of his power as well.
 * Gravity Manipulation: Gravity being an aspect of the sun, Chris is able to manipulate the gravitational pull on a small level. He is able to increase the gravity of a small area and revert it to its natural state. However, he cannot decrease the gravitational pull in the area.
 * Solar Flight: Chris can fly, glide and levitate through manipulation of solar energy.
 * Enhanced Durability: As a superhuman, Chris's body has the natural ability to sustain numerous blows of external assault, though his inner body can take damage if struck hard enough.

Weaknesses

 * Arrogance: Chris has acquired an ego due to the unintentional encouragement of Melrose. His arrogance has made him more rebellious to the point that he would not show up to most training sessions, feeling that he doesn't need them.
 * Recklessness: Chris has a tendency to rely on his powers and physical strength, and sometimes will lose himself in a fight, as shown when he almost brutally injured his cousins during a training session.